Awareness

As my time as a blogger is dwindling.. this is still a space for me to think and that's what I'm doing here today.
As October comes to a close, here are my thoughts.  How awesome is it that an entire month is devoted to people wearing pink? And having "pink out" games? And referees wearing pink whistles? And wearing pink ribbons on our clothes, in our hair, and on our cars? And seeing thousands of posters with signatures of survivors?
There is no sarcasm or cynicism in my voice when I type that. I am so proud to say that my grandmother is a survivor and my aunt is a survivor and my brother in law's mother is on the road to being a survivor! The awareness that has been brought to breast cancer is phenomenal. 
And I guess, the word I am searching for is jealousy. I am jealous of all the awareness that breast cancer has, and I yearn for Alzheimer's awareness to be on that same level. I long for people to wear purple like they wear pink. I desire for nationwide fundraisers for a search for the cure... or anything to slow the disease down. 
I recently watched the movie Still Alice, with Julianne Moore that chronicles her diagnosis of Alzheimers. There was one quote that resonated within me:

"I mean it. I wouldn't feel so ashamed. When people have cancer they wear pink ribbons for you and go on long walks and raise money and you have to feel like some kind of social...... I can't remember the word."

I remember that ashamed feeling. I didn't want people to know my grandfather had a disease.. because maybe they wouldn't let my friend come over to play. I'm also sure my friends remember me making excuses in the beginning of why my grandfather couldn't change the channel on the tv because he forgot how to. Or when he was looking for his daytimer... that was always in his front pocket. Or when he wouldn't answer a question because he could not process what you were asking. If we can have a "save the ta-ta's" campaign... can't we have a "save the brain" campaign?

My conclusion is this. It begins with awareness. If people are aware, they will not choose to ignore this disease that is affecting over 5 million Americans today. I want awareness so one day I can see thousands of posters with signatures of survivors for Alzheimer's. 

Football Food

I really wanted to title it, "Football Food is the Only Food." I mean, if I had to pick a last meal... it might just be an entire football tailgate spread. It's making me hungry for lunch at 9:17 in the morning! 
So today, I've got TWO ideas for some football foods if you're hosting a party this weekend! I made these a couple weekends ago and they were both big hits. They're a little more "upscale", if that's even a thing for football food. By upscale, I mean they look pretty and they sound fancy... but they are really just another item I found myself snacking on the entire game. 
Spinach Artichoke Mushrooms. The original recipe called for handmade spinach artichoke dip.... I bought a premade dip at the store. It made this recipe nice and easy. I popped off the stems from the mushrooms and filled them with the dip. I topped them with a little parmesean cheese and put them in the oven! The mushrooms cook down, so keep that in mind when buying them. The flavors of these mushrooms are divine! 

Shrimp Nachos. My instagram caption was "What's better than nachos for a whole day of football? The answer is shrimp nachos." And man, is that an accurate statement. I did some research...... aka browsed pinterest... for some shrimp nachos recipes. I looked until I found the perfect one. 
I cooked the shrimp in a little oil and garlic, then threw them into a bowl to let them cool down. Then I tossed them in sour cream and green onions. Then I put them onto the chips and topped them with a LOT of pico.. because I love it.. and some more jalapenos. Because I like my nachos like I like my football teams...... HOT! 

The shrimp had a fantastic flavor. I do not remember where I saw the idea to toss them in sour cream... but it was the best idea I've seen in a while! 
If you don't try both of these, at least try one! They're both worth it and your guests will be impressed!

Duck Dude Here...

Duck dude here...reporting from Winnipeg Canada after my flight was delayed till the next day. "Mollie pocket, don't edit my post...if this is on your blog, then I know you didn't"

I've spent the last 9 days doing what I love most. Hunting!  Not just any hunting, but duck hunting. And not just any duck hunting, but duck hunting in Canada!  The spring home to a large percentage of the  49.5 million waterfowl counted for in the 2015 survey. I'm not writing today to share the great stories of my hunting escapade.  Although, my hunting groups and I shot nearly 250 birds over the course of the trip.

I'm writing today to share the top 10 things duck hunters would like to share with their wife about the sport of duck hunting that we love so much.

I'm going to start by saying I have the most amazing wife in the world that supports my habit and does not mind me spendings countless Weekends, long trips and lots of money to shoot a couple of ducks.  I love you Mollie Pocket.

10) we know that all of our camouflage does not match. And we are ok with that.

9) We support your shopping habits for shoes, purses and Kendra Scott.

8) Why do women always ask if you "caught" any ducks? We don't catch ducks...we shoot them right in the face.

7) We can have a great day while sitting in the rain and not catching any ducks and that doesn't make us crazy.

6) It is completely necessary for us to take a nap on the couch in our hunting gear as soon as we get home.

5) Sometimes we "Need" to go hunting and we will come home in a better mood than when we left.

4) Please don't plan ANYTHING September 1st when dove season opens, the second weekend in September when teal season opens, the first weekend in November when duck season opens, the opener of the second split or the last day of duck season and expect us to to be present. I said please!

3) We will always have a Labrador Retriever. It is a key necessity!

2) Practicing our duck calling in the house is very important. Practice makes perfect.

1) Yes, it takes that much gear.

Thank you to all of you women out their supporting your husbands in their duck hunting habits. It is one of our most favorite things in the world. We look forward to the next season as soon as the current season ends.

Although you think we are doing this each morning we are hunting....

We are actually doing this....

.....Taking in the beautiful picture our Creator painted for us. Appreciating each brush stroke of the morning sunrise over the water.  And most importantly being thankful for our buddies and our dog sitting right next to us waiting for the next few ducks to trickle into our decoy spread.
(Small side note and the only addition I, as Mollie, made. I was supposed to post this yesterday but sat in a meeting for my whole conference period. Duck Dude is home and I am super happy.)

Sugar Skull Pumpkin

I love fall! And I love decorations. I don't necessarily love Halloween decorations... I have enough cobwebs in my house.. I don't need to add some for Halloween. :) But I love little things here and there and I think a happy mix of fall and halloween is tasteful. 
I just got my shipment from crate and barrel in! I love still having gift cards!!!  I got this fabulous table runner.

This marvelous twig pumpkin. It's beautiful. 

And dish towels. I have a small obsession with dishtowels. I have them for every holiday and they make me smile. 

It was a little weird for me when I fell in lust with a pin on pinterest that was Halloween-y. I neeeeeded it. Sugar Skull Pumpkins. Mexican art on a pumpkin. Not two things I would originally pair together... but I saw these and just knew I had to try. 

I went to Hobby Lobby and got myself a cream pumpkin... smaller in size.. and 40% off. I bought myself a brand new sharpie, and got ready to assess my art skills. If I was in an interview, art skills is not something I would list as a strength, so this part already made me nervous. However, I sat down and practiced one time on paper..... then went for it! 

My result? A semi-droopy eye owl pumpkin with many imperfections and it will be proudly displayed on my front porch. AND I LOVE HIM!!! He's a new Hedwig.... I shall call him Hedwig Jr.... since he's semi-Mexican... but still an owl. 

And that, was my productive Wednesday night!!!!