A Year of Memories

Okay - so yeah - it's the "end" of the year. I can be sentimental and reflective, right? I can salute the passing of a year that will only be remembered from now on. I can remember that God has yet again been so wonderful in his blessings. And also look forward to the
n e w y e a r.
2008.
8 is the number of new beginnings.
I can't help but be excited about that.

A few hightlights of the year in pics... and boy - there are tons of pics....

Staring the year with CHA in Anaheim. Scrapbook friends from all around. Going to Disneyland.









My little one leaving preschool.
My son leaving middle school.
Birthdays.








Seasons
Family
First Tooth...Kids Growing up even more










the youngest



the oldest



the dancer



and the.........

musician

family moments









And our highlight of the year.... Walt Disney World.


























Have a wonderfully blessed 2008 and I hope to see you next year!!!

Just another day...

...and I had to ask hubby what day of the week it is. Seems like the days after Christmas just get fuzzy. No school schedule. No more holiday rush. Just staying in the house in sweat pants (or pajamas). And a fire. We finally got to use the fireplace. When the Saturday rainwater freezes in the sandbox, you know it's cold enough.

I finished up an assignment yesterday. Today I washed clothes and vaccummed. I cleaned my scrap table but haven't done anything new... yet. But I will.

Here's some pics of my little miss with new boots from one of her aunts. And it was the perfect day to get them. Louisiana rain





And some more Christmas pics. This was taken right before we headed to the country to the grandparents. I didn't even coordinate their clothes. Nice little brother/sister photo shoot.... until big brother elbows little sister. Such is life.

The Day After...

this photo sums it up.
for everyone.

this was taken around 6pm on Dec. 26.
She's wearing her new Cars pajamas
on her Cars pillow
with her Cars DVD playing.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
Me, I'm in my new PJs.
they are not Cars.

'Twas the Night....

before Christmas......

I just want to say

I'm breaking my promise to blog every day this month. I'm giving myself tomorrow off.

Meanwhile... I'm watching The Christmas Story over and over and over....
I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!

so....


Merry Christmas to All
and to all

A Good Night.


woops - I'm back with a couple of pics.

Another family group pic.


And the traditional
Waiting for Santa

Happy Festivus!!!

Happy Festivus - especially to you Seinfeld Fans!!

Fa La La......

la la

Rainy Saturday in Louisiana.
Cooler weather.
It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas.

We had a big family feast at our house.

We had:

Red Beans n Rice
Gumbo
Festive Chicken Wraps
Broccoli n Rice Casserfole
Squash Casserole
Cheese Cake
Pear Cake
Pecan Pie
and other goodies.

See for yourself.







And a Christmas family photo. One sister and nephew in from Mississippi and another from a neighboring town and her daughter and my parents (from the country). The only one missing is our brother who was working.





What a day! I'm pooped!

Just a Brief Post

....to keep my committment to blog daily.

Finished cleaning house.
Company tomorrow.
Made crock pot candy. Found out after the fact that hubby is sick of sweets (I TOLD him he had to many parties at work. I think they have been eating junk everyday this month and he's making more this weekend! and my kids won't eat it because it has peanuts. what??
Got out holiday dishes. Don't have enough plates. Have to use regular plates.

Note to self: Buy another set of Christmas dishes. Doesn't matter that they won't match current set - the more the merrier. fa la la la la

Friend dropped by. The one that gave me the crock pot candy recipe. She brought me......
crock pot candy!

Another friend dropped by. Brought assorted goodies.

Note to self: Self- go to gym everyday starting Dec. 27th.

Took nap. After 5. With the lights on in the bedroom. Piled pillows up high around me to make a wall. Looked dark to me.

Got up and made cheesecake. Homemade cheesecake takes forever to make. And even longer to cook. Sure hope it turns out.

Made biscuits, eggs and bacon for supper.

My feet hurt.

Took long hot bubble bath.

Still have work to do.

I'm tired.

Christmas Movie Quotes

Just for fun - I wanted to share some of my favorite Christmas movie quotes. Please share yours!

Well - this isn't an exact quote, but I LOVE the scene in It's a Wonderful Life where George has just "returned" from his wish about never being born and the whole Clarence thing... and is running down the snow covered streets yelling "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas Mr. Potter! Mr. Christmas you ole building in loan" and then later "Merry Christmas, Mary!". I always hear that in my head (oh, come on... you know you hear things in your head!) when alot of "Merry Christmas' "are being exchanged.

Here's some fun quotes:

It's a Wonderful Life:
Nick: [ringing the cash register repeatedly] Get me. I'm givin' out wings.

Nick: [slamming a bottle on the bar] That's it. Out you two pixies go - through the door, or out the window.

A Christmas Story
Ralphie: I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!
(say that fast 2 times)

Christmas Vacation
Clark: We're kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.
Audrey: We're not coming all the way out here just to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clauses on it are we?
Clark: No, I have one of those at home.


