Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!!!!

Well Christmas is over and I am still not done taking down the decorations!! Here is a picture of our tree, as you can see it is loaded. It is soo tall. I love all the homemade ornaments on it.

I dont think Christopher will ever outgrow Chuck E Cheese!! It made his day to see Chucky and get to hug him over and over. Hey this would be a good picture for me to frame what do you think?

THe other night I was teying to make Enchiladas (do you capitalize that or not?). Anyways the corn tortillas kept on ripping so I got aggravated and made a casserole instead. It turned out really good. Below it is the recipe in case you want it.


My Enchilada Casserole
No I don't measure anything!
First brown some hamburger meat. Drain it and set it aside. Then get a can of Enchilada Sauce (I used mild) and a can of tomato sauce. Combine them and heat them in a pan.
Layer a row of corn enchilas on the bottom of a greased casserole pan. Then a layer of cooked hamburger meat. Then a layer of chopped onions then a layer of cheddar cheese. Drizzle some sauce over that. Then repeat and repeat.
I cooked it in the oven at 350 for a half hour - I did not cover it. I ended up making 2 of these casserole dishes and poured the remaining sauce over the tops envenly. I like lots of sauce. Enjoy!!!


Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Christmas Open Houses and Cookie Exchange

There is some great blogs that have had Christmas Open House- check them out at www.boomama.net and www.hookedonhouses.net I LOVE to see how people decorate their houses. Also, join a Christmas cookie exchange at www.acottageindustry.typepad.com
We are cooking up some of our own cookies today. I hope to post the pictures tonight. Also, I'll try to post the recipes we used. Have a great day!!

Cookin up dinner!!


This is a new pot I got at Sam's for $39.00 I love it!! I could not wait to make Haluska. (I think thats how you spell it) It tasted soooo good I could have eaten it all.
Recipe: chopped some onion and brown it in butter. Cook egg noodles separately. Chop up some cabbage. I used a whole head of cabbage. After the onion is soft add more butter and the cabbage. Put on the lid and let the cabbage cook till soft. Add the egg noodles and stir, add some salt and pepper. Cook all together for a few minutes with the lid on so the flavors mix together.
YUUUUUMMMMMMM!!! As you can see I am not a person that cooks with exact ingredients.
Enjoy!!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

My favorite Antique Store!!

I LOVE to go to this Antique store. In fact the woman that is selling both of these hutch's and items is the same woman I bought my hutch from. I love her ideas and all of the furniture she sells in this store. I could not resist taking a picture of these 2 displays. Aren't they pretty? To see the items up close, just click on the picture. Enjoy!!


Tuesday, December 9, 2008

More Christmas Decorating!

I have this cute little sign hanging in my breakfast area. And below is my growing collection of a town. If you click on the picture you can see the names and the little animals and people. Ashley decorated that too. :)
Here is 2 of my sets of Nativites. I have one more downstairs. The kids still like to play with the people and animals. Sometimes I find them scattered all over the house.

Christmas day is getting so close the kids are so excited. I still have so much I have to do to get ready. I would like to start baking Christmas cookies soon. What a mess we make when we bake, soo fun. I can't wait to see them open their presents!!! And Yummm Ham dinner. Ok, I'll stop.


Monday, December 8, 2008

Decorating for Christmas!!

Here is the China Hutch ,A decorated with Snowmen. I got the 2 Snowmen pictures on the top at a local craft show this year. I love them!! The one on the left is an Alabama fan!! Enlarge the whole picture to see them more clearly. I thought theu were pretty great. And there she is happily posing with her dining room table she decorated. I need to keep her around as long as I can :) The room is so dark you cant even see my burgandy curtains. I need new ones. Don't I?


Saturday, December 6, 2008

Do I make you proud?

I love the song "Do I make you proud" by Taylor Hicks. Everytime I hear it I get a little lump in my throat. I always think of my kids. This is going to be corny and sentimental but here goes.

Everyday we tell them to do their best and to keep trying and to be good people. They have their own struggles, some struggles I can't even imagine. They have grown and overcome so much. Told you it was going to be corny.

