I think I have completed the changes to my blog.. If you find anything you can not read.... please advise and I will check it out.. thank you for all your Patience while I did this updating :)

One good thing about updating my blog I was able to clear out old started blog entries.. and I also found where I forgot to publish one award.. Which I am very sorry I did not get the acknowledgements where they needed to go... I am so very sorry I dropped the ball on that one. The only thing I can think of was.... that I received it when I was very sick and my dad was in the hospital twice... and my Step mom was in the hospital at the same time all of this other stuff was going on... That is the only thing I can figure as to why I missed posting the award... Any way thank you CraftySusie for that very nice award!!!!

CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPE

1 cup of water

1tsp baking soda

1 cup of sugar

1 tsp salt

1 cup of brown sugar

1tsp lemon juice

4 large eggs

1 cup nuts

2 cups of dried fruit

1 bottle Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

Sample the Captain to check quality.Take a large bowl, check the Captain again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the Captain is still OK, try another cup, just in case.Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.Pick the frigging fruit off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it lloose with a drewscriver.

Sample the Captain the check for tonsisticity.Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who giveshz a sheet.Check the Captain Morgan.Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.Greash the oven.Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner.Finally, throw the bowl out, finish the Captain Morgan and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

CHERRY MISTMAS

And it's winter before we know it....

REFLECTIONS
You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all...
And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...
How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go... And where did my youth go? I remember well... seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like...
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit! And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things. But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...This I know, that when it's over...its over....Yes , I have regrets .There are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,,things I should have done. But indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done Its all in a lifetime.. . So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Life goes by quickly So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember..."Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who came after. Make it a fantastic one." LIVE IT WELL!!
~author unknown~

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the

sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty

to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

A Year From Oak Cottage: Merry Christmas Giveaway

A Year From Oak Cottage: Merry Christmas Giveaway

Go check out this very fun give away.. this hostess is offering some very lovely items :)

Run Hurry Enter this give-away

Maple Lane is holding an Apron Give-away for the Holiday.. So run on over there and sign up :) You can not go wrong with one of these lovely creations. While your at her blog.. check out some of her other lovely aprons.. I just adore the Full Santa Apron :)

Cute Stuff Inside is holding a Fantastic Give-away

Run on over and check it out :)

A lot done over my weekend :)

I realize that several of you are off today and tomorrow and go back to work on Monday.. but I work weekends.. so while I was off for the holiday, I worked on a few fun Holiday things.. I made seven Christmas stockings.. some of them are in my Etsy Shop and some of them were for swaps.. The following Stocking is in my Etsy shop for Sale:

The stocking below was one of my Swap Stockings:

I even had time to sew my final apron for the season :) I think it turned out really sweet with the little snowmen ;)

I even got all my Dashing through the Snow Fat Quarters put together to send out to my fellow swappers....

I have to tell you I forgot to take a photo of this swap... fellow swappers... be kind and send me a photo when you receive them :) Thank you!!!

Lastly I have my first pair of Slippers made.. I think they turn out fantastic for my first try at this new to me pattern. These lovely slippers are lined in flannel and interfaced with thermo fleece... they should be very toasty for those little piggies with the temps get down really low :) Here they are!!!! No you can't see all of them..... I am posting just a small taste :)

They are still sitting on the Cutting table.. now I have to decide if I want to put a draw string around them... I think I will just for the fun of it all. :)

I have one little pair of slippers left to make.. and then I have one 4t dress for my friend to make and I am done with everything that is required of me... then its on to the other fun stuff for my family for the holiday:) I haven't decided if I am going to make them aprons for Christmas or Christmas Stockings. I might do both.. depends on how much time I have before the items must be sent... there is a due date ... per the Post Office to insure they arrive on time for the Holiday :{) So we will see as far as time goes... I need some really fast ideas of what to make for men... Ideas anyone???? Last year I made my brother-in-law this really awesome roll to keep all his BBQ utensils in when they are out sailing on the ocean in the boat. Now there is one easy place to find them when they are being stored out on the Sail Boat. He loved it he said, now I always have things at hand... no more searching for the tongs, knife, scissors, etc.....

I made everyone a weekend over night kit too.. It had tooth brush, comb, brush, toothpaste, handsoap, lotion, insect itch cream,,, and one small first aid kit that I made from a film canister. They loved it. Now my sister keeps all of them in a closet.. when its time to go to the boat she just grabs up all 5 bags and off they go ... prepaired and ready for the fun weekend ahead.

I was thinking of making my artist Children... some of those really cool cloth portfolios... those really cool fabric bags where they keep their sketch pads and pencils. I am sure my Nephew John John would love one of those to use on the train as he goes to the City to School. He goes to San Francisco School of Art. I am very proud of him and his fabulous art work. He hopes to someday work for Disney.

So if you have any fun fast ideas.. let me know :)

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving day. I woke up bright and early and started sewing.. I wanted to have some fun at the family dinner. So I made this apron :) I made this very cute reversible apron from my own pattern. I even got the girls to model it for me at the dinner so I could show you how wonderful it turned out.

All the family members names were put in to a bowl for the drawing. It was a lot of fun. I had a lot of compliments and admirers of my work :)

I asked one of the family members to draw the name. She pulled out the small piece of paper... and threw it back in and said that's not right .. I should draw again!!!! I told her no....everyone was given a chance to win it :)... we would go with her first paper she drew... So without further a do here is the winner....

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Jason was thrilled to get this apron.. Look at him he even modeled it for me so I could take a photo of him... isn't he so cute. I have to tell you when I was taking a photo of it with the girls... he was right there taking photos too.... I as really happy that he won it, since he had taken such a keen interest in it.

Recently I received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every 2nd word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. I tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else I could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary. Finally, I was fed up and I yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. I shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. So, in desperation, I threw up my hands, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that I'd hurt the parrot, I quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto my outstretched arm and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior." I was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As I was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Holiday Give-aways.. :)

A New Path is holding a wonderful Christmas give-away.. pop on over there and see what is in this very nice basket :) Some very wonderful items I might add. Click on photo to go there :)

Isn't this the cutest little guy .. go to: http://primandproperfolks.blogspot.com/

For a chance to win :)

Look at this adorable little Annie that is being given away at the following:http://www.cowgirlprimitives.blogspot.com/Run a long and sign up for a chance to win her:)

The Epic of Santa

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house.

There were bottles of booze left around by some louse.

When thru the north window there came loud a yell.

I sprang to my feet to see what the hell...

And what to my bloodshot eyes should I see.

But eight drunken reindeer caught up in a tree.

And there in the branches, was a man with a sleigh.

I knew it was Santa, quite tiddly and gay.

Staggering nearer those eight reindeer came.

While he belched and hiccoughed and called them by name:

"On Whiskey! On Vodka! we ain't got all night.

You too, Gin and Brandy, now all do it right.

Clamber up on the roof, and get off this wall.

Get goin you rummy's, we've still a long haul!"

... So up on the roof went the reindeer and sleigh.

But a tree branch hit Santa before he could sway.

And then to my ears like the roll of a barrel.

A hell of a noise that was no Christmas Carol.

So I pulled in my head and I cocked a sharp ear.

Down the chimney he plunged, landing smack on his rear.

He was both plump and chubby and and tried to stand upright.

But he didn't fool me, he was high as a kite.

He spoke not a word but went straight to work.

And missed half the stockings, the drunken old jerk.

Then putting his thumb to the end of his nose.

He fluttered his fingers as he quoted prose.

As he sprung for his sleigh at so hasty a pace.

He tripped on a shingle and slid on his face.

But I heard him call back as he passed out of sight.

"Merry Christmas, you lushes, now really get tight!"

I know this is not Christmas...

But I thought it was a riot :)

Still laughing out loud as I type this up :)))

Toy Company in Trouble... oh No!!!!!

There is a factory in Northern Minnesota which makes the Tickle Me Elmo toys. The toy laughs when you tickle it under the arms. Well, Lena is hired at The Tickle Me Elmo factory and she reports for her first day promptly at 8:00 am.

The next day at 8:45 am there is a knock at the Personnel Manager's door. The Foreman throws open the door and begins to rant about the new Employee.He complains that she is incredibly slow and the whole line is backing up, putting the entire production line behind schedule.The Personnel Manager decides he should see this for himself, so the 2 men march down to the factory floor.

When they get there the line is so backed up that there are Tickle Me Elmo's all over the factory floor and they're really beginning to pile up. At the end of the line stands Lena surrounded by mountains of Tickle Me Elmo's. She has a roll of plush Red fabric and a huge bag of small marbles.

The 2 men watch in amazement as she cuts a little piece of fabric, wraps it around two marbles and begins to carefully sew the little package between Elmo's legs. The Personnel Manager bursts into laughter. After several minutes of hysterics he pulls himself together and approaches Lena . 'I'm sorry,' he says to her, barely able to keep a straight face, 'but I think you misunderstood the instructions I gave you yesterday...''Your job is to give Elmo two test tickles.

Who Invited Frosty to the Hot Tub Party?????

Agueeeee Who was that??? and where did it come from???

Here I was.... minding my own bid-ness... when a long it comes..... from out of no where!!!!!! I was writing all these (wonderful I might add) Personal Christmas stories on my blog, since you don't get much of that from me... personal stuff :( ... I was trying to be a responsible blog writer, and all of a sudden I got tagged...Cathy from AuntDaisy'sCottage tagged me....So I have decided join in on this little tag game, and have some fun too.. and let all of my bloggy friends know some more things about me :)

The rules are simple to play......

Here goes, first let me see if I can follow the rules:
Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you. (Check)
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog. (Check)
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself. (Double Check)
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post. (Check Check)
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog. (Check)
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up. (Opp-sie???) (Check)

#1. When I was a Child the only thing I wanted to eat was Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches... Now this was a very tough thing for my family to make for me.. as I didn't want anything that touched. If food touched I would not eat it. Strange but true.. so it was eat all of one thing first and then on to the next item on my plate.

#2. I have a super hero that I love.. It is Batman.. I have all the new Batman movies and when the re-runs are on TV, I have to watch them too... I was given a Batman button for Christmas when I was small Child one year.. I still have that very same button that I wear on my Jean Jacket once in a while :) Everyone wants it.. I look at them and say bring it on.. this is mine!!!!

#3. I love to try new things.. like me purchasing that new Grace Quilting Machine.. I still don't have the hang of that thing yet.. but some day.. and then I could help quilt all those.... ( piercers) quilts for you.... :)
#4. When I was little my dad at the beginning of summer Vacation he would purchase me bubble gum..I use to chew gum everyday. My favorite was the Grape... LOL back then it tasted like soap for some reason!!!! (LOL I had quite a bit of experience with soap when I was young) (Do you recall the old adage.. wash your mouth out with soap??) Any way He would buy me a whole sack of it.. there would be enough in that sack for one piece each day until school started. When I got down to the last few I new the Summer was almost over :)
#5. I love chocolate, no, actually I am "addicted" to chocolate! sooo sad! this statement came from Cathy ... I am just like this.. do you think its a woman thing???? ... I have heard Chocolate is good for your heart... so if its good for me bring it on.. and by the truck load :)

#6. I have been writing a Children's book for years.. I don't think its good enough.. so I never tried to get it published....All of my English teachers said I should write for a living ... as they found me very entertaining when I wrote out my Papers at school. Yeah Yeah Yeah I bet they just told me that so I would turn in my assignments :) I was told I had an off the wall sense of humor.. not your usual style.

OK, that was too much thinking for this ole gal :) , whee!! :) Now, let's see who I am going to TAG!! I have to tell you if you did not get a tag from me.. its not because I don't like you!!!! I just thought I would tag some of my new visitors to my blog :) We are all out there to make new friends.. and Apron Lovers :)

* 1. Hd Mac's Craft blog

* 2. Turtle Trax too

* 3. Apron Valley Road

* 4. Jody/Bob Quilts

* 5. Frankenpug

* 6. Amanda

Come one Come all to my Holiday Give-away

Christmas fun.... from the House of Pitty Pat:)

Hello everyone..... I am having such a rough week ... My little dog Pitty Pat thinks I should do something fun and festive for all my blogging friends out there in blog land. So I thought about what to do for a while and then I came up with this idea..... to help cheer myself up. I am going to hold a Holiday give-way.

What is it??? You ask.... that I am going to give-away... Well its this................ see photo blow :)

In this lovely handcrafted Christmas Stocking made by me....I will also include some fun small gifts to go with it :)

All you have to do is leave a 50 word or less Christmas story in the comments. To help put a smile on my face..

I will be holding the drawing on Dec 10th. Hopefully you will receive it in enough time, you can enjoy it a few days before Christmas Day.

Please feel free to put my give away up on your blog... Don't forget to linky back to me :)

My HOliDaY TRaDiTions... :)

I thought this would be a fun time to post what some of your family traditions are around your house during the Holiday Season. I will start off by telling you some fun things about me. Since I don't post a lot of personal stuff...here you will get to know just a little bit more about me.. and I hope you enjoy reading my tale :)

I

have to tell you ... I LIVE FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!! if its anything to do with Christmas Count Me In!!!!

