Has it really been that long?

Oh My-lanta! I seriously have neglected this little corner of my world haven't I? So sorry and hope this finds everyone healthy and happy. So much has happened I have no clue how to sum it all up, so instead I shall just carry on as if I had my act together.

Fall has finally arrived in our little corner of the world. My majestic tree in the yard went from a glorious supple green to shriveled black overnight. Just once I crave to see some beautiful fall color appear instead of this sudden death we so often experience. Ironically we have already had two snowfalls this year, but not such cold until now. I will miss the brilliant warmth of the sun. Cold is frankly not my cup of tea.

Last week we were delighted to share the 1st birthday milestone with our sweet little Princess and her parents. I have no clue how it came to be that she is already past a year old, walking, talking, and pure daredevil.

We also learned the same day that this little Princess will be the big sister to another Princess in March 2012! This rather complicates the postings so it appears new names are in order for all the girls lol!

May you all have a wonderful day filled with much happiness and love.

It beginning to look a lot like Christmas

As I write the dreaded white stuff is piling up outside my door and making mayhem of the local roadways. Blogger won't let me share photos today, so you will have to take my word for it instead :(. My plans were to finish my Christmas shopping tonight, however I will wait and take my chances next week in the floods that are expected instead.

I still have all my Christmas baking, candy making, and general kitchen mess to do so it will happen this weekend instead. Can already smell that peanut brittle and fudge can't you? Hoping to get a few dozen rolls in the freezer too if I get time.

Mostly have the presents wrapped except for those last minute items currently showing in transit tracking numbers but still have stocking shopping left to do. Think I will go the Dollar Store route this year for something a bit easier on the pocket book.

We have a new housemate for a indefinite period of time as Prince's daughter has moved in with us. Not exactly what I had in mind, but what's a girl to do? Will muddle through one way or another.

The new baby Princess is growing like a weed, already up to 10.5lb and had her first shots with Mom shedding more tears than baby. She LOVES the lights and all the sparkle at Grammy's house so that helps a bit with the lacking Christmas spirit here for sure. Prince and his new wife are flying in next week, which will be a surprise for Princess as she was told they couldn't afford to fly this year. Rotten liars we are, but it will make our Christmas a bit more special.

In case I get lost in a drift, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May you be surrounded by love, peace, warmth, and safety wherever you are this season!

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a fabulous holiday filled with family, love, food, and fun. We are off to a funeral so have postponed our celebration for this year. I am very thankful for the wonderful friends this blog has allowed me to have in my life. I am extremely grateful for my wonderful family and am truly blessed.

Memorial Day

Just a quick note to remind everyone to take a moment this weekend of quiet reflection. Many brave soldiers have died in defense of our great nation and this holiday was created in their honor. While most of us take a collective sigh of relief at the gift of a long holiday weekend, others are still fighting for our luxury every moment of every day. Take a moment to count your blessings for the freedom we enjoy, and say a quiet moment of thanks to those who are responsible for making it all possible.

May everyone have a safe, peaceful weekend surrounded by family, friends, and much love! Happy Memorial Day and thank you to every veteran, soldier, and their families for all you are and do!

Happy Valentine's Day!

May the day be full of love for all of my blog friends!

Cupid's Curse

Are you tired of the stereotypical, overpriced, and well, frankly boring Valentine's Day expectations? Ya? Well, me too. I don't know how the one holiday designed to honor a special someone who holds the key to your heart became such a predictable, thoughtless endeavour. A box of chocolates, a dozen roses whose cost could equal your car payment, a giant stuffed monkey professing his love that in no way will fit into your everyday decor, or a mass produced card dripping with sentiments that would never in a million years pass through the lips of my Prince. Yep, I have received each and every one of the items mentioned. I will admit at the time I was ecstatic because I knew each one was chosen with love and good intentions. Sure, I do enjoy the normal items adored by nearly all red blooded women out there, fresh flowers, chocolate, etc. What I don't enjoy is the fact that these are nearing "required" status just because a silly calendar says it's the day to hand out overpriced nonsense to show someone how much you love them.

