Happy Easter!

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.  ~S.D. Gordon

Easter Weekend

I can NOT believe it is Easter weekend.  Where has the time gone?  It arrived so quickly!  

I did get out my Easter decorations before Brooklyn came to visit for his spring break.  Had he not been coming, I may not have even got that done!   But, it spurred me on!  Ha!   I haven't been very "Easter-ly"!   No plans, due to the fact that we have been on the run and then next weekend, we will have Elijah's first birthday party!   (And a surprise shower for daughter #3 will follow that).   And, then  coming up is our little Chloe's First Communion as well!  Busy time!

We will dye Easter eggs later today with little Elijah so that will be an adventure, I am sure!   So, today, I prepared a light supper to follow that for the kids (his parents), and then made some "Easter cookies":

The little flower ones didn't look much like flowers when I frosted them.  Oh, well!  The frosted bunnies are "chocolate" bunnies!   

It seems only yesterday that I was coloring eggs with my own children!   :-)   Good Memories!!!

Merry Christmas!

"Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling."   

Merry Christmas to my bloggy buddies, my faithful and wonderful friends, and my beloved family! 

Merry Christmas Eve!

 

"Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart…filled it, too, with melody that would last forever." 

The Twelve Pounds of Christmas (Day TWELVE) ... and more tidbits...

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Moving on with the twelve pounds of Christmas~Here is day ELEVEN:
Sing to the tune "Twelve Days of Christmas":

On the Twelfth pound of Christmas, my MIRROR said to me, 
"Sooie, pig, sooie!", 
"Grazing is for cattle", 
"Schedule liposuction", 
"I wouldn't wear that spandex",

"That's not on Weight Watchers", 
"Don't go back for seconds",
"Cut back just a little", 

"The dryer shrunk your jeans", 
"Are you retaining fluid?", 
"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....

On another note....Christmas vacation OFFICIALLY starts for me today.  Hubby has been off all week! We are headed to spend Christmas in Gillette with daughter, Tina and her hubby.   We will get to celebrate with daughters, Chrissy and Crystal over New Years weekend, and their families!   Brooklyn will probably be joining us too!    So, we will have lots of family time...that warms my heart!

We ALWAYS miss those that are not with us, but they are always in our hearts, thoughts, memories and with love.   I am so blessed with family and friends!

The Twelve Pounds of Christmas (Day ELEVEN) ... and more tidbits...

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Moving on with the twelve pounds of Christmas~Here is day ELEVEN:
Sing to the tune "Twelve Days of Christmas":



On the Eleventh pound of Christmas, my nephew said to me, 
"Grazing is for cattle", 
"Schedule liposuction", 
"I wouldn't wear that spandex",

"That's not on Weight Watchers", 
"Don't go back for seconds",
"Cut back just a little", 

"The dryer shrunk your jeans", 
"Are you retaining fluid?", 
"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....

On another note....HAPPY, HAPPY Birthday to my mama.  She means the WORLD to me...I love you, Mom!

The Twelve Pounds of Christmas (Days Nine and Ten) ... and more tidbits...

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Moving on with the twelve pounds of Christmas~Here are days NINE and TEN:
Sing to the tune "Twelve Days of Christmas":


On the Ninth pound of Christmas, my cousin said to me, 
"I wouldn't wear that spandex",
"That's not on Weight Watchers", 
"Don't go back for seconds",
"Cut back just a little", 

"The dryer shrunk your jeans", 
"Are you retaining fluid?", 
"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....

On the Tenth pound of Christmas, my brother said to me, 
"Schedule liposuction", 
"I wouldn't wear that spandex",

"That's not on Weight Watchers", 
"Don't go back for seconds",
"Cut back just a little", 

"The dryer shrunk your jeans", 
"Are you retaining fluid?", 
"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....

On another note....do you have a favorite Christmas song.   I love "O, Holy Night".   (But, I do like them ALL.)   My dad's favorite is "Little Drummer Boy".    My grandpa used to sing "O Christmas Tree" to us in German, so that holds a special place in my heart, too!   I love Christmas songs, and especially having my mom play the piano while we sing!   I'll miss that this year, but we will have to do it when we see each other!

The Twelve Pounds of Christmas (Day Eight) ... and more tidbits...

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Moving on with the twelve pounds of Christmas~Here is day EIGHT:
Sing to the tune "Twelve Days of Christmas":


On the Eighth pound of Christmas, my sister said to me, 
"That's not on Weight Watchers", 
"Don't go back for seconds",
"Cut back just a little", 

"The dryer shrunk your jeans", 
"Are you retaining fluid?", 
"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....

On another note....do you bake a lot for Christmas?   I used to do a lot, but have cut back a lot last year and this year.   If we all gather, I try to make sure that I make a favorite of each child and hubby!   I like fudge the best, I think.   Do you have a favorite?

The Twelve Pounds of Christmas (Days Six and Seven) ... and more tidbits...