Confessions of a Christmas Tree Addict :)

It usually all starts a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving at my house. You say what in the world? Well I have to make at least three dozen trips upstairs and down stairs with all the packed up boxes and artificial trees.

Then I have to move furniture around to accommodate all my wonderful trees. You say trees... Did she say that right???? yes she did.... its trees... as of the last count I had 16 of those babies. Most of them are those skinny tall Pines. The ones like you get from Hobby Lobby. Sorry the name of them escape me right now... I am getting old you know :)

Any way I love all the trees they each have a theme...

The first tree I will talk about wears, my Christmas ornaments I had this tree when my Child was a wee tot. She was only 2 when I had my first set of ornaments. They were the soft foam type with strings around them, then there was wood ones, there were cloth ones too. All of these where Child safe. I wanted the Holiday to be fun.. not trips to the ER because of cut fingers or things choked on. As she grew in age we did replace the silly little kiddy ones with better ones... these where ones that we made by hand. I know you single moms know what I am talking about here. (Not much money to spare)I remembering having so much fun doing this... one night my oldest and dearest friend and I sat at the Kitchen table and we blew eggs... we washed out the inside and let them dry out. We blew out six eggs.. that gave three each to decorate any way we wanted too... We chose to use paint and lace. We made 6 little egg ornaments... I have to tell you of all the crystal and glass and handmade ornaments... those 6 little eggs are just about as precious as my child and grandchildren are to me. They have endured all my moving and all the trees I put up since they were made 34 years ago. They are always cradled down in their home....(an egg carton) every year and placed lovingly back in the storage box. No one touches those little guys... my family knows without the spoken words.... They just know it would just kill me if something happened to them. These six little ornaments hold all of those Special Christmas times that I have shared with family and friends. Even when the Grandchildren where young those little guys were on the trees.. yes Virgina they were there Just safely nestled at the top.

Tree number 2.... Then came the era of me making all of my holiday ornaments. I used ceramic fired little white things and made them into beautiful little caulk cover ornaments. Some of them even got acrylic paints, and all of them got a fun spray coat of lacquer to keep them nice. But through the years these little guys are starting to yellow.. But they still hold a spot in my heart, and go up on their own little tree.

I have to tell you my family use to have these huge Holiday get togethers from Thanksgiving through Christmas night. We always tried to find as much time as we could to go to grandmothers. Those times Changed the year after I started putting up my 2nd tree. Grandmother moved to CA. So I took over the traditions of Christmas being the oldest sibling. Now I was not like Granny we had one Christmas Party the Weekend Before Christmas.. but it was always wonderful and fun. I held this tradition until 5 years ago. Someone came as a guest with a friend and some of my things were stolen. I always said if I had trouble I would not hold the parties any longer. Its too bad too.. because there was so much fun and wonderful memories shared at these parties. I would have as many as 100 people running in and out of my house from 6pm to 6am. You have to remember I am a shift worker so the hour did not matter to me.... So it meant friends and family getting off work or being up at their hours they lived by.... anyway those were some very fun times. Lots of good food, friends, and memories... One Christmas party that will always stand out in my head....... I thought I was going have to cancel my party the weather outside was bad.. it had rained freezing ice all day... But I got everything ready for the party and people started come...This year started out like every other year...but it would soon change.... This years party had some real excitement... it was the year the fleeing armed robbers ran their car into my house... you might think this is strange. I lived right on a curve of a road at the time before I purchased the OLEO Ranch... Anyway I was having my party. When all of a sudden Boom!!!! The house shook like it was in and earth quake... Earth Quake in Ks?????... well maybe ... we do have small ones here. But we never feel those little earth quakes.. but the boom on the house we all felt it. Anyway back to the robbers..We raced to the door to see what was the clatter... there they were trying to scramble out the windows of that car that was sitting on what use to be my front porch. We heard and saw the Police Cars right behind them.. Teee hee heee heee... I am now laughing... all of a sudden my guy friends behind me, sort of bull dozed over me and lept into action.. Guns were drawn and handcuffs came out of no where.. these guys were taken into custody in a flat minute. There we were all standing out in front of my house on the ice covered lawn with the bad guys in handcuffs....waiting on the police to arrive.... I guess the robbers chose the wrong house to run into... my house was full of Police officers that night.

