Christmas at Mom and Dad's

Mom set the table in reds and greens to be festive. She cooked Shrimp Creole and it was very good. Dad baked gingerbread and it was moist and delicious. Afterwards, Travis and I went to see a movie. All in all a very good day even if it was a little bit strange not having everyone here.

Christmas

It has been kinda strange waking up alone on Christmas morning. I am almost 52 and have never done that before. Travis is coming to the house soon and we are going over to Mamu and Grandaddy's house to eat and visit. Wanted to show a picture of the pretty earrings Roger got me for Christmas. I also got a cool spice rack that is on a lazy susan thing which will be great for quick find. I get tired of digging through my cabinet for spices. This should be great. He also got me a necklace and perfume and to keep me warm (he says I am either hot or cold no in between) an electic blanket and cuddle duds. These are the greatest little things known to women. They are thin,silky long underwear. You cannot even tell you have them on under pants and they really do hold in your natural body heat without feeling bulky or itchy. They come in handy for recess at school on those cold days.

Mamu and Grandaddy got me the neatest warming tray by Waring. It is Stainless Steel and there are three compartments with lids to keep food warm during a gathering. You can also remove the trays and place one large container on it. I love it! There are little openings on the lids for the spoons. Can't wait to use it Saturday.

Christmas Eve

Mamu and Grandaddy came to eat tonight. We ate breakfast. I made a quiche, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy and sliced apples. I was going to make pancakes but got too tired and didn't. I had cooked all day making candies and cookies for our get together on Saturday and to give for gifts.

I made some white chocolate covered pretzels, walnuts and peanut clusters, White chocolate covered Ritz crackers with peanut butter, peanut brittle, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cup bars, rice krispie treats and ranch dill snack crackers. I am still going to make banana nut bread, raisin filled sugar cookies, cinnamon glass candy and fudge. I like making variety trays for gifts so people can put them out to entertain and share. Saturday we will have all kinds of appetizers and snacks SO I will be cooking things all night Friday and Saturday during the day.

Gabe hurry up and get here. We miss you. Seemed weird tonight without Gabe, Vince and Susan. They got caught in a riptide today. Scary to say the least.

Here are some pics of Mamu's pretty tree.

New clue

You might think this gift is made for walking,
but it couldn't be further from the truth.
We all wish we had this
when we were in our youth.

Are you shaking it in your head? Can you feel it?

Love you!

Hey My Darlin' Son

Double deuce we know you wanted.
Sorry, it's not here.
But please our number one favorite son,
do not shed a tear.

You see, we had to choose
and choose is what we did.
we think this gift will last longer,
and be a surprise to our big kid.

We will not squeal, we will not talk.
Don't even try to make us.
This present is so very real and not a
fakey fakeus!

Another hint for Gabriel

You might find out,
but we'll never tell.
Something like this,
you could have used in Vail.

Hee Hee!
Rattle,rattle.
shake and roll!

What do you think now; sneaky sneakerton?

Went to Cincinnati today to see Over the Rhine. The concert was at a very old Catholic church. Sooo cool but my camera batteries were running down and the light was kinda weird in there. Since I am still learning how to work my camera, shots not great but the architecture was wonderful. We got in free because of an advance order of a CD earlier in the year. They are sooo great in concert. It was packed and we got lost so we had to sit in the balcony. I was afraid the whole time that it would collapse or something it was so old. The fire department did come in and count twice and look around. The refreshments were free. There was coffee (freshly custom roasted and ground), wine, Belgian waffles, veggies, cheese and cake.

We brought Vince and Susan's car back from the airport. It got so cold and windy. It was 9 degrees there when we left with a very low wind chill I am sure.

Vince and Susan are not having a good experience in Mexico so far so I hope the rest of their vacation gets better.

Hey guys at least it is not 9 degrees!

More trickery

Keep on guessing...

Does it rattle when it is shaken?
Does it slide from end to end?
Can it stretch out when you bend it or does it hide and just pretend?
Is it really much, much smaller?
Is it heavy or so light?
Will the owner be frustrated
or filled with Christmas delight?

Sandy Claws

Yeah... School's out for a few days at least!

Sorry for the diversion with the pictures of the beach but I really wish I were there right this minute. Vince and Susan are going to Cancun for Christmas and I am just a wee bit jealous. Glad they are going to be by themselves a bit. They never have much of that time.



Today was our last day before Winter Break. I was so glad to walk out of there tonight. My children this year are a tough group. I needed to do so much but was so tired I just decided to walk out and leave it. I will go back on Monday because the building will be open and I can go in and finish up getting ready for when we come back with a clearer head.

Trav, Vince, Susan and I decided to go see Seven Pounds with Will Smith. I was highly disappointed. I won't say much for fear of ruining it for anybody, but you may want to save your money and wait to see it at discount or on DVD.

The overall theme was disturbing to me along with the way he chose to handle the consequences of his actions. Would have wanted a more cathartic approach. I will hush now.

Old Christmas Stockings

Took some pictures of our stockings. Did not include Roger's. His was at the top of the stairs and I forget to take it. It is just plain and red but I bought it for him our first year together.

Christmas Lights

We got the lights up today. Well, who am I kidding....Roger got them up. I helped with the bushes though.

Mom's Birthday

In all the hustle and bustle I left off Mom's birthday. How could I? We went to Arbuelos and ate Mexican. Then we came back to my house for cake and ice cream. I was not sure mom wanted a couple of these pictures shown, so I picked the ones that were the best. I always seem to get her talking. She doesn't like that! We had a good time.

 

 

 

 

More treasures. Old marbles and bottle of Nana's. Had water and a plant in it for years. That is why some of the marbles have disintegrated at the bottom.

Old Fans

I love old fans. They remind me of my grandma's church, which I do believe was my first true memory of fans. I can visualize people sitting in every row fanning themselves as the sermon went along. Fans were placed in each row to be used Sunday to Sunday. Many were made by the funeral home with an advertisement on the back. I picked these up along the way... one from a friend, one from a flea market. I always try to imaging the places they have been and the faces they cooled. It is that way with any antique.

I was talking with my son the other day and told him that one of my fascinations with antiques was the stories they held. The best reason to use an antique is to recycle and keep the life going in something that was really made to withstand time. Antique lovers are the true recyclers! I don't care if it is worn, tattered and scratched. That makes it all the better.

One of my favorite Christmas ornaments is a faded worn glass ornament. The top is off but the person who had it, lovingly tied a string to a piece of wood, dropped it in so that it was wedged and then tied a hook to the string. I picked it up in an antique mall for a few cents because it is really not worth anything, but the story of the repair is what intrigues me so much. I wish we were more like that now instead of throwing away so much. I want to be able to see the value of something and use it even if it is a little rough around the edges. I fight the battle of being a pack rat. It is hard for me to detach emotions from things. Crazy I know.

The shot of the Knox Gelatin cookbook is one of my Great Grandmother's. I tried making some of the recipes. Some still work, but others don't translate to our tastes today very well I am afraid!