I personally find it MUCH more romantic and special when love is expressed in individual ways, and for no particular reason except you care. A bouquet of grocery store flowers when I am having a bad week. Someone grabbing the trash bag from my hand as I head out into the rain to empty the trash. A romantic gesture of heating a can of chicken noodle soup brought to me when I'm huddled on the couch with a cold. A card that says I love you waiting on my pillow when I've been away on business. These things rock my world!

So, how do you plan a romantic, individual, spectacular celebration of love that doesn't include all those "normal" things? I have a rather unique challenge when planning this special day to celebrate my Prince Charming. He is a genuine, certified (x-rays and scars), AARP card carrying cowboy. I love each and every inch of this man and would not trade him for anything in the world. That said, let's be honest here shall we? Cowboys don't appreciate flowers, something about sticker weeds not good for horses..... Cowboys don't appreciate over sized stuffed teddy bears, something about ruins their image with their friends. What I have discovered is two things. First is they are rather sentimental souls. I think Prince has every single card I ever gave him tucked in his dresser drawer, hidden of course under his socks, but saved all the same. He dutifully reads each one, gets a bit misty eyed, and rewards me with a giant bear hug and kisses. He doesn't care if it is a store bought or home made version, in fact he likes the home made ones best. He finds it fascinating someone can whip up something from a few bits of paper and ribbon and make it come out looking good. Maybe a admiring quality for a man who can fix anything with bits of junk laying around the house.


The second one is pretty standard, in fact I am pretty sure you don't even have to marry a cowboy to hit the mark on this one. The way to a man's heart is simple folks-through his stomach! If I want to impress Prince Charming all I have to do is make a spread of his favorite culinary delights and it is a home run every time. Now comes the catch. I couldn't just marry a cowboy. Nope. I had to pick one with diabetes and heart disease. All those years of hard living have caught up to him in a big way. No more daily indulgences of meat, potatoes, and sugary sweet confections. Which of course happen to be at the top of his favorite list of things to eat. Does that mean we don't indulge on this special day? No way! Everything in moderation is the key. We have eaten light all week, chicken, veggies, fish, the usual healthy menu. This allows him to indulge a bit on special occasions and not be sick for days after. He always offers to take me out as a "treat" on Valentine's Day so I "don't have to work so hard". He finally learned that my cooking is WAY better, we get what we want, and we don't have to wait for hours or pay a massive amount of money. It isn't really work as I get to make his favorite dishes that are table ready in about 30 minutes. Our menu this year is simple. Grilled rib eye steak and shrimp on skewers basted in garlic butter (all bought on sale and in the freezer waiting), roasted red potatoes (toss in olive oil and Italian seasoning spread on a cookie sheet), steamed broccoli or green beans, and likely a bowl of French Onion soup for a starter. Desert will be a chocolate bread pudding cut into a heart shape and served on one plate for sharing. I have a bottle of cheap pink champagne chilling to which I will add a splash of pomegranate juice and a handful of seeds.

Now, for the gift. I plan to give him what he ALWAYS wants and asks for, me. He gets my undivided attention for the day. No work, no laundry, no running errands, no reading books. I will spend the day in the moment with him. I am planning a day long scavenger hunt to add a little adventure to this gift as well. I will start the day with a note explaining he will be treated to a day of adventure, anticipation, and excitement. He will then be instructed to follow the clues to the next note for further instruction. The day will begin with a breakfast, either at home (if I get my fanny out of bed in time) or a restaurant. He will be led to the car for another clue, which will read "sit down, shut up, buckle up, and hang on" and I'll take him for a drive to see the country side somewhere. At some point we will get out but I'll drop another clue in the car to check the back where he will find the necessary items for a picnic lunch. Of course the basket will have another clue to lead us home again. I will be renting some romantic and funny movies and we will enjoy one of those to relax for awhile before dinner. Dinner will be at a romantic table set with real china, white linen cloth, and candles in every room of the house. He really hates the candle thing says he can't see what he's eating, but he loves me an humors me anyway ha! After dinner, another note will appear for the remaining evening adventures....... Because it is Valentines day after all, the last note will be attached to a package on the bed containing a new slinky red outfit just my size of course...aahh hmmm....... Ok, you get the idea.


