Christmas Presents

These were a big hit from Uncle Mike and Aunt Theresa!

Steve & Tre' with Sam & Jack in their Nebraska Sweatshirts from Dave, Angie, Jake and girls!

Deb, Shannon and Kevin after Christmas dinner at our house.

I must have moved taking this picture of Tre' and Theresa. 

All the boys were looking up who knows what on the computer.  Steve, Sam, Mike & Jack.

Thanks for stopping by.  

Christmas Morning Brunch

Christmas Morning we went over to Steve and Tre's house at 9:30 for brunch.  

I brought the Overnight Carmel Rolls.  These are so easy to make.  Here is the recipe:

1 pkg. Rhodes frozen rolls use only 24 rolls
3 oz. pkg. Butterscotch pudding mix, not instant
1/2 C. brown sugar firmly packed
1/2 C. Butter
1 Cup chopped nuts

Scant 1/2 C. sugar mixed with 1/2 t. Cinnamon

Grease 9x13 pan
Place rollsin bottom of pan
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over top of rolls.
Sprinkle nuts over top
Sprinkle pudding mix over top
Now melt butter and brown sugar in a separate pan just till it boils.  (I did this in the microwave).  Pour over the top of the dough mixture and cover loosely with aluminum foil.  Leave out on the counter over night.  Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan and turn out onto serving platter.

Steve and Tre' made the Egg & Sausage Casserole.  Doesn't this look delicious???  Recipe follows:

12 eggs
1/3 Cup milk
Beat the above together

1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1/2 Green Pepper Chopped
1 Small Can Mushrooms pieces
1/2 Cup Onion
1 roll of Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage
Saute together the above ingredients  and drain

Add both mixtures together and pour into prepared greased 9 x 13 pan.

Top with 2 Cup of Mozzarella Cheese


Bake 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes uncovered.
Until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

We also had mimosa's and a big bowl of cantalope.  

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we went to Deb's house and were treated to a Mexican Feast.  Shannon from Chicago and Kevin from Austin are here for the holiday.  I took some pictures of Deb's front porch.  It is a very welcoming site.

This trio of Snow people welcomed us at the front door.

This wagon full of lighted jar was so warming as we walked up the front steps.

This big sleigh was on the left side of the front door.  Deb's Dad built this for her years ago. 

This lovely wreath with the driftwood Santa is hanging on the front door. 

Shannon and Kevin were waiting inside with champagne and berries.  

Kevin, Sam and Kevin's dog Callie playing Twister!!!

Pat and Shannon enjoying a glass of champagne.

Our hosts!!!!  Deb is on the left, Shannon almost ready for another glass of Champagne.  Kevin on the right.

Mike and Sam looking at the last stuffed mushroom on the counter. 

Pat and the boys.  I wish I had asked Kevin to look at the camera!

Steve, Tre' and Jack also wanting to grab the last stuffed mushroom!

I am ending this post with the nativity set by Isabelle Bloom.  Deb has this beneath her Christmas Tree.  I had to add the candle for light.  Tomorrow I will post about the Christmas brunch at Steve and Tre's house and also our Christmas Dinner here tonight.  

Thanks for stopping by. 

Tree at the Galleria

The tree at the Galleria is in the middle of the ice rink.  It stands 4 stories tall and every two hours they do a light show to music.  The tree flashes with red lights, white lights and green and gold lights.  It is a gorgeous tree.  I caught the boys and Pat watching the skaters below.  The boys loved it when someone fell down!!!

Today Pat is working at the Model Home and I have the boys.  We did some laundry at their house and then I made them vacuum their rooms.  The dish washer needed emptied and their bathroom cleaned.  Surprising how well they work with a little supervision.  I think they know Santa is watching.  Are you being good?  Only one more day and he will be here.  Thanks for stopping by. 

Book page wreath & Galleria trip

Last week I made this Book Page wreath.  It turned out great.  If I do it again I will use a better quality book.  The pages in this book were very thin like newspaper.  A heavier paper would work much better.  I like it and I hot glued the poinsettia in the middle.  I will change it out with a heart for Valentine Day and a Shamrock for St. Patrick's day, etc.  As you look out the window you can see that we have no snow for Christmas!  Being from Iowa and Nebraska we had plenty of snowy Christmases.  I think the forecast for Christmas Day is going to be in the upper 50's.

  The boys are out of school this week and we took them to the Galleria to watch the skaters yesterday.  We had lunch at the food court. Taco Bell was our choice.  Thanks for stopping by. 

 

 

Cookie exchange

The table is set for the guests to arrive with their cookies for the Cookie exchange.

Some of the cookies displayed on the kitchen table ready for the taking.

It is lunch time and Donna served a wonderful salad and quiche.  It was a wonderful day and I have several trays of goodies for my Christmas guests.

  This is the top of the buffet in the dining room full of Santas.  Is there room for any more? Thanks for stopping by.  Wish you were here to enjoy a cup of cider and a cookie. 

Christmas in the Neighborhood

Last night we went to Sam's Band concert at 6:30 and when we got home I decided to walk around the neighborhood since it was so nice and snap some pictures.  This is a house down the street from us.

This house is right next door to the house above.  Is this what they call "Keeping up with the Jones".  Notice the lights way up in the trees.  Just beautiful!  It was lawn watering day for our neighborhood.  I had to avoid the sprinklers taking these pictures.  I will walk a little farther tonight and take  more pictures.  Thanks for joining me on my evening walk!

Happy Birthday Sam!

Sam turned 12 on Saturday.  Happy Birthday Sam!  Next year you will be a TEENAGER!!!!

Homeward Bound

This morning at 7:30 Ange and Sage left for Pittsburgh.  they are going to try to drive straight through with their belongings in this U-Haul truck.  Ange was driving the truck and Sage is in the car following her to Dallas.  Ange's friend let her borrow the car for the weekend since he was going out of town.  They are going to drop the car off in Dallas and then head East.  It is a 20 hour trip and when they get to Pittsburgh they have the truck to unload before Sage has to be at work Monday afternoon.

Here is a picture of Sage getting ready to take off this morning.  She was a little chilly.  She is wrapped in the quilt that I gave them for their new place in Pittsburgh.

Dave, Angie, Jake and the girls took off for Omaha around 8:30 this morning.  It was so much fun having everyone here for Thanksgiving.  Abbie is in her seat for the long 10 hour trip to Omaha.  She always wants to do a project when she comes to visit.  Besides decorating the Christmas tree on Friday we had Aunt Theresa show us how to make the Christmas decorations below. 

Abbie, Jack and I were really good students.  The 1 and 1/2 inch circles were drawn from a vitamin bottle lid.  Very trying and I have since purchased a 1 1/2 inch punch from the Michaels Store.  If you look really close you can see nephew Robb from Denver.  We used old Christmas cards and picture Christmas cards.

I forgot to send an ornament home with Abbie so I will be sticking one in the box with the other Christmas presents being mailed to Omaha. 

Here is a picture of Abbie and Reese in their car seats getting ready for the long 10 hour trip to Omaha.

I did not get a picture of Jake but he is in the car with Dave, Angie, two dogs and a set of golf clubs.  They were packed like sardines.  Goodbye loved ones.  Have a safe trip home.  We really enjoyed having you all here for Thanksgiving.

This week I am planning on finishing my Christmas decorating.  Thanks for stopping by. 

Turkey Time is here!

I promised you I would show you the finished project I was working on this past week.  Here are the signs I finished just in time.  I will definitely sell these at the bazaar next year. 

I also found a place for the big acorns that I stained and varnished.  This is an old tool box that I had stored in the garage and decided to fill it and place it on my kitchen counter.  I can't wait for everyone to arrive for Thanksgiving.  Only three more days!  We are having 18 at our table on Thanksgiving.  Do I have enough turkey????