But when I hear that song, I wonder if I am making them proud. If I am doing the very best for them that I can. And how I can help them more. I am soooo proud of them and get too teary when I see them happy or just in everyday life. Sometimes I wish I could get through to them how much I admire them and how proud I am to be their mother. Ok, I'm done now. Here's hoping I always listen to that song and keep trying to make THEM proud. Love you guys. Mom
p.s. that's an old picture but a goody :) Yes I do believe in Miracles, everyday :)

Decorating for Christmas!!

Ashley had fun decorating the dining room table. I will have to take another picture during the day I did not realize the lighting was so bad. She made it sooo cute with my collection of nutcrackers! I got the plates at Lillian Vernon after Christmas last year. I also bought a relish tray and cheese servers. Ashley is a true decorator and loves it. She likes to make fun of me saying she does a better job! Of course,I always just have to agree.


Friday, December 5, 2008

Dear Santa, Love Mom

I heard this on the radio station this morning and loved it. I hope you enjoy it!!

Dear Santa:
I’ve been a good mom all year. I’ve fed, cleaned, and cuddled all my children on demand, visited the doctor’s office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter’s girl scout sash with staples and a glue gun.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son’s red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I’ll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:
I’d like a pair of legs that don’t ache after a day of chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don’t flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I’d also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you’re hauling big ticket items this year I’d like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn’t broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, “Yes, Mommy” to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don’t fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, “Don’t eat in the living room” and ‘Take your hands off your brother,’ because my voice seems to be just out of my children’s hearing range and can only be heard by the dog. And please don’t forget the Playdoh Travel Pack, the hottest stocking stuffer this year for mothers of preschoolers. It comes in three fluorescent colors and is guaranteed to crumble on any carpet making the In-laws’ house seem just like mine.

If it’s too late to find any of these products, I’d settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container. If you don’t mind I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family; or if my toddler didn’t look so cute sneaking downstairs to eat contraband ice cream in his pajamas at midnight.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the chimney and come in and dry off by the fire so you don’t catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don’t eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always…Mom.

P.S. One more thing…you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in You

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I recieved these pictures in an email a while ago and I fell in love with them. They are such pretty fall pictures I thought I would share them today. Enjoy!





Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I want this dinner plate!!

OOOOOH!! I found this dinner plate on Replacements.com it is called His Majesty wouldn't it make a great Thanksgiving dinner plate? It is $11.99 for each plate. HMMMMMM should I?
I'll let you know.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Possible new addition to the family!

Meet Dixie!! Last week me and the boys went to the local pound trying to find a good dog that will help C get over his fear of dogs. We met 3 great dogs but the best one for C will be Dixie. At least we hope so. She is 2 years old and very gentle. Say a prayer that she helps him get over his fear of dogs. We put in our application and now we are just waiting to see if we are approved. Are we ready for a dog? Wish us luck.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Field Trip to the Firestation

The other day R got to go to the Firestation with his preschool class. They had so much fun climbing in the firetruck and meeting the Firemen and official dog mascot.


Monday, November 10, 2008

Blue plates- Blue flowers

In honor of Blue Monday, here is the flowers (fake) that I have in a vase that B got for me. Sorry about the sideways picture. Also, I have lots of different blue plates that I use. I love blue and I keep adding to my collection of plates all the time. To see other Blue Monday posts go to http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ Enjoy!


Sunday, November 9, 2008

The most beautiful sight!!

Here is the cake that the kids and J made me for my birthday and here is a picture if C singing me Happy Birthday!! He loves to sing Happy Birthday. Isn't that the most beautiful smile you ever saw? He is 15 years old already. Still to this day when I see him smile a whole face smile it tugs at my heart. There is not a better sight in all the world than his smiles. Enjoy!!


Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!


Happy Halloween!! Don't you just love Maxine? She always seems to say exactly what I want to say. My kids are so excited about Halloween tonight. C is going to be a football player we think, A is a vampiress , T is a pumpkin man, and R is a vampire. They are all hoping they get enough candy. While I am hoping I bought enough!! We always get so many trick or treaters in our neighborhood it is hard to know how much to buy. And it is hard to keep my own family out of it until it is time to start handing it out.
Here's hoping to have a memorable Halloween!!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Blue Monday!



This is my first time participating in a blog thing. Here is R on his new bike. He had all these bikes to choose from at Wal-Mart and he had to have the Auburn bike. He sure does look happy!
Visit some other blue Monday posts at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Thrift store find

I got the 3 candle holder at a Thrift store for $1 the other day. I didn't realize how well it went with my other blue decorations. I love blue! I am so glad blue is coming back in.

