2 words to explain my absense...

DIAL UP.

We do not have access to Hi Speed Internet right now and let me tell you, it is difficult to find the time and patience to log on and wait...

I tried to look at your blog and I cannot see your pictures.

What have you been up to? Have you forgotten about old Bugs & Sunshine's Blog? Oh I hope not. I'll be back. It may be sketchy the next 4 weeks or so. Boy do have have some crazy stuff to share coming soon.

Straight Talk

I've been doing some major blog browsing this week. Here are some conclusions I have drawn. Everything looks prettier when spray painted white. When we first got married and I started setting up a house I purchased tradional looking stuff because I didn't know any better. 9 year later I have realized something about myself.

When I see a photo of a room I love there is not a piece of cherry furniture around. It is all white, white, white.

My goal over the course of this next year is to try to move towards the look I love. You know what else I love about my blog therapy sessions? I know full well that it would make no sense to go to Targe' and pay $80 for a pair of two lamps I love. I know that I can take $10, be patient, and find what I want at a sale of some sort-tag sale, thrift store, etc...

I've been looking at my stuff and it is OK, but it doesn't make me all happy and fuzzy feeling on the inside.

I have some really nice things that are about to get a slap of white spray paint. I know, it makes me feel a little nervous too, the thought of spray painting something I paid good money for. But why not? I'm just going to try it. What's the worst thing that will happen? I have a house full of tacky looking white spray painted stuff? You'll still come visit won't you?

3:30pm Spaghetti?

Do you ever get the hankerin' for a good spaghetti supper at 3:30pm in the afternoon when all the kids are still napping? Yeah, me too.

Here's a little tip for you: Do you store left over spaghetti in one bowl with pasta on bottom sauce on top? Well, when you go to reheat it, add a can of crushed tomatoes-it brings it back to life. So good.

Extreme Make-Over-Bugs Edition

We have moved. Temporarily. And THESE OUR PICTURES OF OUR FUTURE HOME. I will tell you this has been a lllooonggg week. Our real estate agent found this house when the sign had been in the yard less than 12 hours. We saw it and made an offer on the spot. That night we stayed up all night, literally, and I was sick thinking the most horrific decision in 9 years of marriage had just been made.


I was having flashbacks of the dark, tapestry curtains covering the beautiful windows and fisherman decorating in places like the master bath. The next day we went back to take one more look and to tell our sweet real estate agent we just could. not. doit only I fell in love with all the possibility all over again. So, here you go...my next project-I mean HOME...come on in and have a look around.


This is the dining room that will not be a dining room at all when I get my hands on it. I want comfortable chairs, ottomans, beautiful, elegant, a comfy and cozy sitting space. You can see the fireplace from this room. These windows get the west/afternoon sun. MY FIRST DESIGN QUESTION: curtains? 2 inch blinds? plantation shutters? cover all windows? some? what shade of paint? There are 3 gorgeous columns in this room you can see in the outside of this picture.



This is the eat in kitchen. Bye bye big thing on the wall and tapestry valance. And light fixture over the table no offense but I hate you and you are about to get a make-over. Do you need to be painted white? Yes, I think you do. Those shades or globe covers or whatever your name is are on the first recycling truck. Hmmm. Will a nice candlestick looking lightbulb work for a vintagy feel-with no shade? On a dimmer? I wander...

This is the entry that has my mind reeling. The paper shade thing on the window and the sad sheers on the sidelights will be going. I'll be on the scavenge for a gorgeous chandelier with lots of glass and light and vintage charm. I'll be patient and I'll wait but I'm saying it out loud here, a wonderful chandelier will hang in this space one day.

Master Bathroom: No your eyes are not deceiving you and yes that is fish net and bouys adorning the glass brick window. The jury is still out on how I feel about the glass brick but there is potential in this room if I've ever seen potential.

I have a black four poster bed with a white matalesse coverlet. Our bed is king size. I was thinking Benjamon Moore's Wedgewood Gray for this space. This room is seen from the living room. I want it to be clean lined and fresh.

