Merry Christmas!

I've got a lot of photos and stories to tell you, so hold on and read away.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Second and third graders presents "A Charlie Brown Christmas."  Katie auditioned for a speaking role in this play, but didn't get a spot.  The director said there were so many students that came out to audition. This is great news that our students have interest in the arts and I hope it continues.  Fortunately for the second graders, they were all encouraged to sing three songs during the play, between scene changes.  They sang "Nuttin' for Christmas," "O' Christmas Tree," and "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing."  They all did such a great job!  The school was right on top of things and offered DVDs for sell.  I received our DVD the following Thursday, which was awesome.  I'm so surprised how quickly they got them edited and sent out.  

 

Second graders singing.

Snoopy decorating his doghouse, while Charlie Brown watches. 

Charlie Brown gets counseling from Lucy.

All the second graders that made it to sing.

Katie's Class Christmas Party
What a nice party!  Of course, there was too much food for everyone to eat all of it.  Almost every student gave each other some little something.  I thought Colton would enjoy the party as well, so I brought him.  Quickly, I began to rethink that decision.  He had a pretty good time the last time we came for class project.  I just didn't think about him not getting a gift and he felt left out for a moment.  I made a deal with him.  If he would cheer up and be good, I'd let him open one gift from under the tree when we got home.  He cheered up pretty quick.

Katie had to have a picture with her Mrs. M.  The kids got to play a couple group team games, which I thought was a great idea and everyone seem to have a good time.  The first game was "Snowman."  Teams broke out and who ever made their snowman without breaking the toilet paper, WINS!  Katie's group broke their paper a couple of times.  They were so frustrated.


The second game - Solo Trees.  Each student in the group had two cups.  When the game started, you had to stack the cups up to make a tree.  The students could check out after the party was over, if they wanted to.  When people began disappearing, Katie made sure I knew that she didn't want to leave.  This is a first for her.  When I picked her up at that regular time, I asked if she had a good time after I left.  "Yes!" said she with a grin on her face.

I have to tell you this funny Colton story.  When we finally made it back home from our class Christmas party, it didn't take Colton long to remind me about the gift opening.  He really wouldn't give me a second to sit down and figure out which was what.  He found an Avengers' wrapped gift and thought that was the gift for him.  I tried to feel around to make sure it was a toy and not clothes.  Honestly, these gifts had been wrapped for so long that I forgot what was what.  I asked him again if he was SURE this was the gift he wanted.  "Yes!" he said.  Okay.  He ripped it up, box and all.  Low and behold, it was a pair of pjs and underwear.  HAHAHA!!!!  He didn't have that many from us, so I didn't know what to do.  You would have thought that I just took a big lollipop out of his mouth and put it in my mouth.  Disappointment was written all over his face.  He begged me to let him open another.  The problem was that he only had two more presents from us.  Oh well.  I thought.  I felt around and found a Toy Story wrapped gift.  I knew it was a toy, so I gave it to him.  Not remembering what it was exactly.  I thought well, I'll wrap the clothes back up and all is good.  As I was trying to fix the box, he tells me that he just unwrapped Zayden's gift.  "No you didn't" just so sure of myself.   I was thinking how silly he was to think that he unwrapped Zayden's.  How silly was that!  Just then, a lightbulb went off.  "Wait a minute."  I turned around and looked.  Yep!  Sure enough, it was Zayden's gift.  Ugh!  I had forgotten that I paper coded everyone this year.  They all had tags, but who looks at them?  Right?  Ugh!  Can you say "STUPID"!?!  So, I ended up re-wrapping two gifts that afternoon before picking sister up from school.  HAHA!

Preparing For Santa
We still had some preparation for Santa's visit.  Lots of cookies to bake and a gingerbread house to assemble. I was completely wiped out that night.  Shew!

