From Our House To Yours

Monday, January 20, 2014

Valentine's Day In Fresno

Valentines Day
Friday Feb. 14, 2014

Well, here's incentive to get those last few Christmas decorations taken down and put away...Valentines Day is less than a month away!

Yup, we're moving right along into 2014 and before you know it, it will be time to put those Christmas decorations back up. So, let's enjoy this year to the fullest and celebrate the people in our lives, especially those with whom we share our hearts with.

May I suggest-

Feb. 8th & 9th- The Madera Wine Trail's Annual, Wine & Chocolate Weekend.

Feb. 16th- Funny & Clean Comedian Brian Regan at Visalia Fox Theater.

As I love to support Local Venues here are a few suggestions from, The Fresno Bee.

Check out The Urban Spoon's list of- Best Fresno Romantic Restaurants . I absolutely agree with their #1 recommendation- The Cracked Pepper.

For great deals on flowers, don't forget Costco.com, but order early- they sell out!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

White Elephant Gifts Around $15

I'm always stumped when we get invited to a party with a White Elephant gift exchange, especially when there's a tight cap on the spending limit. My tendency swings towards functional but the inner me loves the clever gag gift. We once wrapped a Costco pack of Spam (it was a huge hit!), and I've considered wrapping and lugging the Costco toilet paper bundle . In my search this year, I have found a few functional, clever, and inexpensive ideas to share.

Links Active - Click For Where To Purchase

Mason Jar Wine Glasses

Bathe & Brew Shower Coffee Maker

Moonshine (Found this at Costco and Walmart For under $20)

Lottery Ticket (Always a hit!)

CHIA Willie - Duck Dynasty

Jar Of Pickled Pigs Feet **Funny!

Microwave S'mores Maker

Flexible Flyer 39' Inflatable Blizzard Snow Tube **Do they have kids?

Shake Weight **Because I love reading what real exercise trainers say about this thing!

Juggling Kit **And who doesn't love magic tricks

GoGirl Ladies Portable Potty **I actually carry this in our auto emergency kit. Haven't hd to use it yet!

Friday, January 10, 2014

Caring For Your Feet

Last week’s yoga class was all about feet- it was wonderful! It also made me realize how much I expect from my feet- this surprised me... Apparently, sangria colored toe-polish and a pumice stone are only the beginning to beautiful, sexy feet, and I’ve been neglecting mine.

I was disillusioned in thinking I’d been schooled on all there is to know about taking care of my feet. After all, I’m married to a man who wears two pairs of socks everyday to prevent callouses (which he tells me, are a sign of weakness), and who lotions his feet every night before bed because, I’ve been instructed, heels should never snag bed sheets.

My poor hubby thought I was nuts when I came home from the yoga classes chanting-

"Feet are our connection to the Earth...They are the foundations of our posture and the platform from which we move. Our feet have the challenging responsibility of providing strength and stability while maintaining flexibility and mobility to aid in the movement of the entire body structure."

However, he now is reaping the benefits of my newly acquired knowledge as we’re both sitting in front of Fox news rolling tennis balls under our arches.

Benefit because I love to share! Here are the exercises we did in class. Enjoy and Namaste.

THE TENNIS BALL ROLL

Perfect to do while watching TV! Place a tennis ball under one foot and start to roll the sole of your foot over the tennis ball. Drape your toes over the tennis ball and massage the backs of your toes. Then work your way down the sole of your foot, all the way back to your heel. Roll along the inner and outer arches. Ahhhh!

INTERLACING FINGERS BETWEEN TOES

From a seated position, interlace your fingers between your toes. This stretches the muscles of the toes and allows them to spread. This action can be very challenging for some people due to confining shoes...(A-hem, offenders you know who you are!!) Also Try Yoga Toes! I found a knock-off version for $10 at Rite Aid in the Pharmacy Dept. Love them!

PICKING UP MARBLES WITH YOUR TOES

Using your toes to pick up marbles not only strengthens the foot muscles but also promotes using toes as individual entities as opposed to a group. In Yoga class, we actually scrunched up a thin blanket placed on the ground with our toes, something to think about if your short on marbles!

TOE STRENGTHENING EXERCISES

Increase flexibility, muscle tone, and control of the toes. From standing, draw the big toe up and press the four little toes down. Then, Draw the four little toes up while pressing the big toe down. Next, Draw the big toe and baby toe up as you press the three middle toes down. Then, Draw the three middle toes up while pressing the big toe and baby toe down. Singling out each toe to act as individual entities can be extremely challenging and frustrating. Stay with it and be patient. It will eventually become easier.

A few of my favorite foot care products

(They're a must have in my house because what I call, 'my hard earned running-pads', my hubby calls callouses...)

SWEDISH FOOT FILE

Use it in the shower and use it with caution! I've taken chunks of flesh from my fingers and toes off with this baby. It's lethal! But, I've never had a callous it couldn't conquer.

NAIL BUFFING BLOCK

Normally, I don't wear polish on my fingernails at all. During Wintertime, I remove all toenail polish to let the nails grow out. Then, I buff off any discoloration that comes from keeping polish on all Spring and Summer long.

BURT'S BEES HAND SALVE

I love this stuff! You can use it on your hands as well as your feet! Apply generously to feet before bed and sleep with socks on. For hands- apply generously and sleep in spa gloves.

-Remember-

"When you massage the soles of your feet, you loosen the starting point of a network of connective tissue that runs all the way up your back body to the crown of your head. So it stands to reason that massaging your feet can relax and invigorate your whole body."

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Apparently, There're Commandments For The Woman Driver

What's Wrong With This Picture??

Thou shalt not arrive first to a 4-way and let others go ahead of you.
Thou shalt not take more than 2 attempts to parallel park.
Thou shalt not hold up more than 3 vehicles behind you while waiting for a parking spot, even during the holidays.
If thou shall pull out into moving traffic, thou shalt commit to the infraction and haul!
Thou shall comprehend that even if a space looks too small to drive through, a man could do it.
Thou shalt not fard while driving. (look it up --http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fard
Thou shalt not answer the phone, even handsfree, while turning.
Thou shall never consider braking on a corner.
Thou shalt not get back into the car while pumping gas, or thou shall ignite into flames.
Thou shalt not write smiley faces on foggy car windows.
Upon breaking any one of these commandments thou will be handed an iPhone and forced to watch the following video...

Friday, January 3, 2014

NFL Players Take Us Back To The 1970s Beard

I love me some football! When I hear the NFL theme music, like a Pavlov’s response, my eyes get sleepy and I head for the couch!

The hubby & I have a routine: First, we snack. I then find a blanket, situate pillows, and curl up on the couch in nap mode. Sometimes, I can slide my fluffy sock covered feet into his lap and if it’s a good game, he’ll start to rub my toes. Heaven!! Unfortunately, If it’s a really good game this can be a painful experience.

This past weekend was a really good football game, so I didn’t take the risk! Instead, we watched, along with God apparently, the Broncos beat the Steelers. Let me admit it here, I was into the game, but I was fascinated by the beards!!

They say fashion trends recycle, and I guess we can all say hello to the return of the 1970’s beard.

Grizzly Adams

Brett Keisel

Sylvester Stallone

Jake Plummer

Marvin Gaye

Champ Bailey

For the record, I'm not a fan of the beard; however, the esthetician in me has to include the following for those who will find themselves caught up the trend-

GQ's How To Groom The Beard: