Christmas Vacation

Joe and I spent the Christmas holiday traveling. It was just the two of us and we really had fun being together and visiting with family and friends.

We were gone for 11 days and we traveled 2500 miles.

We traveled through mountains (and blizzards)

to the desert and then to the ocean.

We drove

and drove

and drove some more

until we were just exhausted.

But it was so worth it. We had a blast!!

We went from one weather extreme . . .

. . . to another


We saw beautiful scenery



and fabulous sunsets (you know how I love sunsets!)


We stayed in fun hotels



And pigged out on scrumptious food (Sorry I don't have any pics of the actual food - I was too busy enjoying it!!)

We saw some of our favorite people and did a lot of fun things.

Stay tuned for more posts of what we did while we were gone.

Who is your Role Model?

Try this - it's really neat . . .

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL???

(Don't look ahead at the answers)
1) Pick your favorite number between 1-9

2) Multiply by 3 then

3) Add 3, then again Multiply by 3 (I'll wait while you get your calculator....)

4) You'll get a 2 or 3 digit number. . .

5) Add those digits together

Now Scroll down ..............
>

>

>

>

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> Now with that number see who your ROLE MODEL is from the list below :
>
> 1. Einstein
>
> 2. Oprah Winfrey
>
> 5. Bill Gates
>
> 6. Gandhi
>
> 7. Brad Pitt
>
> 8. Hitler
>
> 9. Carol Gneiting
>
> 10. Barack Obama

 

I know . . . . I just have that effect on people . . . . what can I say?

. . . . one day you too can be like me.... :0) 

Believe it!

PS.  OK!!!  Stop picking different numbers.

 I AM YOUR IDOL, I KNOW IT. . . JUST ACCEPT IT !!!!!!

. . . just kidding!

Pictures from our Christmas vacation coming soon.

Keep watching!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

A Light Unto All: A Christmas Gift

Here is the Christmas story told through missionaries from 25 countries. This is a must-see video clip that will move you; it will move anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and wants to feel the spirit of the season. Share this one as much as possible.  

If you want to add it to your blog you can go HERE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

(Make sure to pause my music below first.)

Holiday Eating Tips

I saw this on my friend Kathys blog and I thought it was pretty funny.

I hope this will help everyone enjoy a guilt free holiday.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving fudge.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-oholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. STOP! Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's! You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Holiday cookies, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each! Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day??

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming:

"WOO HOO what a ride!"

Enjoy your holiday munching!!!

Let's not forget those who keep our country secure

Lets start this wonderful holiday season right by remembering those who are ensuring us the freedom to be able to continue to celebrate these sacred holidays. At this time of "giving" please take a moment to write a few words of thanks on a Christmas card and send it to a soldier who has paid the price of sacrificing for you, us, and all of the blessed people in this great country.  

As you do so, you might also think about the sacrifice our Father in Heaven made by sending His only begotten Son to the world, and for the sacrifice He made through his atonement to allow us the blessings and opportunities we enjoy through the gospel today.  

Send your card to:

A recovering American Soldier

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C.  20307-5001

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,

And to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,

A sober thought came into my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,

I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone

Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,

Not how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,

Owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world the children would play,

And grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

Because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, 

On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,

"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,

My life is my God, my Country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,

I couldn't control it , I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still

And we both shivered from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave on the cold, dark night,

This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,

Whispered, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas day.  All is secure."

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,

"Merry Christmas my friend and to all - a good night."  

- Author unknown

old and achy

I've had a muscle in my back that has been hurting for days.


Lifting and hauling hundreds of books while working this week at the college bookstore for "end of the semester text book buy-back" probably didn't help it any either. 

Actually I know it made it worse. (Ohhh. . . my aching back!! Sorry I did this to you. . . to me. . . to US!!)

And it's amazing how something like this can make a person become so CRANKY!! (Sorry family!)

Joe keeps looking at me saying "Are you ok?" NO. . .  I'm not ok! and why do you keep asking me that when I told you already my back hurts! ( OK. . . so I didn't really say that but I thought it?) 

So, PLEASE. . . don't ask me again. . . 

PLEASE. . . just give me a back rub!! 

Pretty Please!!! . . . don't make me beg!

. . . some chocolate & flowers would be nice to!! . . . and maybe breakfast in bed!  . . . saturday AND sunday?!?!  (thats not asking for too much - is it?)

Ok. . . I admit it!!  Let me correct my blog post title --- old, achy AND grouchy! . . . needy is a good word too!

Maybe one of these would help!! 


Well, thank goodness. . . book buy-back is over, it's the weekend, I've taken my Ibuprofin, rubbed Ben Gay on my back, and now . . .  I'm going to bed!  Wake me up on Monday!!! (maybe I'll be smiling again!!  :))

Good Message for Christmas

Joe and I listened to this book on tape as we drove to Montana for Thanksgiving. It is really good and helped get us in the mood for the season. So if you are looking for a touching story to read I would suggest this one.