There are a million ways to express your love that don't have to cost a fortune and will mean the world to those you love.

• Make a coupon book of gifts for your special person and tailor them to their likes: good for one back rub, good for one weekend of free reign over the remote, good for one breakfast in bed, good for one round of golf, whatever they like


• Plan a picnic for a meal in a place that has meaning to you, or somewhere the other person has always wanted to go but hasn't. A sunrise breakfast with a great view would be a great start to the day. Lunch in the car near an airport to watch the planes for a pilot. A sunset desert to see the city lights.


• Make a card, write a poem, create a scrapbook-tell them all the things you love about them and how much they mean to you.


• Make all the food for the day red or heart shaped. Cookie cutters make great egg shapes, sandwiches, brownies, etc. Red foods are berries, apples, beets, beans, tomatoes etc.


• Give a miniature rose plant which will last a whole lot longer than that bouquet.


• Draw a heart to frame their face in the mirror and write a special message. Lipstick works, but trust me a dry erase marker will make cleanup much easier....... How about a chalk message to greet them on the sidewalk or driveway? Heck a post it on the remote is just as effective, on the coffee pot, on the milk in the fridge, wherever you want.


• use food coloring to write a message in the snow in the yard


• leave a romantic message on their cell phone or voicemail at work (careful here..)


• set delayed delivery text messages to be delivered on their cell phone every hour saying I love you!


• change the sheets to ones that are satin or higher thread count if you have them on hand.


• Pick up a couple white pillow cases at the thrift store and embellish with fabric paints in the shape of hearts or write a romantic message.


• Get some fortune cookies and carefully remove the fortune with tweezers and insert your own fortune. Dip the cookies in bit of melted chocolate and candy sprinkles for a unique desert


• make your own chocolate covered strawberries with melted chocolate chips, whip up some REAL whipped cream and feed your sweetie for a little fun.


• bake up a batch of their favorite cookies, bread or cake


• play romantic music, dress up like you were going out, and dance on your kitchen floor.


• turn off the lights and watch TV or a movie in the dark. Have popcorn and some chocolate kisses handy for a snack.


• serve your kids sparkling cider or apple juice for breakfast, pop in a cherry or strawberry


• make heart shaped pancakes, or make a heart design in the batter with chocolate chips. serve with melted strawberry jam for syrup. buy bulk sausage and shape in heart shaped patties. make heart shaped burgers-cut heart shaped "buns" out of thick slices of french bread.


• freeze cranberry juice for ice cubes to float in the sparking cider or champagne


• use a paper heart doily as a stencil to sprinkle a pattern with powdered sugar or cocoa on a cake or cheesecake


• make a heart shaped pizza with the family's favorite toppings, or a giant heart shaped cookie and decorate it like a cake


• Looking for a creative way to combine that chocolate/flower gift into one? Have a look at this idea.

Really the ideas are endless if you just take a bit of time to to think it out. If all else fails, just give the gift of yourself. Stop and be present in the moment, hold hands with your partner, read to your children, play ball in the backyard, dig out those board games, whatever you enjoy doing together. Tell them you love them and show them it isn't about money or gifts. It is about what is in your heart each and every day.

Happy New Year

I wanted to slow down and write for days now, but as always the time seems to fly away. Our Christmas holiday was delightful this year. Rather sedate and mellow compared to years past but that was just fine with me! My son and his fiance flew in and my daughter and her husband joined us as well. Good food, good company, good times!

Santa was rather good to me this year in spite of everything. Good thing he is a bargain hunter of greatest measure and hunted sales early this year for hiding away gifts. I could only find photos of two, but ones that make my heart go pitter patter for sure.

First off is my new shiny red mini processor! I needed more counter space (you will see why in a moment), so this replaced my larger model for every day use.