I tried piping this icing.  Ugh!  I remember why I hate piping icing on a gingerbread house.  My hands were throbbing when it was over.  Check out the steady hand craftsmanship and lopsided windows.  LOL!  You can tell this was done at 9PM.  HAHA!  Oh well, it's just for kids.  Only Katie knew the difference.

These are the cookies I had on my platters for our Christmas parties.  I ended up making two batches of each kinds - about 4 dozen of each cookie.  Go Here for the recipes and other information.


Shown Above: (L-R: Reese Cup Cookies, Crimson Tide Truffles, Soft and Thick Sugar Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies)

Kids settled in the Living Room by the Christmas tree.  It's a family tradition to sleep by the Christmas tree one day before Christmas.  We always watch a Christmas movie right before bedtime.  We use the Christmas lights from the tree as a nightlight until the kids are fast asleep, then we turn the tree lights off. The kids love it!  This is the first year, momma didn't sleep with them.  They asked me if I was sleeping with them, but I get so sore the next morning that I slept in my own bed this time.  They did just fine and drifted off to sleep rather fast.  

Family Christmas Parties
Dad and mom hosted our family Christmas party.  The FOOD, it was unreal the amount of food.  Everything was so good along with the company.  I think everyone had a good time.  My entertainment was watching the kids.  Ryan's girlfriend, Angie was able to bring her children.  Katie and K seem to get along so well.  Zayden was into everything.  So funny!  I got tickled how he loved getting in boxes.    They were his kind of toy to play with.
 
The wreath I made mom fit perfectly in her side window!  
Katie loves her new Lala Oopsy from Grandma Jerry and Papa John.

Colton FINALLY got his Hulk from Grandma Jerry and Papa John.

Kids in front of mom and dad's Christmas tree.

Family Christmas Photo

Christmas Morning
You have to understand, every year in the past, we've had to drag Katie and Colton out of bed to see what Santa Claus left under the Christmas tree.  I'm happy to report, this is the first year, my children came into our bedroom waking us up with shrieks and squeals of excitement.  They wanted us to hurry up and go with them to see what Santa left.  Too funny!

Merry Christmas 2012! 

Santa must have a lot of patience and understanding because the kids got everything they asked Santa Claus.  Wow!  Katie received dolls galore and Colton, his games - Doggie Do and Pop the Pig.  What fun! 

Colton told me that he loves his Pop the Pig so much.  He just couldn't believe that Santa would leave these toys for him.  Katie is playing with her Mini Lalaloopsy Roller Coaster set.

Check out Colton standing beside his 30" Batman.  HAHA!  Katie was so surprised to receive this beautiful Lalaloopsy Ivory Ice Crystals from Santa.  How special.


I wanted to try something different than the usual Breakfast Casserole.  I made a Christmas Breakfast Wreath this time.  I got the idea from Pinterest where Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo posted this recipe.  It was so easy and simple.

Breakfast Wreath
Ingredients:
1 can Crescent Rolls
5 eggs, scrambled
8 pre-cooked bacon
Shredded Colby-Monterey Jack Cheese

Place some wax paper on a large pizza pan, so it won't stick.  Assemble your crescent rolls around in a circle.  I overlapped the rolls a little to make a small circle.  Make sure the points of the rolls are pointing outward.  Sprinkle a handful of cheese on the thick portion on the rolls.  Place cooked bacon along each roll, cooked-scrambled eggs on the thick portion of the rolls.  Fold the points over toward the middle.  Place in a 375 degree pre-heated oven for approximately 17 minutes or until the crescent rolls are brown.  According to the website it is great with your favorite salsa.

So good!

At lunch time, we went to Doug's parents house for Christmas.  Had MORE food and sweets and unwrapped gifts.  Had a great visit!

It was crazy, for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the weather had been warm and humid.  It rained quite a bit Christmas Eve and all day Christmas Day.  Some areas south of us had tornadoes.  It's bad to have this kind of weather for Christmas of all days.  The highs were in the 60s both days.  As soon as the front passed through, temperatures dropped all day and night.  The day after  Christmas the temperatures were in the 30s and it snowed off and on all day.  This morning, it was in the 20s and I don't think it got past 37 degrees today.  For the next few days, we are suppose to expect these kinds of conditions until New Years Eve.



I hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday and hope you'll have an awesome New Year!

Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice Everyone and what a happy welcome it was for us Southerners on the first day of Winter. Brrrr! A nice 33 degrees this morning with a wind chill factor of 22 degrees. Can you say COLD?!? We've been getting use to the upper 60s for the past couple of weeks. All of the sudden, hello upper 40s for the high today.

We welcomed the Winter Solstice today with Katie staying at school for a half a day. She got home, got some lunch in our bellies, did a few small things and then we all took a nice little nap. Perfect for such a cold day. After our rest, it's time to decorate some COOKIES. Colton didn't want to touch the icing, so I iced the cookies what color he wanted (GREEN) and he put the sprinkles on them. LOL! He doesn't like anything yucky on his hands, arms, clothes, hair . . . I guess I should say anything on his person. LOL! I would have to say that Katie is a pro by now when it comes to decorating Christmas cookies. I don't have the pictures downloaded yet, so stay tuned for those pictures. We have to watch a Christmas movie. For some reason, they seem to really like "A Christmas Carol" this year. Thankfully, we had it recorded for them to watch at any time.

While they watched their movie, this momma got some truffles made and stored away. I've got our neighbor's gift basket finished. I've been doing a lot of baking in the kitchen this Christmas.

Reese Cup Cookie Recipe 
1 box Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
1 Large Bag Reese Cups (miniature size)

Mix up cookie mix according to directions on box. Roll up a ball about 1 inch round, put in mini muffin pan mash down and put a thumb print in middle. Bake according to directions on box, while hot put a reese cup in cookie. Cool some before you take it out of the pan.

Every year, I have requests to make my Holiday Red Velvet Cake Bon-Bons.  I bake a boxed red velvet cake (go by directions on box).  While the cake is out of the oven and cooled just a minute or two, mix the cake with cream cheese icing.  I dip the bon-bons in white almond bark chocolate and decorate with dark chocolate on top.  It is SOOOOO delicious!  Honestly, you can blend any baked cake with your favorite icing, dip it in chocolate and you've got a masterpiece. Because our favorite college football team is headed to the BCS Championship next month, I've dedicated my bon-bons to them.  I'm calling them "Crimson Tide Truffles" this year.  Tehe!!!

Crimson Tide Truffles aka (Holiday Cake Bon-Bons)
1 box cake mix (any flavor)(water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box)
1 container frosting
3 oz. vanilla or chocolate-flavored candy coating

Heat oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9" pan with baking spray with flour. Prepare cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. pour into pan. Bake 30-33 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, crumble the warm cake; stir in the frosting until well blended. Refridgerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Shape into balls. (If mixture is too sticky, refrigerate until firm enough to shape.) Freeze 30 minutes.

In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave candy coating on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until smooth. Dip the balls, one at a time, in candy coating using a wooden skewer or fork to hold them. Place on aluminum foil-covered cookie sheet. Decorate as desired. Refridgerate cake balls about 10 minutes or until coating is set. Serve at room temperature. Store in airtight container.

Like I said, you can take anything and dip it in chocolate.  Wah lah!  You have a quick, easy and tasty dessert.  I've made peanut and pecan clusters.  They are so yummy!

I do have a new Sugar Cookie recipe that I must pass along to you.  I stumbled upon it on Pinterest.  The description grabbed my attention.  It's amazing, anything that says "you'll never try another recipe" will always make me stop and read the recipe.  Of course, I'm intrigued to try it out.  Well, this recipe is a very good recipe and will keep it in my box for future occasions.  The recipe was posted and pinned by Home is Where the Holmans are.  Below is the recipe:

Soft and Thick Sugar Cookie

Cookies:
1 18 oz box white cake mix with pudding in the mix
2/3 cup flour
2 large eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
2 T sour cream (I used reduced fat)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, stir together cake mix and flour. Add eggs, oil and sour cream and mix on medium speed until incorporated. Batter will be fairly stiff. Use a cookie scoop or roll into approximately one inch balls and bake on a baking sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper. This will help keep the bottoms of the cookies from browning. Use the heel of your hand or a glass dusted with sugar to gently flatten cookies to about a half inch thick. You don't want the bottoms to be browned or you've over baked these. Bake approximately ten minutes until just set. Let cool about one minute on the pan and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 T heavy cream
1 T vanilla extract
3-4 cups powdered sugar
1 T meringue powder
Food coloring or sprinkles as desired

Beat butter on medium speed for about two minutes until smooth. Add cream and vanilla and beat about one more minute to incorporate. Add sugar, one cup at a time mixing on low speed until incorporated until you reach the desired consistency. Add meringue powder (this will help your frosting crust so that you can stack the cookies without smearing your frosting all over the place, I use a sheet of wax or parchment paper in between layers). You want the frosting to be fairly stiff so that it doesn't run off your cookies. Frost cooled cookies and decorate as desired. Store cookies in an airtight container.

I whipped up two batches of these cookies, so simple to mix together and throw in the fridge for whenever you need them.  I used cookie cut-outs for the first batch.  I rolled the dough about 1/4" thick and cut.  As far as piping frosting: this recipe makes very thick icing.  You will have to play with how much water you want to add to the frosting when it comes to thickness.  I would strongly suggest that you add a tablespoon or two if you plan on piping, even if you want it thick.  It's too thick to pipe.

I love to bake and it is a good way to wear the energy out of you.  Woo Boy!  There was a few days that I was in bed and asleep by 8:30-9:00PM.  If you know me, it's just not me to go to bed this early.

As soon as daddy came home tonight, we went to the Live Nativity that some friends of ours sponsored  from their new church that has recently started up.  It was great!  We met at the town hall and took a bus to the park, where the nativity is set up.  They offered hot chocolate and cookies before the bus picked you up.  It was cold outside and we really didn't know what to expect.  I was so happy that Katie got to ride the bus and share this experience with her school teacher Mrs. M.  We had the opportunity to see a lot of people that we haven't seen in a long time.  Lot of catching up to do.  After the production, the children had the opportunity to pet the animals.  They had llamas, sheep, alpacas, miniature cows and donkeys.  A nice wide range of animals.  Thankfully, they did have heaters set up in a few areas, in order to warm up for a bit.  Katie and Colton LOVED petting the animals and it's something they will remember.  Katie wanted to pet the llamas, but I discouraged her because they just didn't look very nice.  "But mom, I want to pet a llama because I was in the llama class last year" she begged me.  They had a baby llama, but as soon as I would get close enough to it it's ears would go back and it would turn it's head away from me.  I'm not messing with it and I told Katie that llamas can be mean.  I'd rather her be upset not getting to pet a llama than not have any fingers left on her hand.  The alpacas and sheep were adorable and they seemed to enjoy being loved on.

We ended our wonderful Winter Solstice day by fulfilling one of our family traditions.  The children get to have a slumber party by the Christmas tree tonight.  They really love doing it!  We make a huge pallet on the floor, right by the lighted Christmas tree and they get to watch a Christmas movie, "A Christmas Carol."

I will have to post about Katie's school party and Christmas vacation and traditions pictures at another time.

Enjoy and have a wonderful starry cool Winter Solstice night to you.  
 

Measurement of Love

Today, I was thinking about God's love.  I believe I got the idea stuck in my head from watching all the spiritual movies on Netflix, which will be mentioned later.

