Thursday, December 27, 2007

Happy Birthday Hubby

Today is my hubbys birthday.I would've forgotten(again)if my oldest daughter wouldn't have mentioned it last night. Poor guy,with Christmas and New Years and my 2sons birthdays being on New Years day he always seems to get pushed aside.
We've been together for 16 years this February and it's not always been perfect but I can't imagine my life with anyone else,ever.
Here we are,15 years ago today.If I had only known.......Just kidding!!!!!!!!!
I remember that evening well,it was snowing and we ate steak and drank champagne at this fabulous restaurant.
Times have changed,we've changed (like I'm not brave enough to wear red lipstick now!lol)but we still have so much fun together.
I love you hubby and Happy birthday!


Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas



Well,all of the food has been eaten,gifts opened,the kids are happy and I'm exhausted.
It was a good christmas,stessful but good.
I was very blessed to have almost my entire family at my home for dinner last night and tomorrow we'll be spending the evening with hubbys family.
I hope you all had a holiday spent with those you love and that you found the joy of the season in your heart,not just for this day but always.
Merry Christmas




What Child is This

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!


So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!








Friday, December 21, 2007

A little reminder for all of us


I saw this on another blog today (http://mrsrabe.blogspot.com/)and I wanted to re-post it here.I hope she doesn't mind,it really stuck a nerve in me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen,
carol in the nursing home,
and give all thatI have to charity,
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata,
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return,
but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.

Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas!

Author Unknown

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Oh FUDGE!!


Well I knew it,I was getting sick.I felt like I was on my death bed yesterday but today is better.
I'm still not up to eating much but at least I'm keeping what I do eat down now.I absolutely hate being sick,I'm praying my kids don't get whatever I had.
I'm going to start baking for Christmas tomorrow night,(I wanted to make sure I was germ free before I started)I have to make 4 lbs of fudge for 2 school "winter" parties and then I'm making some cookies.
Here is my very fave fudge recipe,I've been making it for almost 12 years now and it's pretty much goof-proof.I think the peanut butter and milk chocolate are the best!!!

Famous Fudge ~~

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) Evaporated Milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 cups (9 oz.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels,(or whatever flavor you prefer)
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
LINE 8-inch-square baking pan with foil.

COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

STIR in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan; refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into squares

FOR MILK CHOCOLATE FUDGE:
SUBSTITUTE 1 3/4 cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels.

FOR BUTTERSCOTCH FUDGE:
SUBSTITUTE 1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) Butterscotch Flavored Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels.

FOR PEANUTTY CHOCOLATE FUDGE:
SUBSTITUTE 1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels and 1/2 cup chopped peanuts for pecans or walnuts.



Monday, December 17, 2007

Feelin like a slug

Have you ever had one of those days that you could sit on the couch in your robe all day and not move?That would be me today.I'm not feeling well and I'm cold.It's like 18 degrees outside and my house is basically warm other than the kitchen (which for some reason has never been easy to warm up)and of course that's where I spend most of my time.
I think I'm getting a virus or maybe just tired I don't know.The weekend went well,we watched "Deck The Halls" on Saturday and while it's no Oscar worthy show by a long stretch it is funny and a cute Christmas movie to watch with your kids. They watched it 3 times in all by last night I think. I made homemade pot pie and mashed potatoes for dinner then on Sunday I went grocery shopping,cleaned up the basement and bathrooms then we FINALLY got some lights up outside! I know,I'm so behind it's not even funny.I'm not even close to being done with my shopping yet and I still have baking to do,etc etc,oh well.I'm trying to slow down this year and enjoy the season,maybe I've slowed down a bit too much!
Here are a few of my fave Christmas links,some are new ones I've found and a couple are sites I visit every year.
cute~
http://www.santalady.com/stories.html

We visit this one every Xmas eve with the kids~
http://www.holoworld.com/santa/

I've been addicted to this channel for several years now and around this time of year they show all the good,sappy xmas movies. They're good to watch with the family
http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/publish/consumer/home.html

love this one
http://www.anoldfashionedchristmas.com/index.html

right up my alley
http://www.victoriana.com/christmas/default.htm

great site that one of the teachers recommended
http://www.northpole.com/

great recipes
http://www.smithfield.com/paula/index.php

I saw a recipe on Rachel Ray today that I do believe some of my family members will be receiving for Christmas, it looked so yummy and very easy.That's exactly what I need right now,easy! I think I might need another cup of coffee right now too,the kids wwill be home soon and I have to snap out of this or it's going to be a long night.




Here is the pot pie recipe,not quite homemade but close enough! I never have any of this left over.




Hearty Chicken Pot Pie~~


1 package (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup cut-up cooked chicken(I use canned)


1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup milk
1 egg


I add 1/2 tsp each of ground sage,thyme,and tarragon



1. Heat oven to 400ºF. Mix vegetables, chicken and soup in ungreased 2-quart casserole.
2. Stir remaining ingredients in small bowl with fork until blended. Pour into casserole.
3. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.






Friday, December 14, 2007

The Christmas Rose


We're off to see Santa this afternoon, I HOPE to be able to get a picture of all the kdis together.It's always a gamble so I'm crossing my fingers!

Here is a story I found today,I love Christmas and roses so I think this is just beautiful.



Christmas Rose Legend~

When the Magi laid their rich offerings of myrrh, frankincense, and gold by the bed of the sleeping Christ Child, legend says that a shepherd maiden stood outside the door quietly weeping.

She too, had sought the Christ Child and desired to bring him gifts. But she had nothing to offer, for she was very poor indeed. She had searched the countryside over for one little flower to bring Him, but she could find neither bloom nor leaf, for the winter had been cold.