For years now, Prince Charming has offered and even begged me to get a Kitchenaid mixer. I held out being frugal with my old trusty hand mixer, and on a rare occasion hauled out my "old as me" Sunbeam stand mixer I got when my mother died. Well, after years of cussing, hand mixing, kneeding, etc, I finally bit the bullet and caved in. Be still my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, with all the company and cooking, she just sits proudly in her place of honor yet unused. I must remedy that situation this weekend! Whole wheat bread, oatmeal bread, and cinnamon rolls here we come! Of course Prince Charming is not so subtly hinting for oatmeal cookies first....

I also got the most awesome compact HP photo printer. Highly functional and adorable with its cute little matching tote. Can't wait to start photos flying and printing for more scrapbooking weekends. Maybe I should just use the room full of prints I already have first? Nah, new is always more fun!

Now, I must rush and find some quick and easy decor for our annual board game gala tonight. I am ashamed to admit our living room resembles a disaster area still which will require a massive cleaning just to allow visitors to enter.

I love this simple idea, and even better if you set all the alarms to ring at the stroke of 12!

This is a simple, easy way to have those favors ready to grab at the final minute to ring in the New Year!

And we all need a little treat to celebrate the New Year after the night of fun. Clever way to present your family with the new year ahead.

May you have the Happiest New Year of all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing all a safe, joyous, and wonderful Thanksgiving! May you be surrounded with friends, family, love, and peace.

Let's Talk Turkey!

Turkey Facts
At one time, both the turkey and the bald eagle were national symbols of America.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one-sixth of the 300 million turkeys sold each year are sold for Thanksgiving.
A turkey under 16 weeks old is called a fryer ; a roaster is usually five to seven months old.
Turkeys have great hearing, but no external ears.
Age is the most important factor in the taste of a turkey. Old males are preferable to young ones. The opposite is true for female birds.
Turkeys are the only breed of poultry native to the western hemisphere.

In our home, nothing says Thanksgiving more than a good old bird! It simply would not be the holiday without it. Over the years I have tried many versions of cooking this monster fowl, some with great success, some dismal failures at best. We won't even discuss the time(s) the creature came alive and found its way to the floor...hmm...

My sure fire methods for a juicy, brown, succulent bird are rather simple. First, without a doubt brining the bird makes for a downright tender, juicy, succulent bird. Even the left over meat retains the moist flavor. I have also tried many ways to do this. I'll spare you the wrong ways. Use your trusty ice chest. Scrub that baby clean inside and out. Add in your brine ingredients, the bird, some ice, and shut the lid. Every few hours, open it up, flip the bird over until you are ready to cook. I also learned the hard way, keep the cooler in the garage or on the porch. Trust me, you don't want the brine all over your floor, TRUST ME! I use the following recipe from Alton Brown on the Food Network as a starting place. The first year I followed it, and from then on I just tweak it a bit to suit our tastes. Seriously good eats!

The second required equipment is the Reynolds Oven Bags-Turkey Size. Rinse your bird, shove him in the bag, stuff him with some aromatic veggies or fruit, sprinkle the skin with salt, pepper, and a bit of garlic powder. Then seal it up, put it in the oven per the bag directions and you get a juicy bird, NO BASTING! I'm all for easy of prep here folks. When he is done, slit the bag, cover with foil to rest and then carve away.

Good Eats Roast Turkey
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown



Ingredients
1 (14 to 16 pound) frozen young turkey
For the brine:
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 gallon vegetable stock
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice berries
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped candied ginger
1 gallon heavily iced water
For the aromatics:
1 red apple, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup water
4 sprigs rosemary
6 leaves sage
Canola oil
Directions
Click here to see how it's done.
2 to 3 days before roasting:
Begin thawing the turkey in the refrigerator or in a cooler kept at 38 degrees F.
Combine the vegetable stock, salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, allspice berries, and candied ginger in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally to dissolve solids and bring to a boil. Then remove the brine from the heat, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate.
Early on the day or the night before you'd like to eat:
Combine the brine, water and ice in the 5-gallon bucket. Place the thawed turkey (with innards removed) breast side down in brine. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure it is fully immersed, cover, and refrigerate or set in cool area for 8 to 16 hours, turning the bird once half way through brining.
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Remove the bird from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard the brine.
Place the bird on roasting rack inside a half sheet pan and pat dry with paper towels.
Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and 1 cup of water in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Add steeped aromatics to the turkey's cavity along with the rosemary and sage. Tuck the wings underneath the bird and coat the skin liberally with canola oil.
Roast the turkey on lowest level of the oven at 500 degrees F for 30 minutes. Insert a probe thermometer into thickest part of the breast and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Set the thermometer alarm (if available) to 161 degrees F. A 14 to 16 pound bird should require a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting. Let the turkey rest, loosely covered with foil or a large mixing bowl for 15 minutes before carving.



