December. . . . . .catching up

I know that I have been a horrible blogger but there hasn't been much exciting going on around here.  We have been busy but it has been with boring stuff.  Here are some of the things that have been going on with us.

At the beginning of December we had our Annual Ladies Christmas party at the beautiful home of one of our ladies.  We had good food, good fellowship and got to spend the evening with good friends.  I ended up bringing home a set of three festive candles that I am using on my dining room table.  Here is a picture of the group.

Then I took some pictures of Santa so he could get his Christmas cards sent out.  The pictures turned out really neat and his cards were so cute.

Here comes Santa Claus!!

Then we had Christmas on the W side of our family.  It was nice to get to spend time with cousins, aunts, uncles, gmom, sisters, brother-in-law and my short people.  I got a vegetable slicer from my gmom and in the gift exchange I ended up with a Bath & Bodyworks air freshner for my truck.

The Thursday before school was over I headed over to my hubby's school for their Christmas lunch.  It was delicious and I enjoyed getting to see our friends.

Sunday night we had our annual Couples Christmas Party hosted by Mrs. H over at Heritage Schoolhouse.  We had a very nice time even though our group was much smaller this year we had some new attendees and we were able to talk and visit.  I ended up with a beautiful glass ornament with snowmen painted on it and a fabric candy cane.  The Mr. ended up with the best "white elephant" gift ever. . . . . which was a small fireproof safe.  We have talked about getting one forever and just haven't done it.  Now we don't have to!  We were able to keep up our tradition of being the first ones to arrive (this is the only time this ever happens) and the last to leave (gives us a little time to visit the Mr. & Mrs. H).

Christmas morning we had breakfast with my sister and Dad.  Dad cooked it all and it was good.  We have not had our Christmas with him yet because my sister and her family haven't gotten here yet.  Bec has been sick with a sinus infection, ear infection and pneumonia.  This morning her hubs went to the doc and he has the flu and possible strep.  Hoping the kiddos don't get it and that everyone gets better so they can come home so we can open presents!

Christmas afternoon and evening was spent with the in-laws.  We ate a mexican feast, watched a Big Bang Theory marathon, opened presents and then went for round two of food.  I got a giftcard from my sister & brother-in-law and a quilt from my in-laws.  The quilt was put to good use last night as the temps dipped down into the upper 20's.  The brother-in-law wasn't able to come because he is sick so hopefully he will be better by New Years and we will get to see him.

This morning we woke up to a very stopped up toilet so the hubs spent two hours getting that fixed. So far we haven't accomplished much else and it has been kind of nice to just vegetate for a while.  We spent the last days up until Christmas running around like crazy.  So crazy that I didn't finish the decorating I wanted to do until Monday evening.  I keep it simple this year because I didn't have a choice due to how far behind I was.  The only baking/crafting I have done was for my hubbies work friends.  I made Rae's Yum Yums and Christmas ornaments (which made a HUGE mess!).  Here are the decorations I ended up putting up.

The arrangement is one we received from my family on our baby's 5th birthday.  They had a matching one put on his grave.  The were both beautiful arrangements.

Well, that should have you caught up for now.  I will post more when we finish up celebrating!!  I hope that you have enjoyed your time with your family and friends.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

From our house to yours. . . . . . .we hope that you enjoy the precious time spent with loved ones and that we keep in mind the gift we received from our Lord, the gift of a home in Heaven with him.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

5 Years. . . . Seems like yesterday and sometimes twice as long ago

‎5 years ago at 3:25 pm the most precious little boy silently made his way into this world. I think of this precious boy everyday, wondering what he would look like, sound like, what he would be doing, would he love spending time with his cousins and what would their favorite thing to do together be, what would he and Gran do together, would Aunt Rae take him fishing, how often would he stay at his grandparents house, would he love Napolean, would he be excited about going to school next year? We will never get to know because on that day he was already finding his way around heaven. Many days have passed, many tears have been shed, losts of questions have been ask and the hole in my heart is as gaping and painful today as it was on that afternoon. I look at his picture every night as I go to bed and I am happy to know that he will never now the pain and loss we feel here on earth but I selfishly wonder why we did not get to keep him with us and watch him grow up. Daddy and I (and many others) love you and miss you with all of our heart.

Shocked. . . . . .

I have so many things I need to be doing right now but I just cannot get past the shock of the ending of 26 innocent lives this morning.  So many questions running through my head like "How in the world could someone think that this was ok?", "What has happened in your life to make you shoot and kill 18 young kids", "Why?", "How" and so many other things.  My heart just breaks for those who are having to deal with this tragedy and there are so many whose lives will be touched by this.  I pray for peace and comfort for these families who have lost their loved ones in such a tragedy.  Make sure to tell those who are important to you that you love them because you never know when they won't be there for you to tell them.

