Merry Christmas!!!

I have had a wonderful holiday season. I hosted an ornament exchange for all my favorite girlfriends, went to a Christmas dinner/candle exchange, attended a cookie swap, where we exchanged 7 dozen of our favorite cookies. By the way, I got the cranberry chocolate shortbread cookie recipe from The Entertaining House blog. My friends and family loved them.

Yesterday, my daughter and I went to my best friends house for a Gingerbread decorating luncheon and gift exchange. My son was not able to make it as he has Strep!!!! Poor kid. Thank goodness for a "Z pack." He's feeling better already! Tommorrow night, I will host my mother and her husband for dinner, follwed by dinner at my brother's house on Christmas night and lunch at my aunt's house the day after Christmas. Whew... I am tired just reading all of this.

We are so busy this time of year, that often, I forget the most important reason we celebrate Christmas. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior but sometimes during Christmas I lose sight of Him through the haze of decorating, baking, shopping, entertaining, mailing cards, etc... Each year, I sit and apologize to Jesus for not being present with Him. Every year, I have the best intentions yet fall miserably short of my goal... I will try to slow down next year and be present with the One who is the reason for the season.

His Gift

For the lowly beast in the stable chill

And the humble shepherd on the hill

Wise and wealthy Magi from the east

The purpose of every Christmas feast

Is to rejoice and feel your spirits lift

Exchanging love when exchanging gift

For when Jesus lay in that stable stall

He gave us his love, the greatest gift of all

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Sweet Tea: Beautiful Ornament

Sweet Tea: Beautiful Ornament: "Sorry for the poor photo quality here but my camera battery is dead. I captured this photo with my webcam.This adorable ornament is so easy ..."

Beautiful Ornament

Sorry for the poor photo quality here but my camera battery is dead. I captured this photo with my webcam.

This adorable ornament is so easy to make.

You will need:

clear glass ornaments (Hobby Lobby, Michaels)

vellum paper to fit your printer

 various ribbon ( I used 2 kinds on this ornament)

I used Picnic, which is a photo editing program on the web for my photo. I "winterized" my photo, added the date and added snowflakes. Once I printed my photo, I cut it into the shape of a circle, rolled it vertically and popped it inside the ornament. Once the photo was inside, I smoothed it out with a stretched out bobby pin. 

I tied a length of ribbon to hold the ornament and then embellished with a coordinated ribbon. You could add many more ribbons, crystals, fur etc... I have done many variations in the past.



Do you get the flu shot?

So, my son went to the doctor this morning for his annual flu shot. I normally do not wait this long into flu season but I have been really busy. No tears were shed -one of the benefits of being nine, I guess. Most people have an opinion on the flu vaccine. I chose to give it to my son because he has allergies and mild asthma. Anytime he gets a cough or something viral, it seems trigger asthma symptoms. I usually take the vaccine as well. Just haven't had time this year... Do you ?

Making a little Taco Soup for dinner!

It's freezing where I live. It might even snow tonight.  I am super busy working on Christmas cards, making treat bags and teacher gifts for the last day of school before Christmas break. I needed an easy meal idea for tonight, so here's what we're having...

Taco Soup
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 can corn, undrained
1 can black beans, undrained
1 can pinto or kidney beans, undrained
2 cans chopped tomatoes with chilies
1 (15oz.) can tomato sauce
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1/2 - 1 pkg. Hidden Valley dry ranch dressing mix.

Brown ground beef and onion, drain
Combine all ingredients, simmer 3-4 hours. Add salt, pepper and chili powder to taste.
Serve with a garnish of sour cream, sliced avocado and shredded cheese.

War Cam Eagle!!

Just gotta say it... Cam is not only a phenomenal athlete, charismatic personality, he is also a major HOTTIE!! Maybe I  have a little Cam Crush!! Please stay one more year at Auburn, Cam!!!

A Few Nifty Gift Ideas

Saw these on the web. Adorable and so easy to make!!

 Who wouldn't love these red boots to stomp around in?

New "Holiday" DSI. It comes in green or orange and with a bonus game for $149. Love it!!

Well, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Whew, I have been gone for a looooooooong time from Sweet Tea blog! I really love my blog and I want to spend more time making it great. Hey, I also want MORE FOLLOWERS, too. If any of my gracious followers out there in "blogland" could share tips, I would be ever so grateful!!

Okay, I love Christmas as much as I love Fall, so I am very excited the season is upon us. My house looks like Christmas has "thrown up," as I have boxes and boxes full of decorations all over my house. It's our first Christmas in this house so I am very excited.