A couple other tips for you.


1. Make sure the bird you select will actually fit in the pan, which will both then fit into your oven. Nothing more frustrating than discovering this tidbit as you are hefting the bird into your too small oven.

2. If you use a bag, make sure you save room for the expansion as it does raise up a few inches above the bird.

3. Those disposable tin pans are great for easy clean up. Not so great for securely moving the bird. If you go this way, buy two pans for some added stability to the bottom. Don't say I didn't warn you on this one!

4. If you loosen the skin on the bird all over, then add some compound butter between the meat and the skin it will give a great flavor boost as well. I make the compound butter in several forms. To several sticks of softened butter add lemon peel, crushed garlic, sage, thyme, poultry seasoning, ginger, orange peel, whatever strikes your fancy. One caution, if you brine the bird, hold off on adding any salt here as the bird will already have sufficient salt from the brine.

5. Check both the body and neck cavity areas for the "extra" parts prior to cooking. You just may want to take them out or you get a surprise while carving those little paper packets holding the "parts". No, I didn't ,but my good old sister did this one. I throw the parts in some water with herbs and simmer them for my gravy. Yes, we eat those morsels, and fight over the heart. Too much information? Sorry....


So, what turkey tips do you have to share? Do you have turkey for Thanksgiving? Too much work? Come on, share your secrets too!

Pumpkin parade

Better Homes and Gardens is one of the magazines I enjoy. I also sign up for their e-newsletter for the 100 days of holiday ideas. Part of the reason I am so fond of this magazine is the variety. Each issue is scattered with home decor, frugal tips, home tours, craft projects, and recipes. There is usually at least one idea included that I can find a practical use for in my own home. So many crafters are showing off their pumpkin/fall/Halloween ideas this season.

Now that my children are grown, I miss out on the fun of carving pumpkins. Seriously, the yucky goo spread over my entire kitchen floor is something I sorely miss. Not enough just to do it myself this year however. I still like to add some festive decor, for myself, visitors, and those ghoulish tricker-treater friends though.

I found some simple, mostly frugal, and quite striking ideas at BHG and though they may spark someone elses creative bones as well.

Lets start with some simple paint ideas for those squeamish folks who don't fancy pumpkin guts sliding thru their fingers shall we?

This is adorable! Simple painted legs and shoes with a small bow glued on for good measure. I think even better if you lay them down so it appears the house fell on the witch, maybe right in front of the garage door even.



This one should appeal to those with the black and white decor happening out there. Even easier if you start with a white pumpkin, use a stencil of your choice.

This one adds another bit of sparkly goodness. How many of you have faux gems, or even maybe some of those pins laying around in a dark drawer somewhere?

Dimensional craft paint, or even a glitter/glue pen. Make a web design, add some gems or pins, a bit more detail and a glittery masterpiece is born. Easy, cheap, fun for kids as well.

This one has a bit of carving to it, but could just as easily be done with only paint. Would be super fun at a backyard bonfire set up with some real lanterns mixed with them.




This is my favorite. Grab a pack of those paper doilies and have at it! Use them as a stencil.

Simple, elegant and endless possibilities for sure. Tape it on, paint in your choice of designs and colors. I think these would be brilliant on a Thanksgiving table. Use a white pumpkin, you name it.

Now, while you have those doilies out, check out this brilliant masterpiece.

Yes, shapes here are cute from real lace doilies, but a cheaper version would be use designs from those paper ones! Glue it on, pin it on, double stick tape.