I heard the question "can love be measured?" once or twice before and you have to ask can it be measured?  I believe there might be an apples and oranges theory involved here.  After much research I've found Lauren Smith's write up about "Can Love Be Measured?" on Yahoo Voices was quite interesting and I have to agree with her.  It makes sense, which lead me to the conclusion that it depends on the situation and circumstance.  In some instances, "Love is measurement."  As humans, we measure love by actions or reactions mostly to people we already know (friends and family).  Lauren gives examples such as: hugs, kisses, cooking dinners for someone, baking something special for someone, doing acts of kindness.  It is easier to love someone that you know.  I'm I right?  Could you love someone that you've never met? What if someone hurt you really bad like adultery?  Could you still love them?  I think it would be a little harder.  What if that one offense went to several different offenses (drug/alcohol abuse, spouse abuse, child abuse, any type of disorder, theft, murder)?  When do you draw the line?  When do you say enough is enough and you close the door behind you?  Could you continue to always love that person, no matter what they've done to you?  Do you love and obey God continuously everyday without swaying from God to sin?  You can't because of sin in your life and He knows that, but it should be our goal in life to be more like Jesus and love no matter what.  Praise God Almighty, His love is unfailing and everlasting.  To know that my Loving God cares so much and wish the best for all of his creation that even when Jesus comes for His church, God still gives those left behind another chance to come home. Another chance to truly see His unfailing love for us.  I've seen quite a few rapture movies in my day.  The most recent, which lead me to this post


Even though this movie really doesn't show any gore, it isn't the best of movies for children's eyes.  This  kind of LOVE from a Creator (not dictator) leaves me in awe.  Isn't that awesome?!?

God has showed his unfailing love many many times in the Old and New Testaments and today.  The book of Hosea is one of perfect examples of His love for us.  Our Daily Bread gives us a synopsis of what happened Hosea 10:9-15.  No matter how much Hosea loved his wife, she never would love him back.  Not even a little.  God still put that everlasting, unfailing love on Hosea's heart, no matter how many times his wife rejected him and sinned against him.  Hosea finally understood the message God was sending his people.  No matter the amount of sin (adultery, abuse, disorders, crimes) God still had this everlasting love for you and me.  Love is so powerful and I'm am thankful for God's love for me.

You know history has a funny way of repeating itself multiple times and I believe we are reliving that history again right now y'all.

"Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12.  

Righteousness = moral principles
mercy = compassion
fallow = infertile land or to avoid

I hope we can all reflect on God's everlasting love for us during this time of celebrating His Son's birth. The ultimate sacrifice for my sins, Jesus Christ.  May God's love shine upon you like a beacon of Peace and Hope.

Must Watch Movies



Grab the tissues girls!  This true story was such a blessing to me this morning.  At first, I didn't want to see this movie.  It's hard for me to watch sad movies that involve children.  Today of all days, something tugged at my heart.  I felt it necessary to watch this story and I'm so glad I did.  I wished I had waited until later tonight when I had no make-up or after I had picked up my child from school.  Fortunately, I have sunglasses and God blessed us with just enough sunshine in order for me to keep the sunglasses on my face, hiding the red swollen eyes.  I promise you will be touched and blessed.  You will feel "LUCKY."  Available on Netflix, please check it out.


I'm a fan of Sean Austin and he is great in this movie, which focuses on our main post subject "God's Unfailing Love."  It's wonderful inspiration to all.



Having a new born Christian in our household, I need all the help I can explaining and teaching her some hard to explain reasonings from the Bible.  I came across this movie on Netflix and went Ah Ha!  Entertaining and easy to understand.  Perfect!
I hope you will have an opportunity to watch at least one of these movies during the Christmas break.  You will be inspired and blessed.

Family Christmas Gathering
Speaking of love, we celebrated Jesus' birth in one of many more family gatherings.  When your family is so big, you have to celebrate more than just one day.  Our beautiful cousins from down South came to visit and man did God grace us with a little cooler weather during their visit.

I love A's Christmas dress

Our little divas!


