Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!!

Today is the last day of 2006. What a year it has been. Who would have thought, I would be back living in California, and expecting another baby. It is funny how life turns, I think about what I was doing 5 years, 10 years ago--boy, and when I do I sure have changed, then sometimes, my mind will wander to decisions I made, that I wish I didn't--and then I start saying over in my mind, LET GO-LET GOD----and a sense of piece comes over me. I look forward to each day that comes, I believe life is truly a gift from God, and I treasure each day, I have with my family and my friends. I hope everyone who reads this has a very Happy and Blessed New Year.

In my highschool, many, many years ago, they had a sign in front of the front door, as a teenager I thought it was corny, but now, I think of that saying often--and I will share it here:

There aren't any strangers here, only friends we have not met.

I think of that as I write here, strangers aren't reading my blog, only friends I have not met:)

Fun Friday:)

Well, it is Friday morning. I woke up at about 3 this morning and was wide awake--I wanted to get up and enjoy the quiet time, but I new better. I know since I am pregnant, my body needs rest, and also I didn't want to lose my energy in the middle of the day. I am not one to take naps and don't want to start now. So I said a few prayers, and fell back to sleep. I am now up at 5:30, I usually wake up between 5 and 6. My husband left for work, with his lunch in hand, he will enjoy his lunch today--leftover steak:) For Christmas my daughter received such nice clothes--and she loves clothes too--she had to try every thing on. I started rearranging her closet, taking things down that are too small and making room for her new clothes. I was saving her things in case I was having a girl..LOL--well, maybe next time;)

Things I am going to do today:

Rearrange my pantry--it got a little crazy in there--I have to organize it.
vacuum (of course)
Take down more Christmas decorations
Make a pasta salad to go with dinner (yummy)
Do some laundry
Swish the toilets

I have to remember to pick up some black eyed peas for new years day, I thought I had some, but I don't.

Friday's Dinner:

A beautiful Pork Roast I got on sale
Roasted potatoes and carrots
Pasta Salad
Green Salad
Dinner Rolls

Have a Blessed Friday, and don't forget to keep a smile on your face, especially when hubby comes home from work:) xoxox

It's Official

I went to the Doctor's today for my baby checkup--everything is going wonderfully--Thank you God!!! We had an ultrasound, and they are most definite it is a boy--I even saw it. My husband took off today to go, so it was a special day. I don't know if you remember, I had an ultrasound at around 13 weeks, and they said it was a boy then, I just wasn't sure if I could believe them, being so early on--but I believe the doctor now, especially since I was able to see his little package:) A BOY, I AM HAVING A BOY.....I am so very blessed:)))

Marketing:)

Good Morning, Good Morning!!! I had mentioned in my last post that I was in need to go to the grocery store, oh boy, do I ever..LOL. Since I did not cook Christmas I do not have all those lovely leftovers, and I don't have my challenge of what to do with all that turkey--I absolutely love those kind of challenges. My husband called me before he came home from work and asked me if I had gone to the store, and I told him, I was not sure what my grocery budget was this month--he told me what I could spend, and I was pleasantly surprised, I was thinking because of Christmas my spending budget would be cut, but it wasn't. Anyway, now I am making my list and I am going to write/type it out. I am going to go to Trader Joes and then to Ralph's--that would be Kroger to some of you in the south, I have no idea why they change the name to Ralph's once you get out of the south...LOL. Both stores are in the same shopping plaza which is really convenient for me---Then I want to go to Walmart and buy a few snacks there for the kids, they don't have a Grocery store, but they have food-just not produce and meat.

