Be Our Guest

These pinecones are some of our oldest Christmas decorations.  They are from the pine trees in the church yard in Fort Payne, AL.  Home of the ALABAMA band (Christmas in Dixie?) and our first cross-cultural ministry experience.  

This year they appear in the guest room.  Last year I ran Christmas out of the guest room.  I gathered and wrapped presents on the bed.  I unpacked Christmas boxes and left the boxes there.  I kept the door closed.  This year I kept the room guest ready.   Just in case you wanted to stay over.  I mean the room is complete with western art (which I carefully selected from local artists at local yardsales). 

And a few doilies.  Because nothing says welcome like a doily.

The Goob has the walk clear.  So if you are thinking you would like to sleepover, just come on by.  We're ready.

Back on Tour

The Big room is a mix of old and new.

A new use for old letters brought me some joy.

A new nativity that the STP spied in Williamsburg.  It is good to have good memories of Williamsburg.

An old snowman inspiring me to zumba with him. 

A new place to hang the old stockings with care.

One old bird ornament.

One new bird ornament.

The usual cookie tray.

The old prophecy, holding new promise.

The tree is just a little older than the Goob.  One old dog with no new tricks.  Don't have plans to take the tree down any time soon so stop in and see for yourself.  Plenty of room for new and old friends.

House Tour

My house is not on the Dodge City house tour.  So I am going to give you a peek inside.  This is just inside the front door.  The front room is green and silver this year.  I also have a mercury glass bowl of green pears on the coffee table.  Like real pears that you can eat.  Genevieve from HGTV would be proud of me. 

And here are a few details you might not notice at first glance.

This little nested bird has been around along time.  He usually nests on the tree.  This is his first time in the front room.  Charming, if I must say so myself.

The chandelier is pretty much the same as last year, although I did add two green balls procured this summer at a yard sale.  Those frames on the wall have Christmas cards in them.  They have been hanging on the wall just like that since last Christmas.  A big time saver, and if you sit with your back towards them, you really don't notice them in June.

I took a picture of the whole room but when I went to post it I noticed the vacuum cleaner sitting in the middle of the room.  (Whose vacuum is that?)  And the theme here is things I don't notice.

Like this lovely tableau on the kitchen windowsill.  Which includes a paint can opener, a miracle grow spoon, a rock, and all the Betty Crocker coupons that the STP faithfully clips.  (Among other things.) 

Convicted by the picture, I added a few trees full of hugs and kisses.  (The STP added a few BC coupons before I could snap the new picture.) 

The rest of the clutter I moved to the kitchen counter, where it really isn't noticable.

I'm home all day.  If you don't stop by to see me, I will be forced glad to show you through the big room.  Stay tuned.

What Happens in the Attic...

 ..stays in the attic.

Because this guy isn't talking.

Fortunately, just a dot of Elmer's is all it takes to get him back on the tree for another year.

Take a Picture

Last year we had our Christmas picture in August.  Complete with icicles.  But it is not usually that easy.  Usually we have multiple tries.  Multiple less-than-satisfying tries.  Because I always have an idea.  You know, a great plan.  Which never really comes to fruition.  Some years we have foregone the picture altogether and opted for a capturing the year in song. 
So this year I had a picture of the extended family wearing matching red vests that I conseriously considered using.  And a picture of the three of us wearing matching glasses.  But neither of them fit the idea in my head.  The one where we are on the front porch in the snow looking happy and healthy.  The one picture that captures the essence of the well adjusted, moderately successful family that I would like you to believe we really are.
So to that I end I scheduled a photo session.  As in I said to the Goob and his dad on the way out the door, "If you come directly home after school, we can take our Christmas picture on the front porch before it gets dark."
So after school, and as dark clouds gathered, the front porch looked like this:

Relatively festive and devoid of human lifeforms. 

Not to be deterred, I proceeded to take pictures of my empty front porch, cursing the lifeforms who did not bother to even show up.  Slightly disheartened, I had just amped up my pity party when the Goob appeared.

And no one can really put the kabash on a pity party like the Goob.

So we posed for a few mother/son shots. 

(Which I believe was as much to the amusement of passersby as it was to us.)  Because obviously the Goob and I are just the types to be doing body building poses on the front porch. 

We were kind of caught up in the moment when the STP arrived. 

Which brought us almost back to reality.  Okay, lets go with a slightly western look.   I'll get my hat, says the STP.

When we were finally all together we snapped this picture of ourselves. 

Which wasn't bad for a first try.  Three smiling lifeforms.  Two glowing orbs.  One horse. 

