Peek-a-Boo & Christmas Tea

Grandma signed me (Mom) up to decorate a table for her church's Ladies Christmas Tea. Today was set-up day. I used Grandmama's china for the place settings. Maybe we'll get some pictures to post tomorrow from the Tea.

Cookie Exchange #3: Chocolate Chip

Dad's Favorite

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 c flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 stick of Butter Flavored Crisco
6 t water
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c packed dark brown sugar
1 T Mexican vanilla
2 large eggs
2 bags of Milk Chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375*. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, beat Butter Flavored Crisco, water, both sugars and vanilla until creamy, but not too much. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Lick beaters well.

Stir in chocolate chips. Stick your fingers in it to make sure it still tastes right.

Scoop spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet or stone. Lick spoon.

Bake 9 minutes & take out just before they look done because they will continue to cook after removed from the oven.

The first batch may take a couple more minutes or you may have to adjust the baking time based on your oven.



Cool on paper towels. Test while still warm & gooey to make sure they turned out right.

Visit my sister's Virtual Cookie Exchange for more recipes!

Wordless Wednesday

See more Wordless Wednesday

Here or at 5 Minutes for Mom

Join the Virtual Cookie Exchange

this week at my sister's blog!

Cookie Exchange #2: Candy Cane Cookies

This was one of my favorite recipes that I remember making as a kid. I think this was my favorite cookbook, too, Betty Crocker's Cookie Book. In case you can't read the recipe, here it is (the cookbook is a little more wordy):

Candy Cane Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup sifted confectioners sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Heat oven to 375*. Mix shortening, sugar, egg, and flavorings thoroughly. Measure flour by dipping or sifting. Mix flour and salt; stir into shortening mixture. Divide dough in half. Blend food coloring into one half.

Roll a 4" strip (using 1 tsp dough) from each color. For smooth, even strips, roll them back & forth on a lightly floured board. Place strips side by side, press lightly together and twist like rope (see sketch).

Bake about 9 minutes, until lightly brown. While still warm, remove from baking sheet with spatula and sprinkle with mixture of candy & sugar.

This cover below sure looks a lot fancier than the cover to our old book!

Visit my sister's Virtual Cookie Exchange

for more recipes!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

There have been several things that David has said this week that I wanted to remember, but I can't remember them now! Go figure!

Oh, here's one. Last time we were at the supercenter, I happened to see a Jesus doll on the shelf! I went over to check this out. When you push a button on his back, he quotes scripture! My skepticism at first turned into liking this doll, because it may encourage scripture memory. They also had a David, Goliath, Samson, Noah, a set of animals to go with Noah, and an Esther. Anyway, when I was looking at Jesus, David apparently got bored with just sitting in the basket & said, "Mom, put Jesus down!"

Elizabeth, however, has been totally amazing me this week! She's doing so many new things. Here she is saying a new word:

See more tiny talk at Not Before 7!

Visit my sister this week for a Virtual Cookie Exchange! Share your favorite Christmas cookie recipe!!!

Cookie Exchange #1: Ginger Molasses Cookies

This recipe was given to me in 2002 from a Creative Memories Consultant who lives in Minnesota. I made them for my Open Houses and now Dad requests them every year. After this year's cookiefest, looks like it may be one of David's favorites, too!

Ginger Molasses Cookies

3/4 cup Butter Flavored Criso
4 1/2 teaspoons water
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup mild molasses
2 1/4 cup flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon

In a medium bowl, add Butter Flavored Criso, water, sugar, molasses and egg. Beat well. In a larger bowl, sift all the dry ingredients together. Add the first mixture to the second mixture and mix well. Chill for at least an hour.


Roll dough into one inch balls.
Roll balls in granulated sugar to coat.
Place balls on a greased cookie sheet. (I used cooking spray.)

Bake at 375* for 5-10 minutes, but no longer than 10 minutes.




To make them just a tad bit prettier, sprinkle a little granulated sugar on them as they're cooling.


I'll be doing another recipe later! Visit my sister's Virtual Cookie Exchange for more recipes!

