Corners of My Christmas Home

One of my favorite things to do at the end of my day is to set down and enjoy the corners of my home. And because I have decorated for Christmas early this year in anticipation of my daughter's arrival home from school, I get to enjoy my Christmas decorations a little longer than usual. It is well worth it though.
Let's enjoy the view. Shall we?
This is where I sit...

These are a few of the corners I love to view...

My creche that I have had for over 20 years. I bought it from my cousin Mike's wife, Vickie. She was having some sort of house party. I love it. I display it every single year.

My desk in the laundry room with new seasonal ware. Friends and family who enter through my side door are greeted with this.

My new tablerunner for the top of my refrigerator. It it red velvet with a Santa, a snowman and a reindeer on it. It also has little ball fringe. My snowman from my daughter and Christmas cactus from Betty Lou are on top of the fridge.

My Christmas basket and new Believe sign. Isn't it a wonderful corner?

My mantle decorated with twinkling lights, candles, and stockings hung by the chimney with care.

And last, but not least, my little dry sink in my laundry room. It is decorated with three boxes that say Always and Forever, Believe that, Family Means Love. That, to me, is the true meaning of Christmas.

Let's not forget the dogs. I have a jar of dog biscuits for them. After all, they are a huge part of my family. Like the boy in the Hallmark movie, A Dog Named Chistmas said, "We're lucky to have them." That we are.

Enjoy your day :)

Hallmark and Christmas

Go together like paper and glue.

Tonight at 9:00 PM EST, Hallmark's A Dog Named Christmas will air on CBS.

I can't wait. Dogs and kindness are my thing. I am sure it will be nothing but the very best and I am sure I will get teary eyed.

It's Nap Time Children

One of my favorite memories of kindergarten is when my teacher, Mrs. Wilson ,would tell us it was nap time. Each student would get their rug and lay it on the floor. Everyone had their own rag rug. We had to purchase them ourselves. Even though they were extremely cheap, choosing just the right one was very tricky. I loved my rag rug. It was colorful and even though laying on it was definitely uncomfortable, I loved nap time anyway. I just loved looking at the colors.

So today when I went to Big Lots and saw the colors of this rag rug, I knew I had to have it. To make the deal even better, it was only $15. Can't beat that can you?



It is 48" x 72". The perfect size for me now!!!

I wonder how many stories I will conjure up admiring it. (I might even take a nap on it ;)

Turkey Day

I like Thanksgiving more and more each year. Probably because I am getting older. I like the routine of it. Ever since I was a little girl, I have watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from New York City. I love it. I love the ballons, the people, the floats, the singers, the energy associated with it.



I can't just sit down and watch it though; I have to multi-task. I made applesauce in my crockpot. Great idea by the way. By the time the meal is ready to be served, the applesauce is ready to eat.



I made a pumpkin pie...

DJ helped make the stuffing.

Dave stuffed the turkey and put it in the oven by 12:00 PM.

I do not do much between 12:00 and 2:00. I can't. I have to watch the National Dog Show. And don't talk to me either :) I have to focus. Sadie the Scottish Terrier won her 100th best in show title!!!

Big surprise there, Mom!!!

My Mom, sister, and nephew Daniel came over at 3:30. We nibbled on cheese, drank a little wine...

and before you knew it the turkey was done...

Dave did a great job, I must admit.

We sat down at approximately 5:00 and feasted for approximately 30 minutes.

Then we cleaned up for another 30 minutes, ate pie, and everyone was tired. Brenda, Mom, and Daniel left by 6:15. Dave fell asleep and DJ watched football. Doesn't really change that much year to year. Only kids get bigger and don't like getting their pictures taken :( They're still cute though and I still enjoy my day. (Because I know they really enjoy it, too :)

Happy Thanksgiving

May the spirit of Thanksgiving move you.

Appreciate all that has been given to you and give thanks.

I hope you have a wonderful day :)

Thankful

for a son that is a ham...


can help bake a ham...

loves his sister...

can golf like nobody's business...

and is handsome, to boot!!!

I am proud to be his mom, too!!!

Thankful

for a daughter who still loves Santa...


puppies...

her brother...

is funny...

and beautiful, to boot!!!

I am proud to be her Mom :)

Banana Nut Bread to Die For

As promised, here is a picture of the banana bread I made yesterday...

Here is the recipe:

Preheat oven to 325.

In a large mixing bowl combine:

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 ripe bananas (the darker the better)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix thoroughly.

In a separate bowl, combine the following dry ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredient and mix thoroughly. Pour into a greased and floured bread pan and bake at 325 for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. (You may want to check after one hour depending on your oven).

Remove from oven, cool, slice, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy :)

Here is a picture of some roses I picked up today while grocery shopping. I really enjoy fresh flowers. I hope you enjoy them too.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

I spent the whole day at home. I am getting ready for Thanksgiving. I cleaned, did laundry, decorated my chalk board in the kitchen...

and rug hooked for a bit...

After I finish writing this blog, I am back to the kitchen to use up some old bananas. I am making banana nut bread for Thanksgiving. I will bake it and then put it in the freezer (after it cools down) and bring out on Thanksgiving day to serve with the other breads. By baking it today, I will have one less item to complete on my "To Do" list. Yahoo!!!

I will post the recipe and a picture of the end product tomorrow.

Here's to a great Thanksgiving!!!

Have a good night!!!

New Moon

Last night, I went with a few friends and saw New Moon.

I loved it.

The movies appeals to women of all ages. Every woman, no matter how old they are, wants an Edward in their life.

If you get the chance, see it.

You will not regret it :)

It is Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

My Christmas cactus is blooming.


Isn't she beautiful?

I also got an early Christmas present...

She's not only beautiful, but functional as well.

Have a good night.

Nazareth's Mens Volleyball

"Where did you go last night, Mom?"

We went to Nazareth College and watched the 17th Annual Men's Preview to the Final Four!

Specifically, we watched Nazareth BEAT IPFW in five matches. It was well worth the fee we paid to get in. Here are a few of the pictures.




Nazareth's team...

Nazareth lost the first two games...

But rallied back...

With the help of these players...

No. 13 -Hans - an excellent defensive and offensive player with a a wicked serve to boot (just ask the ref he hit).

No. 7 - not sure of his name, but another good all around player, good at both the net and on the floor.

No. 9 - Ellis, a crowd favorite and great blocker/spiker.

No. 15 - the libero - not sure of his name either, but the kid can move and picks up most anything sent his way.

Team support....

and some heavy duty ball playing.

Good job :)