Christmas Traditions

Growing up there were certain traditions that we always followed and I have turned it into one of our traditions.  Every year we would get would get a christmas ornament to hang on our tree for the next year.  Even when extras were not something we could afford, my Mom would snazz it up by putting the date or our name on it.  Mr. Giggles and I have bought a new ornament each year since we got married and I always make sure it has the date on it.  We always, always had a real tree.  After I got married we would go pick out our trees at Lowe's on Friday nights after dinner.  My hubs, Dad, RAW and I still do that.  And on Christmas morning my Mom and Dad would cook breakfast together, making her yummy breakfast casserole along with biscuits, little smokies, oj and milk.  Now my Dad still makes us the yummy breakfast.
I hope that one day the hubs and I will have kids of our own to continue and to create some new traditions.  I love Christmas!

Christmas Spirit

I was so ready to spend this week getting into the holiday spirit but I got sick last week and. . . . .I haven't been able to do anything.  Last Friday we went to pick out our Christmas tree.  This is something we almost always do with my Dad and sister.  This year we got a Frazier fir.  It is a beautiful tree but is has no scent at all.  I love the smell of Christmas trees so I am a little disappointed that ours doesn't have any smell.  Anyway, Saturday and Sunday it was in the 80's in these parts.  I had planned on getting my decorations out of the storage building so I could get started when I started feeling better because the end of the week had me feeling like I was getting a cold.  Friday night I went to bed and slept until 12:45 pm Saturday so I ended up spending my extra time Saturday at urgent care in the hopes that I could get rid of my yuckiness and the cough that I have had for over two months.  I am still waiting for a full night of sleep with no coughing!  Sunday I was still feeling pretty crummy so I stayed in the house.  Well wouldn't you know it. . . .Sunday night after a huge rain storm in which we got 3.1 inches (and there were NO puddles the next morning. . .that is how dry it is here) the temps dropped and dropped.  Monday morning it cold (in the lower 40's) with the wind blowing about 400 miles per hour.  Well, maybe only 30 to 40 miles per hour.  And it was very cool today also.  So I have been a good girl and have stayed in the house out of the storage buildings so my tree is still naked (and without any smell).  Hopefully tomorrow it will be warm enough that I can get outside for a little bit and do some Christmas work on this house!  Hopefully I will be successful tomorrow and will have some pictures to post.  Now my hubby is not feeling well so he will be at home with me tomorrow!

I hope you are finding the holiday spirit and that your family is staying healthy!

Catching Up Again on Thankfulness

Finally caught up again!  I can't believe that today is December 1st.  Wow!!

Day 30. . . . . .today I am thankful that I have taken the time to really think about the things that I am thankful for. Even though I know there are a lot of things for me to be thankful for, I don't always take to the time really think about or appreciate them.


Day 29. . . . .today I am thankful for books I can get lost in.

Day 28. . . . . .today I am thankful for warm jackets and socks!

Day 27. . . . . . .today I am thankful for the cold, overcast day.

Day 26. . . . . . .today I am thankful for the warm, sunny day.

Day 25. . . . . .today I am thankful for the beautiful sun shiney day!! And for the nap I plan on taking.


Day 24. . . . .today I am thankful for my bed.

Days 22 and 23. . . . . .I am thankful for time spent with loved ones.


Day 21. . . . . .today I am thankful for entire days spent with my hubster. Not sure how he feels about it!!!!


Day 20. . . . .today I am thankful for sunny days.

Thanksgiving

I don't know about you but we had a really nice Thanksgiving.  We went to the big city and spent the day at my Aunt and Uncles home (my Dad's brother and sister-in-law).  The food was good but spending time with the family was even better.  Thursday night we stayed at my sister's house and did some shopping Friday.  It was nice to spend time with my sisters.  This is the three of us with my GMom W.

Relaxing Monday

My middle sister and her family were at her in laws house this weekend for their Thanksgiving celebration.  Yesterday they went to the farm to do some fishing and invited us to go.  Well the only "us" that got to go was my Dad and myself because my hubs and my little sis had to work.  We fished and each one of us caught at least one fish.  It was very relaxing as I fished (which I don't usually like to do) and then took a few pictures.

Before we headed out to the farm, Dad had to take his trumpet in for a small repair.  My Dad played trumpet in the Fighting Texas Aggie band in the 60's.  Recently he got a new trumpet and has begun playing again.  My niece Mad Cow has started playing the coronet in her first year of band (this is also the instrument that my Mom played when she was in band) so they play on playing together some!  Anyway, we spotted the MetLife blimp cruising around over town so I got a few pictures of it.  It was pretty cool to see.  The Goodyear blimp used to live about an hour away from us but I don't remember ever seeing it fly but we did see it a lot in it's hanger.

