Sunday, December 25, 2011

On this Christmas Day


May you remember to not get wrapped up in the little things
the gifts and the show and truly remember the real reason to celebrate.


Luke 2: 11-12
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”


Merry Christmas to all of you!



Saturday, December 24, 2011

From My house to yours

It's Christmas Eve

~ the lights are hung ~ the presents are wrapped ~ family is in abundance ~ everyone is beaming ~

And I want to wish you a VERY Merry Christmas!


Thank you for coming along with me on my journey of family, friends, fun, food, crafting and random thoughts ~ I appreciate each and everyone of you and have become friends with people who without this little blog, I would have NEVER met.  Love and Prayers to all of you!





Thursday, December 22, 2011

Date Night

Hubs and I went out for dinner the other night.

We went to the Capital Grill with another couple.

Dinner was fabulous as was the company!

It was so nice to have a relaxing night out ~ even better was one with a little adult conversation!


PS ~ I must recommend the Cheesecake!  The perfect amount of crust (Hubby LOVES crust and was craving more, but I found it to be perfect!), delicious creamy inside topped with a crisp sugar crust and fresh berries!  MMmmmmm!








Wednesday, December 21, 2011

I've been PINNING

Well, I don't know about you, but I've been pinning lots of goodies lately.   Food, crafts, seasonal stuff, home decor and design, photography tips and on and on.  I have actually been making a few of the food items I've pinned and here are some of my results:

First up ~  Creamed Eggs over Toast.

(but, I'm going to delete it from my boards, so here is the actual website)

This sounded interesting, so I thought we'd give it a try.  

I

Boiled the eggs

Made the "gravy"


Topped the toast.



Ate, Assessed and Added Pepper.



In the end, we decided this would NOT be a remaker.  
Not a lot of flavor ~ but, maybe if you add sausage.......


Next stop ~ Chicken and Black Bean Green Enchilada Rice Bake


I

Gathered my ingredients


Mixed it up


And layered it in the pans
(I split it into two 8x8 pans so I could put one in the freezer for another day ~ we had already tried this recipe once and knew we liked it!)






Yep, this one is a keeper.  


And Hubby likes to take the leftovers, warm them up and wrap it up in a tortilla. Perfect for a quick lunch!


Last but not Least,  something sweet ~ Peppermint Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies


I made these to take to a cookie exchange at the Parent's group I am co-leader of.
They were quite easy to make, which I definitely like.
They have a minty flavor, but not overwhelming.  Perfect in my opinion.

Since I was bringing them to a meeting, along with 28 gifts (we sponsored a 2 families for Christmas), wrapping paper and a bunch of other stuff, the last thing I wanted to worry about was the cute little chocolate piped stars falling off or breaking apart.  So, although cute, I decided to leave them off ~ this time at least.


I will definitely be making these again!


What, have you been pinning lately?
Have you tried anything?

Saturday, December 17, 2011

ONE week!

ONE week!

Are you ready?

I can't believe one week from today we will be celebrating Christmas!

Here's a little dance party 
from our house to yours 
to get your week off to a smiley start:


Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!


Thursday, December 15, 2011

Cookie Baking Day

The other day, we pulled out the bowls, mixer, flour, sugar, sprinkles and the rest of the cookie goodness and set off to make some Christmas cookies.


We made chocolate spritz, white spritz and sugar cookies.

We also made a MESS (and funny faces)!



But, the most important thing we made, were memories!












Monday, December 12, 2011

Visiting the Jolly old Man and Santa... if you're reading this:

Last week, I mentioned we took the kids to see Santa.

It seems 2 of 3 kids have some high expectations this year.



Sassy asked for a nice camera "with lenses that can be changed and zoom in and out.  Like my mom's."
FYI, "mom's" camera is a Nikon D90.

TO SANTA ~ if your not to busy to read this:

Santa, here is my word of advice.  Sassy loves to take pictures.  She wants to be a photographer when she grows up.  However, I think it's a bit risky to give such a nice camera to a 10 year old.  Not that she wouldn't take care of it, or doesn't deserve it, because for the most part ☺ she is a really great girl.  Respectful, hardworking, honest, helpful.  Don't get me wrong, I get the sass now and again ~ that is her nickname ~ and she does bother her brother and sister from time to time.  But anyway, I just think that that camera may be a bit fancy to take on school field trips, to the lake, camping and places like that, which I know is where she wants to use it.  A camera perhaps, maybe just not that one :)


Action.  Action looked at Santa with his baby blues and LONG eye lashes.  Flashed his charming, dimpled smile and told Santa he really wants a puppy.


TO SANTA ~ 

Santa, you were right to tell him that you would only bring him a puppy if it was ok with Dad and Mom.  Because quite honestly, one dog in the house is quite enough.  He certainly was bummed that night.  But I'm glad you were honest with him.  I appreciate that.   Especially after the time he asked for a punching bag and you asked him, "isn't that what your sister is for?" I still haven't gotten over that one!  Besides a puppy though, I'm not quite sure what he wants for Christmas.  I hope you or your elves have been watching.  If you come up with any ideas I could use, please let me know.... my email is ordinarymol@hotmail.com.  Thanks!


Smiley was excited and nervous to see Santa. She had really been thinking hard about what she was going to ask for when she got on his lap and had her opportunity.    Lipstick.  Lipstick is all she could come up with when her time came.



SANTA ~ 

So little Smiley climbed on your lap with the help of her sister, smiled for a picture and then it was time.  Time to tell you all of the things she was hoping for.  And what did she tell you?  Lipstick.  And she does want lipstick, let me tell you.  But, if you do decide to go with that, please stick to a flavored kiddy chapstick.  I don't need anything drawn on with real lipstick :)  But besides that, the rest of the things she had on her mind to tell you, but just couldn't get out were this:

* princess panties (she ~ along with her mom! ~ is very excited about being potty trained and loves checking out all of the fancy panties at Target ~ she is especially fond of the princess ones :)
* beds for her doll house
*shoes
*and dress up clothes.

THANK YOU SANTA!

And because, what's a post without a bunch of pictures?  Here are the kids and Santa through the years (and yes, these are pictures of pictures, so they aren't the best quality, but you'll get the idea):

2001
 our first experience with visiting Santa with our kids ~ Sassy was 9 months old

2002
My ABSOLUTE favorite Santa picture 
Sassy was so excited to see him, but was terrified when it was actually her turn

2003

2004
Actions first experience with Santa

2005

2006

2007

2008
Wow ~ hard to believe Smiley was this little :(

2009
Another one of my favorites ~ love love LOVE Smiley's expression!

2010
Sassy was home sick (super sick) with the flu ~ very bummed she couldn't go

2011
Everyone was all smiles ~ this was before the puppy got denied :(

So, what's on your (or your kid's) Christmas list this year?