Animal members of our family

This is our Goldfish. With the original name of Goldie. She is 5 years old.
This is our bird Sam. Mostly we just call him Bird. He gets really loud in the morning and whenever we get loud the bird gets loud.

This is the newest addition to our family Angel. Although R calls her Little Titty because he cannot say kitty.



Here is our other cat Tiger.


Saturday, October 11, 2008

Decorating for fall!

Well I finally decorated my house for Fall. Hope you like.


It is hard to see the kids in the picture but they are in a big pile of pumkins. I love this picture.


Always the first thing you see when you walk in the front door is the pictures of the kids.





I need to make an arrangement in the green vase. But it looks good for now.




I love plants in the house.





See the cute fall birds I bought at Rite Aid for $2.50 each? THanks for the beautiful flower candle holder B.







I found this beautiful Turkey at Hobby Lobby for $8.00!









My small collection of churches.









My living room mantel.











The display over my television in the keeping room.










The keeping room mantel.












I found this brown pot at Ross for $5.00 I got it for free with a store credit.
















Halloween Decorations


Fall decorating day has arrived!!

Sorry for the sideways picture but I can't figure out how to straighten it after uploading it. Isn't he cute?

Friday, October 10, 2008

George Michael - then and now in case you were wondering



Ok, so am I right or am I right? He sure did age well, don't you think? Now I remember the name of the show Eli Stone. Yes, it is terrible I forgot because I actually look forward to watching it every week. I for one am so glad they have George Michael on there. I hope he makes some appearances this year! We gotta have faith!

Popular Songs 20 Years Ago

Top 10 Hits of 1988

1. Faith, George Michael
2. Need You Tonight, INXS
3. Got My Mind Set On You, George Harrison
4. Never Gonna Give You Up, Rick Astley
5. Sweet Child O' Mine, Guns N' Roses
6. So Emotional, Whitney Houston
7. Heaven Is A Place On Earth, Belinda Carlisle
8. Could've Been, Tiffany
9. Hands To Heaven, Breathe
10. Roll With It, Steve Winwood

I was just having some fun thinking about 20 years ago. When I saw that George Michael was number one all I can think of now is him singing on---- ahhh I'm having a Senior moment. Anyways that show is so good and now it is coming on this weekend again, I think. Yes, major Senior moment going on now.
Although, can you tell me why I can sing the song Faith by heart and I can't remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday??????? "I gotta have faith, faith , faith" George Michael still looks GOOOOD after all these years.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Our 20th Anniversary!

Wow, today is our 20th Wedding Anniversary! Who'd of thought we would still be together? At the beginning 20 years seems so long and now it seems like it was just yesterday. Here is the beautiful flowers J sent me. And of course I had to make German Chocolate cake. Yummy!
The boys had a soccer game tonight and did so well. T wants to sign up for Basketball next and R wants to sign up for Football. They are such different children, but boy do they like to make friends.
Well, I'm off to eat some cake. Don't you want some now B?

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Fall decorating day has arrived!!







Finally Fall is here!! It is in the 80s here today but I have been busy decorating for fall and looking over past pictures. Here are the pictures from the past. I will post my latest ones as soon as I can get my dern camera to upload them. Enjoy!



Wednesday, September 3, 2008

First day of Preschool

Here is the view from my back deck. I love looking out there and seeing the mountains. Some days you can't even see the mountains because of the fog or the rain. I hope you like the view.


Wow! Today was R's first day of Preshool and he was such a big boy! He picked out his own clothes last night only asking us which pair of underwear went best with his shirt. Hopefully he didn't proudly show those off at school. He wanted to be the first little kid there. Such a change from last year when he cried the whole first 2 days.





While he was in preschool I got to go shopping all by myself. Don't tell hubby, he told me not to spend any money till next week. OOPS! The way I see it, I bought a jacket for $16 that was originally $50 so I saved him $34- well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. AND hiding the jacket till next week and the reciept. Just in case he doesn't think I was as thrifty as I thought I was. One can only be so careful.

What's for dinner? Well, tonight half of us had chili dogs and wild rice with green beans and apple slices. While the others had corn dogs instead of hot dogs. Not the gourmet cook tonight.