Friday, November 30, 2007

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Christmas Meme


Hootin' Annie started this meme and I thought it would be fun. Visit her blog for the format.

"The Twelve Questions of Christmas"

1. Christmas is magical . [fill in the blank with ONE WORD]

2. In memories, what was the best part of your Christmases past?
I loved it when our families went to the cabin in the woods and had an old fashioned Christmas with hand-made ornaments, a live tree, roaring fire, and watched deer roaming around outside.

3. Was Santa ever good to you? [describe how and what]
My husband surprised me with a long fur coat. (before things got so controversial)

4. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both?
Mostly Christmas Day. Even though it's just the two of us, we always WAIT until Santa comes.

5. Is there something you make each and every year? [craft or recipe]
Peanut brittle with my MIL

6. What is your favorite five[5] Christmas songs/hymns?
White Christmas, Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Oh Holy Night, Let it Snow

7. Is there a new tradition for Christmas since your childhood days?
Putting dated picture frames on the tree with pictures from Christmases past.

8. Describe one of your Christmas trips. [whether it's across town or across country]
Hummmmm, I'll have to think about this one.

9. Do you have a special Christmas outfit to wear for the day?
Not really. I usually wear red, though.

10. Have YOU or any of your family members sat on Santa's lap?
Of course. Even my old dog did at Petsmart. We always had those crying pics as kids.

11. What is/or will be on your Christmas tree this year?
Crimson and gold ornaments.

12. Do you/or have you decorated your yard for Christmas?
Yep. Made a tree of lights from the flag pole. Wreathes on the windows, bubble light candles.

12 days of Cookies



I received my first cookie recipe from Food Network yesterday. It's not too late to sign up for them to e mail new recipes to you. I'm always looking for new ideas. Click on underlined cookie to go to their site.
Almond lace cookies were day 1.
Anything drizzled in chocolate is great in my book!

Do you bake cookies with friends or family? I bake cookies with my neighbor friend and her daughter. I think we had 15 different kinds last year. The husbands kept passing by the kitchen and sampling. LOL

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

It's a girl!



REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers until after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.


We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Christmas villages

Good morning. Thanks for all the birthday greetings.
Oh, I just love Christmas villages. These pictures are all from Room Service Home. You can find their site in my sidebar. I love all these pastel looking ones even though mine are traditional colors. I collect Dickens houses but I don't have them all set up yet. I'll post them later.




Monday, November 26, 2007

It's my party!



This is my second post today. I forgot that I was gonna post this today. (Dumb blonde moment) Today's the day. Yep, another birthday. My DH surprised me with an early BD cake on Thanksgiving Day since we were gathered with family. Oh my gosh, I have enough sugar in me to last a lifetime. But, it was very sweet of him (no pun intended) to get the cake as I have commented that I rarely get one anymore since my birthday and Thanksgiving are about the same time.
I am reminded of an e mail that I received recently about a Walmart cake. The person asked for the cake to read "Best Wishes, Suzanne" and underneath that "We will miss you ". Well, they did EXACTLY what they asked for!!! He he.

I love my new dinnerware

I'm still dragging Christmas out of the attic. I seem to be a little behind in starting my decorating this year. I did find a great deal on this holiday dinnerware. I just put some of it out in my breakfast room. I found the little white bird salt and pepper shakers, stocking flatware holders and table runners at Target. I am one of those people that likes a table set all the time. I know, I know, Kenneth Brown on HGTV says you shouldn't do that but he doesn't live here so.........I'll do what I like!!!!








Sunday, November 25, 2007

Bejeweled!


Mornin' all. Thought I'd share a little project that I did last year. I took my Mom's and MIL's old rhinestone jewelry and made a wreath. I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep it this way, so I just T pinned the jewelry rather than remove the backs and hot glue it. If I had glued it, I could have used a lot of bits and pieces to fill in. I covered a straw wreath with ribbon and pinned them on. It takes quite a bit of jewelry. Ideally, I would love a two-toned look. Maybe with gold and red or silver and blue. I didn't have enough to do that so I just mixed it up.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

What's your holiday style?

Non-participant?













Electric? Christmas Vacation house










Country?











Year-rounder??? Lights ready all year long. Tee hee!














Traditional?
















Bigger is better?? Lots of blow ups & such














Reason for the season?


Retro?


You can tell a lot about people by their outdoor decorations. I'm traditional/country. What's your style?????

Friday, November 23, 2007

A couple of gift ideas to make












Every year, I try to come up with new little Christmas gift ideas for my niece and nephew and the neighbors. The niece and nephew get some small gifts to open and I always try to give them some money in a unique way. These are some candy cups that I made last year that had money hidden in one of the wrappers. The candy is taped to wooden skewers and inserted into floral foam.

The neighbors got some peppermint bark, a Christmas candle, towel, and doggie treats. Gotta take care of the dogs. My Bailey the beagle loves to give Mom's homemade treats. His favorite.

I'm currently working on the neighbor's gifts. I'll post as soon as I'm done with them. Haven't done the kid's yet.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!



Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Be safe and enjoy the day.






Edited-Greeting to you!

Drivers license and WEIGHT!



Last week, I renewed my driver's license. I was thrilled that I don't need my bifocals to drive so I can still drive around being cool without my glasses. I don't know why they bother me so much but I always seem to be taking them off and on.

Then, on to the next question.........Are you still about the same height and WEIGHT???? Fortunately, I haven't begun shrinking yet. Not like my Mom who's now at least two inches shorter than me when she used to be 1/2 inch shorter. TAKE YOU CALCIUM!

Same WEIGHT????? I laughed and said does anyone have the correct weight on their drivers license? She said, "a couple of men". So, I immediately said I was still the same weight as 1980????

Now, on to the picture. Actually, it was better than last time. The only possible addition is the extra chin. I asked for air brushing but she said that was not an option. Damn.

My husband doesn't understand what the big deal is about gaining a few pounds. OK, more than a few. I guess what men see in the mirror is very different than what we see. LOL All I know is that I need a new diet and exercise plan as opposed to the "see food" diet. I guess I'll start on Friday!

Wish me luck!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

I'm thankful for.........part 4


  • I am thankful for kids and puppies
  • I am thankful for being left handed and right minded
  • I am thankful for being able to read
  • I am thankful for phone calls from my friends
  • I am thankful for chicken velvet soup

Rockin' Award


BJ, over at Sweet Nothings sent me this award. I've never been a rockin' girl before. LOL

I pass this to Swaddle Cottage
and to Sunispace

Monday, November 19, 2007

A Few Fall Photos

It's time to put my fall decor away and start on Christmas. The leaves are beginning to fall from the trees and soon fall will be a distant memory.
I do love the Christmas holiday so much. It's my favorite time of the year with the possible exception of the AmEx bill that comes in January. I will say I'm going to cut back, as with all the other years. Yea, right.
I enjoy living in the Midwest, where we celebrate four seasons. Once you get tired of one, another one is right around the corner.
























































































































I'm thankful for.........part 3



  • I am thankful for sunshine
  • I am thankful for green grass between my toes
  • I am thankful for concerts at the winery
  • I am thankful for fresh water
  • I am thankful for Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cakes!
If you haven't tried these Gooey cakes, you should. They are so easy and they taste great slightly warm out of the oven. Yummy, yummy!