Christmas Day 2009

The last two days have been quite interesting , to say the least. As I mentioned in my earlier post, Steph was stranded in Denver and Emily had the stomach virus at her in-laws house in Odessa. Well, after spending app. 18 hours over a two day period at the Denver Airport, Steph finally made it to Midland Christmas Eve. She spent the night at the Barne's home and they drove into Abilene around 1:00 pm Christmas day. We were ever so anxious for them to arrive....The table was set....

the stockings were full...

and Lucy was ready to see her sissies!!!!


Yeah they're here!!!

After a yummy lunch, we went to the movie to see "The Blind Side". What a great movie!! We then came home and opened Christmas presents....




and opened more presents!!! It was a great day, to say the least. However, tomorrow will be a different story!! Stay tuned for Part 2.

Who Woulda Thunk??????

Well, this is what we woke up to this morning!! Looks like it's going to be a White Christmas in Abilene. What makes it so crazy is that yesterday it was like a beautiful spring day...70 degrees and really nice. Today, Winter Storm Warning and more snow. Just as crazy as the weather, is the "craziness" that is going on with our family. Will post more on that later, but basically no one is here but Mark and me. Steph is stuck in Denver and may or may not get here. EMily and Josh are in Odessa with a stomach virus rumbling thru his family and Emily is the latest victim. Hopefully Josh won't get it. So for now, we are waiting and praying for the best. And for you, my friends, may you have a blessed White Christmas with your family!! Hugs and Kisses from me on this snowy Christmas Eve!

Christmas Favorites

I can hardly believe that Christmas is almost here and I have not posted since before Thanksgiving. Sorry about that, but as I have checked other blogs, it seems as if I am not the only one in a "blogging slump". With so much to do and time racing by, blogging has taken a back seat for a while!! However, the other night while I was turning out lights to go to bed, I just had to pick up my camera and take a few pics of the "magic and memories" that Christmas brings in our home. Above is our tree...no theme or frills..just full of ornaments from friends and family. I hope you enjoy this post, and most of all, I hope you enjoy this special time of year when we stop to focus on and celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
Stephanie's first ornament..1980

Gift from a friend


Glittered cross ornament made by one of my girls...Emily, I think.



Stephanie at age 5

Emily just waking up from a nap at Mother's Day Out when they snapped this pic.

The Santa face is painted on a leaf from the magnolia tree that was in Mark's parents' yard in Kilgore, Texas. His sister gathered some leaves before Mark's mom moved and had a woman paint Santa's face on them. Isn't it darling??

I love glittered pinecones.

Little vintage house by a local artist. So Sweet!

I picked these up at an estate sale and I take very special care of them...They make me smile! Well, I guess that is all for now!! Again, enjoy this time of year and may your holiday be blessed as you spend time with family and friends and experience the magic of Christmas!!!

Hook'em Horns!

Weekend before last, Mark and I took a little trip to Waco to meet up with Josh and Emily and go to the Texas vs. Baylor game. We went to Temple the night before to visit and spend the night with Eunice, Mark's mom. Mark and his mom before we left to go to the game.
Here we all are...excited and ready to see the Longhorns play!

A sea of orange!!

Josh and Emily with the players (behind them) warming up before the game. Game time was 11:00, but we got there at 9:00 so we could see the guys warm up....

Especially this guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are BIG COlt McCoy fans and it was so much fun watching him play and being so close to the field. We were only 6 rows up!

What a cutie!

After the big WIN, we went out to eat with Mark's mom, sister, nephew and wife , and their precious children, Elijah and Sadie. Here is Emily holding her 2nd cousins, Elijah and Sadie. I would have had more pics of the fam to post , but after about 20 pictures of Colt McCoy, my battery died!!! Anyway, it was a great day for Texas football at its best!!!!!!

Pumpkin Delight!

This is a dessert that many of you have asked me to post on my blog. It is a great alternative to pumpkin pie and serves a lot more people than a regular pie. No crust and so easy. A real treat to have at Thanksgiving or any fall event! So, here we go!!!!

Pumpkin Delight!

1-16 oz. can of pure pumpkin
1-12 oz. can of evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. salt

Using mixer, mix together all of the above ingredients and pour into a 9x13 ungreased, pyrex dish OR fill baking cups 2/3 full. Top with:

2 cups yellow cake mix (not the kind with pudding) sifted evenly over the pumpkin mixture.
1 stick butter, melted and drizzled over cake mix
1 cup of chopped pecan pieces sprinkled on top

Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes, until slightly firm. Chill overnight,serve cold and top with whipped topping.

