I'm a cling-on

Every year, it's the same dilemma...what to do with the Christmas cards after Christmas is over.  I look forward to them so much, but it's the "then what??" that has me in a quandry. 

Why do I feel so guilty throwing them in the trash recycle bin?  Can glittery cards even GO in the recycle bin?? 

And what about those family photo cards?  There's something about me that can't part with photos, but how many pictures do I really need year after year of my friend's son going through the teen years?  I mean, family and close friends definitely go in the "save" pile and I put them in an envelope and put the year on it.   Then I come across them in a few years and think, "Hmmm, I wonder if I should still keep these?"   Everyone I ask gets that same tilted-head expression with the furrowed brow and says, "Well I keep them for a while."  Really?  No duh?  I wish I could just say, "Awwe, that's cute - see ya!", but I keep clinging.  Just what DO people do with those precious things when the holidays are over? 

I will say, the family photo card of a second cousin and her family in coconut tops is a keeper!

The after-Christmas blow-out

I think the wreath adds a little elegance to our dining room table atmosphere, reminding me that yes, there IS a reason it looks like that.  Well, that and a dog that loves to get into every single thing that's ground level!  Of course I'm going to put the blame somewhere - I learn from my children.  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with loved ones near you and you're now able to wake up from your sugar coma and carry on with the holiday festivities ~

By the way, I got what I asked for and am SO excited to make something in my new trifle dish!  Layers of cuteness and compliments to follow...bring it on!  I hope it's as easy as it looks or I'll have to dust that box every couple weeks when I dust my springform cheesecake pan, my cookie press, and my fondue set.

Christmas treasures

I just wanted to share a couple of my favorite things that I get out at Christmastime.  The first is the star that goes on our tree every year.  It was made by my daughter, Meredith, when she was 4 years old in pre-school (she's 20 now).  It's cardboard attached to a toilet paper roll and says, "Hugs and Kisses - Stars for Wishes". 

Another thing I like to get out this time of year is a collection of old Christmas books.  These are just a few but they're so sweet and bring back a lot of fun memories.  I keep them in a basket next to the fireplace.  Actually paper next to the fireplace isn't that smart, but they sure look cute.  

Finally, here are my elves who help make the day even more special.  My son was doing "no-shave November" which gives him a Fidel Castro-esque look, don't you think (minus the cigar)?  Hey wait, my mother-in-law's Cuban - I think we need to talk. ha ha  

However you celebrate the joy of the day, I hope you and your family have a very special Christmas and a 2010 full of many blessings!

Beyond imagination...apparently

So I had been having the never-ending cold of the year.  I was miserable and I'm sure you heard me whining from wherever you live.  It just wouldn't quit and it was nothing more than a headache and stuffy nose...every...single...day.  No fever, no cough, no other symptoms.  For 3 straight weeks my best friends were Advil Cold & Sinus (which I had to show my license and sign for every time), my vaporizor, and my Afrin nasal spray (I know, it's addicting, don't get me started).  Between you and me, I'll tell you why it's addicting - breathing comes in pretty handy!!   

Finally one Friday evening around 7:00 I decided to go to Walgreen's to their new Take Care Clinic. I knew I'd have to keep it a secret from my real doctor because last time I said I brought my daughter there they called it a "Doc in the Box".  Do I care??  I'm not having them remove a goiter for Pete's sake, I have a stuffy nose!  The nurse practitioner gave me some steroidal nose spray, told me to quit the Afrin, finish an antibiotic and I'd be good as new.  By the next afternoon, I could already tell it was getting better.  Within 2 or 3 days I was back to normal and decking my halls. Fa la la la la, la la la la.   

Then I got an e-mail from Walgreens about my experience there. Sure, it had the typical questions, but I just HAD to show you one question on their survey...

Let's see, I can't imagine a world without coffee or comfortable shoes that don't hurt my back, but can I imagine a world without Take Care Clinic??  Is that a trick question?  I'm being punk'd, aren't I??  If you're wondering how I answered, I clicked the button to the very far right where it says "Don't Know/Does Not Apply".  As in, "I don't want to hurt your feelings, but yeah, I can pretty much imagine it - and did for the first 44 years of my life."  Ding dongs.  I do have to admit, however, they did make my world a bit brighter!

It's only fair...

Thanks, Alicia, at More Than Words for hosting this Friday Photo Flashback every week, where we can all show our pre-digital photos!  Go join the fun or see what others have posted.

"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."

~ Bob Hope

I thought it would only be fair to have a picture of my husband at one of his earliest Christmas's (1962).  He's the one in the middle with his two brothers on either side.  I'm still not sure why they were wearing those hats, but hey not everybody can wear a pointy hat like that and still turn out normal so awesome!  You go, honey, and wear that hat proud.  