Black Friday & Time to Start Baking!

Thanksgiving is officially over. Yes, I did get up at 4am and enjoyed an early morning shopping spree with my parents. On the way to town, we reminisced about our first After Thanksgiving Sale. Let's see if I can remember the details we discussed... It was Daddy & me. We went to what we think was the first ever 7am sale at our local Wal-Mart. This was back before 24-hour Supercenters, back before everybody opened early the day after, back before there were so many specialty superstores, back before there were Golden Arches in the store, back before the term, "Black Friday." We got to WM right around 7 & there were just a handful of other cars there. Shopping was easy, uncluttered, quick and quiet. I'm sure we went to McDonald's for a sausage biscuit afterwards.

Today, I enjoyed my annual trek out again. I usually stay clear of electronics & usually have a pretty good day. Today was no exception. We did see the masses around the electronic devices, cars everywhere, but I saw people helping each other & being friendly. It was good, bonding with strangers over Cars pajamas, and back home before lunch. I got the family stockings up & after the kids went to bed, wrapped all the gifts that were purchased today.

Today was Elizabeth's first Black Friday! She slept through most of it. And this is her first real stocking! We had a little pink one hanging with our stockings last year, but since our stockings are packed still, I'll get her "home" stocking next year. David enjoyed a morning home with Dad.

Now to start baking! My sister is hosting a cookie recipe exchange next Tuesday! Come on over & join us!

I'll be sharing my Ginger Molasses Cookies and maybe even my husband's favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I started with Texas Toddler Mix. This is unique because I used Texas shaped pretzels and Goldfish. While it was cooling, I kept hearing crunching some out of the kitchen, followed by a little voice, "I ate a hot Chex, Mama!"

Thanksgiving In Review

For those in my family who remember taking Grandmama out for her birthday lunch, you will see the humor in this...

Today's Thanksgiving dinner was to take place at Grandma's favorite Chinese restaurant. Grandma & Grandpa had gone there last Thanksgiving & it sounded like a good idea... until we pulled into the parking lot and saw it was closed!!! We all had a good laugh over that.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'll not go into details of the lunch we actually ate. Moving on... Grandma & Grandpa went to the Supercenter after lunch & we dropped in on Thanksgiving at Grana & Papa's house where they were just sitting down to their Thanksgiving feast:

After a short visit there, we headed back home to the post-Thanksgiving-Day-lunch-activities.

Elizabeth helped me comb through the sales circulars. She had fun! David helped make the Countdown to Christmas Chain.

Then David helped me set up Grandma's new fiber optic tree. I'm sure I'll get a picture of it before the season is over.

To my brother and sister: With the addition of Elizabeth to this year's Christmas, our stockings no longer fit on the shelves around the wood stove. Upon discussing the problem with Grandma, we're going to try hanging all of the stockings together along the top of the bookshelves. Update later; comment if you have a problem with that.

Now I've got to get to bed for our exciting, early shopping trip tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Yes, I used this picture yesterday, but here it is again anyway! : ) Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Grandpa saved that wire spool from the church remodeling project. Then I saw a large version of the spool turkey on this Thanksgiving blog & decided to give it a try. I thought it was really cute.

We picked up pecans on Tuesday. Grandpa didn't tell us that he was at the good tree until we were leaving! Visit Grandpa's blog for a cute picture of Elizabeth!

Today I am thankful that I didn't have to drive on I-20, I-35, or any other Interstate to spend this holiday with our families!

Wordless Wednesday Thanksgiving Edition

You turned my wailing into dancing;

You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing to You and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever.

- Psalm 30:11-12

See more Wordless Wednesday
Here or at 5 Minutes for Mom

Tiny Talk Tuesday

As I was changing Elizabeth into her PJ's one evening...

Mom to Dad: I just love "neked" baby skin! She's so soft & squishy & rolly-polly!

David, who was playing nearby: She's not a rolly polly, she's a ladybug!

Nothing boosts your self esteem like this one...

Mom: David, you're soooo cute!

David: Elizabeth is cute!

