Oh, Christmas tree....

My oldest daughter is 19 years old.  On her first Christmas she received a home made ornament from my mom.  Just last week my children, now ages 19 ,18, and 17, received their ornaments.  Mom has asked me if they are getting to old for this...my reply to her is that they give me a look of disbelief.  Never will they be to old!  Every year she has sent them an ornament.  We started with a small tree, but two years ago we "graduated" to a six foot tree.  We call it the Mammaw tree....some garland and candy canes and ONLY Mammaw's ornaments!

This is the very first ornament...

One of this year's ornaments....

A few more....

I always think of these ornaments as gifts of time and love.  Thank you, Mammaw!

Speaking of Mammaw, I would like to feature her brownie recipe.  When I was younger she would sometimes make a batch of these for a bedtime treat.  It makes a 9x9 pan....

Brownies

1/3 cup shortening

2 tbl. cocoa

1 cup sugar

2 well beaten eggs

3/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Enjoy!

Cheesy Bacon Fries in a Flash...

Ever found yourself feeling like you are going in circles?  Lately I feel like I am in one of those revolving doors....and I am not sure of how to get out of it...Things here are HECTIC!  Not complaining though (well, maybe a little).  I am thankful for my busy-ness....

The other day my husband suggested that we have our Cheesy Bacon Fries for...???  I can't even remember what he wanted them for...but they sure sound good.  Guess I need to find out what he was thinking!  These are very easy and don't take long to do.  Maybe after a long day of Black Friday shopping...pop in the fries and watch a Christmas movie!?  Here you go...

Easy Cheesy Bacon Fries

32 oz. bag of french fries

1 cup shredded cheese

1/4 cup cooked crumbled bacon

(or you could cheat with good bacon bits)

1/2 cup chopped green onions, optional

ranch salad dressing

Cook your fries according to the package directions.  Place fries on a safe broiler dish or platter.  Sprinkle with cheese, onion, and bacon.  Broil until cheese is melted.  The ranch makes an awesome dip for the cheesy fries.

Stuck in that revolving door with me?  I also know that the Lord is in the door with us...except he is not frazzled like I tend to get lately.  He shows me how to slow down the door...or get out for a while.  Enjoy some quiet time with Him.  For me...frazzled means that I need some quiet time with the Lord.  Holidays are coming up!  Pace yourself and watch your priorities. What is really important? 

Thanks for stopping by!



Reindeer treats!

http://www.howdoesshe.com/frugal-family-fun-tradition-6-reindeer-ice-wreath

I think this idea is so cute.  Of course, you definitely must have the cold temps to pull it off.  So I will need to time this one just right....guess I could freeze it, then pull it out when I am ready to display it.

Our "Thankful Jar" is filling up.....Each day we write on a slip of paper saying what we are thankful for and put it in the jar.  We will read them on Thanksgiving Day.  Is your Thanksgiving menu planned?  Mine is ready to go...will reveal that in a few days.  I am looking for a new sweet potato casserole recipe.  If you know of one let me know! 

I hope you have a wonderful day...lots going on here.  I have some more recipes to share with you over the next few days.  We will pick up our "Fifty-Nifty Recipes" after Christmas.

Thanks for visiting with us!

Sunday Dinner & Counting My Blessings!

I want to share what we had for Sunday dinner together....I love experimenting on my family!

 Today's dinner...

Chicken Fajitas

2 boxes mexican rice (Go ahead and make these according to the directions)

4 large chicken breasts....Cut in bite size pieces and cook.  Season with garlic and chili powder.

Add sliced green peppers and onion (We used purple onion).

While this is cooking heat oil in frying pan and brown flour tortillas.

To serve, put mexican rice down the center of tortilla.  Top with sour cream and salsa (The salsa was my hubby's idea).

Have you thought to count your blessings lately?...especially those blessings that are "routine"?