Here are some of the items that are needed:

Milk
Cheese--Cheddar, Jack, Parmesan and mozz.
Coffee (decaf for me right now)
Creamer-Hazelnut
Juice--a few kinds--what is on sale--I love Cranberry
Deli Meats
Meats--all kinds--First I look at the mark downs and go from there
Produce--all kinds--Green leaf/romaine/iceberg, Tomatoes, cukes, mushrooms, etc--you get the idea...LOL
Eggs
Pasta noodles---I have a pasta machine, that I have yet to try--but I will, maybe when I get my home back to normal, but for now I but the pasta for all sorts of dishes.
Rice
Butter
That is the jist of my list, I am sure it looks just like any of your lists---I don't buy too much processed food--I try and make everything from scratch as I can--but my kids do like Doritoes and Goldfish--so I do buy those, I mean isn't that what being a little kid is all about, eating some fun food once in awhile. I believe everything in moderation, that is my philosophy on food:)

Tuesday

Now what do we do?? Just Kidding:) I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. Our Christmas was very nice. My husband is back at work, and my radio in the kitchen that played lovely Christmas music every day is back to playing regular music, (have to find a new radio station..LOL) only 364 days left to go, right?

Anyway, my father had given me this wooden highchair he had--my first official baby item for the new baby. I am going to slowly take down the decorations now. I usually wait until after New Years, but I always do it in a rush, so now I am going to pack everything with a little more organization. I am out of a few groceries, so a trip to the store is in definite order. My bread machine will be going as soon as I leave the computer, need to make a loaf of bread, and some rolls for dinner. The sun isn't out, it is cloudy and cold. Well, that is all for now--I will post more later and when I decide what dinner will be. Hope everyone is doing great this wonderful Tuesday xoxox

Merry Christmas!!!!

2 Days to go

Good Morning. It is Saturday, and I have my list of things that need to be done. First off, my husband had to take Tony to the airport, (my son will be visiting in Washington for a week) then after that he is going to take Alexis to the movies, and whatever else pops in his mind to do---with them out of the house, I will be wrapping the children's gifts.

Hoping I can get all that done before they come back--I am a slow wrapper..LOL--plus I like to make each gift pretty with bows and ribbons and special touches.

Then after that is finished, I will start some daily chores, I need to mop the kitchen floor--and get the last of the laundry done, and a few other things, so I don't have to worry about it on Christmas:)

I am going to make dinner tonight using ground beef, not sure yet, but something will pop into my mind..LOL.

Have a safe and Happy Saturday, Stay Warm, and MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!

Table

Kelli at her Blog, posted pictures of her Holiday table---soooo, I am posting a picture of mine--yes, I am being a copycat...LOL:) We are having Christmas dinner at my Dad's home, so I don't have a place setting to share. I am going to miss cooking this Christmas, but it will be nice to be with my Dad and Grandma. Here are some Christmas cards I recieved, last year I hung them all around the doorway. I am still expecting more to come, so it looks like I will have to add another ribbon.

My daughter

This is Alexis, wearing her new gloves:)

Friday's Chatter

I thought this picture was precious, plus I just love thrift stores. I could spend hours just looking at everything, wondering who it belonged too, how long they had it, why they gave it up, etc. You can also find some really great finds too. Some of my favorite dresses, I bought for 2 dollars at a thrift store. Vases, bowls, frames--I found this beautiful chenille blanket for 2.00, and it looks beautiful on my bed. I also got this awesome wooden highchair for 5 dollars one year, I brought it over to my grandma's to use there, much easier then having to pack up my highchair everytime we went for dinner, and she has gotten so much use out of it, with other grandchildren to follow.

This morning I woke up, with an idea of what I wanted to accomplish in the morning--a few things I had to buy to finish up my Christmas shopping. Alexis and I got dressed warmly and went shopping, we beat the crowds--yay. I was able to buy everything I needed. I also made it a point to keep a smile on my face, and be as gracious to everyone, hoping it would rub off on some not so happy people---I just don't understand the rudeness some people display, life is so short to be unhappy. I truly believe if you think positive and happy thoughts life is so much better. I try and make the best of everything, and appreciate everything I have been blessed with:)

I also bought a few things I needed like eggs--oh, how nice it would be to have my own chickens...LOL. Onions too. I am going to make hamburgers tonight, and my husband likes a nice slice of onion on his burger--and I was running low on onions. It also was raining this morning, oh how I love the rain.