Love ya, babe!!

The Book of Meredith

This is what happens when you cross a 9th grader with New Testament religion class...

I just think she was very bored full of the Holy Spirit that day!  She's 20 years old now and alas, she and Jake have moved onto greener pages pastures.  I just love that Bible!

I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.  ~ Mother Teresa

C is for Cookie...

...that's good enough for me!

My husband makes cookies every year for the people that work for him.   Then he puts together extra platters for our good friends and holiday get-togethers.   I wish I had taken a picture of the assembly line of cute boxes on the kitchen table today.  Oh well!

Yesterday he made "puppy chow" and Chex Mix for just the family...

He's so much more fun than I am!  Here's my motto...

My second Christmas

Thanks, Alicia, for hosting Friday Photo Flashback!

Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles  ~ Author unknown

Go on, say it..."I didn't think your family could get any sillier COOLER than they were last year!  I was I guess 13 months old here and even today, you can still usually find me with something to eat in my hand and with that same look on my face.  That, 'I'm not sure who you are but I'm not sure I care either' look.  Now I know where it started!  Let's blame the one in the hat/bonnet/sleeping cap.

Brosnan, Pierce Brosnan

OK, I've never seen a James Bond movie but I know who Pierce Brosnan is and this is why I think he's adorable.  Not only is he still married to Keely Shaye Smith but he's proud of his honey!  Nice to see that in Hollywood.  And that's my 2 cents worth for today. 

As my kids would say, "Well that was random!".  Yeah I know.

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Now onto some other things... there are two wonderful giveaways going on now that you need to check out:

Yes, she is having a giveaway every single day of these 12 days with a different sponsor every day and there are only 2 days left after today.  (How many times can I use the word "day" in a sentence???  Apparently a lot.)  And it's cute stuff ~ I actually won a tea wallet one day.  A what?  A tea wallet - you put your little tea packets or individual Crystal Light packets in it and keep it in your purse.  Then of course I ordered some for Christmas because it was so original and cute!  But no purchase is necessary of course.

Next, Monica at The Mennobrarian is having a giveaway for this PRECIOUS Christmas pie plate, with a little cardinal pie bird - for venting of course.  Not venting like I have to tell you all my problems and get something off my chest, but venting, like steam.  Duh.  Shhhh, we won't tell her I've never made a real pie crust from scratch.  Hello - I don't want to put Pillsbury out of business!  You're welcome, Pillsbury.

Please visit these generous people and you may thank me later. Or now, whichever.

Hasta la pasta, baby!

Are you tired, run-down, listless?  Do you poop out at parties?  Well this is the time of year when we all get a little exhausted here and there from the hustle and the bustle and need something quick for supper.  This is a recipe a friend gave me years ago for Pasta con Broccoli and it's quick, easy, and perfect for those nights when you want something homemade that won't take you forever - or to take to a pot luck.  It's so tasty, too! ha ha

Pasta con Broccoli

1 packge of large shell noodles
1/2 stick of butter
1 cup of Parmesan cheese
1 pint of half & half
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
2 cloves garlic (I use 3 if they're small, or just a couple tsp. of the diced garlic in a jar)
1 package frozen chopped broccoli (use fresh if you like - also or instead!)
1/2-3/4 cup mushrooms - optional

Sheesh, think we buy store brand very often?

Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the garlic.  Cook for a minute or two and add the rest (except the broccoli and mushrooms) - could this GET any easier??  I thought not.

You can simmer this for about 20 minutes or so, or just until heated through - whatever you have time for.  Add your broccoli and mushrooms and cook a bit longer.  Meanwhile boil your pasta, drain, etc.  It's not a white sauce, but it's not a red sauce either.  I'd say it's kind of a salmon-ish color.

                                   

Mix together and ENJOY!!  I just had to add this last picture to show you what my sister-in-law got me for my birthday...a set of utensils with my name on the handle from That's My Pan!  CA-UTE!  She also made me some dresses for my girl dog, but before you think I'm psycho I'm just going to be on my merry way.  We'll save that for another day.  Ciao!

Deck the halls and the yard

Let's take a drive, shall we, through the neighborhood by my house and look at the simple and crazy more elaborate decorations that are adorning our streets...

I don't even know this family but I love their sense of humor!  And know what?  It has bangs.  They do this every year and I smile every time I drive by...

Some families prefer the Bah Humbug simple look...

If the tree's too tall, some people say, "That's okay, I'll do what I can reach and that'll be that."  I say, do the whole tree, or skip it.  It's not my tree though and that sounded snotty and judgmental.  That's okay I have a cold so I can be crabby I decided.  It is cute in a Charlie Brown kind of way though.