Tree number 3: Since I held these Christmas Parties one of the requirements to attend was to bring a handcrafted ornament. As we always trimmed the tree that night. I have received some wonderful ornaments through the years past. I can almost tell you what year I got them in. Even though some of them arrived so many long years ago. My best friend would bring me one special ornament every year.. it was a dated one.. I have all of these wonderful Hallmark Snoopy Ornaments. They were so cute they came in a little dog house shaped box. (I still have all the little boxes). The year I stopped the parties is the year she no longer gave me a special ornament..... I don't know if it was the special of the event is why I always got one or she just moved on like me.

Tree number 4...... This fun and magical tree has all of my frog ornaments on it. I have been collecting frogs for years.. and on this tree are all the cute little fat ones, skinny one, long legged ones, and bulgy eyed ones that I own.

Tree number 5 .....This tree has all the Crystal ornaments on it. For this tree to make it stand out and make those little ornaments PoP.. I have used white silk ribbons to make hangers for them. The white of silk ribbon make your eyes draw toward the glass ornament. It just gives the tree that little extra where it is needed.

Tree number 6..... This is another tree that is very dear to my heart. Some of you, that know more about me from emails and other chats, know I work for our local police department... Well this very Special tree has all of my Police ornaments on it that I have been collecting since I started on the department almost 24 years ago. It is decorated in blue lights for the officers that serve to protect us. The blue lights are to honor the offices that have lost their lives in the line of duty and to also remind the ones that are out there to be safe, and we are thinking of you. This idea came from National Cops office. It is call Project Blue light... I even have a Blue lighted candle in my window that is burning all year round. So if you want to honor your law enforcement officers just decorate with Blue.. they will most likely know what it means. :)

Tree number 7 ... This tree has all the handmade ornaments from my family members.. it always brings a smile to my heart when I decorate this little tree.. It has all of those little handmade paper ornaments. Gingerbread men with glitter, snowmen with cotton balls on the body, Santa's with construction beards. I marked each one with a date on the back and had each one of them laminated to keep them for always. Then there are the wonderful hand painted wood ones that my sister gives me each year. She always paints us each an ornament.. includes the date on the back too :) They are fantastic always. :)

Tree number 8.... this little tree has all of my snowmen ornaments on it. I have some of those little so mores type, Snowmen on sleds, this tree even has some handmade snowmen I have received through the years. This tree is a tree that I leave up through out the winter months.. as it get very bare around here when all trees are packed up and put away. I enjoy looking at those little guys when there is snow outside on the ground. Its just stinking fun to have them up too.

Tree number 9... I have a tree outside on my front porch that is nestled down between all of my vintage snow sleds.. this tree doesn't have many ornaments on it.. the ones that are on it are plastic... I have awoke many mornings to see it blown over by the Kansas winds.. this little tree does sport a ton of lights though... when lit at night you would not know it did not have a lot of ornaments. It just looks cute ;)

Tree number 10.... this little tree has all the angels on it.. I have wonderful crystal ones, handmade one, big ones, small ones, round ones, wood ones, cloth ones... A person....has to have an angel tree its just the right thing.. Because Christmas is when I think of Angels the most :) They are there to remind me of our Lord and all of his sacrifices he made to make me who I am today.

Tree number 11 .... This is a tree that is very eclectic.. it has all those fun little ornaments on it... The cats, dogs, candy canes, Santa's, reindeer, stars, moons, string pulls, you name it... and its on this tree. :)

Tree number 12 ... is the tree with the extra ornaments like on tree number 11. But with other additional ornaments.. it is loaded with the Grinch. I just love the Grinch.. I have several stuffed Grinch's that sit underneath this tree.. and I also have several hanging ornaments of him on this tree.

Tree number 13... is my Vintage Feather Christmas tree that lives in my bedroom during the Christmas holiday. It has old vintage ornaments on it. I have only had this little tree for a couple of years. I would like to change the decorations on it and get some of those ATC's for it.. I think those vintage trading cards all glittered up would be a lot of fun.

Tree number 14 and 15 are both my miniature trees... One of them is on my TV and the other one is on the counter in the Kitchen. They are all dress up in the tiny little ornaments...They are so cute :)

Tree number 16.... is the Main tree in the house... it is either a real tree or my very nice Scotch Pine. This tree sports all of my Western Decorations. I love Country... it is covered in, wagon wheels, saddles, tee pees, cowboys, cowgirls, cows, horses, ropes, spurs, you name it if its western its on that tree :) This is a 9 foot tree... *artificial one is* I try to get one that tall if it is real too....I have even made a leather garland with beads and feathers for it.. it is very very nice. (My Ceilings are almost 12ft in my house)

Each one of the trees have clear white lights that make all the ornaments sparkle and shine. Each tree has a tree skirt, some handcrafted some purchased. I have toy trains, glass blocks that glow, handmade reindeer and other items to decorate the bottom of each tree.