I left the table and headed to my recliner for my nap (blessing!)  My children all chip in and clean up the kitchen, then head their different ways for some quiet time of their own.  We have a good church be a part of.  All of this is routine...every Sunday....I am so thankful for all of this.  I am also very thankful for my husband.  He works so hard for us each week!  At brunch yesterday he could feel my excitement about the holidays...we talked of plans, traditions, shopping...he could feel that excitement building, and building, and BUILDING!  He offered to take us in to town to look at Christmas things...trees, ornaments, decorations...potential Christmas gifts.  Off we went!  It was wonderful to spend time together.  My husband is a blessing.  So thankful for a husband who enjoys being with his family.  Family time is a blessing!

Count your many blessings name them one by one...

See you next time....

\

Thanksgiving will be here....

House decorated, check.  I have my candy corn dish out, except this year it is filled with Halls cough drops and peppermints!  Seems someone is always under the weather...  Front porch decorated, check.  I did find some indian corn that would look cute around here...Be patient with buying your pumpkins, gourds, etc.... the deals will come.  Decorations do not need to be expensive...and it is fun looking for just the right things with your family.  Sounds of college football each weekend, check...oh, and that usually goes hand in hand with my husband and son "debating"  on whose team is best...and who will end up in the championship.  The leaves are changing...and falling.  Thanksgiving will be here soon...and around the corner will be Christmas.  Let's concentrate on Thanksgiving.  Face it...times are tight.  That does not mean Thanksgiving has to go unnoticed...

1. Plan ahead.  Start looking for coupons and special deals.  One year I got a turkey at a CHEAP price because one grocery store offered the turkey at that price with a $25 purchase.  It is only a good deal if you spend $25 on items that you need....Compare convenience foods to making it home made.  Depending on what your budget allows, start buying things ahead of time.  This is all common sense...and time consuming, but often necessary when trying to save money.

Making food for a lot of people?  Consider a potluck.  Ask your guests to bring certain dishes!

2.  Focus on Relationships.  Thanksgiving is not just about the food.  Our Lord, family, traditions...A favorite story around our home is my "first Thanksgiving being married."  Hours of cooking...beautiful table setting....candle-lit table...I walked over to the tv and turned off the football game (insert here:  sound of screeching tires, fire alarms, and the sound of my wonderful husband yelling).  Yes, he yelled, "WAIT!  What are you doing?!"  He proceeded to the table...told me the table looked beautiful and that I did also, prayed, filled his plate, turned on the tv, and patted the space next to him on the couch.  Traditions...memories!  We don't sit on the couch anymore while eating dinner.  Over the years we have worked on things that are important to each other and making adjustments.  I ask when the game is..and plan dinner around it... We had to learn a few things along the way...My oldest daughter said the other day that what she enjoys is the sound of the football games, the parades on tv in the morning as we eat breakfast and plan out what time everything needs to get into the oven....enjoying our Christmas decorations (yep, they are up by then..).  Don't forget the Christmas music!   You see, building memories and traditions do not need to cost money....time with each other and showing our thankfulness for each other is what matters.

Plan ahead and keep your focus on what is important.

Thanks for stopping by...Keep checking in for more holiday ideas and recipes...

Have a great day!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Washington

Let's make a stop in Washington....God has blessed us with a beautiful country.  I caught myself saying (again)...what scenery!
Crab cakes are on the menu of Washington's Space Needle.

I will be honest ....I really have no desire to go UP....something about that....well, I would probably take pictures...but, no, my feet will stay firmly on the ground....These crab cakes sound yummy!

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Crab Cakes

Ingredients:	1 pound of crab meat- drained 1/4 cup fine diced white onion 1/4 cup fine diced bell pepper 1/4 cup fine diced celery 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 beaten eggs 1 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. of dry mustard 3 cups of bread crumbs 1 Tbsp. butter
Directions:	1- Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours. 2- Form medium-size patties, 3-1/2 across and 1/2" thick 3- Melt butter over medium heat in a frying pan, add patties and cook until lightly brown. 4- Top with sour cream or tarter sauce. Can place tarter sauce or sour cream on table so that guest can help themselves. Serve hot. So, if the Space Needle is not for me...I found a place that I could spend for a very long time...Pike Place Market.  Looks like they have a lot of fun things in this market. With the holiday season approaching...My mind starts turning with new ideas...By the way, Pinterest is so much fun!  Be careful because you can spend a lot more time on there than you intend.  I am coming up with some cool holiday ideas. (Sorry, that was a rabbit trail...)  Anyway, after Thanksgiving dinner and the football games are still on...make an already special day an extra special day!  Make an outside tree for your birds and squirrels.  ~Spread peanut butter on a pine cone and then roll them in birdseed.  Attach a pipe cleaner as a hanger. ~String cranberries and popcorn. ~Tie stale doughnuts to a tree with pipe cleaners. Put all of this on a bush or tree. Have fun watching God's creatures enjoy your gift to them. Enjoy your family! Thanks for stopping by!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...The table is set for a special occassion!