Catching Up on Thankfulness

This morning I realized that I had gotten behind on my list of things I am thankful for here on the blog so here it the catch up.

Day 7. . . . . .today I am thankful for the two wonderful people who call me aunt. I love you both more than you will ever know. I am thankful for the gentle hearts you both have. You make me so proud in everything you do because you do your best and you do it with good attitudes. TJ and MJ. . . .ILYMTYLM

Day 8. . . . .today I am thankful fo my inlaws because without them there would be no hubster!!

Day 9. . . . . .today I am thankful for my aunts, uncles and cousins. . . . .no one has a family quite like my family (and I mean both sides of my family!)!!!! ♥ you all.

Day 10. . . . .today I am thankful for my grandparents who raised my parents to be such wonderful people.

Day 11. . . . .today I am thankful for the men and woman who have fought and died and to those who are currently fighting to keep this great country safe. Thank you also to the families of these people for all of the sacrifices that have been made.

Day 12. . . . . . .today I am thankful for doctors and nurses; especially the ones who took care of me this summer but including the ones who have taken care of my Dad and took care of my Mom.

Day 13. . . . .today I am thankful for my friends. Sometimes I feel really alone but when something happens and I really need them. . . .they are there. Thank you.

Day 14. . . . . . .today I am thankful for the job my husband has.

Day 15. . . . . .today I am thankful the teachers I had while in school.

Day 16. . . . . . .today I am thankful that it is Friday and I can go climb in bed and sleep late in the morning.

Day 17. . . . . .today I am thankful for days where I can sleep until I wake up (that means not having to get up with the alarm clock!)

Day 18. . . . . . . .today I am thankful that I have so many things to be thankful for.

Day 19. . . . .today I am thankful that I was finally able to make contact with the ONE person who could tell me where my substitute application is and when I should hear something about orientation. :)

Show Us Your Life - Main Dishes

This week over at Kelly's Korner it is all about main dishes.  We eat mainly casseroles mainly because my husband has a long list of things he doesn' like and casseroles are just easier.  I have several to share with you this week.  I get stuck in a rut so it is good for me to have to search for main dish recipes.

This casserole is what is most requested by my husband.  I like it but he loves it.

Swiss and Chicken Casserole
What You Need

4 cups chopped cooked chicken (I use canned chicken sauteed with onions and mushrooms)
2 cups Croutons
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Swiss Cheese
2/3 cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
1/2 cup Milk
4 stalks Celery, sliced (I omit because neither Mr. Giggles or I can stand it!)
1/4 cup chopped onions

Make It
HEAT oven to 350°F.
COMBINE ingredients - I save some of the cheese and put it on top
SPOON into 2-qt. casserole.
BAKE 40 min. or until heated through.

Very easy to make and tasty.

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This is a recipe I got from my sister who makes it for her family and they really like it (and several members of her family are very picky).  I have made it before but used chicken instead of ham (hubby doesn't like ham).


Hurry-up Ham-N-Noodles

Ingredients
*5 to 6 cups uncooked wide egg noodles (I used 6 cups and it was too much noodle and I think any kind of noodle would work good (I do not like the taste of egg noodles so I will try something different next time I make it) I think penne would work well.)
*1/4 cup butter, cubed
*1 cup heavy whipping cream
*1-1/2 cups julienned fully cooked ham (I used can chicken that I sauteed with mushrooms and seasoned with seasoning salt, black pepper, chili powder and garlic)
*1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
*1/4 teaspoon salt (I never add salt to anything because I use seasoning salt)
*1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions:  Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Gradually whisk in cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir for 2 minutes longer or until thickened.Add the ham, cheese, onions, salt and pepper; cook, uncovered, until heated through. Drain noodles; add to ham mixture. Toss to coat; heat through. Yield: 4 servings.

I have also made just the "sauce" for this recipe and made alfredo pizza (the sauce tastes like alfredo).  It tastes like the chicken alfredo pizza from Olive Garden.

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This is a recipe that I came up with after eating a dish our brother-in-law makes.  It is really good but I can't afford nor do I like all of the ingredients that the original recipe calls for so this is "our" version.  It is still very good.

Giggles Shrimp


1- package cooked shrimp (40-60 pieces) take off tails
1- 5 oz package of Italian seasoned croutons
1- jar spaghetti sauce1 jar mushrooms
1 package of Italian mix cheese
Old Bay seasoning to taste
Garlic powder to taste

Put shrimp, mushrooms and seasoning in a pan and warm through, add spaghetti sauce. Once warm, add bag of croutons and ¾ bag of cheese and mix well. Put in casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Cook at 350 degrees until warmed through and cheese is melted.

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I haven't actually made this recipe but I have eaten it and it was very good.