Friday Dinner:

Hamburgers--with tomatoes, onion, lettuce, cheese, etc.

Homemade French fries

Corn

Salad

I hope EVERYONE has a wonderful Friday--MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!!!! XOXO

Thankful Thursday!!

Good Morning--what a wonderful day this is. I am Thankful for so very much, my wonderful husband, my two beautiful children, and the little one that is growing inside:) Life is good, and I intend to live every day as a precious gift from God.

This morning as I woke up, I laid in bed for a second thinking about what needed to be done today--well, I did quite a lot yesterday, to make up for my Heartburn on Tuesday, which thankfully has subsided. I cleaned the guest bathroom, got one load of laundry done and another one is going. I have my bread rising for my dinner rolls tonight. Put all the dishes away in the dishwasher, made my bed, cleaned the birdcage, took care of my little girl. My son is still sleeping, so his breakfast will come in a little bit. I also cleaned a few spots on the carpet that were just staring at me..LOL. Last night we had a wonderful baked ham for dinner, and my daughter had some more ham with her breakfast this morning. So what I am going to do is make this wonderful ham casserole for tonight's dinner, and then with the bone I have left, I will make a split pea soup too. I just love pea soup:)

This is the recipe for the Ham Casserole:

HAM AND CHEESE BOW TIES

.
2 cups (8 ounces) uncooked bow tie pasta
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. prepared mustard
2-1/2 cups shredded Colby cheese
4 ounces sliced cooked ham, cut into strips
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
.
1. Heat oven to 350º. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
2. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Saute' garlic in butter for 30 seconds. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to a boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Stir in mustard and Colby cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted. Stir pasta and ham into cheese sauce.
3. Pour into an ungreased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 6 servings.
.

And this is the website I got it from: Steph's Country Kitchen Goodness. I have to say her website is fantastic, I have printed out so many great recipe's from her. Also her website is adorable--take a peek, you won't be disappointed, I especially love her monthly menus by the seasons.

The Candy Cane

The True Meaning of the Candy Cane
A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness for Jesus, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and sinless nature of Jesus. The hardness of the candy was used to to symbolize the Solid Rock, the Foundation of the Church and firmness of the promises of God.
The candy maker made this candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It also represents the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which he reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs, who like all sheep have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the flogging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ at the cross so we could have the promise of eternal life.

Wednesday Dinner:

Wednesday Dinner:

I went to the grocery store this morning to get some milk and some tomatoes, and to see what they had in the meat section---ohhhh, they had such nice hams for great prices, so dinner tonight is :

Baked Ham

Homemade scalloped potatoes

Butter beans

Homemade biscuits

Salad

Wednesday Plans

Is it Wednesday already? I can not believe it. I am so glad they put the Walton's back on the Hallmark channel, what were they thinking replacing it with Mash?? I mean when I shower and dress and straighten up my room, I want to do it along with Olivia and Grandma, not the men on Mash...LOL.

I have a lot to do today--last night I had the most horrible heartburn. The old wives tale is heartburn is caused if the baby has a lot hair, this baby must have a headfull..LOL;) Anyway, I made dinner and then went straight upstairs to lay on my left side to relive some discomfort--My husband, bless his heart---after dinner put Alexis in her jammies, and she crawled into my bed and cuddled with me---I fell asleep shortly after, but woke up this morning to last night dishes--UGH. If you have read here awhile or know me, you know, I would never leave my kitchen in such a mess---but I did--so I am going to go sparkle up my kitchen. I still have a slight touch of the heartburn, and I did take a few teaspoons of applecider vinegar to relieve the discomfort.

Well, it has been so cold outside, brrrrr--I can't believe it. Dinner tonight will be something, I just have not decided yet. I have to run to the grocery store to pick up some milk, so I will check the meat section and see if there are any good markdowns:) Have a wonderful Wenesday and stay warm xoxox

Thumbprint Cookies

These are the Jam Thumbprint cookies I made. Very easy, and they taste so good. I used rasberry and apricot jam.

