This N That Christmas

This year Christmas was a little different here. We usually all gather here at my home. Now that we have Grand kids, well, it's time to make some adjustments.
We spent a weekend up in Tahoe to celebrate with Ryan and Shelly, they were going to Texas this year to be with her family. We rented a very cozy little cabin and we were blessed with snow so we had a partial white Christmas.

I managed to get a little creative too, I made some Peppermint Bark. So simple and very delicious. Makes a nice gift to give during this time of year.

After you freeze it, for about 15 minutes, you just break it into pieces.

After picking Corey up at the airport, we headed over to San Francisco and attended a Celtic Christmas Concert. The Golden Bough performed. They were great. We enjoyed their musical talent, the harp in particular.

I even managed to get a tree up, even though Corey was the only one to enjoy the aroma and beauty. Tom and I enjoy a tree too. I didn't get any ornaments on it, maybe next year, but it was nice to cuddle up on the couch and have the coziness of the lights.

We took the tree down today and rearranged the living room. Christmas 2008 is over, but not the memories.
Guess it's back to work tomorrow.

Snow What

My kid's were kind enough to send me some pics of their surroundings today.
Sean's house as it looks today. I can't believe that everyone is getting snow but me, we're just getting rain. I guess that is the price you pay when you are a valley girl...for-sure.

Someone was generous and gave Keiran ski's. I can't believe that he already knows how to use them. Isn't that great!



Sledding down the little hill at their house.

Sean just added this pic to his face book and I stole it. They got enough snow to build this snowman.

A picture of Kathleen's back yard. Geez, everyone is getting snow but me, all I got was a(rock)rain. And to think I drove up to Tahoe just for some snow. I think it followed Lawren home.

Lawren really likes horses. Last year, for Christmas, we bought her this cute little rocking horse. This year, Uncle Ryan and Auntie Shelly bought her a dolly on a rocking horse. She just loves them.

Alive and Kicking

Just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to go to Tahoe, since I was down last week with a bad cold, flu or bronchitis, not sure which, all I know is that I was sick. Thankfully I was doing okay by Friday so as soon as Ryan and Shelly arrived, which was about 3:30 in the morning, we packed up and headed out, fog and all.
I haven't been able to blog for a while since my computer died last week. I plan on calling HP tonight, after work. My warranty is still good. Not sure what is going on but one day last week I tried to get online and my power came on but nothing would show. Well, Ryan and Shelly were here this weekend, btw, we had a wonderful time in Tahoe. We celebrated Christmas up there with them since they will be in Texas for Christmas this year. Ryan has an HP also, the same thing happened to his, he called and they were able to fix it. So, I hope to get some pics of our weekend loaded as soon as I can. The trip was wonderful. We had plenty of snow and were able to stay cozy inside a nice cabin with the fire going. We did go out and do some sledding, well Tom and I didn't, we just watched the kids. Lawren loved it. I have a video of her sliding down the side with her daddy and she is doing the cutest belly laugh. She just loved the snow. We loved it up there so much that Ryan, Shelly, Tom and I are ready to move. I think we are gonna have to wait a while for that, at least until they finish school. So, I have a few more years of working here.
No, I wouldn't mind living in the snow. After all, I was ready to move to Upstate New York (picturesque)after visiting Cecelia last year.

Friends

Who can describe the true meaning of friends? I can...and I will give you the definition...Ann, Anna, Dore',Margie, Susan and Teena. Now I did not put these in any preferential order, just alphabetical, for each of these ladies hold a very special place in my heart. I could add to this list for I have a few more, (they know who they are) but because of distance they could not be here.
Sometimes I find myself having a pity-party because none of my kids live here in the same town, which I have always wanted but life does not turn out the way we always want, right? But, I just have to remind myself of the wonderful friendship that I have been given with these women. I can honestly say I am blessed.Tonight, Dore' hosted a tea party in honor of my birthday. Everything was delectable.Each of us had assigned seating.The sandwiches were adorable. All of the bread and cheese were cut out with different cookie cutters. There were butterfly, pumpkin, acorn and tea pot sandwiches filled with a variety of food. Egg salad, chicken salad, turkey and cranberry, cream cheese and cucumber and cheese with a slice of apple. Don't forget the dessert. Chocolate and pumpkin bites, little tarts filled with chocolate, pumpkin and vanilla. I couldn't just have one, they were small so I had one of each. Hey, it's my party!Anna and MargieDore' and her mom