Jessica Simpson's Chicken and Dumplings

6 servings

3 tubes croissant rolls
1 small rotisserie chicken, skin discarded and meat removed from bones
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup chicken broth
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400º. Roll out the cans of croissant sheets and separate into diamond shaped sections. Place a small handful of rotisserie chicken on each diamond, fold dough over and press ends together to create dumplings. Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with one layer of dumplings. Combine soups and chicken broth; pour over dumplings. Season with salt and pepper and bake until the dumplings are tender and cooked through and the top is brown and bubbly - about 30 minutes. (I laid foil across my pan about halfway though, because the dumplings were browning too quickly.)   I hope at least one of these recipes can help you get out of your cooking rut!

What's For Dinner and Weekend Wrap up

What's for dinner this week. . . . . . .
Monday:  tomato soup (for the Mr.) and chicken noodle soup (for me) with grilled cheese sandwiches
Tuesday:  broccoli swiss (recipe to follow soon), hamburger steaks
Wednesday:  fend for yourself
Thursday:  fishsticks with mac and cheese
Friday:  out to dinner with my Dad
Saturday:  fend for yourself
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Thursday of last week I went to the big city with my Dad to watch my nephew's last football game as a freshman.  They won 48 to 6.  I felt sorry for the other team because most of the team played the entire game and they had to be exhausted.  They only had three guys on the sidelines.  My nephew played well and it was nice to spend time with my sister, brother-in-law, niece, my sister's inlaws and my Dad.  It was a long day and I was very glad to get home that night!

Friday I decided that I really wanted to get my middle bedroom clean.  At the end of school in May, I had to totally clean out my classroom because I wasn't going to be teaching at that school.  Well, now ALL of my teaching stuff is stored at my house in said bedroom (well, there is some on the back porch also but I hope to get it all together in one room soon and up until two weeks ago the room also held a spare mattress and box springs.  We got rid of the bed and I had some extra space so I knew I needed to take the time to rearrange the room some.  Now more than one person can go into the room at once and now you don't have to stand in the doorway to use the ironing board.  I had to turn off the tv and log off of the computer to keep from getting distracted (something that happens a lot to me!!).

Saturday the Mr. and I cut down a tree in our backyard that had died.  Of course once you cut down the tree then you have to move all of the cut wood.  Not my favorite thing but we got it done.  Then we cut on big limb out of another dead tree in our yard just to keep it from getting blown out of the tree when it got windy later in the weekend.  Then I had to watch at least some of the Texas A&M vs Alabama game and what a game it was.  Alabama was ranked #1 in the SEC and A&M won the game.  I was afraid they weren't but in the end they pulled it out.  Very exciting because I really didn't think A&M would do as well as they have done in their first season in the SEC.  Yes, I was one of the doubters.  Also my alma mater. . . .Sam Houston State won their game!!  Eat'em up KATS!  Next week A&M will play Sam Houston. . . . . . .not excited about this game at all.  I won't both teams to win but unfortunately there has to be a loser and a winner.  We shall see what happens.

Today was a lazy Sunday.  We went to church, then out to lunch to eat some yummy mexican food and then home to be well, lazy!  I read for a while and then dozed for a while and then it was time for church.  When church was over at 6:00 pm it was around 80 and by the time we got to my Dad's house at around 6:30 or so it was 57.  FINALLY some more fall weather.  We will actually have two nights where the temps will be in the upper 30's.  So excited about the cooler weather. 

Well, that is it for tonight.  I hope you all have a great week.  I think I just saw a mouse run across my living room.  Oh joy.

Show Us Your Life - Side Dishes

This week at Kellys Korner is all about side dishes.  I have been thinking about what I will be making for Thanksgiving at my aunts house.  There is a salad I would like to make but I don't have the recipe for it so I am hoping (hint hint) that maybe my sister Rae will make it.  I am pretty sure that I will be making Sweet Potato Casserole (this is what my hubby wants. . . .he never liked sweet potatoes until he tasted this casserole!) so here is the recipe for it.

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (drained)
3/4 stick of oleo
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon & nutmeg (I use pumpkin pie spice)
1 tablespoon vanilla

Mix and bake at 450 degrees for 45 minutes.

Spread with a topping of:
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 stick oleo
1/2 cup pecans
1 cup crushed post toasties

Return to oven for a few minutes.
Enjoy!!

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This is a dish my Mom always made for the holidays.  It is so good.  I haven't ever made it because I don't have a jello mold.  One of these days I will be looking for a tupperware mold just like Mom's! 

Lime Jello Mold


one tall cane pineapple
two small packages lime jello or one large  (Mom would also make it with raspberry)
two small packages cream cheese or one large
1/2 cup chopped pecans
whipping cream or cool whip

Drain juice from pineapple. Head and add jello. Stir well and sit in refrigerator to cool.
Mash cream cheese and add pineapple and nuts. Add to cooled jello mixture. Fold in 1/2 pint of whippin cream beaten stiff or 1 small container of cool whip. Pour into a tupperware jello mold and refrigerate.  You might also be able to use a bundt pan to make this.  It is delicious!!

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This is another one of my Mom's recipes and it is so easy.


Green Rice Casserole
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup celery
brown in 1 tablespoon butter

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 jar cheese whiz (small)
1 pkg. frozen chopped broccoli
salt, pepper, paprika
2 cups (before cooking) rice

Mix ingredients and bake in casserole for 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

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My hubby loves, loves, loves corn but instead of the usual corn casserole I make I am going to try a new one. . . . . .one with bacon!!!  You just can't go wrong with bacon!!

Recipe: Creamy Parmesan Corn


3 cans of corn, drained
1 (8oz.) package of cream cheese, soft
1/2 stick of butter, soft
1 cup of parmesan cheese, finely grated
1/2 pound of bacon, cooked crispy
Salt and Pepper to taste

In a slow cooker add the above ingredients.
Cook on high for 3 hours, stirring occasionally or on low for 6 hours.
Serve immediately.

This is a Simply Delicious recipe.

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And last but not least I am thinking about these rolls.  I saw this on The Pioneer Woman this morning and my friend Mrs. H has made them for church luncheons before and they are really good and look pretty easy to boot!!!

Buttered Rosemary Rolls

Ingredients

15 frozen, unbaked, un-risen dinner rolls
Melted butter
Coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
Coarse sea salt

Directions
Place the dinner rolls in a large lightly buttered skillet, allowing some space between the rolls. Cover with a dish towel or cloth napkin and set aside in a warm place to rise for at least 2 to 3 hours.
When risen, the rolls should be poufy and soft. Brush melted butter onto the rolls. Then sprinkle the rolls with chopped rosemary. Finally, sprinkle with sea salt.
Bake (as instructions on the packet - usually 400 degrees F) for 15 to 20 minutes. Don't be alarmed if you pull them out of the oven and they've risen way over the surface of the pan. Within a minute or two, they'll calm right down.


So there you go. . . . . .some simple and yummy recipes and what I think I am going to make for Thanksgiving.  I hope you enjoy!!
For more recipes, be sure to visit my other blog Giggles Cooks.  You will find the link on the sidebar.

Frustrated

I have spent the last 2 hours trying to change up the look of my blog.  I have a background on here from a long time ago (it is snowflakes) and I can not for the life of me figure out how to get it off.  I wish I could revert back to the old blogger so I could make my blog look cute again instead of boring.  If you know what to do got the the snowflakes off my blog. . . .please let me know.  I am giving up for tonight.  I am so very tired of looking at this stupid thing.  I promise to have a good post tomorrow instead of a temper tantrum post!!

Thankfulness Day 6

Day 6: today I am thankful for my brother-in-law; for the love he has for his wife and children and the love he has for the rest of us. He is a great dad, a great son in law, a great brother in law and a great guy! I continue to pray that one day God will grant us another brother in law who has the same greatness!

Thankfulness Day 5

Day 5. . . . .today I am thankful for my sisters RWJ and RAW. They amaze me everyday with the things they do and when I look at them I see my Mom. I just wish we could spend more time together. Love you both very much. ♥

What's For Supper!!

Monday:  spaghetti with ricotta cheese, corn and garlic bread
Tuesday:  hamburgers and tatortots
Wednesday:  fend for yourself!
Thursday:  fishsticks and mac and cheese
Friday:  out to dinner with Dad and RAW
Saturday:  fend for yourself

Nothing exciting but pretty easy!  Hope you have a great week.

Thankfulness Day 4

Day 4. . . .today I am thankful for my Mom (just thinking about writing this makes me cry). There is so much to say about what she has done for me and for so many other people. She was always the person I could go to for anything and no m...atter what it was she wouldn't judge. . . .just give you the best advice she could give. She was loving, patient, considerate, loved God, loved her family, loved her friends (and there were many. . . .she know most of the ladies that worked at Hobby Lobby, Walmart and the gas station). She was always willing to share her love of God, family and friends, her considerable talents, her beautiful voice and whatever else she had. She loved my Dad with her whole being and would do whatever she could to help him out. And she did whatever she could to help us girls. I am thankful that she had all these qualities and that it was how the three of us learned to be like that. I wish that I could tell her how thankful I am for all that she has done for me. I love you Mom and miss you so much everyday.