Thanks for stopping by.  Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

We got this picture from Dave yesterday and it  makes us hope these few days before their arrival on Thursday for Thanksgiving weekend go FAST.  We are ready for Sage's arrival on Tuesday from Pittsburgh and Ange arrives from Pitt on Wednesday.  They will be staying with Mike and Theresa.  Dave, Angie, Jake and the little girls will bunk with us.  I can't wait for Turkey Time!

Duplicate Bridge

This is my bridge group from yesterday.  We had a great time and lots of delicious food. 

I will introduce the group to you.  Julie is in front with white shirt, then Nancy who hosted the party, Pat is to her right and Doreen is to her left.  Kay is hiding behind Doreen and we can barely see Gloria.  Then it is Pam or I whichever picture you are looking at followed by Virginia, Marg, Judy and Shirley.  We are all winners!!!!

Today I am going to have lunch with grandson Jack at School.  It is the Thanksgiving luncheon.  Papa is working so it will just be his mom and I for lunch.  Yummy!

Hump Day

This afternoon I play Duplicate Bridge.  We start at 1 and I will be back home around 4:30ish.  

Tomorrow and Friday Pat works, so I will be running some errands and hopefully finishing up some orders from the bazaar.   I am working on some new Thanksgiving signs and they are turning out pretty cute 

I still have a ways to go but I will definitely publish a picture when the sign is completed.  Below the turkey head there will be a little rectangle sign on the stake saying "Turkey Time". 

This weekend Pat and I walked over to another neighborhood and found these acorns.  They are huge.  I used them in the greenery that I put on the Candy Canes that I made this year.  We picked up several bags full.  Yesterday I made sure they all were sitting in their caps and secured them with hot glue.  These that I have pictures of did not fit into any caps because they were too large.  I decided to stain and varnish them for some fall decor in my house.  They are looking pretty good.  All I have left to do is find a basket or tray that they will look nice in.

And finally I finished wrapping some gifts for Christmas and putting the tags on them this morning.  I can't wait for our tree to go up on Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I will have my helpers here to decorate it. 

Don't you wonder what is in these big presents???  Thanks for stopping by!

Super Bowl

This weekend we went to Sam's football game.  He played in the 6th Grade league Super Bowl.  They played the undefeated Bears who beat us twice during the season so I was thinking after the game we

will celebrate the season with family and friends at our house.  I served Maid Rites, chips, baked beans and angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream.  The game was so exciting because Sam's team, the Gators, won 32 to 14.  We whipped them.  We were screaming our heads off.  So much fun.   Here is Sam and Jack at the party after the game.

Notice Jack got his long hair cut off.  Doesn't he look cute?

Also Saturday a friend and I went to a church bazaar here in McKinney and I purchased these cute little magnet ornaments for lamp shades, chandeliers, or anything metal to hang on.

One of my errands today is a trip to Michaels to find little magnets and beads to make some of these.  I have had a busy two weeks with the bazaar and filling orders.

And finally, Go Dallas Cowboys!!!! 

More Turkeys

I made these for the grandchildren for Thanksgiving.  They are made out of the plastic Easter eggs. 

I am baking a Carmel Apple Pie right now.  It is for the bake sale at the Bazaar tomorrow.  After we have given it the taste test I will take a picture and blog about it with the recipe if it is delicious.

 Pat is not working today so we are going out to lunch.  He worked Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.  I think we will be going to Fairview for lunch and then I want to go to the new Whole Foods Grocery Store that just opened up in that neighborhood.  

Thanks for stopping by. 

Happy Halloween

Late afternoon we celebrated Jack's birthday.  We went to Cavalli's Pizza Place in Adriatica around 4:30.   It was a fun time and Mike and Theresa surprised him with an IPod.  He was thrilled.  I can't believe it has been a week since I blogged.  I have really been busy getting ready for the bazaar at church this coming Saturday.

 I made 6 of these signs this week.  I am all ready for the bazaar so this week I will concentrate on getting everything priced and packed up for the bazaar.

Tomorrow the boys do not have school so I will let them sleep in and go over around 9:30 to pick them up. It is teacher conferences.  Tonight it is Trick or Treating so I will be answering the door until around 8PM.  I will try to do better about blogging this week.  Until then.