My daughter wanted to pick the state today.  Washington D.C....hmmmm, but what about?  Presidents...and their favorite foods.

Ronald Reagan loved jelly beans; licorice being his favorite.  Three and a half tons of jelly beans were shipped to the White House for the 1981 Inaugural celebration.  The blueberry jelly bean was invented so that there would be red, white, and blue jelly beans at the festivities.

Ulysses S. Grant enjoyed cucumbers soaked in vinegar.  Um, for breakfast.  Franklin Roosevelt liked grilled cheese.  James A. Garfield liked a hot bowl of squirrel soup....confession, I have actually had squirrel dumplin's, so I guess I better not judge him too quickly.  Here is one...Woodrow Wilson would have 2 raw eggs in grape juice for breakfast!  There are a lot of "normal" favorites out there also (besides the grilled cheese).  James Madison enjoyed a meal of ham, rolls, apple pie, and cider.  A common breakfast among the presidents were pancakes, toast, and/or eggs...and lots of coffee!

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S BIRTHDAY CAKE
1 cup Butter Or margarine
1-1/2 cup Sugar
3 Eggs, well beaten
1 cup Cold black coffee
2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 tablespoon Vinegar
Cream butter and add sugar, a little at a time. Cream well; add eggs. Sift flour, salt, soda and cocoa together 3 times. Add coffee with flour mixture to batter, alternating. Then add vinegar and vanilla. Bake in 9-inch layer pan 20 to 35 minutes in 350 degrees oven or in loaf pan about 30 to 40 minutes in 350 degrees oven.

Our table is set...Here is a family idea...On President's Day (in February) celebrate by having "presidential favorites."  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner...whatever works for your family schedule...but make it a special day.  Remember the things that these men have done for our country...and pray for those in leadership now.  Thanks for stopping by today.  One more recipe to consider....Have a great day!

Laura Bush's Potato Soup 6 cups left over mashed potatoes 2 tbsp. butter or margarine 1 medium onion, diced 1/2 lb. of bacon, diced, cooked and drained well 1 large red pepper, diced 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 cup chives, minced 4 tbsp. sour cream approximately 2-3 cups of whipping cream, half and half or milk Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

In a large soup pot, saute onions and red pepper  over medium heat in 2 tablespoons butter until onions are clear. Add bacon, potatoes and whipping cream to desired consistency. Skim milk or chicken stock may be used to reduce calories. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a garnish of a dollop of sour cream,  grated cheese and chives.

July 4th Celebration

 I hope you all had a wonderful July 4th.  The day (even the menu) came out just fine.  We did make the banana split pizza.  Baked beans, seafood salad, fluff salad, and as far as the chicken...We toasted the buns, pineapple rings, and chicken breasts.  Topped the chicken with Swiss cheese.  It made a delicious sandwich!

At one point we were all sitting on the porch and I realized once again how blessed that I am.  Not only do I have the world's best family, but we live in a country that I have freedoms...to celebrate, to be with my family.  I live in a free country.  There are many men and women serving our country so that I can enjoy these freedoms.  THANK YOU!   I thought back to our Pastor's message last Sunday.  He told the stories of several signers of the Declaration.  These were brave men who gave their possessions and lives for America.  Men such as Thomas Nelson, Carl Baxter, Francis Lewis...ever heard of them?  I challenge you to look up these men and other signers...read about them...they are men who truly loved our country!