The bathroom can also be seen from the living room if I want it to be...wall color is going to be very, very important in this space. Luckily I googled "Wedgewood Gray" today and found Annie, yes, me and you have a new best friend. We really do. Just like your family had to pay a high price for your absence when you picked up the Twilight series, she too will be the reason you are MIA for awhile. So much inspiration on her blog.

Our future playroom. I know, no room with a bay window and french doors should be the landing spot for your Gazelle, but I must say it has happened without my consent. ANOTHER DESIGN WONDERLAND: visions of Pottery Barn Kids are dancing through my head. Colors. Fabrics. This room screams cheerfulness. The bay window gets the western sun. Plantation shutters? Plaids? Checks? Stripes? Polka Dots? A bench with great pillows, bookshelves with baskets, whimsical rug, this room needs to be a magical wonderland for the boys. There space for them and their friends.

The living room. There is so much about this space that gives me a heart attack but somehow I am till able to sit here and continue breathing and typing. A formal/traditional look is very pretty-just not my personal style. I have this look on my current bedroom windows and don't like it. They are a result of a sale at Targe' before I new better but oh that mantle. What am I going to do with you? And bricks around the fireplace, do you need a coat of white paint?

So, there you have it. The reason I can't sleep. The reason I can't eat (ok, well that is not true). I am emailing the Bossy Color Lady and begging for her color help. I am emailing Nester for design thoughts and I would love to hear your thoughts.

The Cold Hard Truth

The cold hard truth of the matter is we are being worthless today.

Shane and I both have horrible sinus infections, not the fline (Swine) flu as my boys call it. A trip to the doc this morning confirmed this. Last week my oldest son asked me, "If you get the fline flu how many days will you be a pig and when will you turn back into a human?" Great question.

We are both getting on antibiotics to feel better. I slept until 10:30am today. We are all still in our pj's. The boys are playing video games and watching TV. The baby has been running around free reign tearing stuff up. He pulled the acorns out of my arrangement on my kitchen table and has dropped the poor pumpkin onto the floor more times than I care to count.

I am so sad that Coach Mo got the boot last night on Biggest Looser. I really like Coach and Abby. Most of the other people are downright annoying. Not all, but most.

Do you want to know the good news? I don't plan to even brush my hair today or open the blinds. We are staying in and bumming out. It feels nice. Veeeeerrryyyy Nice.

So next time you see me don't be scared. It was just sinus troubles that knocked me out this last week and I'm on medicine now. Sometimes it feels really nice to have to take a sick day. You know what would be even nicer? If Papa John's just happened to deliver dinner to my door tonight. Shane, are you out there? Are you reading my subtle hint? Ahem.

You Might Be Hormonal If....

- you just polished off a massive bowl of salsa for lunch. 3 days in a row.

- you have only served mexican food to your poor family for the last 5 days

- you just told your boys, "i don't care who started it, i'll finish it" and you secretly hope they let you

- you begged your honey to make his monthly trip to the hole in the wall joint downtown to get you a peanut butter oreo shake so the world can keep spinning properly

- you were just watching the saved by the bell re-run where the chubby girl buys zac for $100 as a date to the dance and at the end when he invites her to the max you get choked up

Clinique Man

Last year the Clinique Man told me to do something that has saved me a lot of money. Initially I was slow to convert to the change. He converted me to creme eye liner. It's the little black pot with the silver lid. The clear brush propped up against it is what comes with it. You need another brush to smooth the liner out one you apply it. I use the soft tip on the gray liner brush. When you use creme liner you don't want people looking at you going, "HELLO CREME EYE LINER HOW ARE YOU TODAY?"

This little jar of creme eyeliner has lasted me almost an entire year. You can create a thick line or a thin line. The trick is to smooth it out and blend it with some type of brush.