If this doesn't say happy well adjusted family relocated from Mars to Dodge City, I don't know what will.  So we decided to just go with it.  Besides, it was getting dark.

Joy to the World, Partner.

A Few Things

A few things I want you to know.
1.  My fingertips are like human velcro.  It's from a combination of my heredity, my location in a high plains desert, and my job which requires me to wash my hands a thousand times a day.  It makes it difficult to work with felt.
2.  My project, which is made entirely from felt (and one three liter pop bottle), is essentially done.  I had to outsource one little part, but the main part is ready.  I have tried it on several times and taken a dozen pictures of it.  However, because it is a secret I can not share any of them with you right now. 
3.  I am having a hard time keeping this secret.
4.  Okay, here is another sneak peek.  Cause I will burst if I can not show someone. 

If these are not your initials, the project is not for you.  Sorry. 
If I am not your Grandmother, this project is not for you.  Sorry.
(If you are still hoping against hope that this project is for you, maybe you should draw a Venn diagram.)




I am going to put the project in a box and mail it this week. That is if I can get it unstuck from my velcro fingers.  If I can not get unstuck I will be mailing myself to NYC. 
P.S.  If you do not live in New York, this project is not for you.
P.S.S.  Nancyann--review your Venn diagram.  You are not my grandchild.  Sorry.

A Little Christmas

I put the candles in the windows last evening.  I gathered up the snowflakes from the front yard and flowerbeds where they blew last weekend.  I plan to rehang them on the prorch tomorrow morning.   I thought about getting the boxes down from the attic.  And that's about it. 
The Goob came home disappointed the other day because his Geometry teacher was not using the Christmas song, I Need A Little Christmas in her homework problems.
Me:  Did you need a little Christmas?
Goob:  Right that very minute.
And kudos to Amidala for her little Christmas.

Sweet Float

Last year God and I had an extended conversation concerning the church float in the 'we can't call it Christmas parade' in Dodge City.  This year the conversation was much shorter. 

Me:  Waddaya think about a float?
God Himself:  Anything change since last year?
Me:  Okay then.

So we fashioned an oversized candy cane from irrigation pipe, and gigantic sourballs from exercise balls, and in keeping with the Candyland theme we handed out candy canes with this little poem attached. 

A significant symbol of Christmas
Is the simple candy cane.
It's shape is the crook of the shepherd
One of the first who came.

The lively peppermint flavor is
The regal gift of spice.
The white is Jesus' purity.
The red is sacrifice.

 
The narrow stripes are friendship, 
And the nearness of his love.
Eternal, sweet compassion
A gift from God above.

The candy cane reminds us all
Of just how much God cared.
And like His Christmas gift to use
It's meant to be broken and shared.

We didn't win any prizes this year.  But God is always pleased with obedience and I think even more so when it comes without a fight, so we are calling this a win.

 On a side note:  We were having hot chocolate and a little fellowship after the parade and they had to come and ask us to move our float.  Because it was the only one still left in the middle of the street.   Because if you know anything about our church you know we are never in a hurry to leave. 

Photo Shoot

Princess Amidala and my favorite SIL travelled across the country to spend Thanksgiving with us. 

And I took these great pictures so I would remember the week.

What?  Just one picture of the princess' backside while she shoots a handgun?

Oh, no.  I got this one of her with the rifle as well.

And this one of the mud she and I kept stepping in.

And this one of the beer can we shot right through.  And that is all.

Sometimes I have such a good time and make such precious memories that I neglect to record them.

The End of Time

Although the Goob successfully completed the math unit on 'time' in elementary school, he has never really mastered telling time using a analog clock.  The result of growing up in a primarily digital world where the time is readily available on the video player and his cellphone.  He doesn't understand the concepts of 'quarter after' or 'five of'.  So even though I have a traditional kitchen clock on the wall, he uses the clock on the microwave when he is in the kitchen.
The other day I was reheating something in the microwave, when the Goob walked through the kitchen.

Goob:  Oh, I'm late.
Me:  For what?
Goob:  Evidently for everything.

Coming Soon in a Box

I am still working on my Christmas project.   Because I learned from last year (when I built a large heavy wooden project that cost a half a boatload to ship to my favorite brother), I am using a lighter building material this year.  Here is a sneak peek.

When the Dodge City Postmaster asks me if there is anything flammable in the box, will I have to mention a fire-breathing dragon?