Since you have out the glue and pins now, lets move right along to another simple chic version. This version as strings of sequins, but whatever trips your trigger would work too. Ribbon, pearl strands, twine, yard, wire, see, again the possibilities are endless. See the rings on the stem?

See, sometimes you just have to think outside the pumpkin shell don't you? Well, while you are digging through your stash of goodies to try this, dig a bit farther to include this one as well. A few more "found", recycled, borrowed, broken bobs and you have yourself a magical ride!

Now, my Prince is the ultimate pack rat. I guarantee somewhere in the depths of my garage and assorted tool boxes, bins, buckets etc we have a million things rusty and delicious just like these. If you aren't so lucky, just think a bit more and you'll come up with something close. A jam jar lid laying around? Packets of those "some assembly required" extra pieces in plastic bags? A few extra coat hangers? Kid's outgrown bike alongside the house? Some paperclips? Cinderella would be proud of this baby for sure! Even better, see those tiny white pumpkins so innocently sitting there looking so cute? Not sure what's up with the eyebrows, but a carriage must have a coachman standing guard.

So, while you were digging around, I bet you found several packs of thumbtacks lurking in those drawers you didn't even know you had. No, well then I pity you. Cause if you spray them a quick coat of one color, or leave them shiny you get this baby.

Simple stencil design, unique choice to add some house numbers, a name, again the options are mind boggling if you think about it. Even raid your scrapbook stash for those brilliant brads you are hoarding. No, well I have jars of them. This would even work on those fab "faux" pumpkins and you can have it for years to come.

Now, in case there are sceptics lurking here, or those saying good grief why in the world would anyone paint, carve, or otherwise waste the day away on a darn pumpkin. Then I say to you

Scared ya didn't I? Well, maybe not, but even the craft challenged can swing this I am sure. Got a pen? Write B-O-O on three slips of paper, prop them up, tape it to the wall, whatever floats your boat. Really lazy, try H-I! But seriously, how ridiculously easy is this? These are really flashcards, propped on floral frogs inside glass jars.

So, go ahead, parade your pumpkins. No more excuses of how boring or difficult you think it is. Besides, you just might make someone smile while you are at it. We all need a bit of that now and then don't we?

Happy Mother's Day!

I want to tell all of my blog friends a very heartfelt message

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! MAY YOU HAVE A RESTFUL, DELIGHTFUL DAY!

Every Mother's Day, my own Mom would give me a lovely fushia plant for my porch and I would give one to her. Sadly, my own mother is no longer with me, so let me share this with all of you!

Birthday review

Birthdays at our house are done according to the birthday owner's desires. Usually it involves an activity and a meal followed by the ultimate cake. Some want to go out, some want to stay in and we have done some WILD activities over the years. But hey, birthdays are special so we try to accommodate the eclectic mix we call family. Princess is as unpredictable as they come. We have done the Ultimate Rush ride (well, she and Prince as NO WAY Mom is being suspended from a million foot pole and fly thru the air in a harness and sling), the usual roller skating, arcades, game playing, always something different. This year Mom got lazy as I needed to do the trial run of the cheesecake for the wedding, and frankly after working and being sick all week I couldn't stand the thought of leaving home. So, without the normal foot stomping pout, she agreed and we had a lovely day of fun (can you say Wii Fit will kick your butt if you are not 19?), watching movies, and eating our hearts out.

Best Brussel Sprouts! Seriously even my best friend who HATES sprouts ate two helpings of these babies! And yes, Princess insisted on Brussel Sprouts for her dinner.

Orange Duck! Seriously, what kid asks for duck for their birthday dinner? Yeah, that would be mine. So, off to the experimental test lab, I mean kitchen. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

And with a drum roll please...............

That's my girl, make a wish, and blow them all out!

Happy Birthday Princess! Excuse the lousy photo quality but I was determined to save the smoke wafting thru as a memento for her of what happens when you get "old" HA! Blow out 19 candles and suddenly the room is filled with the dreaded smoke haze as though you are really old like your mom!

