January Background

Monday, December 27, 2010

Monday Moment

[Monday Moment - One moment, no or few words, capturing the everyday in my world.]

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve

[Scroll to the bottom of the page and turn my music player off first.]

Mama's Christmas

[I didn't write this but wanted to share for all the mamas.]

It was the night before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
While visions of Nintendo and Barbie, flipped through their heads.


The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, “Now what’s the matter?”


With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug.
“Oh great!!” muttered the mom, “Now I have to clean the rug.”

“Ho-Ho-Ho!!” cried Santa, “I’m glad you’re awake.
Your gift was especially difficult to make.”
“Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone.”
“Exactly!!” he chuckled, “I’ve made you a clone.”


“A clone?” she asked, “What good is that?
Run along, Santa. I’ve no time for chit-chat.”

It was the mother’s twin.
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.


She’ll cook, she’ll dust, she’ll mop every mess.
You’ll relax, take it easy, watch the Young and the Restless.”
“Fantastic!!” the mom cheered. “My dream come true!
I’ll shop. I’ll read. I’ll sleep a whole night through!”

From the room above, the youngest began to fret.
“Mommy?!? I’m scared, and I’m wet.”
The clone replied, “I’m coming, sweetheart.”
“Hey,” the mom smiled, “She knows her part.”


The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune,
As she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon.

“You’re the best mommy ever. I really love you.”
The clone smiled and sighed, “I love you, too.”


The mom frowned and said, “Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That’s my child’s love that she’s trying to steal.”
Smiling wisely Santa said, “To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here.”

The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed.
“Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget it won’t be very long,
When they’ll be too old, for my cradle-song.”


The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, “It works every time.”
 
 

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Today

My house is full of....

...excited murmurs

...sparkling eyes

...wild boys

...wrapping paper scraps

...ribbon, bows, and tinsel

...toy nutcrackers waiting to be painted

...gingerbread houses to be made

...presents under the tree

...boxes, boxes, boxes, still waiting to be filled

...candies and cocoa

...smiles and laughter

...the Magic of Christmas

:-)

Monday, December 20, 2010

Monday Moments

[Monday Moment - One moment, no or few words, capturing the everyday in my world.]

A Nightly Tradition...


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Why Men Are Happier

[Got this from a friend and had to share...]

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:

Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple
creatures?

Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.

One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25
minutes.

No wonder men are happier.
:-)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Goin' to a Cookie Exchange Today

YUM! My mom's snickerdoodle recipe. :-)

(click on the image to see it larger)



Monday, December 13, 2010

Monday Moment

[Monday Moment - One moment, no few words, capturing the everyday in my world.]



:-)

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Thursday, December 9, 2010

This One's for You Miss A

I have a friend who cooks AMAZING things pretty much daily.  I used to hang out at her house and watch her start dinner at crazy times like NOON or earlier!  I sat and worried about how much therapy might cost my kids when they were older, since they were normally being fed quickie meals. They sure didn't have a mom taking time to actually roast a chicken or chop several DIFFERENT types of veggies for the stir fry.  My kids were so deprived!

This friend moved away a few years ago, and man, I wish she were still here.  I'd love to show her that I have NOW learned to roast my own chicken and even chop more than one veggie in a sitting. 

What always kills me though is that every time we talk, she requests my macaroni and cheese recipe.  I think I took this dish to her once when maybe she had a baby or had a party or had....something....

Well, here it is.  It's not fancy by any means, but nothing involving cheese, butter and pasta need be fancy in my opinion.

The Infamous Mac n Cheese Recipe

12 oz pkg dried macaroni
3/4 lbs. velveeta cubed
2 1/2 Tbs. flour
2 Tbs. Butter
3 c milk
pepper to taste

Cook macaroni in salted water until done.  Drain and place in dish.  Melt butter in large saucepan. Add a little of the milk and the flour.  Using wooden spoon, stir until all lumps have gone. Gradually, add the rest of the milk. Next, add the velveeta and pepper. Stir over medium heat until sauce comes to a boil. It will thicken...promise... Pour over macaroni and stir until well blended.

Here's the yummy part...

Add topping as follows...
2/3 stick butter (6 Tbs)
3 slices of WHITE bread, crumbled

Melt butter in a small frying pan. Add bread and stir until bread has absorbed the butter. Spread this on top of mac n cheese.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for approximately 15-20 minutes until bubbly and TOPPING is crunchy.