On December 11th, I am hosting an Ornament Exchange for my BFF's. I am a little peeved about my invite, as it is still at the printers as I type. Hmmm... Not classy but I did send a Save the date. I hope that will count for something.

Merry, Merry, y'all!!

Halloween

So, I am going to a Halloween party. Since it is of the costume variety, I will need to dress up... Normally, I would choose a "couples" costume but my husband and son have an important football game to attend so I will be going alone this year.

The costume looks I have leaned toward so far have been,  beekeeper, jellyfish, raining cats and dogs or a mysterious gothic creature... Help me decide, please. Let me know what you think I should be for the night.

I have included photos. Most of them are Martha Stewart. I do not know where I found the gothic creature.

Black Bean Salsa

1 (4 oz.) can green chiles, chopped
1 (4 oz.) can black olives, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 lbs. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 (8oz.) can corn, drained
2-3 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup italian salad dressing
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
juice from 1 fresh lemon and lime

Blend all ingredients and serve with tortilla chips.

Best Mexican Dip Ever (well, to me.)

Layered Mexican Dip

2 cans bean dip
3 medium, ripe avocados
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1.5 cup sour cream
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 med. bunch green onions, chopped
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 (3.5 oz.) cans, chopped black olives, drained
8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
Tortilla Chips

Mash together avocados and lemon juice. In a seperate bowl mix together the sour cream and taco seasoning mix.

To assemble: spread bean dip in a dish; top with avocado mixture; layer with sour cream/taco mixture. Sprinkle on onions, tomatoes, olives, and cover with cheese. Serve slightly chilled.

Oh, What A Beautiful Autumn Morning!!

I apologize for not giving due credit to the above images but I cannot remember where I found them. To re-create these  pumpkins, all you need is a few dollar store pumpkins, leopard tissue paper, mod podge and embellishments.  Simple and stylish!!

What A Beautiful Day!!!

Have I told you how much I LOVE fall!!! The weather this morning is so crisp and cool. I feel like shouting, LIFE IS GOOD!

I just said goodbye to my husband and son as they headed off for the first college football game of the season. I really wanted to go but the condo they are staying in is a bit cramped. Next time!

Get outside and enjoy this beautiful day God has made, y'all!!

My family loves college football! It's so fun to set up a spread of food, a tent, throw the football with the kids, -all the fanfare that comes along with a college football game is so fun. The pre-game festivites are often more exciting than the game itself... I will post some great "tailgate" recipes soon.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

A Little Makeover

So, we moved to a new home back in May. I have been busy decorating, unpacking, and organizing. One project I have been really excited about, has been having my family room painted. Here is an after photo. I still need a larger rug, two new ceiling fans, and window treatments. Any ideas????

I am a little down in the dumps today. My son has strep, an ear infection, and it's messing with his asthma. He has been home from school for two days... He is taking so much medicine right now, I cannot stand it. The medicine he is taking really hypes him up. Poor fella!

Feast For The Eyes

Fall Y'all

I am ready for Fall! I am so sick of this heat!!! Fall is my favorite season! I love the cool, crisp air, high school, and college football, Halloween, country fairs, school carnivals, turning leaves, spiced cider. I could go on forever. In these next few posts, I want to help usher in Fall with recipes, crafts, clothing ideas, decor, and possibly my very first giveaway!! Stay tuned, friends. Do I sound like Paula Deen, y'all ?

Happy Birthday to me!!!

My fabulous, beautiful, friends, and I drove to the "city" for a wonderful celebration in honor of my 40th birthday. We shopped until we dropped, had dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant,  and stayed in a luxurious five star hotel! It was the best birthday I have had in a long time. My friends are the BEST in the world. They are always there for me when I need them.

These boots are made for walkin'

I am going to be walkin' in some new boots this fall! Look how cute the girl above looks in her Frye boots.  I  love how boots go with just about everything. I am picturing all the cute outfits as I type... 

The Morning Banana Diet

Have you heard of The Morning Banana Diet??? It originated in Japan. It's so popular there, I hear banana's are almost impossible to find. Hmmm... I think I might give this diet a try. It's seems healthy, and easy to follow. Go to http://www.morningbananadiet.com/ to print a copy of the diet. Let me know if it works for you.

The GG Collection

I ran across these beautiful items while searching for a way to restore my Arthur Court pieces. They are from a company called the GG Collection. Go to http://www.ironaccents.com/ for GG Collection, and other great home decor.

Lovin' some Kiel James Patrick!!

How classic, preppy, and stylish! I want to add these pieces to my wardrobe quickly!!