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.