Catching Up and Thankfulness

Well, November the first has come and gone before I even had a chance to think about it.  The older I get the faster time flies as I am sure everyone already knows.  I thought that I would catch you up on the exciting things going on around here but I can't really think of anything.  I have been subbing at several different schools in the area in any grades from pre-k to 8th grade.  I have subbed in p.e., 2nd grade, 7th grade, 8th grade and several others I can't remember.  Oh, we did have a fun weekend, we went to the big city to watch TatorTot play football and MadCow play softball.  We had a great time watching them and then just spending time with them. . . .something it seems that we never get to do since we live in different places.  My Dad and RAW went too so we had the whole family there.  The only downside to the weekend was that the hubster and I got sick (not unusual for me because there is something up there that does not like me!!) so on Monday which was a holiday for the hubs was spent at the doctor's office trying to get better.  Hubs is completely over his and I have this cough that will not go away. 

Halloween this year was pretty boring for us.  We did nothing, well we went to church and gave candy to our two favorite munchkins (thanks to their Mom who came prepared).  We did watch a lot of "scary" movies on AMC for the two weeks before which made the hubs happy.  And that was pretty much the month of October.

Now onto November:  if you are on facebook I am sure that your friends are doing the same thing. . . . .focusing on being thankful for the people/things we have.  I have decided to put mine on my blog so that when I am not feeling very thankful I can look back and be reminded.  Here is what I have for the first three days.
Day 3. . . . .I am thankful for my Dad.  He has always been there encouraging us, loving us and guiding us. He was a great example for us to know what to look for in a husband. He is a God fearing man, a man who loves his wife with his whole heart, loves his children and grandchildren and his dog. He is always there when needed and for that I am so appreciative. I love you Dad.


Day 2: I am thankful for my husband. . . . .who else could put up with me? He has been by my side through good, bad and very bad and has always held my hand and held me together. We may be total opposites in most things (but not the things that matter) but we fit together perfectly. I am looking forward to many more years being thankful for him being the one God chose for me.

Day 1. . . .I am thankful that my God is a forgiving God because I am far from perfect.

I don't know about you but I am already thinking about what I am wanting to make for our Thanksgiving meal.  We will be going to my Dad's brother's house for the day.  We always enjoy our time spent with them except for the fact that we eat way too much food!  And then we are hoping to head on over to the big city and spend the night with those four crazy people we never get to spend enough time with!!   Well, we are going to be falling back tonight for which I am glad but I don't want to stay up late like I usually do and waste the extra hour!!!  So with that, have a great Sunday and I will try to be back a little sooner and maybe with some pictures.

Show Us Your Life - Desserts

This week over at Kelly' Korner everyone is sharing their favorite desserts. . . .what an awesome subject!!  I know that probably everyone has this recipe but for that one person out there who doesn't have it. . . .today is your lucky day!!!!

SOPAPILLA CHEESECAKE (can you say yummo?)

Ingredients:

-2 cans pillsbury butter crescent rolls
-2 (8oz) packages cream cheese (softened)
-1 cup sugar
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 cup butter (melted)
-Cinnamon & sugar

Instructions:

Unroll and spread 1 can crescent rolls on bottom of un-greased pan. Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Spread mixture over crescent rolls. Unroll and spread remaining crescent rolls over mixture. Spread melted butter over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

And if you are looking for new recipes in general, I have a few over here you might want to check out.   ENJOY!!

More Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday was my other Grandmother's 89th birthday.  We went to dinner with Gmom, her brother and his wife, my Aunt D, my Uncle David and his wife T, my mom's cousin D and his wife M, and her cousins J & J,  my cousin and her son, my sister RAW, my Dad and my hubs.  We went to Cotton Patch (or the old lady restaurant as we fondly call it!) and then went to Gmom's house for cake and a little bit of visit time before some headed back home today.  My mom's cousin D is a hoot and I love being around him.  It was a nice get together but I didn't get home until after 10 and I had left at 6:55 am.  Needless to say, I was pooped.  It was also my brother-in-law's birthday and I called him on my way to work and sang him a happy birthday message on his phone.

I am working at my husband's school this week as the elementary pe teacher.  I had forgotten how hard it is to get young kids to understand rules of games.  It has been crazy and it is so loud in the gym because apprently when you run in the gym you must scream at the top of your lungs no matter what.  Right now (it is 4:25 pm) I am waiting for my husbnd to get his work wrapped for the day.  I am about to fall asleep in my chair!

If you remember, I posted about my other grandmothers birthday but I couldn't find a picture. . . .well here is one of both of them.  It isn't very good but it is all I can find.  This picture was taken in December 2007 at my graduation ceremony.  They were getting a ride back to their cars!  Gmom P (yesterday's birthday girl is in the dress) and Gmom W is in the red coat.

Gotta go

What is Wrong With ME??