Easter Egg Time!

The kids and I have dyed Easter eggs since...well, since before they could really do it...they "helped." They are now all in their teen years and still look forward to it. Well, my son has now decided he would rather eat them than decorate them. Tonight we are going to try to marbleize our eggs. You have probably have done this before...we have tried all kinds of things. My daughter likes stretching a rubber band around the egg in different angles, dyes the egg, then lets it dry....remove the rubber band and you get some pretty cool stripes. I guess what I hope to accomplish today is that I encourage you to spend some time with your children or grandchildren...or even dye some eggs for a gift for someone.

Marbleize Your Eggs!

Coat the egg with a base color and let dry. Mix canola or other light cooking oil into another color of dye (1 tsp. oil per cup of dye) and quickly dunk egg. The oil will repel the color in some place and will adhere in others creating the marble effect.

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

Easter Egg Nest Candy

We have not tried this one, but it sounds fun. Instead of a coconut mixture, I have used rice krispie treats.

3 drops green food coloring

1/2 tsp. milk

1 1/3 c. flaked coconut

6 oz. white confectioners coating

~In small bowl, mix food coloring with milk; add coconut and mix until evenly tinted; set aside.

~Melt confectioners coating over a double boiler or in a microwave, stirring until smooth. Mix with coconut mixture and place by spoonfuls on waxed paper. Shape mixture like a bird's nest, making a slight indentation in the center of each one.

~Cool slightly and decorate by placing candy eggs in each nest.

See you tomorrow....the "recipe a day" challenge continues!

St.Patrick's Day Craft and Recipe

The kids and I made this jar for my mother-in-law several years ago. Very cute! You will need:

Glass jar

Green glass pebbles

Glass glue

green glass paint

paintbrush (You can get glass paint in marker form)

Step 1:

Glue green pebbles in clusters of 3 to create shamrocks. Leave about 1 inch diagonally between each cluster. Let dry 30 minutes. I did one side at a time. After the first side dried I did the other side.

Step 2:

Use the glass paint to add the stems to the shamrocks. Let dry overnight.

Potato Skins

I am not sure why I do not make this more often. The family always loves it when I do. Once again, this is a simple one!

4 baked potatoes, quartered

1/4 cup sour cream

1 packet (1 oz) ranch dressing & seasoning packet

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

sliced green onion and/or bacon pieces

Scoop potato out of skins; combine potatoes with sour cream and seasoning. Fill skins with mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with green onions and/or bacon, if desired.

Mom's Lasagna

This year we went Italian for Christmas dinner.  So, we got busy making plans. My Mom's Lasagna definitely on the menu because this is one of my husband's favorites. I like this recipe because you do not have to cook the noodles before layering everything.
Mom's Lasagna
1 lb. hamburger
32 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 c. water
2 c. (15 oz.) ricotta or cottage cheese
12 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
8 oz. lasagna noodles, uncooked

Brown beef; drain. Add sauce and water-simmer about 10 minutes. Combine remaining ingredients, except noodles, for filling. Pour about one cup sauce on bottom of 13x9 pan. Layer three uncooked noodles on sauce. Cover with 1 1/2 cups sauce. Spread 1/2 cheese filling over sauce. Repeat noodles, sauce, and cheese filling. Top with noodles and sauce. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes longer. Allow to stand about 10 minutes before cutting.

Hope you enjoy!

Back to the routine....

Yes, the lights are still on the house, decorations are up...I was sure that our kitten had plans to terrorize my Christmas trees. He had been so good until about two days ago. He is throwing ornaments off the trees and was even caught sleeping in a tree. So- it is time for everything to be put away. It is always a sad time for me, but on the "up-side" there are so many things to look forward to...

Back to school for us! It is back to the books, lesson plans, and early mornings. My son graduates this year from high school so in about a month I will start all the plans for his big day.

In February my daughter has already been asked to the college Valentine Banquet. It is a formal event-so she is excited about dressing up, spending time with friends, and last but not least...being with her date. Hard to believe that she will be done with her freshman year in just a few months.