Children open their gifts from one another


First Cousins

We enjoyed our visit with our cousins.  I'm so glad that Laura and Wayne got to come this year.  We hated to see them leave, but look forward to the next time we can get together.  

Two Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Ric-Rac Candy Cane Ornament

I got this idea from the Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  I found this ric-rac with tinsel at Walmart and had to have it.  This is an easy craft, but must have patience. 

You Need: 

2 different colored ric-rac trimming (white & red)

Fabric glue 

Fabric Stiffener

Embellishments

Thread and needle

1. Cut ric-rac to the desired length.  You'll have to play with it.  

2. I glued the two ric-rac trimmings together with a little fabric glue.  Wait until the glue dries a little before twisting them together. 

3. Twist the trimmings together and put a little more fabric glue at the end. 

4.  Shape the trim into  your candy cane. 

5. Soak the candy cane on both sides with fabric stiffener.  

6. Press it between two pieces of wax paper and lay heavy cans on top for several hours or over night.  

Note: you may have to spray a couple of layers of stiffener. Trim off any unwanted threads. 

7. It's time to decorate - I hot glued holly leaves and ran a piece of thread through the top.  Tie in a knot, for hanging.  

Rose Yarn Winter Wreath

I made this wreath for my parents.  I think it turned out so pretty and my mom really seemed to love it.  

You need: 

Small Round White Foam Wreath

White yarn

Two or Three squares of red felt

One square of light green felt

One square of dark green felt

Round Pearl Corsage pins

Floral Berry Pick

1. Hot glue the beginning of your yarn to the wreath and begin wrapping.  I applied two layers of yarn. 

2. Cut out different size felt roses.  How to Make Felt Roses, CLICK HERE! This tutorial shows you how to make the roses with paper, but felt is the same way.  My bigger roses I cut between 4-5" in diameter, rough cut.  The smaller rose buds are 3" in diameter, rough cut.  Instead of hot gluing the bottom on the flower, I stitched a little.  This is just to keep the flower in tacked.  

3. Fold a piece of paper and roughly cut a template for your leaf.  You want it to be a little fat in the middle.  I had mine come to a point at the end.  I practiced with paper first.  Fold your green felt in half, lay the folded paper leaf template against the fold part of the felt and cut along the template.  

4. It's time to assemble your wreath - I placed my pieces on the yarn wreath first and then apply the pins. You can get away with just one pin per rose bud, but I added three to the bigger roses.  

5. Hot glue the red floral berry pick and shape it up the side of the wreath.  

6. Hot glue the leaves.  I had to move my roses around a few times before I was satisfied. 

7. Tie some more white yarn at the top of the wreath for hanging.  You could add a ribbon instead of the yarn.  Play with it and have fun! 

Katie's Penguin

Mrs. M emailed all the parents last week asking for volunteers to help the kids make Christmas decorations at school.  Well, you know me.  I responded as soon as I received the message and told her I would be there with bells on and a glue gun in my hand.  I really got a blessing out of it.  I'm just glad she was okay with me bringing Flash.  He did pretty good, I might add.  Our station was set up out in the hallway.  Mrs. M's husband was there to help out.  We had our hands full for a little while, but we got them put together and happy faces on all the children's faces.  Each penguin had it's own little personality.  Such a cute project for the kids.  I'm sorry, but Katie's name for her penguin escapes my memory.  

Katie's crafting ability

Our Christmas tree needed some color, so we added paper chain garland and I have to say, it did a lot for our tree.  We may have to do this every year until the kids tell me "no, mom that's too embarrassing!"  

Our Family Christmas Tree

See it really did a lot!  We added the silver aluminum foil star at the top.  The key ingredient to get your homemade star to fit perfectly on top of the tree.  Toilet paper roll!  Yikes!  Yes, I did say that.  Clean it off first before wrapping it with aluminum foil.  I took a little double sided tape and attached the toilet paper roll to the star.  Simple! 

