REVIEW of 2011

Just a recap of the most exciting moments of each month of this year.
January
Having all the kids come home was the best.

February
Finding 6 tubes of Carmex in my purse.

Our -21 weather was memorable too.

March
I discovered that my smartphone autocorrects my name
to Tsunami. Best day ever!

April
My love for Peanut M&M's and Lexi's wedgie.

Both awesome!

May
Without a doubt....being able to go to Florida.

June
Celebrating our anniversary!

July
Had to be the wedding of child #4.

August
Attempting the climb to Table Rock.

September
Had to be getting CHICKENS!

I love them still!

October
Canning. Lots of it.

November
My dad turning 80.

December
The best part of the year.
Celebrating the birth of the Savior.

It has been a great year!

HILARIOUS!

PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR

I read this book when I was in high school. It was a favorite called Charlie's Monument by Blaine Yorgason.
At the end of the book was this poem.
I loved it then and I love it still.

Since I print my blog into a book, I wanted to be sure to have this in it.
It had a profound effect on me as a teenager.

God,
before He sent his children to earth
gave each of them
a very carefully selected package
of problems.

These,
He promised, smiling,
are yours alone. No one
else may have the blessings
these problems will bring you.

And only you
have the special talents and abilities
that will be needed
to make these problems
your servants.

Now go down to your birth
and to your forgetfulness, know that
I love you beyond measure.
These problems that I give you
are a symbol of that love.

The monuments you make of your life,
with the help of your problems,
will be a symbol of your
love for me.

Your Father.

A CHRISTMAS POEM

Twas five days before Christmas
and all through the house...
The shopping's NOT done.
I feel like a louse.

The days off from the Emergency Room
were planned to the MAX!
Wrapping presents and cooking
and taking time to relax.

But what occured was NOT in the plan
A trip to the hospital to spend days with my dad.
"What's with that cardiac rhythm?"
Turns out it's not that bad.

So back to work I go,
for three upcoming days.
Still have lots to do,
I'm sure we'll find a way.

What is really the best...
in this crazy time of year,
is loved ones and health
and "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

So things might not be perfect.
Things just might be late.
The chocolates still sit...
please try not to hate.

Things might not be what I wanted.
Things will remain somewhat undone.
But the things that matter most,
Is the Birth of the Son.

Merry CHRISTmas 2011

Chocolate Winner..............

BARBALOOT!
Barbaloot said...
Ooh ooh-a chance to win some of your chocolate!!

What if you use the new space to put season boards up---like Merry Christmas, Happy Easter, God Bless America...?

Or put up a family picture?

Email me with your address!

A CRAZY NEIGHBOR ELF!

During the summer an crazy neighbor elf hung an ornament on a tree by my front steps.
She didn't think I'd notice.
But I thought "I'll show her and leave it there"

And I did!
Since July!
Well this week I got home late on Wednesday and noticed a companion ornament!

(pretty huh?)
Yesterday you'll never guess!

That's right!
ANOTHER ORNAMENT!
Ok, now I'm on a mission to catch my crazy neighbor elf!
I'm gonna spy.
I'm gonna be vigilant and catch her in the act!
I'm home for a few days so I'll be able to catch the sneaker.

DANG! Just ran outside to get the mail and "lo and behold....."

I don't know how that little elf does it!

I know there are homes "out there" that have houses lit up choreographed with music and all that stuff, but I'm pretty sure NO ONE has more awesomeness in their yard than I do!

And no one has a more awesome crazy neighbor ELF than I do!
I just love you RUTH! ELF!

Cars are starting to drive by loaded up with their little ones to admire the display.
I might NEVER take them down!

(oh, and go to the previous post to enter to win some hand-dipped chocolate!)

HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS FINALLY DOWN!

You think I'm kidding?
Well.....I'm not.

Life has been a little too busy.
Work really cramps my style.
I just wanna play all the time.

The tree is up.
Candice is cleaning the house (AWESOMENESS!)
And I did a little crafting today.

I made a tree-skirt.
I copied it from Red Hen Home who saw it on Pinterest from here.
Red Hen's was so DARLING.
I knew I had to make one.

A little burlap and red fabric....

.....and a bunch of hot glue sticks.
(Did you know that surgical gloves keep you from getting burned on hot glue?)

It felt good to craft!

I also took down my SWAG.
We've had it for a million years.
It may be older than Candice.

I loved it because it took up a lot of room on my large living room wall.
My children noticed that it is ALL of the family pictures.
(It really is!!!!)

I'm tempted to cut it up into small pieces and give it to the SPAWN for Christmas.

In honor of the SWAG going away I'm going to have a CHOCOLATE GIVEAWAY.
It's some of my own hand-dipped chocolates.
All you need to do is leave a comment telling me what in the heck am I going to put on my wall!

I'll random.org the winner on Saturday.

MY FRIEND IS A DIPper!

On Tuesday afternoon Kimmie came over to the house to learn how to play in chocolate.
She was a quick study.

It was fun to hang out and talk about our families.

She was so excited to add another skill to the list of things that she does so well.

And she is just DANG nice!
She's an awesome dipper!
Go over to her blog to get great recipes and ideas.
She's pretty amazing.

Sa-WEET!

Let the dipping begin continue!
Caramel

Before dipping...

After dipping.
Butter Toffee

Any recipe that requires 4 cubes of butter....'nuff said!
Orange Cream
Butter Cream
Dipped Cinnamon Santas...

be careful when spelling Santa...or you'll get Satan.
Caramel-dipped-chocolate-dipped pretzel rods...

I hope to finish on Friday.
Then I really should put up a tree and decorate the house.

Butter Toffee

1 C water
2 C sugar
4 cubes of butter

Stir and bring to boil. Once it starts to boil DO NOT STIR.
Cook until it reaches 290-300 degrees with a candy thermometer.

Pour over parchment paper.
Let cool.
Spread with melted chocolate and let cool again.
Turn over and spread the other side.
Let cool.
Then drop it to break it into pieces. (fun part!)

FRIENDS AND WEDDINGS

I met Connie a couple of years ago at the CBC.

(Kazzy, Connie and me.)
I also met Camille, Connie's daughter.

(Isn't she purty?
And what's with that deer-in-the-headlight look????)
I met up with Connie about a year ago. She came to Gigi's sisters funeral.
We both wanted to be there to support Gigi.

The amazing thing about blogging friends is that I seem to gravitate to women that inspire and motivate me to be better, kinder and teach me something.
Last night I got to meet Connie again.
Her sweet daughter Camille married a boy from my hometown!
Did I remember my camera?
NO!
Did I get a picture of the bride and groom?
NO!
Thank goodness for cell phone cameras.

Connie's husband said that he is amazed by the blogging phenomenon.
Ya, me too.
The reception was beautiful and the cupcakes were delicious.
I was a little frazzled because I was trying to keep my 3 year old granddaughter in sight.
Note the jars in my hands.
Connie's own apricot jam, grape jelly and juice!
I totally scored!
Since I have met up with Connie three times now, I'm thinking we'll be going to the all family reunions!
I'll probably get to see her more often because Camille is living here!

IS IT REALLY DECEMBER?

How is that possible?
Haven't decorated or shopped.

I did do a couple of crafts. (M-Cat would be proud.)
Inspired by Connie at Shady Creek Lane.

I bought 50 pounds of chocolate to dip.

I must be insane.
Maybe I'll do all of those things after I watch the best Christmas show ever.

Claymation Christmas!
Most hilarious show ever!