Happy Birthday to my Princess! Not sure where the last 19 years flew off to, but I am so proud to have such a strong, intelligent, caring, adventurous, and wild child! No mother could ask for a better child to share her life with and I am lucky to be your Mom. My wish for you is a life of love, happiness, learning, and pure joy. My heart is full of joy for you and the beautiful young woman you have become and I know you will live each day with passion, determination, and no fear. Now, let's eat some white chocolate raspberry cheesecake shall we?

(Notice she is licking the cheesecake off the candles, yeah, nothing wasted around this place folks!)

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

I hope you all have a wonderful day and may the luck of the Irish be with you! My corned beef and cabbage is simmering, taters are scrubbed to throw in later, now to come up with a desert to top it off. Enjoy the day!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to my blog friends! May 2009 bring you happiness, good health, simple pleasures, and love to surround your lives!

I'm late for a very important date....

OK, I have no idea why these are all showing blurry on the blog, but too busy to worry. Work is wild, laundry piling up, baking to do, presents to wrap, more presents to track that are now lost in UPS black hole, still no word if my son is coming, stocking stuffers to buy.......................

My most treasured ornament, a bell no larger than 1 inch, metal with glitter flakes. Was my Mom's at one time. Always loved it.

A very blurry nest, but oh well, a nest just the same. Went with all of Prince's ornies this year so only snuck in a few of my own touches just to annoy him, worked too!

OK, off to resume the labors of love. Stay warm and safe!

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas....

OK, have I told you lately how much I hate winter? Seriously HATE winter. Cold, snow, wind, ice, etc. It is just downright cold folks which makes me a cranky gal. Below zero kind of cold. Just plain nasty. Yet, it appears we will have a White Christmas this year after all. Mostly because there is no warmth in sight to melt what we already have, but also chances of snow next week. So, let's just hope on 12-26 it all melts and life goes on, ok?

Time is going way too fast this month. So much remaining to do and so little time. Half of the packages I ordered aren't here which makes me very nervous indeed. We have scaled back massively this year as so many are, so am pretty much counting on the remaining items or it will look like the Grinch came instead of Santa. My son is supposed to come, but has run into some tough times and will not be able to afford the trip unless the elusive Christmas bonus comes this year. I was so looking forward to him being here, but at this point it is looking like a miracle will be needed for it to happen. Will make for a sad Mom indeed if he can't be here as it has been too many years now since he was. At least my Princess and her "finance"-ya, don't go there, will be here. Somehow she managed to invite the "future in-laws" to my house for dinner on Christmas. There go the plans for an actual sit down fuffy Christmas dinner this year as my table is not big enough for everyone. Back to the old ham on the floor in your lap kind of deal. Oh well, it isn't like there isn't always WAY too much food to go around. Just had my heart set on a fancipants kind of dinner for a change.

Lucky we got the outdoor lights up before the weather hit. The inside is decorated too. Went with my mom's old tree which is literally like the top 1/4th of my regular tree. Just put on the Prince's ornies this year with a few of my sentimental ones. Looks cute but not quite the same. Downsized 4 large boxes of stuff for the Princess and another big one for the younger Prince from all my years of collected crap, I mean priceless treasures. Still have WAY too much but love it all too much. Will post pix if I get a second soon.

Anyway, stay warm and have a great weekend!

Birthday Bash

During our Thanksgiving trip, we also had to make additional travel for a birthday party for the Prince's uncle. They were having an 80th Birthday bash for him and despite the long way we could not miss this one. Uncle Bob suffered 3 strokes this summer and had complications following surgery to repair his carotid arteries. He is doing extremely well and NOTHING keeps this man down. There were literally hundreds of people who came by to wish him well and enjoy the party. These cowboys know how to party!


Look, a live band for a birthday party! How's that for classy? Not to mention the fact they were darn good too.


Below is the birthday boy on the right with his wife Betty. Look closely... Remember he has had several strokes and his coordination is still a bit off. The crazy woman still trusted him enough to two step with NO SHOES ON!!!! Here is the best part, he didn't step on her toes even one time!

