Girls Day on the Horizon

Since the dreary freezing days of winter here I've been planning to have some girlfriends over.  I imagine sometime in the spring when the temperature is mild, not to cold, not to hot.  My grand idea is to make a few appetizers that I'm pretty sure my family would not try, but my bestest girlfriends will be up for.  One of them is the Roasted Strawberry Bruschetta from Sandy over at Reluctant Entertainer.  It looks simple but tasty.   For a drink I'm dying to try the Dulce de Leche coffee at Pioneer Woman.  For my birthday my girlies Sandy & Julie took me out for wine w/ appetizers.  We had this delicious platter with goat cheese, asst italian meats and pickled veggies.  It was so simple and good, I may try to re-create that as well.  Hopefully it will warm up here soon so I can put my plan into action.  Cheers!

Enough Dishes to Feed Guests

So, for sometime now I've been trying to collect white dishes from thrift stores to add to my own.  Remember I'm the one who only had service for 4, pretty hard to have folks over if they have nowhere to put there food.  Anyway, I was up to 6 white Cafeware from Fred Meyer.  I was cruising through Freddies one morning and came across white Corelle plates on clearance for $1.64.  I only bought 3, because I couldn't remember how many dishes I had at home at was aiming for service for 12.  When I got home and realized I now had a grand total of 9 I knew I had to go back to the store the next day and I did.  Much to my sadness they were all gone, snatched up by some other women who was wanting the same thing as I.  So that night I was at another Fred Meyer near my house getting dinner stuff.  I cruised their home section and they were out as well, then I looked up for some reason.  And there it was...a whole set of Corelle Enhancement pattern on clearance.  Could it be?  I did the math and it was on clearance for $22 and I had a $7 off coupon as well.  Be still my heart, I grabbed it up quickly and whisked it away to the checkout line.

I now have service for 15.  I didn't think I would like the Corelle again, I remember we had it growing up.  This is an all white elegant design with a slight ridge on the edge.  The moral of my story is be patient and you never know what you will come across.  I think I may have friends over for St. Patricks Day.  Cheers.

Time to Slumber

That's what I think when looking at my Christmas decorations and knowing I will be packing them up this weekend.  I enjoy every minute they are up, since they only live for 30 days outside of their Christmas crates they are packed in.  Stephanie & I braved the crowds yesterday to get some Christmas deals for next year.  We had so much fun, just the girls no kids, no hubbies.  I always buy my Christmas cards at Target and can usually pick up Christmas themed foil, body wash and candles for 50% off.  Half off ornaments make great gifts for the following year for family & friends.

 Next year I'm going old school with my tree.  I found the fluffiest silver/gold garland and will spend the next year looking for vintage glass ornaments like I had when I was a kid.  They will go nicely with the boys homemade ornaments.  I don't have a tree topper, I may have to take some time finding one of those too.  I forgot my camera so I can't post any pics from Christmas day. 

We used to have a tradition of going to my mom's good friends house on Christmas Eve and eating appetizers and visiting.  My own family doesn't have a tradition on Christmas Ever and I think I want one.  Do you have one?  Cheers.

Where Did December Go?

It's the 17th and I'm wondering how in the world this month flew by so fast.  Normally I have my Christmas cards mailed out on the 1st (I do them over Thanksgiving weekend), and have also been working on a variety of craft projects.  Now I'm worrying when am I going to get my chex mix made, how about the fudge?  I usually make my own containers to give away goodies in now I'm forced to use the ones at the store.  Truly I shouldn't sweat this stupid stuff. 

I'm totally enjoying the radio station that play Christmas music all day long and I try very hard to dress festively for work each day.  Most people who know me know that I'm a freak for all things Christmas, I can assume it's because the holiday was made special by my family.  One of my favorite songs this year and last year was The Bare Naked Ladies version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.  Just fantastic I tell you.  Cheers!  

December Wonderland

Just a little taste of the weather we've been experiencing here. Thanksgiving week brought lots of snow/ice/sleet and brrrr cold. I got the boys outside to snap some pics for our Christmas card. I actually got 3 very good versions. Don't mess with mama when it comes to picture time, thems the rules boys. The middle picture at left is the hood of our truck with 11 inches of fluffy white goodness on it. So pretty but not practical to get around in. I haven't blogged much this month, I'm so sorry. Holidays, life and oh yeah I'm also a Pampered Chef consultant now. As you may know we are paying off bills and I'd like it to go a little faster. Since I like to cook it made sense to me. I'm listening to James Taylor's version of the Christmas Song right now on the radio. I listen to Christmas music every chance I get this time of year. My family doesn't complain much anymore, just listen and enjoy. I'm dreaming of what goodies I'm going to make this year. My thoughts so far are my amazing 2-Step Microwave fudge, homemade marshmallows, chex mix. What are yours? Cheers!

Christmas Mug Thrifting

I decided I wanted to be a little festive and get some Christmas coffee mugs. My absolute love is the mug in the upper left corner. It's a Corningware milk glass mug. It reminds me of Ralph's dad, these are the coffee mugs he always had (gold flower pattern). I went cruising my local Goodwill and found some cute mugs, all Christmas none of them match and that's totally okay with me. I picked up the red transferware teacup in September. The Mrs. Claus plate was $1 and I'm going to put fudge or other goodies for gift giving. You would be amazed at the Christmas stuff at the thrift stores. This Christmas doesn't have to be expensive or budget killing. This is my second year making cookies and candies to give away for gifts. I know my family always enjoys and is thankful when someone gives us treats at the holidays. Enjoy this week and the Thanksgiving holiday. Cheers!

THE THINGS WE DO FOR OUR KIDS

The list is probably so long it would end up being blog infinity.  On Tuesday I got to accompany my oldest son and his friends to a rock concert.  Not just any rock concert, it's called the Nothing & Everything tour.  It consisted of 4 modern day Christian metal/screamo bands.  One of them is called Head, the lead singer is Brian "Head" Welch who is the former lead guitarist from Korn.  His story is amazing, he had hit bottom, found Christ and left his old band.  His first book is entitled "Save Me From Myself", my oldest read it and really enjoyed it.  This is not the music I normally listen to but it truly wasn't that bad.  I wish they had put the lyrics up on a big screen for us parents who had no idea what was being said.  I did catch the words father, love, God, amazing, thank goodness it was a Christian concert.  I have some pictures of the boys with some of the band members, I will post them later because I don't know how to get them off of my phone to the computer yet.  Sometimes we need to do things for our kids that take us out of our parent comfort zone.  Maybe one day my boys will remember the night their mom took them to a heavy metal concert.  Cheers!