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!!