So, here you have it-my morning eye routine. From left to right: One cup of Hazelnut Creme, Clinique Spruced Up, Mac Nylon, Mac Black Tied, Clinique Light Canvas (must have!), Clinique Black Creme Liner, and my better half-Voluminous Original (with a straight brush, not curved) in Black/Brown (sorry Shane). Q-Tips are great for applying your darker shadow in the corner, and then for blending it all together.

It's hard to believe that the Clinique Man, who I'm assuming has never worn a smokey eye himself, could be so right on with his advice.

Garlic Fries

3 large potatoes, sliced into matchsticks (make them look like a fry)
2 TBS Canola Oil
3 cloves minced garlic
1/2 t salt

Preheat 450. Place potatoes in a bowl. Saute garlic in the oil over medium heat for 2 minutes. Use a small strainer and pour oil over potatoes-reserving garlic for later. Stir in salt. Spray a cookie sheet with Pam and spread potatoes in a single layer. Bake for 35 minutes. Toss with reserved garlic, chopped parsley and extra salt to taste. Serve immediately.

This recipe is such an easy, fabulous side dish from Ellie Krieger. We made them last night and they are a mix between a crunchy potato chip and a fry. Some get really well done and those are the ones like chips. They were simply amazing.

The canola oil has a high cooking temp. so you want to use this. If you don't want to do the garlic step simply omit it. In this recipe the garlic infuses the oil with flavor. This is for sure a new favorite side dish of ours. So fast and easy. You can toss the fries into the oven and let them cook while you make the main dish. Burgers? Sloppy Joes? Homemade Nuggets?

It's a very kid friendly way to do a potato. When we were done we all just gathered around the empty pan with saddened faces that the fry frenzy was over.

Horsin' Around

Hey it's Bugs. I'm sitting here in my pj's drinking my third cup of cream with a dash of coffee. It's dark and rainy outside, oh I love it so much. The kids are eating fake Fruit Loops or Wheels or Flying Saucers I forget what the technical name for this bag is called. Superman is on.

It was nearly impossible to get up this morning. I am the most un-morning person you will ever meet. We can swing from the chandeliers all night though. Something very exciting is taking place in one hour. I'm meeting 3 bloggy friends for lunch. Can. Not. Wait.

Are you keeping up with Kate McRae? Her Mama Holly has been real heavy on my heart last night and today. She's been staying at the hospital with Kate for months since her happy 5 year daughter old got diagnosed with a brain tumor. I'm feeling like Holly needs an extra dose of prayer. A small hospital room with a sick baby can take it's toll. The walls start closing in. I just wanted to mention Holly and Kate and maybe they'll come to mind for prayer.

There is a new fragrance from Trapp I've found called Water. It smells like a Crabtree & Evelyn perfume I used to wear called Freesia. It's nice like a Spring day. Oh girl, and Pier One has some amazing Fall/Christmas fragrance sprays for only $6. A highly scented spray is such a treat. You can spray the area above the door right before company comes. Or spray the air just for yourself.

And this is the perfect time of year for a Woodwick candle. The wick crackles like a fire. You know what is the ultimate treat? Getting up before everyone else when it is dark outside. Having your cream with a dash of coffee, and lighting your Woodwick. The stillness of the morning, the sound of fire, and the breeze from God's Word filling your sails.

Our Romantic Day

Tonight we had pizza for dinner topped off by blackberry cobbler and Cool Whip.

After dinner we played on the floor with the kids and watched them do their crazy antics. The kids almost broke my glasses. Twice.

Taking in all the fun.
Hot Rod clearing off his pie plate.

Jibs checking out the dishwasher. He loves the dishwasher. Gotta keep a close eye on him.

This is what a 9 year anniversary looks like when it falls on a work day. Romantic I know. It was a fun day though. I'm kind of turning into a homebody. To me a fun day is not having to figure out what to cook and getting to enjoy family and friends. In a clean house of course. I know, I need therapy for my obsession of cleanliness. Happy Anniversary Shane!