Ann and Teena

Elizabeth (Ann's twin sister) and Susan...just kidding, Ann's legal name is Elizabeth Ann, some call her Liz or Lizzy, we all know her has Ann. We didn't want Susan to be alone in the picture.

I even got presents. Some delicious smelling candles, one is watermelon, another is vanilla cinnamon brulee. Ann gave me a coupon, good for one night at 7-11 sipping on a soda and watching people, or we can just talk about whatever we want....we have done that before....it's lots of fun.
Dore' made me this bird feeder. Isn't it a clever idea, it's made out of a variety of dishes glued together. It will go in our flower garden in the spring. She put a votive tea light in the top part for now but when I put it outside I will put bird seed there, notice the yellow bowl, that can hold water for a bird bath. Isn't this a clever idea!

Well, it's time for me to go to sleep. My tummy is still full. I am going to have to do my hip-hop abs video twice tomorrow.

Thankful and Blessed!

Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.
I love the holiday's. Especially this time of year, the family get together's, the fall leaves, the goodies and the time off.
I was trying to decide if I should go for a walk or blog...oh I guess I will blog first.
This year, well, my table is set.

Ryan is my "Jacob" he is helping me in the kitchen while "Esau" is watching football.

Tom's duty is always carving the turkey. I cook both, real and veggie turkey. This year, Shelly and I preferred the veggie one.

We are ready to eat. This years menu consisted of the usual, turkey, mashed potatoes, cream peas (the family favorite), stuffing, fresh baked yams, cranberry sauce, etc.

This is my favorite, a Cranberry jello ring.

Here is my attempt at a Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake. Not sure yet how it taste, we are still full from dinner.

And yet another favorite, a pumpkin roll. Yes, this is delicious...filled with cream cheese.

Okay, I had better hit the streets, I still have to weigh on Monday.

Sweet Gifts

Found this cute little set of bowls at Wal Mart today. It has a sugar cookie mix and comes with its own cookie cutter. What a great idea to give someone.See, its a set of three little bowls.Here is another idea. Rocky Road candy mix with a little spatula.
Sugar Cookie mix with a cutter.
Here is something Teena got for my birthday. I have had my eye on a set of red bowls at Costco, only problem is they are around $60.00 for three. Too much for me to spend. So, Teena found some similar and got them for me.
I bought this little Votive lamp a while back at TJ Max. I got it because of the Red Cardinal on the side. Everytime I see it, it reminds me of my trip last year to New York. You could look out Cecelia's dining room window and see a couple Cardinal's perched on a branch that was covered with snow...just breath taking.


  ************SSI**************
Thought I would share a story with you before I explain this picture. A while back, oh 3 or more years ago, Nancy, Dr. Tran's wife, who has a heavy Asian accent, came into the office one day and asked me to guess where she had been. She was wearing some sweatpants. I replied, I have no idea....where have you been, she replied, SSI...I said what in the world were you doing at the Social Security Office, she looked at me and said...NO...SSI...I said, yea I know, why were you there? After all, she was only 30 some years old, what would she be doing at the SSI office.Finally, after the conversation not getting anywhere, she said NO...and started pretending she was on a tredmill....LOL...oh, I said you were doing exercise. YES, she replied....geez, why didn't she just say exercise.Here is a pic of my walk this morning, yes I am doing my SSI. I thought this area was pretty, it's about as Fall looking as we are going to get here.