Mom: That's right, Elizabeth is cute, too.

David: Mom is cute!

Mom: Aw, thank you, David!

At bedtime prayers...

Mom: Thank you, God, for David. Thank you, God, for Elizabeth. Thank you, God, for

David: Blimp! (referring to his Lightyear Blimp from Cars)

Watching Sesame Street with the letter of the day "B", David declared, "B is for Blue Blimp!"

This one was not either of my children, but last week in Cubbies, the teacher told the story of the 10 lepers using a flannel board. I guess one little boy had been to church enough to know the usual answer to the teacher's question...

Teacher: How many men are here on the board?

Boy: GOD!

Two Days Until Thanksgiving!

Are you being thankful with your family?

Today, I'm thankful for Grandma playing catch with Elizabeth while I'm typing this!

I'm thankful for Mary at Not Before 7 for hosting Tiny Talk Tuesday each week!

Thanksgiving Festivities Begin

I forgot to take my camera today... : \ David made this turkey in Sunday School. After church, we went to my great-aunt Marie's 85th birthday party. There was a pretty good turn out & it was fun to see a new generation of kids & babies filling the room!

This afternoon, I tried to get David to rest, but it didn't happen. So this evening, we took 2 sleepy kids to Aunt Laurie's house for Thanksgiving on Grandpappy's (Dad's dad) side of the family. David & Elizabeth both eventually warmed up to everyone & did really well. We drew names for the Christmas gift exchange. Now I have to figure out what to do for them! Both kids fell asleep on the way home.

I am thankful that we are able to do all this family stuff this year instead of driving 5 hours to get here & still not being able to attend everything. I am thankful that my children are learning the names of their cousins, aunts & other relatives and are comfortable with them.

What's Gotten In To Him???

This is the man that would never let me bring any animal into our house when I was little!

A Retro Giveaway

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a Retro Giveaway this month - You can win either a pedal car, record player, Coca-Cola cooler, or a $179 Gift Certificate to their store, Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles!

I think I'd choose the gift certificate, but I don't know yet, if I would pick this cool fire truck or maybe a Big Wheel & some other stuff. I absolutely loved my Big Wheel when I was a kid. Dad loved his, too. I think David & Elizabeth should have the opportunity to ride one before they get too big. You know something great about the Big Wheel? It's made in the USA! How about that?! Something that was not made in China!

I am thankful for all the generous people that I've found in Bloggityville. You never know who's going to be giving away something or having a swap or just being encouraging! I am thankful for some new friends I've gotten to know through their blogs, even though I will probably never meet them in person. What a great world we live in.

New Pants!

Yesterday, Elizabeth took me (Mom), Grandma, and Grana (her great grandmother on Dad's side) to The Children's Place at the Outlet Mall. Grana got her these groovy pants. Doesn't Elizabeth look adorable looking at her stripes?!?!?

I thought the pants looked really cute with her kitty cat shirt that Mitchell's parents gave her last Christmas before she was even born!

I think she likes her outfit! Thank you Grana & Mitchell's parents!

People keep asking me if she's crawling yet. No, she's not. But she can get across the room by rolling, scooting & assorted other methods. She can even scoot on her bottom while she's sitting up. She's really got no need to crawl with all that mobility! Today, I put her sitting up on her blanket in the big basket part of a shopping cart while David was sitting in the seat part. Using her arms she pulled herself up on the side of the basket! Who knows what she'll do next!

Today I am thankful that rubbing alcohol removes ball point pen ink from laptop screens! Read yesterday's post if you're wondering what that's all about. I am also thankful for the gift of organization... as in organizing an event. I haven't had an event to organize lately & I miss it. Funny thing about a well planned event - it doesn't always get noticed. Attend an unorganized event, however, and everyone there knows it!

My sister pointed out that there are some more people giving thanks today at There Is No Place Like Home.