Enjoy!
:-)

Monday, December 6, 2010

Monday Moment

[Monday Moment - One moment, no few words, capturing the everyday in my world.]

Viper



Saturday, December 4, 2010

A Christmas Meme

A Christmas Meme


1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?

Hot Chocolate with mini-marshmallows, please.

2. Turkey or Ham?

Ham

3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?

Love a real tree, but the ones down here are pitiful, so fake it is.

4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
Lights and a few other things

5. Snowball fights or sleddin'?

Sledding as fast as possible

7. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
Yeah, no...

8. Favorite Christmas song?
The Holly and the Ivy

10. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
Love them! Funny, serious, cartoon or made for TV, classic or new - love them!

11. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
Christmas music starts here the day after Thanksgiving.

12. Stockings before or after presents?
Before of course.

13. Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them?
I would if any were to come by...

14. Go to someone else's house or they come to you?
Ever since having kids, the grandparents come to us.  It makes Christmas day soooo much easier, plus I get to make my house smell good by cooking Christmas dinner.

15. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
My husband ALWAYS reads The Christmas Story to us right before the boys head to bed.  Cookies and milk are set out, lights are dimmed, and we snuggle in for this tradition.

16. What do you do after presents and dinner?
Our present opening time comes early in this house, so we dive in to a big Christmas breakfast and play with our goodies.

17. What is your favorite holiday smell?
Peppermint mocha coffee from Starbucks...is that bad???

18. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
Ice skating.

19. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
We always open our Christmas ornament for the year on Christmas Eve.  Everything else waits for Christmas morning.

20. Favorite Christmas memory?
I was always quite the tomboy growing up, and one Christmas my dad bought me a big set of toy cars and trucks.  My mom was livid, but I LOVED them!

21. Favorite Part about winter?
I loved the stillness of a winter morning after a snow when we lived up north.  Down here, I just love the break from the mosquitoes.

22. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?
You know what? I don't think I have....may have to correct that this year.

Feel free to post your answers in my "Comments" section or use the meme on your own blog.

:-)

Friday, December 3, 2010

Music Player

Hi Guys!

I added a Christmas music player to my blog today. 

If you're more in a "BA HUMBUG!" kinda mood than a "Fa-la-la-la-laaa" kinda mood, you can pause the music at the bottom of the page. 

But just remember - 'tis the Season to be JOLLY AND BRIGHT!  The music might just turn your mood!

:-)

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Getting My Christmas On!

I am totally ready for CHRISTMAS!!!  Well, not in the "the house is all decorated and the presents are all purchased" kind of way, but...

What I am READY for is Christmas songs to play everyday and drinking the occasional Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks!

Here are some of my favs for setting the festive mood in our house. (you can click on any of the titles to follow a link to hear a sample of the song)

Christmas/Sarajevo - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Christmas Canon - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
(I love the anything Trans-Siberian and the purity of Boy's Choirs get me everytime...)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

Please Come Home for Christmas - Eagles

The Holly and the Ivy - George Winston
Classic!

Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt

I Believe in Father Christmas - Emerson, Lake & Palmer

The Bells of Christmas - Loreena McKennitt
from The Santa Claus movie

Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty

Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney

Baby, It's Cold Outside
ELF!

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - Bruce Springsteen

The Chipmunk Song Christmas Don't Be Late

Can't Believe It's Christmas - Veggie Tales

Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi
Charlie Brown Christmas!

You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch

The Shape of Things to Come - James Horner
The Grinch!

Snoopy vs. the Red Baron

Christmastime - Smashing Pumpkins

Christmas Song - Dave Matthews

I Saw Three Ships - STING
(Dare I mention, I LOVE Sting???)

Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty

Only You Can Bring Me Cheer

Gee Whiz, It's Christmas - Carla Thomas

Silver Bells - Relient K
a rock twist to a classic

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (New Wave Version)

Remember - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Faith Noel - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Yep, basically anything from Trans-Siberian is great.
The 12 Days of Christmas - Straight No Chaser
If you haven't seen this, you've gotta click on the link above

Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Straight No Chaser

Auld Lang Syne - Straight No Chaser
Why yes, I do love a cappella, why do you ask???


We also love the Charlie Brown Christmas, Polar Express, Home Alone and Elf soundtracks, Bing Crosby, and many more.  I hope you can find a few new songs above to cheer your house from now until the 25th.

:-)