Another Year

Well, I made it through another year, yes, yesterday was my birthday. I found myself doing things I don't normally do. For instance, Ann, my BFF (best friends forever, but we like to refer to it as big fat friends, but in this case it will be best friends.. okay), invited me to a music concert. It was not a rock concert, or country...it was fantastic. We saw The Laurel Ensemble. As their webpage explains, they are captivating, versatile,and passionate. Six very talented women, each perfecting their own instrument. Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Cello and Piano.
Now, I don't normally find myself attending something like this, but I will be venturing out more. In fact, I plan on taking Tom to a Celtic concert in San Francisco in December.
If you haven't attended something like this, just try it. It was awesome to sit and watch these ladies with such passion playing an instrument. My favorite was the violinist, but they were all great.

I had a very pleasant birthday too. Each one of my kids called me, which is always a joy to talk to them. Tom and I went to Olive Garden, and yes, I managed to stay on track with weight watchers. Afterwards, we headed to the theater and saw Changeling, wow...excellent non fiction flic.
I don't mind getting older, the alternative is not good.

Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

Ryan has requested a Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake for Thanksgiving dessert. I have been searching the internet for a recipe that is similar to The Cheesecake Factory. So, if anyone has it, or similar, please leave the directions on my blog.
I found one that looks yummy but not sure how it will taste.

For Cecelia

Previously, I made a purse out of dish towels. Cecelia had asked me how I did that. So, I thought it would be easier to just blog the directions.
Find any two dish towels or any two pieces of material. Make sure your material is
20 x 28, this is a standard towel measurement.

Fold each towel and lightly press. Press vertically and horizontally. Match up all pressed lines. Pin in place.

Pin towels and stitch vertical line through both towels. Stitch horizontal line through both. This will form pockets.


Trim the excess fabric from towel you used for the outside. I stitched the sides together before I put the handles on but the pattern directs you to stitch the sides after you attach handles. (Here is a pic of the actual pattern.) Click on picture to enlarge and get a better idea of how it is done.
Almost finished.

At one end of bag body, insert handle in fold, pin and sew close to edge. Back stitch
at each end.

Turn the bag right side out and wha-laa. This took a little less than an hour to complete. Now, how easy is that?

Here is a pic of the actual pattern. If you would like to embellish the purse with a flower here is the pattern. Or, you could use a pretty brooch. (I am thinking of making use of the material you trim off from one of the towels.) I might give it a try.

Just a little twist now. I found this cute night lite today, since I collect, and have a love for teapots, I thought this would fit into my decor.

Sew Much Fun!

There is so many things that I have wanted to blog about but I find no time. So, today I am going to post a few pics of the things that have been keeping me busy. Since I have that new Bernina, I find myself getting crafty again.
This is what I worked on this afternoon. You can make this cute purse out of two tea towels.
I found a whole stack of them at Costco for around $12.00. You don't have to use towels, you could use any material, as long as you have the right measurements.

It took about an hour to put this together. The hardest part is attaching the material to the handles. I have been wanting to make some of these but couldn't find wooden handles. Well, Dore' and I finally hit the jackpot at Joann's. Believe me, if you attempt to make one, don't use round handles, these were hard enough.

Isn't it cute. It holds a lot too.

I happened to look over at Tom, while I am sitting here blogging, to see what he was doing, doesn't he look relaxed???? He is watching football.


TIME FOR A FACE LIFT!
This little piece of inspiration is what started the minor face lift in my house. I found this adorable dresser on Craigs List a while back and wanted it, not needed it, for one of the bedrooms. The woman whom I purchased it from had her home decorated in Shabby Chic style, it was so cozy. So, I came home and did some minor decorating.First thing I did was redo the mantle. Added a lace runner, put some cute dishes and cups I had, added a few candles and pictures.Found some Shabby Chic panels at Target, added those to my front window. Now, you can't see what I am doing in the living room.
This is what my curtains looked like before I got crafty.

Added a border from the left over material I used to cover my kitchen chairs.