Happy New Year!!

Our family would like you wish yours a Happy New Year! May you use this year to be more for God than you were this past year.

I will post some new pictures soon.

the drought has ended

Finally a winning season for the DAWGS!!! I was able to watch the last half of the game, and WE WON!!! Hooray for State!! As Coach Croom said, "It wasn't pretty, but we just wanted more points than them in the end."

CONGRATS DAWGS!!!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I pray everyone had a safe and happy Christmas. The dear was full of fun and excitement. The girls had a great time playing and hanging out with mom and dad. It was really a fun day of doing nothing but family time. Our goal is to try to do more of that this coming year. We all enjoyed what we got in our stockings. I got a truly wonderful surprise in mine but you will have to wait till later to find out what it was. Overall the Dears had a great Christmas and I am sad to take down all the decorations. Do you think if I leave them up anyone will notice?

Welcome to Our World

Joyeux Noel

Welcome to my home and too the BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes 2007! I am so excited to show you how I decorated my home for Christmas this year. With our home being new I had to do some rearranging of garlands and bows and lights.

If you are interested in having some snacks, I do probably have some available because I have entered the season of baking. I will have no less than at least 4 or 5 get togethers at my house this month. So far I have made 2 batches of fudge, red velvet bonbons, cakes, and various other items. (I think I will need to hit the elliptical machine soon with all the baking) One item I am looking forward to making is the bacon things over on Pioneer Woman's page. They look scrumptious! Dear hubby loves this time of year so he can sample.

Ok enough chit-chat. Here is my home for Christmas.

This is was our first big snow of the year. I do have one more item added to my yard since I had taken this picture. I will add it soon.

Here is my "fancy tree" as I call it. It nothing but white and silver ornament and all different kinds of snowflakes I have collect all over the country. This is also the tree you see from outside.

This is our railing along the stairway. It is the first time I have ever had a railing I could decorate. I would love to add light to it, but I did not want have an unsightly extention cord. I think I may invest in some battery powered lights next year.

Here is our Family Tree. I was so excited to finally have a real tree after three years of having an artificial tree. Our tree is a snapshot of where our little family has traveled over the years. When we go on a trip I will usually try to collect an ornament from that area. It is usually an angel, but sometimes it may just be unique. I have ornaments from as far north as Niagara Fall, to Mexico, to California and to South Carolina. I have several ornament from Myrtle Beach since we go every year and visit my favorite store "Christy's Christmas". We also do have ornaments represent our respective college football teams we pull for. Yes, you to see our angel sitting on the floor. Our tree goes all the way to the ceiling and dear hubby has not trimed the top to where I can put here up there. She is a beloved angel. It was one of the first decorations I purchased our first Christmas. She was a little damaged during our fire several years ago, but she still works. I think she represents all of us. We may have been damaged from events in our past, but we can brush ourselves off and still work for God.

This is my newest ornament and prized ornament. This was a surprise gift from dear hubby. After Christmas last year we went to Cincinatti for a little overnight getaway. While I was getting ready to go home dear hubby went out to do a little shopping. There was a Tiffany store near our hotel. So, he went to try to pick up a little something for me and came back with a little blue box. This is what was inside. I absolutely love it, and I couldn't wait to put it on my tree this year.

Here is the girls tree. It has usually been in their room when they shared one, but now it is in the upstairs hallway. This is also the first year I let them decorate it. It mostly consists of gingerbread ornament, ornaments they have made, and Barbie ornament Nana has giving them.

Here are our Jesus trees. It is a set of 3 tree that we put our Proclamation Ornaments on. The girls put on one ornament a day counting down till Jesus' Birthday. Each ornament has a word proclaming something about Jesus. One side has a verse from the Old Testament proclaiming Him and on the other side has a verse from the New Testament where it was fullfilled. One Christmas Day we put the Jesus Banner on, on the the tallest tree at the top. It has been enjoyable this year because Emily can help read the verses. Also enjoyable is answering the question "What is a virgin?"

Here are our stocking hung by the chimney with care. This is also the first time we have been able to do this as well. I took a cool picture with the fire all aglow, but I was too blurry. I just love looking at it at night.

Last but certainly not the least - Our Nativity. This was another gift from dear hubby a couple of years ago. I love it so much and such a prized possession I leave it up all year long. There are a couple of sheep missing one due to a former cat who knocked it off and broke it leg and could find it, and the other was used in a church performance and has not made it back to its place.

I hope you enjoy your tour of my Christmas home. I have red velvet bonbons and fudge if you would like to visit. But please call before you come.

My Goal for next year!

Do you think I can get dear hubby to help me do this next year?





On a side note dear hubby is taking me to the TSO Concert in Columbus. I am very excited he agreed to take me to a concert. Also with dinner to follow.

