Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas from my home and family, to yours!

I can hardly believe that Christmas is here and the year is about to come to an end. This year has been filled with terrible heartbreak and some serious challenges but somehow, I managed to get through it all. At times, I didn't think I would, then something cool would happen which would really lifted my spirits. So I thank all those that took the time to reach out to me, I can't even tell you how much it has meant to me as I have struggled to deal with the stress of this year. Despite everything, I remain positive and am looking forward to spending time with my family this holiday season. I have much to be thankful for.

I wish you much love and happiness this holiday season and a prosperous new year.

May 2010 bring you more peace, love, joy, and laughter than you ever thought possible.

Warmest Wishes,

White Christmas

Looks like we will have a White Christmas this year! Last time we had a good snow during Christmas was about 2002.

The down side is not being able to go to my sisters for Christmas Dinner :(

Here's our nice blizzard of 2009 :)

Happy Birthday!!

My baby is 20 years old today....it is soooo hard to believe.

I love you girly :)

Christmas Gifts

We decided to give Christmas albums to the Grandparents (since they are soooo hard to buy for). Here are a few of the pics we did up.


Hayden's first Thanksgiving

The girls
Dakota at one of his football games

The Frog


Dakota and Emmit

I need a "Silent Night..."

Thirteen Days Till Christmas

I am so far behind on Christmas…Still need to buy my supplies for my baking

Have finished scarves for the triplets (Emma, Madison and Abby) Dana’s two girls (Brayden and Megan), Graycie and Kendra…still need to finish Amanda and Shawnee’s.

I guess I will do the boys cash (Dakota, Emmit, Jeremy, Malachi and Damian ) they didn’t want gift cards.

And then we have the babes…Travis and Hayden. I have Travis some clothes (still need to get some kind of a toy. But, I don’t have a clue what to get Haydie…he has more toys than he can play with so maybe I will get some PJ’s for him. After putting his jammies on last week he defiantly needs some larger ones. It took me and Keitha both to get him dressed…lol We didn’t have any problem getting his suit and tie on him but his pj’s were a total nightmare.

Jack and I went shopping tonight..came home 4 hours later with a pair of gloves for Jack and a package of undies for Jack…do you see where this is going…lol.

Happy Thanksgiving

Whatever you do, wherever you go, be safe and make beautiful memories. I wish you all the best this holiday season!

T...Turkeys, tablespreads, being together.

H...Happiness and homes to protect us from all weather.

A...Aunts and uncles, a reunion in Fall.

N...Nieces and nephews, family members all!

K...Kind-hearted kin coming over for dinner.

S...Surely you'll have fun, but you won't get thinner!

G...Gourds and pumpkins, mouths open wide.

I...Indians and Pilgrims we remember with pride.

V...Very special times-there could even be snow.

I...Imagine what it was like at Plymouth long ago.

N...Never forget how the settlers led the way.

G...Giving thanks and blessing this special day.

Cheddar Corn Casserole

1 stick butter (4oz), melted
1 large onion, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 can (16oz) creamed corn
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

In a medium saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add onion and peppers and cook until softened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Combine remaining 6 tablespoons butter, eggs, and sour cream in a large bowl. Whisk together until smooth. Mix in corn, cornmeal, salt and pepper. Stir in cheese and onion−pepper mixture. Turn into a 2−quart buttered baking dish. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until puffed and golden.

Squash Casserole

4 cups cooked yellow crook neck squash
1 medium onion
1 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Teaspoon pepper
1 stick butter or margarine
2 cups crushed Cheez-it crackers
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk or heavy cream

Cook the squash, onion, butter, salt and pepper until onion and squash are tender. Mix remaining ingredients except for 3/4 cup of the crackers and 3/4 cup of the shredded cheese. Pour into a 2 quart casserole and top with remaining crackers & cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Make a Christmas Tree From Books

Expect Libraries to be rolling these out soon!

This awesome image was spotted at the www.theinternetjournalist.com

from the Believe book…

BELIEVE

The start to a better world or a better life...
or a better future…is our belief that it is possible.

Believe you are here for a reason…there’s a lot in this world
we can’t see with our eyes but if you look with your heart
you’ll see amazing possibilities everywhere and all around you.

Believe we can build a better world
despite all our problems, worries and wars…
there is still so much caring, goodness, and kindness
in each of us and together we can light the world.

Believe that together we’re better
the story of the human spirit is the story of people
who believe in themselves, and in on another.

Believe that the best is yet to be
Believe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel
Believe you might be that light for someone else.

BELIEVE…

Is it really November already?

I suppose the obvious answer to that is yes. The weather is getting cooler, almost all the leaves have turned and are starting to fall attesting to the truth of it. It is just very hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us again.

I must say that the second half of this year has flown by much faster than the first. I am really looking forward to the holidays this year. The last few year I feel like I missed out, because of my work. This is the first year in a long time that I can honestly say I am looking forward to them. But at the same time it will be a tough time. It will be the first Christmas since Ryan passed away....the first are always the hardest.

I am so looking forward to the New Year...this year was so hard in so many ways.

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween y'all!

