Wordless Wednesday

New Additions

Every year I look so forward to opening our ornament box. It is like opening a box of treasured memories. Each year a few more are added to the collection and this year was no exception. The Ale 8 bottle ornament was given to me by my mother in law. Ale 8 is a soft drink that is made in my husband's hometown. The "He hunts therefore I shop" ornament was given to me by my sister in law. She knows me so well! It should say, "He hunts therefore we shop!". The glass New York will be a reminder of the wonderful trip we had to NYC this fall. Hannah received several new ones as well. Lucy's chocolate factory will help us remember what a terrific Lucy she was at Halloween and I glittered the "H" to adorn one of her birthday gifts. The monogrammed ball is a sample of the ornament that we attached to all of her birthday invitations. I am sad that it is time to close up the box yet again. I wonder what momentos will be added to the collection next year.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Time Flies

 

My how the time has flown. My sweet Hannah turns eleven today. I will post about the festivities later in the week, right now we have some celebrating to do!

Christmas Recital

 

Our weekend was very busy with holiday festivities. Saturday Hannah was in a Christmas dance recital. She performed in a tap number-Dig That Crazy Santa Claus and a jazz number-Let it Snow. She did a terrific job! My girl can bust a move! (I don't know if people use that expression anymore, but I am a product of the 80's.) I'll just be honest, she gets it from me. Back in the day I could Roger Rabbit and moon walk with the best of them! I hope you enjoy the pics from the afternoon.

Truly Scrumptious

 

Last night I attended a cookie exchange party. Cookie Monster would have been in heaven. There were cookies of every size, shape and flavor. Everyone was asked to bring 6 dozen of one type of cookie to share. We then were provided a bakery box by our hostess and filled them up with a variety of cookies to take home. There were prizes given for best tasting cookie, prettiest cookie and best presentation. I had my cookies all packed up to go to the party in Tupperware when I remembered the contest. The pressure was on! I couldn't take them in plain old plastic! I quickly found a platter and asked very nicely for my husband to go out in the cold and cut some holly sprigs to lay on my platter. Sadly the birds have had a feast on our holly berries and we only had one berry left. Holly is just not very festive without berries. I explained that I was very appreciative that he weathered the cold for me, but I just couldn't possibly use holly leaves with no berries. Thank goodness I married a man with an eye for detail. He totally understood. I didn't win a prize for my cookies, but I think they are truly scrumptious.

One of my favorite movies has a character named Truly Scrumptious. Can you name it?

I took Coconut Corn Flake Cookies to the party. Here is the recipe.

3/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups coconut
2 cups self-rising flour
2 cups corn flakes

Cream butter and sugars. Then add eggs, vanilla, coconut, flour and corn flakes. Drop by spoonful on cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Been There and Bought the T-shirt

Yesterday I spent my day on the 5th and 6th grade choir 2009 Christmas tour. The first stop was a nursing home (I missed that leg of the tour), then on to the courthouse. Our performers then got to have lunch at the mall. This is the part of the tour where I became invisible to my daughter. I know she loves me and we are very close, but right now her friends are very important to her. But, I gave birth to her for goodness sake, shouldn't she want to spend all of her time with me, her lovely mother? I know she is just beginning to spread her wings, I just like her in the nest. Okay, let me get a tissue and wipe my eyes and we'll get back to the tour. The last stop was at an assisted living home. The choir did a beautiful job. Afterward the students mingled with the residents, wishing them a Merry Christmas. I'm sure many of the kids were out of their comfort zone, but I was so proud of the way they conducted themselves. They truly were young ladies and gentlemen. Being a groupie is exhausting, but I can say that I've been there and bought the t-shirt (actually, there were no t-shirts, but I totally would have bought one).

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Blessings

We look so forward every year to receiving Christmas greetings from our family and friends. It is so nice to hear what has transpired in each family over the past year. As the cards come in we remember good times shared with friendships old and new. It has become a tradition that we lift up these precious families in prayer as we receive their cards. We are so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with so many special relationships and pray His richest blessings for all of you.

Weekend Fun With the Fam

We had a wonderful weekend! My aunt and cousin came for a visit. As a child I always enjoyed spending the night at Aunt Mayme's house. I remember swimming in their pool, eating LaRosa's pizza, watching movies and staying up late. There was never a dull moment. I'm thrilled that we were able to spend some time together and make new memories. Saturday was spent in Music City. I love seeing the Opryland Hotel decorated for the holidays. We didn't have time to go inside, but the outside is just magical! We started our day with lunch at the Macaroni Grill. It was delicious! I have a new fondness for their blackberry mint iced tea, sweet, of course! Then it was off to do some Christmas shopping. It's hard to tell that there is a recession going on by the many, many cars in the parking lot and the crowds of people in the mall. We didn't boost the economy very much with our purchases, but we had a lot of fun window shopping and people watching!

I was a little disappointed that our guests had to leave so early Sunday morning that they didn't get to join us for church. The singing was especially uplifting to me this week. We sang one of my favorites, Our God, He Is Alive. We sat in the front and could hear everyone singing out in beautiful harmony. That is a song that must be sung in its entirety. I am so disappointed when the song leader says we will only sing the first, second and last verses. It's a crime I tell you!

Our minister mentioned that Florida's quarterback, Tim Tebow was sporting John 16:33 under his eyes during Saturday's game and during a press conference. How nice it is to hear something positive in the world of sports!

Blessings ya'll! Have a great week!

Sounds of the Season

Last night we attended Hannah's Christmas strings concert. This is the second year that she has been in the program. We are thrilled that she is learning to read music, because that is a skill that she can carry into her adult life. We are proud of you Hannah! Your practice paid off!

Do you know the difference in the violin and the fiddle?
The violin has strings and the fiddle has strangs!

Ya'll have a blessed weekend!

A Gourdgeous Work of Art

One of my favorite ornaments on our tree is one that was made by my husband's grandmother. She was a very talented artist in many ways. She was a painter and she also did a wood burning tecnique on gourds. This particular ornament was given to me by Mike the first Christmas that we were dating. I felt very honored to receive such a special gift. I love the intricate detail of the nativity scene that was carefully burned onto the small gourd. Mike's grandmother could take something so insignificant and create a beautiful piece of art. Just as the scene was burned onto the gourd we are to write God's word on our hearts. If we allow Him to work in us He will create a masterpiece.

It has become a tradition that each Christmas Grandma Flatness' ornament is the first to go on our tree. She passed away before I really got acquaited with her, but I feel I have come to know her through stories from those that loved her very much. She was a special lady. We are keeping her memory alive by thinking of her as we continue this tradition. Hannah looks forward to digging into the box each Christmas for that very special first ornament.

What special traditions does your family carry on?

Wordless Wednesday

Hello....Is This Thing On?

I'm not sure if anyone is out there or if anyone cares what little me has to say, but I've done it! I have started myself a blog! I'm a tad nervous. It is kind of like basic public speaking class, only I'm not speaking, I'm typing. My palms are sweaty and I have a lump in my throat. I'll just do what I do when addressing a crowd. I'll invision you all in your underwear!

I love the phrase live, love, laugh. That is what I will be sharing with you, my life, things that I love and hopefully we will shares some laughs on our journey. Now, keep in mind that I have never claimed to be a literary genious. There will be misspelled words, punctuation and grammar errors. Also, I don't know how long this will last. I'm notorious for starting to write in journal books and then only filling a few pages. We'll see what happens. I'll do it as long as the thoughts and words will come to me. I look forward to opening up the pages of my lavish life with you. Now, go put some clothes on you look ridiculous sitting there in your undies!
Blessings ya'll!