Thursday Thanks Tank

I saw this banner on a friend's blog a while back and loved the artwork on it. Reminds me of an abandoned gas station I once photographed south of New Braunfels, Texas. Anyway, since I've been counting down to Thanksgiving with what I'm thankful for, I thought I'd use this banner today and come up with the Top 10 Things for which I Am Thankful.
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1. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have faith in God. I don't think anything would be the same. I wouldn't have the same friends, I wouldn't be as close to my family (who all have a strong faith), I wouldn't be raising my children the same way. For that matter, I wouldn't even have these children... because I met my husband in a Christian Coffeehouse online!

2. I can hardly believe I have been married to my husband for almost 10 years already, but at the same time it's like we've always been together. I am so thankful that God saw fit to reach down and help us out of the mess that was "us" after the first year of marriage.

3. Even though he scribbled on the screen of my laptop with a ball point pen today, I am thankful for David. He is growing so fast, I am so thankful for the time I have with him.

4. Peek-a-boo, giggles & squeals. That's Elizabeth. I fall more & more in love with her every day. She is so full of personality and I am amazed by her every day, too.

5. My parents have always been supportive of me, but now they've gone beyond what I ever expected by happily welcoming me back home. I brought a husband, 2 kids, 3 cats and too much stuff back into their house & they seem to be enjoying it. I am very thankful for them & for them letting us live here for the time being.

6. For the rest of the family, both mine & Dad's, I am also thankful. Siblings, aunts & uncles, grandparents, cousins, nieces & nephews... it's great (and busy) to be a part of a big family!

7. I got to talk to my best friend on the phone yesterday. Between that and the friends that came to Dad's graduation, I feel so blessed.

8. I am so thankful that I can enjoy God's creation. Whether walking to the mail box or petting a cat, everything that God made makes me thankful.

9. Sleep is often interrupted for this mom, so when I get a good night's sleep, I am very thankful!

10. This may sound strange, but I'm becoming a little crunchy & I love it! Breastfeeding, babywearing, semi-co-sleeping, cloth diapering (and making some of them myself!), and making baby food... and I am thankful for the opportunity to do all those things.

This post has taken all day to write & I think I will not get much of #9 tonight, so I'm going to just cut it off there.

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Thursday Thanks Tank banner courtesy of Pam at Without Fear.

Wordless Wednesday: Old

For more Wordless Wednesday,
visit Wordless Wednesday HQ
or 5 Minutes for Mom

Today I am thankful
that I grew up on a farm
in the country
with chickens and rabbits,
cows and sheep,
even the pigs.
I am thankful that Daddy stopped
when turtles crossed the road,
and we brought them home.

Upcoming Movie: Golden Compass

I have gotten a few emails about a new movie that's coming out, so I thought I'd post my findings here for others to read, too. The movie is The Golden Compass (which I will abbreviate, TGC), releasing on December 7, 2007. Obviously I have not seen the movie, since it hasn't been released yet, nor have I read the books the movie is based upon. The commercials I've seen for the movie piqued my interest, but the emails have been one of warning and concern.

Snopes.com discusses the claim that, "TGC is based on a series of books with anti-religious themes." They found the claim to be true. Their article can be read here.

I found fans of the books on Rotten Tomatoes Forums discussing how disappointing the movie will be after all of the anti-Christian themes have been softened so that the movie will be more appealing to American viewers. Seems that those people that liked the books for it's anti-Christian sentiment are upset that it has been removed.

Some emails from Christians speculate that the movie was softened to be more appealing to children, who would then want to read the books, their parents not realizing the content.

Wikipedia has a very good synopsis of all three books. If you read the entire page on His Dark Materials, the trilogy (the movie is based on book one), you will see the anti-Christian themes that are found in the books. It is more than enough evidence for me not to see the movie.

Here are a couple more articles on the film from Focus on the Family sources:
Golden Compass Reveals a World Where There is No God, CitizenLink
Red flags waved over seemingly family-friendly film, Family News in Focus

You may be wondering if this should matter to you. I'd recommend you read the synopsis from Wikipedia and tell me if it matters.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Another phrase David must have heard somewhere:
I know exactly what you're thinking, Mom!

Looking at our blog, David recognized some friends:
David: I see Mack!
Mom: You sure do!
David: I see Mack and Casey!