My First Shiner!!

Yesterday I got up feeling great, excited about the day, baked a cake before 10:00a.m. and started cleaning the house!! I was even enjoying that mundane task until the candlestick and I had a little altercation. As I was dusting our mantel, somehow my left hand bumped the candlestick and the next thing I knew I was "seeing stars"!!! Within two minutes, I had a goose egg on my left eyebrow. I stopped and put ice on it for a little bit, but got back to cleaning, took a shower,etc. As the day went on, the discoloration got worse and I wasn't feeling so hot myself. This morning I made a quick trip to the Walk-In Clinic, had an x-ray to make sure there was no fracture, and was sent home to take it easy. Last week, colonoscopy, this week...candlestick. Wonder what's in store for next week...Swine Flu????? Sure hope not! Have a safe and fun Halloween from one scarey looking woman...ME!

It's One of Those Days!!

Yep! It's one of those days when I love to be at home! It's raining outside and the air is cool....
The water is splashing and dancing on the patio outside the kitchen...

As I look out my kitchen window, I'm dreaming of homemade vegetable soup, muffins, hot coffee, and cookies! Mmmmmmmmm!!!
BUT....

That dream is shattered as I look at what is waiting for me today, tomorrow and Friday morning!! I would rather have a root canal than to prepare for this event. For those of you under 50 who have not had the privilege yet, it is called a COLONOSCOPY. So, my friends, here is my diet until noon on Friday!! DO you feel my pain????? Please, I need some sympathy!! Do I hear an Amen????

But I will try to handle this like an adult, drink my broth and Rejoice in spite of it all!!

Feelings of Fall!

Fall always conjures up many feelings in me. Most of them are good, but some are a bit melancholy. I really miss my girls in the fall because of so many great memories of football games, volleyball travels, pep rallies, trick or treating when they were little, etc., etc.! However, I do love the season and the beautiful scenery it brings.I love looking out my front door as I sit in my living room and seeing the pumpkins and other fall things I have on my front porch.
On the other side, I love walking up to my front door because, well, it just looks so "fallish" !!!




A bale of hay, sweet potato vine and pumpkins greet me.

Pretty fall wreaths!

Now that's a PUMPKIN!!!

I love this!

A wall pocket with fall foliage and of course, a stone bird. I do have a bird fettish!

Not too fallish, but the rains have really made my coleus flourish.

The butterflies have arrived and my sweet little neighbor is trying to get them to fly so I can get some pics.

Well, we had to settle for a still shot. Aren't they pretty???

Yep, fall is a beautiful time of year and I love it, even tho I miss my girls a bunch!!! What do you like about fall??? Let me know!!

Quaint Marketplace

The Second Annual Quaint Marketplace.....and that, my friends, explains where I have been and what I have been doing for the past several weeks. Getting "my stuff" ready for this event was hard on this old girl, but in the end, it was great fun! Several of my friends who follow my blog emailed me to see if I was OK, since I had not blogged for several weeks. Thanks for checking on me, pals. Ahhh, to feel loved and missed!!! OK, back to the Marketplace. At the last minute, we had to move our location from Jana's beautiful backyard to a more protected area. (due to rain) Homer and Rhonda Hillis graciously let us use the warehouse at their store, Hannah Jane. We went from a lush, garden setting to warehouse funky. It was a great day and fun was had by all. The pics below tell the story of the day. I don't think my camera was on the correct setting, but at least you can get a glimpse into what it was all about! Also, I APOLOGIZE profusely to those whose booths I did not get photographed. Molly, I KNOW I took pics of your fabulous pillows but where in the world did my camera put them??? So many other fun vendors,but for the moment, this is all I have to show. Enjoy!Welcome!!!!
Even a place to leave your stuff!

Yummy food and drinks.


Distinguished guests....Kind of scarey,huh??



Nancy's fabulous birdcage! Yes, I am still mad that I didn't know it was FOR SALE and it slipped out the door!




My vintage Bingo Cards turned into fun greeting cards.





Clipboards become wall art with vintage bird prints.

Brandy's wonderful works of art. So talented!

My new friend from Pearland brings her sweet frames,etc. to add to our Market.

More of Nancy's "Good Stuff".

Mary's handpainted magnets. These went like hotcakes.

Sweet little dresses from antique pillowcases. My picture does not do them justice.

Jana's precious burp cloths

Pam's creations. So fun!

"I love this, don't you??

"Chick Magnets"

Ornaments from the past.