And as she stood there weeping, an angel passing saw her sorrow, and stooping, the angel brushed aside the snow at her feet. And there sprang up on the spot a cluster of beautiful winter roses, -- waxen with light pink petals.

"Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold," said the angel, "is offering more meet for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses." These the shepherd maiden carries to Jesus, who smiles broadly and touches them, turning them pale pink.


Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Christmas art



My 4 yr old daughter drew this pretty purple tree for me today,(the same one who drilled me on Santa last night)I helped her with the outline but she did all the decorations herself.
I have so many pictures,cards,and little homemade presents that my kids have made over the years and they mean so much.
She called this one her "princess tree" and I do think this tree is positively magical!

My Christmas Santa fairy


A few years ago I got this adorable fairy type Santa,he even kind of looks like an elf with his little pointy shoes. I put him on our bed every year and last night my 4year old girlie was staring at him and says"why is he pink and why does he have wings?"
ummm,"well he's not the real Santa"
she says"does Santa fly?"
Me~"No,he rides in the sleigh and the reindeer fly"
her~"then why does he have those wings??"
me~ummm,"I don't know"
her~"are they just in case the reindeer break down?"
me~ummm,yea that's it..
You gotta love a 4 year olds mind



Tuesday, December 11, 2007

A little prayer


My oldest daughter found out yesterday that one of her best friends was just diagnosed with Leukemia.
She's going in for surgery to remove a giant cancerous lump from her neck today.
We're all in shock and praying for her and the family.She's only 12 years old.
If you're visiting me here or just stumbled across my blog,please take a second to send some good thoughts and prayers her way,I know the family would appreciate it.Her name is Tabitha.
I can only imagine how her parents feel and how frightened that little girl must be at this time.
~Thank You



Monday, December 10, 2007

It's just me.....................

Meez 3D avatar avatars games

A moms letter to Santa


I found this on another website but there is no author listed or I would give credit.

I think the last line is the best.



Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and
cuddled my children on demand, visited their doctor's
office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases
of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on
the school playground. I was hoping you could spread
my list out over several Christmases, since I had to
write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back
of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and
who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the
next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache
(in any color, except purple, which I
already have) and arms that don't hurt
or flap in the breeze, but are strong
enough to pull my screaming child out
of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine
somewhere in the seventh month of
my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this
year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows
and a radio that only plays adult music,
a television that doesn't broadcast any
programs containing talking animals,
and a refrigerator with a secret
compartment behind the crisper where
I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a
talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy"
to boost my parental confidence, along
with two kids who don't fight and three
pairs of jeans that will zip all the way
up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan
monks chanting "Don't eat in the living
room" and "Take your hands off your
brother," because my voice seems to
be just out of my children's hearing
range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these
products, I'd settle for enough time
to brush my teeth and comb my hair
in the same morning, or the luxury
of eating food warmer than room
temperature without it being served
in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use
a few Christmas miracles to brighten
the holiday season. Would it be too
much trouble to declare ketchup a
vegetable? It will clear my conscience
immensely. It would be helpful if you
could coerce my children to help
around the house without demanding
payment as if they were the bosses
of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is
calling and my son saw my feet under
the laundry room door. I think he wants
his crayon back. Have a safe trip and
remember to leave your wet boots by
the door and come in and dry off so
you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table
but don't eat too many or leave
crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,

MOM...

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel
all my requests if you could just keep my
children young enough to believe,maybe just one more year.............

Friday, December 7, 2007

I always fancied myself as Blitzen


Which of Santa's Reindeer are you?


Santas Reindeer


Comet


Like Comet you are always happy. Nothing seems to get you down and you can always put a smile on people's faces


Find out which of Santa's Reindeer you are at Quizopolis.com



Fun Quizzes


What's your elf name?








Christmas Elf Name


My Christmas Elf Name is







Get your Christmas Elf Name at JokesUnlimited.com



Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Oh the weather outside is frightful.............

Well,not really.It was so beautiful this morning! We got our 1st real snow of the season and I would say it ended up being close to 4 inches easily.The kids even had the day off of school.
Here are a few pics~my daughter took this one early this morning




Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Beginning to feel like Christmas!


"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was on TV last night and I actually got a few of my little ones to sit down and watch it with me.I mean how cute is that show?!!?? I so looked forward to it when I was little.I loved them all,Rudolph,Frosty,Nestor the Long Eared Donkey.It didn't feel like christmas until we saw those shows.I don't know if my kids even liked it or not but I enjoyed watching it with them.
For some reason they decided that they just HAD to write the letters to Santa last night (maybe snoopy inspired them!)so we sat at the computer and surfed all the toy sites until they had written down all the cars,barbies,and transformers we could find.It was so cute because they all insisted on writing little personal notes to him like "How is your wife" and "I'll be leaving you chocolate milk and cheese".
I remember looking at the JCPenney and Sears catalogs until the pages were worn,the times sure have changed.


Well,the snow is headed our way! They say 2-4 inches by Wed morning! Woo hoo!I love the snow,at least till I have to drive in it anyway.
One more thing,I had to write about my oldest sons ummm,well......his new "look".
He's had long hair for years,I seriously think it's been maybe since he was 10 that it was even remotely short.
Well,night before last he decided to trim his hair,(on his own!)It looked ok,not perfect but it would get by till I could get him to the salon.
Well,this morning he came down the stairs and I about dropped my coffee.He had done it again and this time he was almost buzzed!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean the kid hardly has any hair.He says he loves it and I'm in complete shock.
It figures too that holiday pictures are right around the corner.I'll post some pics later if I can catch him.I bet his head is getting cold by now,lol!

Monday, December 3, 2007

Was there ever any doubt?



Which Food Network chef are you?

Thanks y'all!

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Saturday, December 1, 2007

My pic of the day



Mommy,she took my fruit snacks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!