Do you ever have a week that just doesn't seem like you were meant to. .  . .I don't even know how to explain it but here goes my attempt.  Everything has made me cry and I mean E V E R Y T H I N G.  Tuesday was my birthday and I turned 4.... and I know that is probably part of it.  It is very hard for me to not have my Mom around for my birthday.  I have cried after seeing so many different things on tv like when the Dad died on Eight Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter and tonight's Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta had me bawling.  Oh my, I think I could have filled up a bucket this week.  I don't mind a good cry every now and then but not every day of the week.  Am I the only person who does this???

Sadness

When you have found a blog that you really enjoy and you follow it. . . . . .do you feel like you really know these people and that you could be "friends" if you ever met?  Do you cheer them on when things are going well for them?  Cry when they hurt?  I do and I have been sad since finding out yesterday that one of the girls whose blog I read lost her husband in a car accident over the weekend.  I can not image the pain that she is going through and what the rest of the family is going through.  Please pray for the Turner family as they begin learning how to live their life with a new normal.  I know that I will be giving the ones I love a little bit tighter hug.

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.                         Isaiah 41:13

Is It Finally Here?

The weather this weekend has been wonderful.  The high temp today was 63!!  I put on my winter jammies and stayed under the covers watching a movie (Toothfairy 2) and napping.  It was cool and overcast and gloomy but I like the occasional day like that.  We live in Texas and I know that the weather will not stay like this but I am going to try and enjoy it as much as possible.

Have  you ever had sopapilla cheesecake?  Oh my goodness.  I made one last night and it was so good.  It was so easy.  It went together in like 10 minutes and then bakes for 20 so in 30 minutes you have a very sinful dessert.  Yummy.

Well, that is it for tonight.  I am ready for bed but I have to got to remember to take something to see if I can keep my knee from hurting.  Not sure why it only hurts when I am trying to sleep but it does.

Hope you have a good week.

What's Cookin'?

This week's menu is B O R I N G!  I am actually having a very hard time coming up with what we are going to eat.  It would help a lot if payday would hurry up and get here.

Monday:  buffalo chicken quesadillas
Tuesday:  Progresso soup
Wednesday:  fend for yourself (hubs will probably eat corn dip)
Thursday:  ? ? ? ? ?
Friday:  out to eat
Saturday:  fend for yourself

SUYL: Tailgate Food

This week over at Kelly's Korner she is having Show Us Your Life" Tailgate Food.  We aren't tailgaters but I love me some tailgating food!!  I am excited to see what everyone else will be sharing!!!

Swiss and Bacon Dip From the kitchen of Rachael Ray

8 slices center cut bacon, chopped
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 rounded teaspoons prepared Dijon style mustard
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, available on dairy aisle
3 scallions, chopped
1/2 cup smoked almonds,

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Brown bacon in nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Drain crisp bacon bits on paper towels.

In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon, Swiss and scallions with cooked bacon. Transfer to a shallow small casserole or baking dish and bake until golden and bubbly at edges, 15 to 18 minutes. Top with chopped smoked almonds. Place dip on a platter and surround warm casserole with breads and carrots for dipping.

Yield: 6 servings

Variation: Swiss and Bacon Dip with Horseradish - Stir in 2 rounded teaspoons prepared horseradish when combining cheese and bacon.  

I had this at a birthday party and I could have eaten the entire bowl BY MYSELF!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Corn Dip   1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
2 (11 ounce) cans Mexican-style corn (I used shoepeg corn and added diced fire roasted tomatoes because I couldn't find mexi-corn and I run the tomatoes through the food processor)
4 green onions, chopped
3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 (7 ounce) can diced green chiles (I don't like green chiles so I upped the jalapenos)
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (I used Kroger brand nacho and taco shredded cheese)

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, corn, green onions, jalapeno chile peppers, green chile peppers and cheese.

Ready to serve!

Very tasty with fritos  

My husband has ask me to make this for us this weekend.  No particular reason. . .just because he likes it so much!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rae's Yum Yums   1 cup peanuts (or whatever nut you like)
1 cup chex cereal (I used the corn one)
1 cup pretzels broken up
Approximately 6 squares of almond bark
1 cup plain m&m's (optional) they are delicious with or without

Mix first three ingredients (and m&m's if you choose to add them). Melt your chocolate in the microwave stirring occasionally so it doesn't scorch. I melt mine in the microwave. Pour chocolate over the mixture and stir until completely covered. Lay out wax paper and spoon mixture into "blobs" on the wax paper and allow to cool. Once cooled and hardened. . . .eat. I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

These take very little time to make and are so good.  Now I am craving some!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tortilla Roll Ups
1 package cream cheese - softened (I just leave mine sitting on the cabinet overnight)

1 can Hunts diced fire roasted tomatoes with garlic (I put in the food processor so the tomatoes aren't so big) or you can use any salsa of your choice
1 package flour tortillas

Mix cream cheese and tomatoes
Spoon onto tortillas
Roll tortillas
Cut tortilla into fourths

These are just yummy!!

