Just Barely Made It!

Whew! I almost let a whole month go by without a single post!!!!! There's just no excuse for it! It doesn't matter that I had company three different weekends, throw in two holidays (yes, I know Thanksgiving really isn't in the same month, but it sure felt like it). There's also the fact that this is the first Christmas I've ever gone through without my mother. December was also the month she would have celebrated a birthday and another anniversary, so emotions were running a little high for me. But I survived!

Here's a few pictures of our Christmas:

Kaylee and Nolan made sure they sprinkled lots of reindeer food for Santa and his reindeer.








The food must have worked, because Kaylee and Nolan got lots of toys.




Nolan was a little unsure what to expect:



but at 5, Kaylee was an old pro:



It didn't take Nolan too long to understand that presents were fun!




We had a true Texas Christmas, Nolan got a pair of boots (which he wore the rest of the weekend)



and Kaylee got a pair of pink and blue cowboy boots. (I know this picture isn't the best, but it's the best I've got of the boots.)



The weather was pretty, so Nolan got to ride his new kawasaki outside.



Brother and sister got to share some good times together:



My daughter-in-law's mother and I had fun playing the Wii.






And at the end of the day, Nolan still had his boots on and a smile on his face.




Thanks for letting me share some precious time spent with family. And now my wish for you:

H ours of happy times with friends and family
A bundant time for relaxation
P rosperity
P lenty of love when you need it the most
Y outhful excitement at lifes simple pleasures

N ights of restful slumber (you know - dont' worry be happy)
E verything you need
W ishing you love and light

Y ears and years of good health
E njoyment and mirth
A angels to watch over you
R embrances of a happy years!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

And The List Grows and Grows

I just added the Christmas countdown to my sidebar and I think I'm experiencing an anxiety attack! I've never had one before, but my chest is tightening and I'm finding it harder and harder to breathe. All I can think about is what I need to be doing and yet, I can't seem to make myself do anything. We did get all the Christmas down, but they're still in their boxes. Perhaps I'll get started tomorrow.... and then again, maybe not. Or dear, I'm getting short of breath again.

Pineapple Coconut Chess Pie

I realize everyone is getting ready for the holidays and thinking about pumpkin or pecan pies, but I made this pie this weekend and it was soooo good, I just have to share it with you!



Pineapple Coconut Chess Pie

2 cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup of butter, melted
1 heaping teaspoon of flour
1 heaping teaspoon of cornmeal
2 cups coconut
1 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
1 10 inch unbaked pie shell

Mix sugar and eggs; add butter, flour, cornmeal, coconut and pineapple. Mix well. Pour into unbaked pie shell and bake at 350° for one hour.



Enjoy your week!

Fun Weekend With the Grandkids

It's that busy time of year!!!! I've been so busy lately that I haven't even gotten to catch up on all the blogs. It sure would be nice if I didn't have to work and I could just play all day and visit all you nice people out in blogland. But, I guess I should be thankful that I've got a good job and good health. Hopefully the good health will still be with me when I finally do get to retire!

The kids came in to visit us this weekend. Here's a few pictures from their visit. We had a good old chuckwagon lunch out at Mike's brother's ranch. The kids had a great time. Here's Nolan checking out the chuckwagon with Papaw Richey.














And here's Nolan and Kaylee with Uncle B waiting for the cows to come up.




Isn't she a cutie????




Whoa! Those cows are big!!! I'm outta here!!!




We are havingt a serious hog problem out at our land, so Mike and Brandon had a hog trap built. Wouldn't you know it?? The kids loved it!!












And here's Kaylee with Emily and Ryan. They really had a great time!!!





Just a few quick pictures. Hope all of you are enjoying your week!

Hunting Season

Yesterday was the opening day of deer season. Here in Texas, that is almost considered a national holiday! The hunters have spent many hours getting their food plots in, keeping the deer feeders full, checking the pictures from their game cameras and anticipating getting the big one! With all the excitement going on around here, you would think it was Christmas! They don't know it, but I enjoy deer season as much as they do. I get to have the weekend to myself. I can sleep in and eat anything I want for lunch. I also get to go shopping and spend as much time as I want at places like Hobby Lobby or the fabric store.


Well, guess what I got yesterday? I bought myself one of these:





A serger. I've never even used one and truthfully, I'm not sure I really needed it. So to justify my purchase, I thought about all the money Mike has spent on his hunting stuff. And then I put it in my basket and ran to the checkout before I changed my mind.

It's a little intimidating, but I did make a couple of small things last night, and I think I might be able to actually sew with it. It wasn't one of the really expensive ones, but it will be just fine for me. Now I've got to get busy on some Christmas projects! After all, it's only 53 more days 'til Christmas!!!!!

Pear Relish

What do you do when your brother-in-law has a pear orchard? Well, you can them! I made some pear relish and pear preserves. Next I'm making pear butter. The worse part of making all this is the peeling. But, it's still fun to do. If you've never canned anything, why not start? It's a great feeling. I just bought a new book called, "The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving". I'm anxious to try some new and different stuff.