So I am looking forward to "looking forward." Back to our routine....enjoy my family....
thankful for all God has done for us!

Don't forget to take time!

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Psalm 119:105

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you all enjoy a special time with family and friends. We have things planned for the next few days and look forward to being with each other.
" For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

Have a very, merry Christmas.....

Easy Christmas Decoration

Here is another idea that I found in that old Woman's World magazine....Make cones out of stiff scrapbook paper, glue on straps, and fill with candy, greens, or flowers! You are done! Hope you are enjoying being in your decorated home. We definitely are! It tends to be a busy time of year so coming home to our log cabin decorated for Christmas is such a treat.

Thanks for stopping by to visit with us!

It's the little things that often matter the most...

My daughter has a "Christmas Countdown" going on...my other daughter daily tells me how many days until she comes home from college. Me? Daily....um, I tend to panic! I try to start off my day with the Lord - before the kids wake up. It is my focus time. Decorating done. Menu planned. Christmas gifts bought? NO. I bought my first a couple of weeks ago. Will it get done? Yes. Will I have my moments? Sure, I will. We are big on traditions. Even those that to me are small, I am finding out from my three teens that traditions are important. Traditions don't have to be expensive....cut out sandwiches with Christmas cookie cutters, games on Christmas Eve, the guys in my family buy me an ornament each Christmas tree trimming
day....my mom makes an ornament for the kids each year.

I hope you all are enjoying this Christmas season...take some time...it is snowy here, so I think I will enjoy a caramel hot chocolate.

Christmas craft...Dangling Dazzlers

Hope you are enjoying your Christmas decorating. We have our three large trees up. I do have the reputation of moving around the ornaments on the tree until??? Don't know why I do that. My daughter "followed" the travels of one ornament today...she said it had been in three different locations. My husband put up the outside lights....just a few more things I need to do. Here is the first of the Christmas craft ideas. I have not done this one yet ...going shopping tomorrow! The directions read:

Adorn glass prisms (I might look in the Christmas ornament section for something similar.) with paint pens in Christmas colors. They will sprinkle holiday cheer
around the room when the light shines through them.
This idea was found in an old Woman's World magazine that I got from our local library. So many good ideas!
Thanks for visiting with us...

It's that time of year...

I hope everyone had a wonderful time with family and friends at Thanksgiving. I know that we enjoyed a quiet time with family. Our daughter from college was able to be here. It is so rewarding to see her maturing into adulthood...following God's plan for her life. I really didn't know if I was ready for this time in her life....Are we ever really ready? We enjoyed a quiet time at home...visiting, decorating, and lots of cooking!

Today I sit here watching the sunrise on this chilly morning. Yes, with my coffee (Caribbean vanilla creamer)...Yum! I am reminded that this tends to be a busy time of year...Christmas is special to me. I don't want to lose the focus on what is important....the birth of Christ, family, helping others who could use the encouragement. So, after another cup of coffee, think I will sit down and schedule out the next few weeks...so that I will not overload!

Stay tuned for some cute Christmas ideas. Our local library had to "clean out" the magazine racks....I was able to get some good decorating tips from some of them. Tomorrow I will probably start that series.

Don't forget Thanksgiving!

If you go any store right now you will probably notice Halloween is on clearance, Thanksgiving items have been pushed to the end of the aisle, and Christmas has taken over! Don't get me wrong...I LOVE Christmas...I guess we live in such a fast paced world, that a lot of people rush these special days. We are quick to make sure that our children know what Christmas means, but do they know how important Thanksgiving is? There are all kinds of activities you can find on the Internet for your children to do. Visit your local library. You can find books and movies about the first Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is an important family time for us, also. Spending time with each other has created some wonderful memories. The girls and I enjoy cooking, there are always football games, parades. My husband stuffs the turkey! I am thankful for a family that enjoys being together!

This year let's slow down and be thankful!

Christmas....

Christmas?! Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Sending our oldest off to college, getting things ready for my other two children for school; It is hard to think of Christmas preparations....A friend of mine shared with me something called the holiday grand plan. It is wonderful! The plan starts now to organize everything for the holidays.

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/