The couple on the left is Prince's other uncle Clel and his wife Maureen. Clel has developed Alzheimers and has deteriorated rapidly over the last year. He still has some pretty good moments, but they are becoming fewer and farther in between. It is heartbreaking to see this strong, independant man losing his cowboy way of life before our eyes. He even knew us this time, which he didn't the last time we saw him in July. And seriously, when the music started-LOOK OUT! This old boy can dance and didn't miss a beat! Funny how you lose some parts and not others. Guess it is second nature to him as it didn't matter the tune, he knows the steps!


This one is precious to me. Prince and his 85 year old mom cutting the rug with the best of them! This woman is also declining rapidly, has had 2 knee replacements along with a hip. She is VERY unsteady even with her cane and her memory is also fading before our eyes. I'm not even sure she knew it was my Prince she was dancing with at this moment, but she was having the time of her life regardless. All night she kept saying I wish I could dance too, so they finally made it to the floor just before we had to leave. She is still talking about it today.

And finally, a very, very poor photo of the gang at our Thanksgiving feast. Well actually, this is during our second desert round but hey, what did you expect? Right before the Prince opened his birthday present which was a shiny new GPS system. Wanna mess with a GPS system? Take it to the middle of nowhere Utah and I promise, that woman gets so confused she doesn't know where to tell you to turn! Just remember, even if she says turn right, better make sure there is really a road there! HA! Thank God the Prince can navigate those roads with his eyes closed. Now, if only he can do the same with the GPS in our little city my life will be pure bliss!

On the left is Laurie, Prince's daughter who is staying with Mom, then the Prince, then Dana the SIL, then Bret his brother who just had his 3rd surgery on his wrist, then Mom with her back to the camera. The table in the photo was made by her grandfather in the early 1900's (yeah, the chairs don't match-they go to an old table we gave her she refused to use).

I have to share my "goodies" I received from Judy at Brocante etc. She had a give away on her blog and by nothing short of a miracle I won! See, I never win anything, ever, period. I am so lucky to have received this generous gift-thank you Judy from the bottom of my heart!

First is the sweet note she included in my package-is this the cutest card you have ever seen?

And behold, my wonderful gifts! A bounty fit for a queen for sure. Included are a cookbook I am anxiously looking forward to browsing at length for some new ideas for treats for Santa. Adorable holiday spatulas with designs. A fabulous tea towel with the twelve days of Christmas designs that will be PERFECT in my black/white kitchen as I have red accents. And last, but not least, TWO blooming teas!

Judy, your generous gift is a treasure I will have for years to come. Thank you so much! Now, I must find a clear teapot to enjoy a cup of tea and a long read of this book!

Where is the time going?

Seriously, where in the world has the time gone? The first week of December is gone and I have not even remotely finished my shopping, haven't even started to decorate, groceries to buy, cookies to bake, OMG!!!!!

Prince and I whacked down a sweet little baby tree on the dirt road coming home last weekend. It was supposed to be a joke for the Princess who is cutting her own tree this year and demands a monster. I am thinking I better just keep the darn thing, stick it in the living room, hang up a couple of dirty socks from the laundry pile and call her good. Maybe?

Well folks, OBVIOUSLY Martha the great doesn't live at my house now does she?

Happy Birthday!

Yeah I know, I really should say Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have a wonderful day with family, friends, or quiet solitude-whatever you have going today make it terrific! Make sure to take the extra second to say thank you to all those who matter to you and let them know how special they are. Like to all of you, thank you for being the best blog friends a girl could ask for. I am very thankful for your friendship, encouragement, and humor!

But, for today I get a dual celebration. This day also happens to be the birthday of the most incredible man I know. Happy Birthday Prince Charming! Thank you for being my best friend, a compassionate husband, a gentle soul, a always unpredictable joker, and the love of my life. I cherish every moment I have been blessed with having you in my life and wish for you many, many more years of living life to the fullest.

I love you Prince Charming, forever and always!

PS Did I mention in the midst of all the Thanksgiving feast and preparation, I also had to make the most over the top carrot cake with cream cheese frosting you can imagine? Good thing I love him isn't it? HA!