Remembering

Three years ago today we began a journey with our Mom that did not end in the way that we wanted.  If you have followed my blog you know that my Mom and I were very close and that I miss her very much.  Even after all this time I have days were the loss is very overwhelming.  It still breaks my heart to see the look on my Dad's face as he continues to learn how to live alone, when my sister's are going through things were they really need Mom and all the things Memom is missing while her grandkids grow up.  I still have days when something happens or I see something and I think - oh, I need to call Mom and call, show or remind her about something.  Today I am going to try to remember all the good times we had not how much I miss her.  Here is a picture that my cousin and his wife took at a family reunion in 2009.  This was taken before my Aunt Kay passed away and before we found out that Mom was sick.

Catamount Digital

Catamount Digital

Catamount Digital

Stuck

I have the desire to write a post every day but I am stuck in such a deep rut.  I have absolutely nothing to write about.  Nothing at all.  I don't even have any new pictures to post.  Since we got home from vacation and I finished up my unscheduled hospital stay, I have hardly picked up my camera.  I am not sure what is wrong with me. It may be the fact that I spend most of my time at home alone since I still haven't found a full-time job.  I really miss teaching but I don't like subbing.  I want my own classroom with my own kids.  Or I would like to find something else that I am good at that I really want to do.  Very frustrating. 
I am excited about it being October.  I haven't decorated for fall because I feel like I need to get the house cleaned up really well before I start the fun stuff.  Another reason is because I do not want to have to dig all of my stuff out of my storage building.  It has been to hot for one thing and for another I don't really like dealing with the critters that find there way into my building.  I have put up a couple of things that I bought last year and something my Gmom got for me last week.  Maybe I will get the urge to finish up this week!
Well, that is all I have for ya today!  I hope you are having a great week.

What's Cookin?

This week will be pretty boring.  I don't think I will be trying any different recipes because I don't have much food in the refrigerator or the pantry!  So far I only have Monday figured it.

Monday:  leftover chili dogs with mac & cheese
Tuesday:  baked potatoes (maybe)
Wednesday:  fend for yourself
Thursday:  no idea
Friday:  out for dinner
Saturday:  fend for yourself

Show Us Your Singles

Do you have someone in your life who you pray for constantly for them to find the perfect mate?  Well, I have a very special person that I pray for and my prayer is that she will find someone who is perfect for her and will be her forever love.  I would like to introduce you to my sister Rae Anne.  She is one of my favorite people in the world.  She makes me laugh, she makes me cry, she makes me mad, she makes me a better person but most of all she makes me glad that we are related.  There are so many more things I can say about my sister and I don't know where to begin so here is a list that is in no specific order, just the facts about my sister that I think you should know!


Rae Anne is a:
*faithful member of the church of Christ with a great love for the Lord

*teacher and coach - senior English, softball and volleyball.  Teaching is not just a job to Rae.  She has touched the lives of so many of her students.  There are many former students who keep in contact with her to let her know how they are doing in college.  Many of them are the first members of their family to attend college and for some of them she is part of the reason they are going to college.

*enjoys watching and playing sports.  She played volleyball and softball while growing up and played volleyball in junior college.  She played intramural sports at A&M.  When she has time she still plays a little softball.

*is a TEXAS AGGIE fan -graduated from A&M in 99 with a degree in education.

*loves kids, especially her nephew and niece - she makes sure to do something special with each of them when possible.  She gives my niece help with her softball playing, supports my nephew with his football playing, during the summer she tries to spend as much time with them as possible.

*enjoys spending time with her family. . .good thing because we like to spend time together.

*enjoys vacationing in Colorado - we all love to camp and spent many vacations as a family in the mountains.

*doesn't drink or smoke or date guys who do!!

*lives in the great state of Texas - as if there is any other state to live in!!!

*cares about her students, her friends, her co-workers and of course her family and we all care about her.

*loves to have a good time out with friends but doesn't mind staying at home watching tv with a fire in the fireplace (yes, we do get to have fires in the fireplace in Texas. . . .occasionally!)

*she is an AWESOME cook (she loves making Paula Deen recipes).  She is a big hit at the field house when she has leftover sweets she wants to share.

*is HiLiArIoUs! She will make you laugh until you cry (or wet your pants!).  Sarcasm is her super power (mine too. . . .it runs in the family because of course we are all super heros in our family!)

*loves to sing and does it well - just ask her students. . .she sings to them in class.

*is an accomplished pianist - I really enjoy listening to her play.

*has a cat named Bud - you will just have to meet Bud yourself. . . .he is one of a kind!!

My sister is a one of a kind person and I want her to be happy.  She is a beautiful person both inside and out. 

And here are some more pictures of my sister Rae Anne.  If you would like to contact her, leave me a comment and I will pass it own.  PS:  She read my blog.