Jam Thumbprint Recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
3 cups sifted flour, or more
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
strawberry or raspberry jam
PREPARATION:
Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg yolks, flour and vanilla; mix well. If dough is too soft to handle, work in little more flour. Roll dough into little balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Make a thumb print in the center of each. Fill thumbprint with your favorite jam. Bake a small first batch, and if the cookies in the first batch spreads too much, work a little more flour into the dough. Bake at 400° for 8 to 10 minutes, until light brown around edges. Makes 8-10 dozen cookies

Gumball Tree

Remember the tree Alexis made for Thanksgiving? Well she made a Gumball tree for Christmas--I love it:)

Her teacher comes up with so many cute craft ideas:)
















And these little ornaments I painted.

Sewing Machine

This is my sewing machine. It is a Singer 2638--My husband bought it for me a few years back. I am so glad I unpakced it--it was not doing any good sitting in the garage. I love my sewing machine--I am not the greatest sewer, but I do try--just don't look to closely...LOL;)

Oregon Trail 2

My SIL had given me this game awhile back. It is a pc game that you play on your computer. One day I was looking at it and reading the cover and decided to pop it in the computer. Now let me say this, I don't play video games, I don't have the patience to just sit and play..LOL--plus, I am terrible at all those games. Well, this game is so very interesting--you learn so much about the wagon train and the oregon trail. You have your own wagon, supplies, money, etc. You start out in different places each time, trying to make it to the west coast. You get to shop when you reach a town for more supplies, trade with people on your wagon train and you also trade with Indians. It is rather addicting. I will pop it in and play a few minutes, then go on to do some housework---and then when I am by my computer, I will travel a few more miles..LOL. I also love the music they play in the background. Anyway, I just thought I would share---Everyone I have mentioned this game too, have never heard of it--what a shame--it really is a very interesting game--I have learned a lot from it.

Monday

Happy Monday!!! I finally fixed the time setting on my blog--it was on Georgia time--oops---now it is on California time. Today is such a wonderful day, my kids are home--yay!!! I cleaned my bedroom this morning--which includes the master bathroom--everything is dusted and clean--looks so nice. It is a cold day here, brrrrr. I am going to bake some gingerbread cookies today, that should warm up my kitchen. Kevin said when he gets home, he will light the fire in fireplace, oh it will be so nice and cozy tonight. Tonights dinner is meatloaf, with mashed potatoes, veggies and a nice salad.

Oh, and also, I finally set up my sewing machine--I just didn't know where to put it. I finally set it up in my bedroom--not really where I want it, but since I don't have a sewing room like I did in Georgia, it will have to do:) I sewed a few things over the weekend, boy it sure can get addictive..LOL. Well have a wonderful and very warm Monday xoxoxo

Friday

Well, today is Friday. There is so much I would like to do before next week, so lets see if I can do it. One thing I want to do, is get my sewing machine out of the garage. In Georgia, I had a huge craft/play room---but here in Cali, I have a garage--and I don't want to set it up in there, so I guess, my bedroom will have to do. I really didn't want to put it in my bedroom--but it seems to be the only room in the house that would be practical for it. Anyway, this weekend, I will be baking some more cookies--I got everything I needed yesterday, and I also got the stocking stuffers too. I am going to make these Italian Cookies---they are hard to explain, but I will post pictures of them when I finish them. You use this metal handle thing that has a metal flower attached to the end, you dip the flower part gently into the batter and fry it until golden, the cookie falls off the metal and then you place it on a plate and let the oil drain off--then when they are all done, you sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Laundry--yes, I will be doing more laundry---I didn't get much done yesterday, and today is my daughter's Christmas party that I will help with. I made little goody bags to give to each child--just a cute little bag with a few peices of candy.

I have some sausage in the oven right now--so I need to go and make breakfast for my children---Tony, I take to school first---(Highschool) Then we come back home and then in two hours, it is Alexis's turn. I am so excited for their break--yay!!!!

Well, that is all for now--have a Fun Friday---stay warm and safe xoxox