Here's all you need: pears, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, sweet onions, apple cider vinegar and pickling spice. Oops, forgot the apple cider vinegar for the picture.






Chop the pears, onions, and peppers.








Place two teaspoons of pickling spice in cheesecloth to make a bouquet garnish. I tie mine with a pretty long string so it makes it easier to remove.







Put all in a pot and bring to a boil, while stirring often.






When it turns a pretty golden color and the pears, peppers and onions are tender, then it's ready to process. Remove the bouquet garnish.








Be sure you use hot jars and be sure to also put the tongs in the hot water.







I use a canning funnel to put the relish in the jars. Be sure you wipe the rim clean with a clean damp cloth before putting the lid on. Screw the rims on just finger tight and place back in water. Make sure the water is about an inch over the jars. Bring water to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Using a jar lifter, remove the jars from the water. After a few minutes, you'll start hearing little pings. This is a good sound, it means you did the canning properly.

Here's the pear relish along with some pear preserves I made.

Pear Relish

10 pears, peeled and chopped
2 medium sweet onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pickling spices

Place all ingredients in a large pot and bring mixture to a boil, stirring often. Lower the temperature to a medium heat and cook approximately 40 minutes or until the pears, peppers and onions are soft in texture.

Heat jars in water for about ten minutes. Put relish in hot jars and process for ten minutes in a water bath.

Pear relish can be served warm or cold. Pear relish makes a great dipping sauce for oriental foods. Mix pear relish in barbecue sauce for a great sauce. Relish is good on hot dogs, barbecue, pork and chicken.

Self-Indulgence

I was just wondering ... what do you do just for yourself? When you really want to indulge and pamper yourself. Do you indulge yourself with chocolate?

Ummm, I love a good brownie!




Or do you pick out a really good book, lock yourself in your room and read?





Or maybe you're a health nut and take time to exercise.





Or maybe you have a hobby and allow yourself the time and money to enjoy it.

Like painting......



or sewing.






Do you want to know how I pamper myself?

Okay, now my kids can answer this one immediately! I can spend hours doing this!

Can you guess what it is?

I love taking bubble baths!




Actually, I don't even have to have the bubbles. I love to just soak in a nice, warm tub. I think it started when my kids were little. I've always worked and Mike and I are from the generation that the father didn't really get involved with the household chores. After a hard day of work, doing the laundry, cooking and washing dinner and getting the kids to bed, there was nothing as luxurious as a nice warm bath! And then when the kids got older and our lives got more hectic, it was the one nice place I could go and not be interrupted. This was before cordless phones and so there was no phone calls or at least they had to take my messages for me. It was my escape! Now, I still love to soak in a warm bath. I read, do sudoku puzzles, talk to the kids on the phone (they've learned to just ignore the water splashing). When my mother passed away, I would just sit in the bathtub and cry. And now when my grand kids are here, I will even share my tub with my granddaughter. She loves the whirlpool jets! So, tell me, what do you do just for you?????

My Hubby and An Award

Let me share a few things about this wonderful husband that I have. Now, first of all, he absolutely hates having his picture made, so if he sees me coming at him with a camera, he usually turns his head the opposite direction. Or worse, gives me this really awful look that really means don't even think about taking my picture. Also, if he knew I was going to tell these few things about him, he would really be upset with me, so please don't tell him.




1. He's sitting in front of the TV; what is on the screen?
This is easy, it used to be CNN, but he's really upset with the way they are being so biased on the presidential candidates, so he's now watching Fox News. He also watches the discovery channel, weather channel (seriously!) and the outdoor channel. And he loves watching movies.

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Always, always Ranch dressing and he always asks for extra!

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
Jalapeno peppers

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order?
Miller Light

5. Where did he go to high school?
Abilene High

6. What size shoe does he wear?
10 1/2

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
Guns

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Plain ole' ham

9. What would this person eat every day if he could?
Steak and potatoes

11. What would he never wear?
A little skimpy speedo bathing suit.

12. What is his favorite sports team?
Dallas Cowboys

13. Who will he vote for?
Without a doubt or any hesitation, McCain

14. Who is his best friend?
Me, of course!

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
I don't think I clean out my closets enough for him.

16. How many states has he lived in?
Two, Illinois and Texas

17. What is his heritage?
His father was German

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
He loves any cake that doesn't have nuts in it.

19. Did he play sports in high school?
Nope

20. What could he spend hours doing?
Watching TV




And now, a few weeks ago Stacey gave me this great award.

***These are the rules which must be posted:

This award was created by Memoirs of a Mommy. It’s a very special award that she created in Honor Of The Donor That Saved (her son) Noah’s Life. Noah received a heart transplant, and she hopes that by passing this award around the blogosphere everyone can help raise awareness of the need for Organ Donation.

The rules of this award are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog.

**All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipients to do the same**

I give this award to :

My sweet daughter, Jennifer and my wonderful daughter-in-law, Kellie.