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Moving on with the twelve pounds of Christmas~Here are days SIX AND SEVEN:
Sing to the tune "Twelve Days of Christmas":

On the Sixth pound of Christmas, my father  said to me, 
"Cut back just a little", 
"The dryer shrunk your jeans", 
"Are you retaining fluid?", 
"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....

On the Seventh pound of Christmas, my uncle  said to me, 
"Don't go back for seconds",
"Cut back just a little", 

"The dryer shrunk your jeans", 
"Are you retaining fluid?", 
"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....

On another note....do you shop all year, or just before Christmas?   I tend to procrastinate anymore on the shopping.   And, I don't venture out at all for "black Friday" sales.   Do you?

The Twelve Pounds of Christmas (Day Five) ... and more tidbits...

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Moving on with the twelve pounds of Christmas~Here is day FIVE:
Sing to the tune "Twelve Days of Christmas":

On the Fifth pound of Christmas, my friends all  said to me, 
"The dryer shrunk your jeans", 
"Are you retaining fluid?", 
"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....




On another note....
Do you have snow?   Do you like at least a bit of snow for Christmas?

The Twelve Pounds of Christmas (Days Three & Four) ... and more tidbits...

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Moving on with the twelve pounds of Christmas~Here are days THREE AND FOUR:
Sing to the tune "Twelve Days of Christmas":

On the Third pound of Christmas, my mother said to me, 

"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me".... 

On the Fourth pound of Christmas, my grandma said to me, 
"Are you retaining fluid?",
"You're big boned",
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....

On another note....
What are your family traditions?   Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?  Do you have a special food or dinner that you serve?   My traditions are inner-mingled with my husbands now... so we have some of his family traditions and some of mine.   We open gifts (usually) on Christmas eve, and we used to have a fancy supper then earlier in years (like steak and shrimp).   Lately, when I have hosted it, I have done simpler Christmas eves, like soups or meat/cheese trays.  Then a more traditional dinner on Christmas day.    We also have tamales and atole.  (Atole is a drink, somewhat like cocoa...made with the juice from soaked oatmeal, evaporated milk, and sugar.   Use a cinnamon stick or two as well).

The Twelve Pounds of Christmas (Day Two) ... and more tidbits...

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Moving on with the twelve pounds of Christmas~Here is day TWO: 
Sing to the tune "Twelve Days of Christmas":

On the Second  Pound of Christmas, my true love said to me, 
"I really didn't notice" and
"Your butt still looks good to me"....


On another note....
if you haven't read or seen The Help, it is now out on DVD.   I loved watching it again.

Do you like the Christmas movies?   I love the classic ones, like "It's a Wonderful Life".   Hallmark has had on Christmas movies continuously and Lifetime has had a lot too.   Some are real tear jerkers!  (That's the best ones!)

The Twelve Pounds of Christmas (Day One) ... and more tidbits...

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My mom had a new Christmas songbook when I visited recently...I should have started this TWELVE Days before Christmas, but since we are late, I will combine a couple days as we go....so, anywho.....


I'll give you day ONE today (and add thru the days before Christmas arrives)
Sing to the tune "Twelve Days of Christmas":

On the First Pound of Christmas, my true love said to me, 
"Your butt still looks good to me..."


On another note....
just what did you think about Biggest Loser? I did not like the guy who won. I can't really pinpoint why, but just rubbed me the wrong way.

And, how do you like Ashton Kutcher on Two and a Half Men?

Catching Up...

I seem to be "catching up" everywhere...home, work, blogging, facebook, email, reading my blogs that I follow..and what---Christmas?

Yikes!  It is what 10 days away?  It doesn't seem possible.   Maybe I should buy a gift or two?

Anyone else out there not quite prepared?????

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope your day is filled with family, friends, love, laughter, memories, dreams, thankfulness and, yes, great food!

Enjoy!

Happy Independence Day!

I dont know about you, but this holiday isn't a big thriller for me.  Kids love it, though!  Getting dirty and blowing up things is especially fun for them!   My favorite part of this holiday is being with family.  I LOVE MY FAMILY!   Wish we were ALL together, but I will enjoy so much being with those I am with!!! 

Have a great day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentines Day, blogging friends! Enjoy your day!  

"Life's greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved."

Memories...

Hope you all had a good Christmas.   It seems like it flies by after all your planning and preparation!  But, we had a wonderful holiday.  We were blessed to have all four children at home ... it doesn't happen often to have all 4 at once!

That is one thing that makes a mama's heart happy!

Merry Christmas!

God Bless You, my dear friends and family...Merry Christmas!

Traditions

We have gathered as a family nearly every year of my life.  This year, I won't have two of my sisters nor my parents with me.   I am lucky to have one sister, her boys, and all four of my children coming, and my two grandchildren.   So, traditions change, but they continue on.   I have tried to continue many of the traditions I grew up with, and yet create a few of our own.   I hope that you enjoy your Christmas traditions and share them with your loved ones....enjoy!

And, happy birthday to Grandpa Shorty Shafer up in heaven watching over us...we miss you and love you!!!