Princess Amidala Came to Visit

Things you should know about my youngest daughter:
1.  She is a great house guest
2.  She has a great sense of humor (much like my own...)
3.  Her husband eats my cooking
4.  Our toenails are the same color (Green With Envy)
5.  She gives great hugs
6.  I did not take enough pictures of her while she was here
7.  I miss her like crazy

Thanksgiving Morning

The turkey is in the oven.  Stuffed.    The cranberry jello salad is complete.  The pumpkin sandwich cake is ganached.  Let the festivities begin.

92.  Airplanes that travel across the country in mere hours.
93.  Hearing my baby girl sing praises
94.  Being able to sing next by her
95.  Stuffing and cranberry jello salad like my mom makes
96.  Sweet potato casserole like the STP's mom made
97.  A day to give thanks
98.  That I do not have any need for Black Friday deals
99.  Finishing things on my list
100.  Finishing the list

My Mistake

86.  Zumba (because its good to burn some calories before the day really starts)
87.  Mistakes (like a jar of crunchy peanut butter that the Goob won't eat)
88.  Oatmeal Cranberry Peanut Butter Flourless Cookie Recipes (and all the ingredients on hand to make them--even crunchy peanut butter)
89.  Whistling tea kettles (because warm cookies are even better with a cuppa tea)
90.  Adaptations (like mini-chocolate chip oatmeal peanut butter flourless cookies)
91.  Sharing (flourless cookies with the gluten-free STP and the recipe with you)

peanut butter cookies

1  16oz jar of crunchy peanut butter (Or 2 cups creamy p.b.--if you never make mistakes)
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt  (I omitted this by mistake.  Oops!)

Add ins:
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup dried cranberries

Heat oven to 350F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  Mix the first six ingredients until smooth.  Fold in the add ins. 
Shape the dough into balls, place on prepared sheets.  Using the tines of a fork, flatten each ball, creating a crisscross pattern.
Bake, until puffed and golden, 10-12 minutes.  Let cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely enough to not burn your mouth.
Enjoy.

Note:  Optional add ins:
                 1 cup broken salted pretzels
                 1 cup chopped chocolate covered toffee bar
This option sounds absolutely wonderful although not gluten-free.  Still and all, I may have to pick up some Heath Bits at the grocery store by mistake.




 

Little Things, Big Thanks

76.  Discount codes
77.  Freshly fallen snow
78.  Footprints in freshly fallen snow
79.  Anticipation
80.  Early out on Friday afternoon
81.  One day until Thanksgiving vacation
82.  Muppets, especially Statler and Waldorf
83.  Sleeping lap dogs
84.  Kisses and hugs
85.  Chocolate

75%

71.  DVR
72.  succulents
73.  snow
74.  cute flats
75.  stylish sweaters

One Day--Real Simple

I tore the page right out of the November issue.  Real Simple's guide to getting your shopping done in one day. 

And I tried to follow the plan as closely as possible.  Including oatmeal for breakfast.  Because nothing says Christmas like fiber, protein, and healthy fats.  I wore my stylish new sweater and my cute flats.  And I think they did boost my self-confidence.  I had my coupons and my list compiled.  I had no companions.  I arrived at my first store at 10:00 am. 

Buy something inexpensive first.  Check.  Get in, get out.  Toys R Us in under 10 minutes?!?  Check.  Steer Clear of Attractive Sales People. Check.   

Avoid the main entrance by entering a side door.  Check.  (Although I would have benefited by exiting the same door I entered, thus saving the time I spent looking for my car.) Pay for purchases in less crowded areas of the store like men's underwear.  Check.  

Lunch at 1pm.   I opted for the chicken snack wrap at McD's (and the protein rich salad later in the day for supper.)  NO carboydrate-laden picks for me.  At 2pm I was supposed to perk myself up with a manicure or a massage. 

A free chair massage at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Check and Recheck.

Add in a stop at the fabric store and a shopping cart full of all the ingredients for a project.  Could this day be any more fun?  They were playing "I'll Be Home For Christmas" in the store, but I had Katy Perry's "Firework" in my head.  124 beats per minute and me moving quickly and efficiently.  (I think I was just doing my zumba moves in my head, but I could have gotten a little carried away.)

I picked up the STP after lunch.  Office Max and two Sporting Good Stores later he had broken the Get in, Get Out rule, and the Don't talk to Attractive Salespeople rule.  (And he had steak and mashed potatoes for supper.)  But meet your spouse for supper was strongly suggested, and I have to admit he is good company.

And we multitasked and ate at a restaurant that offered a $10 bonus with our gift card purchase.

 At the end of the day, after just one additional order online, I was finished with my Christmas shopping.  If I didn't live 2 hours from civilization I could have gotten my wrapping done as well.  As it was I just enjoyed the sleigh ride home.

Let it snow.  Let it snow.  Let it snow.