David was getting very loud one night after going to bed (in the same room with sleeping Elizabeth). I went in without turning any lights on & said...
Mom: David, I have something in my hand. Feel this. (and I ran his hands over the object)
David: It's a spankin' spoon!
I didn't have to go in again to tell him to be quiet! (Nor did I have to use the spoon!)

I've been waiting days to post this one! Sunday morning, Elizabeth sat in the exersaucer while I made breakfast. David was sitting on the stool at the counter.
Elizabeth: Ba ba ba ba ba....
David: That's not a bubble, Liz-a-beth!

I love that they're starting to interact!!!

In the bathroom yesterday morning...

Mom: David, please shut the door.

David: Hello, Mama!

Mom: David, shut the door; I like to have the door shut when I use the bathroom.

David, after shutting the door: Open thou door!

Makes me wonder if his Sunday School lesson was in King James!

Grandma brought home Ratatouille (the movie, not the food). David examined the box and said, "The mouse is holding a spankin' spoon!" Sure enough, the rat is holding a wooden spoon on the cover! So I asked if the mouse was going to spank him & he quickly said no!

Today, I am thankful for the words, babbles, and sound effects that come from my children!

Read more Tiny Talk Tuesday at Not Before 7. I wonder how her "not before 7" rule is working since time change...

Grana's Birthday

Today was Grana's actual birthday, so David helped me make a Birthday Heart for her. Click on the picture for an enlarged view. Then we went up to Quilt Club to deliver it. The quilt in the frame was not hers, but she was helping quilt it.

I have said lots how thankful I am for family - this extends to my husband's family, too. We are fortunate to all get along. Dropping in on Quilt Club today also reminded me that I am thankful for the ability to create. I am thankful that we have a creative God and that we were created in His image - creative, created beings!

More FWFD Graduation

Grandpa posted some videos from Dad's graduation HERE. In the first video, you can hear David start crying when the bagpipes came by us. We tried to prepare him for it, but they still scared him! At the end of that video, you can see MawMaw & David outside the door watching. The second video is Dad's award presentation.

Eleven Days 'Til Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful that my parents raised me in church. We were there all the time... they even left me there once! (Churches sure do get dark when everybody but the janitor leaves!)

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I don't know what makes some people like going to church and some people not like going (other than God), but I am also thankful that I enjoy going to church.

.

And finally, I am thankful that David is enjoying going to church. He loves Cubbies and his Sunday School class.

Gobble, Gobble

These old Thanksgiving postcards where they're riding turkeys crack me up!

Today we went to Grana's birthday party and I forgot my camera.

Once again, I am thankful for family, and seeing my children interact with cousins, aunts & uncles, and grandparents.

An Official Member of the Fort Worth Fire Department

Today was a big day in the Fort Worth Fire Department... and in our family! Dad's graduation & swearing in ceremony for the Fort Worth Fire Department! The class president closed his speech with an emotional, "The best --- fire department in the world just got a little better!"


Some special awards were given out during the program. This first picture is Dad getting the award for highest EMS score. He got a plaque and $100 cash!

Next, Dad is going across the stage, shaking hands and receiving his badge, and his plaque for completing the program. Their brand new, shiny helmets are lined up across the front of the stage.

Here is the actual swearing in (below).

Click on the photo to enlarge & see if you can spot Dad!

A few of the firefighters from San Angelo drove in for the occasion!

(L-R) Casey, Mack, Dad, Chatta

After the ceremony, we went to the Railhead BBQ joint for lunch.

There's MawMaw & David...

Uncle Phil...

Grandpa H, Norma,

Papa, Grana holding Elizabeth,

Grandma, Grandpa P...

And the firefighters' table: Chatta, Casey, Dad, Mack, Delanie

Everyone in that photo is a certified firefighter!

And our happy family...

Obviously, I have much to be thankful for today! Just for starters: a wonderful husband who loves his job, dear friends who also love my husband, supportive extended family, and a beautiful family of my own. I am very blessed!

AND... today was Elizabeth's 10-month birthday!