Some people say less is more.  These people say, "More is more!"  These houses are across the street from one another and I found out they're related so they do this for fun every year.  They also have music playing which I never really understood unless you drive with your windows down...

 

Can anyone really ever have too much plastic in their yard??  They say no way!  This is a young family that lives up the street and they add to their collection every year from yard sales and what-not.  It started with a few things they got from his grandpa.  So retro!!  You might remember this house from our neighborhood block party.  This is just a small section of their yard and only a handfull of the landfill fodder yard ornaments that are on display. 

And finally, I don't think anything says Merry Christmas like Mr. Hunter Bear!  What in the world??  Hey, hunters celebrate too, you know! 

I love driving around and seeing what people come up with.  However you deck or undeck your halls, I hope you enjoy the Christmas season!!

My first Christmas...

Visit Alicia at More Than Words to add your name or just to see more pre-digital photo flashbacks.  Thanks for hosting this every Friday, Alicia! 

If you were wondering what super cool families looked like in 1964, look no further.  I was born in November that year and this picture is actual proof that I DID sleep.  According to my family, all I did was cry, have colic, and want to be held for an entire year.  Yeah, what's your point??  My mom every so often will still say, "So now that you can talk, will you PLEASE tell me what was wrong???".  I think I was afraid those clothes would still be in style, or the hair-dos ~ by the time I actually had hair of course. 

Also, I found the neatest website called My Parents Were Awesome.  It's just a fun wordless blog where people post old pictures of their parents - some are funny, some are nerdy, some are goofy, some are beautiful - it's a little bit of everything.  I don't know where I just saw that, but I knew I had to let you know about it.  Have a great weekend!

Paradise

Just wanted to share with you how I started my day today (which happens to be my day off this week).  Ahhh, I love how the water runs right through all the wood - I hear that's SO good for it!  And the beautiful gray lines caused by the burst pipe have such symmetry and depth.  It reminds me of a country stream or a babbling brook, after it got done drowing everything in its path.  The sound it made was that of a harmonious misting waterfall (with the echo of a hollering woman in the background).  It's important that we all look for the calm beauty in everything around us - that way we don't accidentally pick up a heavy object and throw it against a person wall.  Did I mention it's only 8 a.m?  Hope you have a good day!

By the way, I can't thank you enough for helping out with the blogging issues!   I was planning on working on it today for a while.  We lost a good friend this past weekend and between that and work, I've been on the computer very little.  Plus I need to pay bills today.  Man, this week keeps getting better and better!!  Hope you're not jealous!

Bippity boppity boo - and I mean BOO

I need a fairy blogmother!  There's a lot of things I don't know about blogging and even more I don't understand about Blogger.  If you're able to help in any way, by all means e-mail me and set me straight!  However, if you're going to tell me to switch from Blogger, that's probably more than my psyche can handle at this point so I'll have to pass on that one.  I recently changed my e-mail address and that's where the excitement all began...

1.   When I changed my e-mail address, it said I should invite my new e-mail address to be an author on this blog (a "Team Member", which sounds much more supportive than it is).   Can I still sign in with my old e-mail address even though I no longer have access to that e-mail account?  If I sign in with my new e-mail address, then I have no profile.  What the...??

2.   Speaking of profiles...gone.  For a while I had two - my old one and my new one which was basically empty, except it said I had 34 views.  I know I blog for fun, not profit, but 34 just looked so sad to me.  I know I can add a "gadget" and there's a thing that says profile, but I want my old one - it has my visits on it, my blogs I like to visit, etc.  Someone call the wahhhmbulance.  I can still see it if I sign in with my old e-mail address.

3.   Do I import my other e-mail address blog to my new e-mail address blog?  Does importing have anything to do with this at all?

4.   Someone said they use Windows Live Writer to write up their stuff and then transfer it to their Blogger account but when I tried, it just said, "You are an idiot!  You can't even use Blogger, you think I'm going to publish some foreign entity??  Think again, numbskull.  Now drop and give me 20.  ERROR!" 

5.   When I click on someone's name who left a comment, so that I can visit them and leave a comment...NOPE!  It says, "What!?  You don't even have a profile, what am I going to do with you?  I don't know who you are.  Be gone, you blog intruder!"  Or something like that.  I'm pretty sure those were its exact words though.

So, if you've left a comment...thank you!  I can't visit you if you're new, however, until I get all this straightened out because it won't let me.  Blogger is trying to boss me around and I will not have any of that nonsense.  I'M the boss, applesauce!  I'm really not, I'm totally at its mercy right now.  If you're able to help, and want to e-mail me to do so, it's Sbams5(at)gmail.com ~ and I hope to be there until the cows come home.