We have Travis tonight (after he goes Trick or Treating....
should be a blast after all the candy he will have!! Do we say "Sugar High"!!
Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight!

5 little pumpkins
sitting on a gate

the 1st one said
Oh My! It's getting late

the 2nd one said
there are witches in the air

the 3rd one said
but we don't care

the 4th one said
were ready for some fun

the 5th one said
lets run and run and run

Oooh went the wind
and out went the light

and the 5 Little Pumpkins
rolled out of sight.

RIGHT NOW

• Right now… I am trying to decide between ribs or chicken for dinner.
• Right now…I am sooo thankful for my friends and family
• Right now…I am enjoying the beautiful sunset and weather we have been having. I never want to take those things for granted!
• Right now…I am excited and scared as there are some changes in my life
• Right now…I am loving life

What about you? What are you doing/feeling/thinking/praying about/enjoying/RIGHT NOW?

Gifts in a Jar

A home-made gift is always a great idea! It can also be a way to economize in your gift giving. I think these food gifts will be more popular than ever this year.

Just in case some of you have never heard of these, you take a jar - canning jars work best - and layer dry ingredients in them. Put the lid on and if you like cover with a square or round of pretty fabric or tissue paper and tie with raffia, ribbon or even a rubber band. Include the card for the "wet" ingredients to be added. These make a great gift. All the recipient has to do is dump it out and add the extra ingredients and they have a full batch of a dessert or a meal. And they look great sitting on the counter in the meantime! A gift sure to be appreciated.

EASY BUTTERSCOTCH-OATMEAL COOKIES

1/2 cup butterscotch chips

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1 cup buttermilk biscuit and baking mix

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup buttermilk biscuit and baking mix

Instructions for layering ingredients: In 1-quart wide-mouth glass jar, gently layer and pack ingredients in the order listed. (There will be 2 cups of biscuit mix total.) If there is any space left after adding the last ingredient, add more baking chips, dried fruits or nuts to fill the jar. Place lid on top. Cut an 8-inch circle of fabric to cover lid. Place fabric over lid; secure in place with a rubber band, then ribbon or raffia. Decorate as desired.

Note: When measuring brown sugar, crumble it between your fingers for uniform texture. Be sure to pack the brown sugar firmly in the jar to prevent the baking mix from sifting down through it.

Make a gift card to attach as follows: Empty contents of jar into medium bowl. Stir in 1 stick of butter or margarine, melted; 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well combined. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are light golden brown. Makes 2-1/2 dozen cookies

To make cookies as bars: Empty contents of jar into medium bowl. Stir in 1 stick of butter or margarine, melted; 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well combined. Press into an 8×8-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 24 minutes or until bars are light golden brown and center is almost set Makes 16 bar cookies.

Quick Chicken Divan

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli

2 cooked boneless chicken breast halves, chopped

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Place broccoli in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with the chicken.

In a small bowl, blend the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Pour the mixture over the chicken. Top with Cheddar cheese.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and lightly browned.

I usually only do half of this recipe and I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I also don't use this much cheese (just a thin layer to cover, like a 1/2 cup) and the chopped broccoli works best. And I use Low fat Hellman's mayo, never the original. Don't let the mayo and lemon fool you, they are key ingredients....

It's really a quick meal! Enjoy...

10 THINGS

10 things I love
1. Learning about God and His Word - such a blessing!
2. hanging out-time with my family…beyond words…
3. Browsing flea markets, thrift stores, and yard sales
4. Crochet and knitting, especially during winter.
5. my camera
6. All things chocolate!!
7. Getting lost in a good book.
8. Girl Time with my Sister
9. Music! especially New music on my Ipod
10. Rainy nights (I love to listen to the rain, and I love the fresh smell)


10 things that bug me
1. Housework
2. Being in a rush. Unfortunately I’m always in a rush!
3. Whining
4. Grocery Shopping- I’ve been known to put it off for as long as possible
5. my insecurity
6. When I can’t find something.
7. Meanness - in every form
8. Slow internet connections
9. Not having enough time in the day to get everything done I want to/need to do
10. Finding the toilet paper roll empty

My Laptop Died :(

My laptop died!!!!

I'm not sure what's going on (maybe it has H1N1?). My laptop was working just fine then blue screen of death…

Restarted and guess what? STILL did not work.

*Pulls hair out*

I have everything on there . . . all of my layouts . . . all of my pictures that were taken this year. If it's dead and I lose all my stuff I will . . . I will . . . I don't know what I'll do but it won't be good.

I'm learning the hard way to back up all my stuff. *Shakes head*

Jack said it was the motherboard…he may be able to save my hard drive but will take a while. I sure hope he can!!

So frustrating!!!!

Change

Change is good... right?

I know that God works all things out for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

So, I am not worried about the future... but change is not always easy.

Sometimes I think we get too comfortable and perhaps God has a new plan for us. He knows we won't move unless He gives us that little nudge.

We just have to wait and see where that little nudge will take us.

Later peeps!

Desiderata of Happiness

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they, too, have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater or lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in you own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you for what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere live is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, 1927

Later Peeps!