Clark: Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
Eddie: Naw, I'm doing just fine, Clark.

The Santa Clause
Bernard: The Santa Clause: In putting on the suit and entering the sleigh, the wearer waives any and all right to any previous identity, real or implied, and fully accepts the duties and responsibilities of Santa Claus, in perpetuity to which some time the wearer becomes unable to do so, by either accident or design.

Judy: Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing.

Judy: Not too hot. Extra chocolate. Shaken, not stirred

Elf
Buddy: [phone rings, Buddy picks it up] Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?
Buddy: The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.
my family doesn't agree with the above statement

Gimbel's Manager: This, is the North Pole.
Buddy: No it isn't.
Gimbel's Manager: Yes it is.
Buddy: No it isn't.
Gimbel's Manager: Yes it is!
Buddy: No it isn't! Where's the snow?

Buddy: I just like to smile! Smiling's my favorite.

Buddy: SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!

Oh - and I got my wish. Christmas Vacation comes on again Saturday night. Check your cable listing.

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie quote? Please share. I'd love to laugh with you.

Well - lots to do... lots to do.... Happy Ho Ho Ho!

Company's coming...company's coming!

How many of you can relate to that??? Do you have people coming in for Christmas?

I had just a few days notice that I'll be hosting our family Christmas dinner Saturday. Oh MY!!! It's time to be Martha Stewart. I have already purchased a new Christmas table runner (I couldn't find a RED oval Christmas tablecloth...serves me right trying to find it this late in the month), a set of candles, a new cabinet in the bathroom (yes - a cabinet...something that was on my "to-do" list anyway). And I re-arranged my living room furniture. It's not "tv friendly" at the moment, but it's people friendly. Hubby was griping about not having room to move around since one table was moved for the tree - so now he can walk around without bumping anything (and he's smaller than me). And I moved scrappy boxes that were without a permanent home out into the garage (otherwise known as the dungeon). Oh - just in case you didn't know - we don't have basements in Louisiana - something about the water table?. BOY do I wish I had a basement. People who live up north get basements AND snow.

But I guess that's okay. I was wearing a short sleeve shirt today and clogs with no socks. And the air conditioner has been running.

The BEST thing about having company over - you get a spankin' clean house in the process - even if you have to do all the work.

I'm tackling more cleaning in the morning - then off to my daughter's school party. WHEW!

And no - I'm not done shopping at all. Which leads me with a famous movie quote - but not a Christmas movie quote this time.

I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow. ~Scarlett O'Hara~

The Nutcracker Ballet

Well, not really. I just wanted to put that in my title. It's really another
Oh
My
Goodness

It's almost here and I still have presents buy!

I don't feel so bad - I saw a lady I know at Kohls and I was actually asking her if she was through with her buggy (since she was checking out). When I hugged her and said "Are you through with this??" she said "Oh, no! I'm just getting started". She thought I meant with shopping. tee hee.

Anyway...back to ballet...

Here is a cutsie photo of my little one at her parent observation day in ballet. I have more (and video) but really, - I don't want to bore you. (wink)



Oh - and where did all the good holiday movies go? They flooded us on cable right after Thanksgiving and this week - nothing. I could watch Christmas Vacation at least 2 more times, and Elf maybe 4 more.

I guess I'll have to just buy them.

Happy Ho Ho Ho!

One Week!

In one week it will be Christmas Eve!! I can almost hear the countdown...7...6...5...4...3.....2...1!

Does anyone else get paniky right before Christmas? Wondering "Who did I forget to buy for?" Oh - the stress begins. Stress - be thou gone!

Well - now that I have you going over your gift giving list in your head... how about a few peeks at projects made with the December Self-Addressed Kit. This kit features new Chatterbox papers in blues, greens, teals and browns. Simply yummy!

Fa La La La La

I went to the mall today after church (by myself) and got a few Christmas gifts. I brought them home and put them in the bedroom closet. Then I locked myself and my little miss in the bedroom (with the dog, of course) to wrap. I would take an empty box and go in the closet along with tissue paper, shut the door, put the gift in the box, and come out with the sealed box. Then she would pick out paper and I would tell her where to cut it.

"What's in this box, Mom?"
"Oh, its a PRESENT"
"But what is it?
"It's a secret!"

I know better than to tell a 5 year old girl what is in the box. Unless you want it repeated. She'd continue to help me wrap, then pick out a bow. Sometimes I let her fill out the tags (but it's hard for a 5 year old to write legibly on a small gift tag). The first two were for her Grandpa (I let her peek at the contents of that one hoping she'll forget soon). The next two were for her brother. I told her NOT to tell him that he had new presents and sent her with them to the tree. Her brother came into the room because I forgot to lock the door telling me how funny she was as she put them under the tree saying to him "You have some presents!!" So much for sneaking them under the tree.