In all the hustle and bustle . . .

. . . Let's not forget the true reason of the season.

Let's get this holiday PARTY started!!

And what better way to do that than with Joe and I becoming CHRISTMAS ELVES!!! As you can see we have been working on learning some new dances (and we are even thinking of trying out for the next season of Dancing with the Stars.) 

Let us know what you think of our sweet moves?

I know this went around last year but these dances are different.  Have fun "elving" (is that a word?) yourselves and your family too by going HERE. 

Anyway we also want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy this holiday season.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

32 years and headed to eternity!

It started with two . . .



. . . And then they were one!




After 32 years. . .



. . . Look what we've become!









We're still having fun




And Joe, you're still the one! Happy Anniversary! Love ya lots!

Amazing Christmas Lights

This house actually belongs to a friend of mine here. Their family does this each year to help the people in this area celebrate Christmas. Every night they have a different show with different songs and it really is amazing. Enjoy!!

Tis the season to give

I saw this video this morning and I had to share it with all of you. This boy is a great example of what the holidays are all about.
Service and love. Get out your kleenex and listen to a heart warming story. (Turn off my music below first.)

TAG!! I'm it!!

Well I've been tagged by my friend Roz. This is my first time and this one is fun and actually easy. No having to think of clever answers to weird questions about myself. Here's the rules: I just had to go to my 4th photo folder and post the 4th picture.

So here it is:

This is a picture of me (I think that I was about 9 yrs old) and it has been hanging on the wall in my dad's house for years (probably since it was taken.) Wasn't I a doll!!! lol

Anyway. . . my dad is 94 yrs old and has lived alone until recently when we had to move him into assisted living. I went to AZ to help clean out his house so we can sell it. My daughter took this picture of my picture hanging on the wall. I am now the proud owner of this GORGEOUS picture of myself (broken frame and all).

So there you go . . .
and now I TAG:

Amy Joy Gneiting
Hollie Kuehne
Courtney Herd
Laurene Jackson
Lydia Stewart
Sam Mendez

YOU'RE IT!!

Remember: Go to your 4th folder and post your 4th picture and tell us all about it!!

For the rest of you: Please VOTE on my poll at the right! Thanks.

Beautiful Morning Skies

About a week ago we had some really beautiful sunrises. I love that time of the morning. It is so peaceful and quiet. And yet I think it is so majestic at that very moment when the sun actually appears over the mountains. This was one of those mornings. I love how the clouds look and the color of the sky. It looked almost as if the whole sky was on fire.

I took these pictures over about a 20 minute time frame. I thought it was interesting how the clouds and the colors changed so quickly. I thought about running in to wake my family so they could see the beauty but I knew by then it would be over.

It made me think about life's special moments and how quickly they come and go and if we don't pay attention we may miss them.
The cloud filled skies can bring stormy weather, they too can bring beauty beyond imagination. Just like the skies, our lives are filled with storms that challenge us along our way, but even in the midst of the storms we can find moments of joy and happiness. . . and it is those moments that bring us hope and faith.
We need to make sure that we don't let our lives just pass us by with out recognizing the joys along the way. Those little things can be great blessings in our lives if we truly learn to appreciate them and then give thanks to our Heavenly Father for them. 

Life is a journey. . .not a destination!

"Life is like an old-time rail journey . . . delays, . . . sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. 

The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

~Pres Gordon B. Hinckley~

Next week we will gather with our friends and families for fun, food, and festivities. Lets make sure that we take time to remember all of our blessings, great and small, and give thanks to our Father in Heaven for filling our lives with them . . . helping us enjoy this journey we travel.  

WAIT! Let me get my camera!

Ok, I admit. . . maybe I've become a little bit obsessed with blogging. (Ok - maybe more than a little, but not much.)

I wake up in the middle of the night and sit and ponder on what to blog about. (Do any of you do that? . . . come on be honest).

And I'm always wanting to get a good picture but usually never have my camera with me when an opportunity presents itself. (I need to hook my camera to my keychain.)

So. . . today when the perfect blogging moment arrived . . . and my camera was close . . . I just couldn't miss out on the opportunity.

(Even at the expense of my dear sweet husband) Honestly honey. . . I love you and I would never put you or your physical well-being in jeopardy just to get a perfect picture for my blog.

But really. . . even you have to admit my dear . . .

It was a priceless moment!

I'm not sure how it happened (a little over-exuberant morning stretch maybe) . . . and I'm glad you're okay . . . sorry it took me so long to take the picture (while the blood was running to your head) . . .