What says Christmas more...

I have be struggling with what to write about. We have just been busy with the Christmas season. Penny and I got to do a little shopping last week with no kids which is always more enjoyable. Thank you dear hubby! Sunday was our Christmas musical which was fabulous, and if you miss it sorry! I am gearing up for all the parties that will be happening, and all the cooking and baking we will be doing in the next couple of weeks.

While I was working of some recipes, I was found this. What can be better than any made with cream cheese. You can find this on www.cooks.com. I will probably try one or two of these, but I do know I will not be trying anything called "aspic". I think that is too close to acid. Enjoy!

46 WONDERFUL WAYS TO USE CREAM CHEESE
Cream Cheese is a great staple to have on hand and lasts many weeks in the refrigerator. Teamed with the recipes below, you'll always be prepared for unexpected guests or late-night munchies.
CONTENTS
APPETIZERS
1. ANCHOVY-CELERY COCKTAIL DIP
2. BACON PINWHEELS
3. BURNING BUSH
4. CLAM APPETIZER DIP
5. CREAM CHEESE CLAM FLUFFS
6. FLOWER SANDWICHES
7. LILY SANDWICHES
8. PHILLY AVOCADO DIP
9. PHILLY HAM PUFFS
10. PHILLY PARTY DIP
BREAKFAST IDEAS
11. BREAKFAST TREAT
12. PHILLY FILLED PANCAKES
13. WAFFLES WITH CREAM CHEESE AND STRAWBERRY PRESERVES
CANDIES
14. CHOCOLATE PHILLY NUGGETS
15. CHOCOLATE TOPPED COCONUT PHILLY FUDGE
16. COCONUT PHILLY BONBONS
17. CHOCOLATE PHILLY FUDGE
18. LEMON-CHOCOLATE PHILLY FUDGE
DESSERTS
19. BUTTERFLY CUPCAKES
20. CHERRY TRICORNS
21. CHOCOLATE PHILLY CAKE
22. HEART CAKES WITH MARASCHINO PHILLY FROSTING
23. HOLLYWOOD CHEESE CAKE
24. LEMON CREAM CHEESE TARTS
25. PINEAPPLE PHILLY PIE
26. STRAWBERRY PHILLY PIE
27. STRAWBERRY ROLL WITH ALMOND PHILLY FROSTING
28. SUPREME CHEESE CAKE
FROSTINGS
29. CHOCOLATE PHILLY FROSTING
30. PEPPERMINT STICK PHILLY FROSTING
MAIN DISHES
31. BAKED CHIVE CHEESE OMELET
32. SAVORY SCRAMBLED EGGS
SALADS
33. APRICOT RING MOLD
34. ASPIC RING SALAD
35. BLUSHING PEAR SALAD
36. CACTUS PEAR SALAD
37. CREAMY ORANGE SALAD
38. GRAPE CLUSTER SALAD
39. JELLIED CUCUMBER SALAD
40. PINEAPPLE SANDWICH SALAD
41. TOMATO ROSE SALAD
SANDWICHES
42. CREAM CHEESE, JELLY AND NUT SANDWICHES
43. FROSTED SANDWICH LOAF
44. DATE-NUT BREAD WITH CREAM CHEESE
VEGETABLES
45. BAKED POTATOES (with chive sauce)
46. PHILLY HOLLANDAISE ON BROCCOLI

Elf Fun!!

I know this is floating around the web. So here is ours for your enjoyment. You can picture us in the snow now because as soon as Dear children get thru with their school work - we are going sledding!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1174749653

Here is another one for fun. Sorry JB is couldn't resist.
http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=1175007978

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Today you turn 9! I can't believe it. You are growing up to be a godly young lady. I pray that you continue on that path. Here are 9 things that are wonderful about you -

1. your kindness and generosity



2. your willingness to put others first



3. your sister is your best friend



4. your organization - we are trying to figure out where you get it



5. your love of reading



6. your creativity



7. your willingness to learn new things



8. how beautiful you are on the inside as well as the outside



9. you love for God and the desire to serve Him!

Hannah your Mom and Dad love you so much and are thankful that God gave you to us. Our prayer for you is that you will grow up to be a godly woman, mom, or whatever God wants you to be and that you will always follow Him. We know you are getting ready to enter a new stage in your life, and we want you to always we are on your side and will be here for you. WE LOVE YOU!!

The Dawgs are Going Bowling!

Granted it wasn't the big one or a New Years Day bowl, but I do get to see them one more time. We are in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Dec 29th playing UCF. GO DAWGS!!

We have a busy week ahead of us. I think tomorrow night is the only night will get to eat dinner together until next week. We survived the 9 yr olds sleepover. Most of my Christmas decorations are up. Thats all for now.