Then I went back in the closet.

"Where are you going, Mom?"
"To Santa's workshop to get more presents"
I shouldn't have told her that.
"I want to go see Santa's workshop!"

I could feel the door as she tried to push it open as I shoved another gift into a box. As we wrapped this one, she smiled when I wrote her name beside the word "To". Surprisingly, she didn't even ask what it was. Nor did she ask to open it. I went back to the closet again. This time the dog followed me in. Did she smell the bag of dog treats I got her? Gee, I forgot they were in there. I'll have to remember to put them someplace higher than her nose.

We sang Christmas songs with silly made up lyrics, curled ribbons on the boxes, and wrapped a few more gifts.

"Mom! Look, the tree has LOTS of presents!"
"Yes! Yes it does!"

And how was your Sunday?

Here are a few more projects with Flair's new Amazing Grace line.





I'm off for more shopping in the morning. Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Or do you like that last minute hustle and bustle? I'm actually LOVING seeing all those 50% off signs.

Ring a ling ling

On of our local radio stations offered chances to qualify for a give-away. The prize was a $2,500 diamond engagement ring. SInce my 20th wedding anniversary is about 7 weeks away - I really, really wanted it. Shoot. I wanted it anyway - but that is my excuse to want it. Anyway - you know I wouldn't be writing about this unless I qualified for a chance. Pure luck. I never seem to get through to these things. So...

I went today. Showed my proof of ID, got my gold Christmas ornament with the number 45 on it, and put it in the box along with the other ornaments placed their by people that showed up. Oh yeah, you had to be present to win. Then we waited. While I waited I saw the ring. White gold with a yellow (topaz?) LARGE round stone and diamons all around it. Yep - I wanted it. So did everyone else there. While we waited they did door prizes. I won an itty bitty fm radio - perfect to take to they gym (since I don't have an ipod or mp3 player.... hey santa... did you read that?. When the appointed time arrived, they did the drawing. It was... number... forty.... six! Not 45. rats. Oh well, the nice tall pretty lady that came in last won it.

So I left. As I was walking out, the phone rang. I thought it was hubby calling to tell me he was listening to the radio and heard it. But it was his sister. The one who works at her best friend's fine jewelry store just for fun. She wanted me to come over and look at some jewelry - rings to be exact. My hubby had spied a couple of affordable rings - and he knows I just love getting CZ's and sterling silver because they look real. So I went. They only had 2 rings. One was too big. Then she went to get the other one. It looked almost like the one they were giving away. Yes, with a light yellow BIG stone in the center. So...... Ring a Ling Ling. I didn't win the big diamond engagement ring, but I still came home with a ring on my hand. If you see me out and about - you must say "oh, is that your new ring???"

I know - i know - pics. picss. I'll get to them.
I'm off for a nap right now. My little one had an upset tummy in the wee hours of the morning.

I may have found a new hobby

Don't tell hubby though.
I went to the Wild Bird Feed center across the river to get my dad a birthday gift. Oh
my
gosh

They have the cutest birdhouses. I know birds don't really care what their houses look like. A hole in a tree is fine with them, but the houses are sooo cute. I'll have to get busy planting more trees in the yard. Anyway- I loaded up my dad with gifts. We took them to him tonight and he actually thought we mistakenly brought his Christmas gifts, too.

I did pick up a mix of "gourmet" shelled seeds for my little birdies. My new years resolution is to work on making my backyard more inviting to the little darlings.

Well - here is what I made my dad for his birthday cake.

Southern Apple cake...Okay - so Southern Apple Cake doesn't exactly sound like Christmas, huh? Well, wait until you taste it.

Apples, Pecans and Caramel. Yum.

I made this today. I'll have to share pics tomorrow. Thought I'd share the recipe.

Southern Apple Cake (from Taste of the South magazine)

2 cups suger
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teasp. salt
1 teasp. baking soda
3 cups thinly sliced apples
1 cup chopped pecans
1 recipe Caramel Topping (see below)
Pecan Halves (for top)

Grease a 13x9x2 baking pan. (hint - do NOT preheat the oven - I don't know why either)
Mix suger, eggs, and oil with electric mixer. Set aside
In a separate bowl sift flour, salt and soda. Add apples and nuts. Stir tently until distrubuted throughout batter. Spread batter in prepared pan.

Place in COLD oven. Bake at 325 F for 50-55 minutes. Let cool in pan.
Pour caramel toppin over cake in pan. Garnish with pecan halves

CARMEL TOPPING

1/2 cup suger
1/2 cup firmly packed brown suger
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 teasp vanilla extract

in small pan over medium high heat, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in vanilla. (pour over cake).

Enjoy!

Just Because

this post is about nothing.
absolutely nothing.
I told myself to try to blog each and every day this month.
well.....
I'm still thinking about what to say today.

......