. . . but uncontrollable laughter slows me down.

Oh . . . and thanks for being a good sport and waiting while I captured the memory!

(How's your head?!)

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Ok I can't wait any longer!!!

I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. . . and I've always hated the fact that the stores start decorating for Christmas way before Halloween.  And usually by the time Christmas actually gets here I'm really sick of it all and can't wait to get the decorations down and be done with it all. 

AND SO . . . 

I'm probably going to really be sick of it by Dec 25th since I'm doing this so early.

BUT . . . 

I'm really feeling the Christmas Spirit already.  I'm not sure why. . . and don't get me wrong. . . I will still be looking forward to and enjoying Thanksgiving too. 

BUT . . . 

I've been listening to Christmas music now for two days.

And . . . 

I couldn't hold back any longer. . . I just went ahead and changed my blog to reflect my mood.

SO . . . 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!

Lets enjoy this time of the year and see if we can find the true meaning of the season. . . 

. . . in our hearts and with our families!!

This eight year old Kentucky boy is an above the knee amputee following cancer that he had when he was one. Amazingly, he has been able to play sports like baseball, football, and soccer. He does not wear a prosthesis because it slows him down when he is playing. He plays as a catcher while squatting down on his right leg and is able to pop up from that position without any strain. When he hits the ball he is able to hop nimbly to first base and then continue running the bases after being handed his crutches by his coach. What an inspiring athlete!

If you need to be inspired today you need to watch this amazing kid HERE.

Goodbye Old Yeller

When we first moved here 10 yrs ago we needed a refridgerator. The move had cost us alot of money so we thought we would just find a cheap used fridge to get us by for a few months and then get a new one later when we had saved the money for it.

Meet old Yeller

The reason for the name is that he was such a good fridge. . .and just kept running... so we just kept him. . . for 10 yrs. He had to have been at least 10 yrs old when we bought him. He was an ugly color, his front handle was broken (notice the duck tape), and at times there wasn't enough room for everything I wanted to put in there. But he was reliable and dependable. Just like a good friend. So when he finally gave up the ghost last week and quit working we weren't surprised at all, in fact we were kind of expecting it. He had been making strange noises and just seemed to be getting weaker and weaker. But we were grateful for a good appliance that had lasted so long. Even though it was sad to lose him and even sadder that we had to put out the money to buy a new fridge (right before the holidays-isnt that how things always happen) . . . it really was quite exciting. (It doesn't take much to get me excited!)

We shopped around, looking for the right one. The minute I saw her. . . I knew she was meant for us.
So I'd like to introduce you to our new fridge.

She is so nice and roomy. She has ice and water on the door which I think is such a nice luxury. :) And she is HUGE. We could barely get her in the front door and around the corner into the kitchen. Now I just need to save my money to fill her up with yummy food.

We haven't named her yet (send your ideas) and . . . we hope and pray that she is as dependable as "Old Yeller" was.

Way to go California!!

Prop 8 WON!!

California voters approved 

the ban on gay-marriage!

Good Job!  Way to fight the fight!

One bright spot in an otherwise dissappointing election.  

Word for the day: PUMPKIN

More recipes from "Betty Crocker" . . . AKA . . . Me!

So I've been baking up a storm again. What's gotten into me? Who knows - but, I know that my family is enjoying it. Here are a few recipes and the main ingredient is pumpkin. Enjoy!!




Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies 

(I got this recipe from my friend Sheena-thanks Sheena-we think they are the best cookies ever!)
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I use Ghiradelli ....they're soooo good, and they're extra big) 
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the pumpkin and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon; gradually mix into the creamed mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Cool on wire racks.




Moist Pumpkin Bars (These are a family favorite)
2 c. flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
1 1/2 sugar
1 c. oil
Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, soda, and salt. Combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil, add to flour mixture. Beat well. Spread in large cookie sheet. Bake in 350º oven for 15 to 20 minutes or till done. Cool. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cube butter
1 tsp vanilla
Powdered Sugar (as much as needed for desired thickness)
      Mix softened cream cheese and butter with mixer till smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and creamy.


(This next recipe doesn't have pumpkin in it but it is really good at this time of the year and it goes well with the pumpkin desserts.) 


Chili Con Carne Pie

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (1 lb.) can tomatoes, cut up

1 (20 oz) can kidney beans, drained

1 Tblsp. chili powder

1 tsp. salt

1 pkg of corn bread mix (I use Marie Callenders) 

Cook onion, garlic, and beef until beef is well browned, then drain grease.  Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder and salt.  Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, make the corn bread mixture, according to directions.

Place hot meat mixture into a baking dish; sprinkle with cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese.  Pour corn bread mixture over the top.

Bake in 350º oven for about 30-35 minutes until golden brown.