Guilty Pleasure.

What happened to the #2 meal at McDonald's?  I have to admit, I'm a sucker for the Golden Arches.  I can't stay away for too long.  Every couple of weeks I need a cheeseburger.  But my fav meal is no longer on the menu!  I guess I have to settle for ordering a la carte...cheeseburger, fries and a coke.  The perfect meal after a night of too much wine, or an empty cupboard, or a bad mood.  It's a cure-all.  :)

Hot and Hotter.

Day two in the mid 90's for Lima and much of Ohio.  Mindy Pauris, the weekend anchor, sent me this picture for some comic relief from the heat... **chuckle**

Routines.

Every morning holds the same routine for me.  I don't use an alarm clock, but usually wake up in the realm of 10am to noon.  (One of the perks of an evening shift.)  Then I let the pup out, feed and water her and hit the laptop.  There used to be a cup of coffee involved here but I try not to get too addicted to caffeine so I am on a break, summer feels like a good time for that...it's hot!

I visit the same set of websites every morning...pretty much the same order too...  It's kind of my way of waking up and getting back into the real world.  It involves chatting, weather, shopping, email and blogs.  The shopping ones are my favorite, even though I rarely make purchases.  Today I couldn't resist though with a huge sale at Ideeli. 

See what I mean at Ideeli.com.

Another fun one that always offers some surprises is Woot!

And I just learned of this one from Sam, a videographer/reporter at WLIO: Software Giveaway of the Day

Lasagna Fever.

Lasagna is hands down, one of my fav foods.  One of the best things about it is that you really can't screw it up!  There are so many variations...they're endless!

My Bestie M blogged last night about a new combo she just tried...zucchini and yellow squash are definitely on my shopping list for this weekend's farmers market!  Check it out on Cocktails & Cashmere.

One of my favorite lasagna's is Giada De Laurentis' Butternut Squash Lasagna.  It's a little labor intensive, but well worth the extra work.  This is probably secondonly to mom's lasgagna made with Ed's Special Spghetti Sauce (which I am continually learning how to make).

Birthday Presents.

So it's a month away and already I've been getting the question...what do you want for your birthday?  Hmmm, I don't know!  The best presents in my mind are things that someone thinks up on their own.  Big or small, doesn't matter.  I'm a huge..."it's the thought that counts" kind of girl. 

My favorite present ever was a Tiffany Lamp (Picture) that my mom got for me one Christmas when I was in college.  For years, we had admired one like it from the window of Godiva Chocolates at Ridgedale Mall.  I had no idea was was in the huge, heavy box until I opened it.  Love it still to this day! 

This year my sister is visiting me...that's a great present!  She hasn't yet been to see the Bean Town, so I'll be sure to show her all the sights and sounds of Lima.

If I had to choose some gifts this year I would pick a pait of pumas like these or a unique piece of funky jewelry!  Hint Hint. :)

RibFest.

Between shows Csaba and I thought it a good idea to visit RibFest.  We shared a smapling from two different vendors.  The Carolina Rib King had the best ribs hands down.  We also sampled his brisket, cole slaw, baked beans and corn bread.  All Fabulous.

The Smokin' BBQ stand's pulled pork was hands down my fav item of the 'Fest.  Delicious! 

This might be in the top five meals in Lima so far!  They sure are proud rib makers!  Check out the trophy signs...

Dreaming.

Ideeli.com is one of my daily shopping sites.  I usually tell mysself I am just looking for work clothes, but today I can't help but almost buy a cocktail ring from Clyde & Co.  I definitely need to spice up my jewelry box with oneof these beatuies!

Smokey Vermeil Quartz Ring

Green Technibond Oval Ring

Grey Oval Moonstone Ring - My Fav!

Red Oval Checkerboard Ring

Blue Diamond Band - Splurge!

Perks and Cukes.

The reporter side of my job sometimes offers a few benefits that give the job that something extra.  I was doing a story on Fourth of July, Way Higher than knee-high corn this past week and chatted live with a local farmer about his crops.  In the down time we got to inspecting his cucumbers and he picked a few for the camera guy, Phil, and I to take home with us.  They were early season so not the biggest, but they were tasty!  I don't know what Phil did with his, but I made sure to grab Grandpa's recipe for cucumber-onion salad!  Here's the recipe...it's a little sweeter than other versions I've tried...

Thinly sliced cucumber. 
Thinly sliced onion.
1/2 cup white vinegar.
1/2 cup sugar.
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil.
Salt.
Pepper.

Heavily salt the sliced cucumbers and onion.  Let sit for an hour or more.  Rinse.  Drain and press to remove as much water as possible.  In a separate bowl, wisk vinegar, sugar and oil.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Viola!

Turned out fabulous!

Second Job.

Well, the weekend weather girl in Lima, OH is on a budget.  So to suppliment my need for regular manicures, I've enlisted myself with BioLife Plasma donation.  At $20 a donation, twice a week, it's a nice pay check.  Or at least one that will pay for a decent manicure every few weeks.  Kind of reminds me of being in college again though...  :)

Before & After.

So here's my thrift store transformation from ugly painting to headboard...  In all with the painting, batting and fabric it cost me $22.  I am pretty impressed.  The best part of it all is that when I get sick of the fabric, I can just change it very easily!  Nothing but a little duck tape and an iron to get the job done!  Here's some pics start to finish...

Vintage Finds.

I'm definitely on a thrift store binge these days.  Every few days I visit my fav thrift store in Lima... Neighborhood Reflief Thrift Store.  It's huge place with a pretty constant flow of new stuff coming in.  Last week I hesitated on buying a new dresser for $20.  When I finally did go back with the intention of buying it...it was gone!  No time to question things at that price...  Here's a pic of some artwork for the bathroom walls and a cute purse I picked up yesterday.

I also got some materials to make a new "headboard", but I am saving those pics for a before and after shoot to show you when I finish!

Compliment.

Here's a letter Darren and I received from the Shawnee Township Board of Trustees...thank you!

"Shawnee Township would like to take the time to thank Darren Maier, Laura Betker and the WLIO team behind the cameras who made sure that throughout the last two serious weather events our community remained safe and informed.  Your continuous broadcasting through the watches and warnings, and the information regarding conditions, locations, expectations and the emergency sirens that you relayed to our community was indespensible.  Your professionalism and concern for safety through these times should be commended."

Wow, thank you so much to the Trustees: Russ Holly, Chris Seddelmeyer and Dave Belton!