Source: kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com via Mirya on Pinterest

It's little hard to see the paper garland that I made last week for our tree; thus, the construction paper chain garland had to be made. The above picture is basically how I made it, minus the paper design.  Instead of twine, I used gold thread.  Very simple to make.  If I had advice to pass along, it would be to use bright colored scrapbook paper.  I used neutral and dark colors because that's what I had to work with and it didn't show up very good with a green tree.  

Because we have a Christmas party this coming weekend, this little elf will be putting her crafting shop aside in order to bake a bit.  I've been requested by my favorite fans to make the following for the party: 

Zesty Cheddar Cheese Straws

Red Velvet Truffles aka Holiday Cake Bon-Bons

Texas Caviar Dip

May the baking commense! 

 

2012 SEC Championship 

Did you watch this game?  How exciting!  You talk about down to the very last few minutes of the game and Bama decided to turn this game around in their favor.  WOW!  I think I had a couple of heart attacks in the last 5 minutes of the game.  Doug, poor baby, stayed outside and put up our Christmas decorations during the entire game, except for the last few minutes in the fourth quarter.  He is a BIG fan, so I was puzzled a bit on why he would stay outside during the game.  When I asked him, he simply said that he was afraid of the outcome.  LOL!  When Bama actually won the game at the end, Doug jumped off the couch yelling "YES, YES!"  We are ready to watch a good BCS Championship game on the 7th of January against Notre Dame! 

ROLL TIDE! 

 

Susan's Cole Slaw Recipe

My sister Susan makes the best cole slaw. There are several ways to make slaw, vinegar, mayo, dressing, etc. Personally, I love the mayo base slaw and Susan makes the best. This past weekend, we were at my eldest sister, Maryann's house for a fish fry and Susan brought her famous slaw. I finally had the opportunity to pick her brain. The only slaw I've dared to make to the 1000 Island dressing slaw. It's good, but nothing like mayo. She gave me her recipe and I didn't want to forget it. Thus, I'm posting it here with all my other favorite recipes.

Susan's Cole Slaw Recipe 
1 medium cabbage head
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup mayo
1/8 cup white vinegar
1/8 cup olive oil

Shred the cabbage with food processor. Pour all the ingredients on top of the shredded cabbage. DO NOT MIX. Cover and put in the refrigerator overnight. Mix it all together as soon as you are ready to serve. It is the best slaw ever!!!

 You have to try this recipe, you will not regret it.




 

Two Bits, Four Bits, Six Bits, a Dollar!

 

. . . for everyone who sees Katie, stand up and holler!  

I don't think Katie liked it at first when I signed her up to spend the day with the high school cheerleaders.  She was so afraid that she wouldn't know anyone.  I reminded her how much she was our little social butterfly.  She makes new friends so easy.  Three hours after staying with them, she didn't want to leave.  They could not wait to show me what she could do.  The older girls were so patient and I think they all had a great time.  Katie learned a few new cheers, dances and a new game called "Sailors and Boats."  When I got there to pick her up, they were playing this game.  The girls were running around like crazy and laughing.  I spotted Katie right off and she was all smiles.  I got to take home a picture of Katie with the mascot as well.  I haven't had time to scan the photo, but it was sweet.  It's something she will always remember.   Even though she didn't know anyone there, she said that she made new friends. 

As we were leaving the school, she told me all she learned.  The way she was going on and on, I pretty much knew what was coming up next.  "Mom." she gets my attention.  "I want to be a cheerleader."  I asked her if she was sure because this meant she would have to go back to gymnastics.  Actually, she would have to take tumbling and gymnastics.  I reminded her how much she loves ballet.  "Why can't I do both?"  she asked.  "Because it costs too much that's why." I informed her.  The lip came out.  She has so many decisions to make.  I told her that she just needed to think and pray about it.  Meanwhile, we will stay committed to ballet this school year.  She can tell me what she has decided by next Summer.