Yes Virgina ... there is a Santa Clause.. its in us and how much we love the spirit of Christmas.

I want just two more trees in my house... One will be in the kitchen full of fun things.... like vintage measuring cups, small rolling pins and so on. The last tree I want to put up will be in my sewing room... I want it to sport fun items like vintage toy sewing machines, old vintage sewing kits, old thread spools painted up with Christmas colors... and so on.. I really think that would be a very fun tree to decorate..

So now that I have bored all of you to tears with the story of all my Christmas trees.... tell me about some of your holiday trees, and traditions. You can even write a book like me... :)

Thanks for letting me share my wonderful Christmas tree stories with you.. I wish you all a safe and Happy Holiday :)

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS.. Please join in!!!!

What a Fantastic IDEA!!

(New Information.. that was given to me)

When doing your holiday cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

When you are making out your holiday card list this year, please include one to the following address:

Card Guidelines
Please follow these guidelines when mailing a card to ensure that your card will quickly reach service members, veterans and their families. Every card received will first be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working in one of 16 sorting stations around the country.
All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Cards sent after this date will be returned to sender.
Participants are encouraged to limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group. If you are mailing a larger quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope or postage.
Please ensure that all cards are signed.
Please use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
Please send cards as opposed to long letters which delay a quick review process.
Please do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
Please do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
All cards received may be used in program publicity efforts, including appearing in broadcast, print or online mediums.
No 'Care Packages' will be accepted at this address. Those wishing to send care packages should go to http://www.americasupportsyou.com/ and click under "Homefront Groups" to find out how to send care packages.

If you approve, please pass it on.

Not to leave out the other Branches of the Service if you have a Medical Care Facility address where our soldiers are at.. send it to me and I will post it here on my blog :) .....

I Challenge all of my....Apron LOVING friends to send just one Card.... (two would even be better!!!) Lets show those American Troops what we are all about.. we are giving and caring Women :) Lets brighten up one of our Soldiers Holiday by this very simple act of kindness:)

If you post a card let us know ... leave comment on this post :)

Hot Drinks for Hot Momma's Apron has arrived :)

I have to Apoligize for not getting my Photos of these lovely aprons up ... I have been so busy trying to get the last bit of swaps done and last minute gifts completed.. I have not found the time to post the full aprons.. and add to my blog daily.. to make this Holiday Season Wonderful for all....but after the Holidays I promise to get all of my Holiday aprons posted for your enjoyment ;)

Ok I know there are two aprons here.. but I just wanted to give you a taste.. I will post full pictures of them over the Holiday Weekend :) the bottom apron is my Hot Drinks for Hot Mama's Apron from Reina. It is very very wonderful.. and reversible too. This lovely apron sports some delightful fun fabrics also.. The Marys Engelbreit fabric (which has little tea pots on it), fun black dots.. I just love how Reina used the beautiful light blue as the bias... It is just too cute for words. I love love love it Reina. Thank you so very much for such a lovely whimsical and fun Apron :)
Goodness ladies..... I am going to have a very Hard time figuring out what apron to were ON Thanksgiving :)

The other apron is from our sweet friend Jennifer.. from Lipstick and Laundry... we were swap partners on Swap-Bot... thank you Jennifer ... She teased me... it was too funny... she told me she didn't have time to go to store to get More Christmas fabric because she had made a mistake on what swap it was... I opened the package and there was those wonderful Candy Canes... And look at the wonderful eyelet lace to accent the pocket...Along with my apron Jennifer sent me some awesome fabrics.... they are going to be posted with some of my other fabric swaps . :) What I want to know is how does Jennifer get those aprons to smell so wonderful when you open the package. I have to hold them to my nose for ever and just breath deep :)

Once again sweet friends... thank you for the Amazing Aprons :

OH MY.... OH MY..... look at these wonderful drinks that came with my Hot Mamma's Apron.. I received several choices of teas.. and a cute cute cute tea infuser. Yummy yummy yum...Hot Chocolate mix... and let me point out this wonderful Hot Chocolate cook book. I will have to post some of those delicious recipes when it gets frightful cold outside. I don't know about you but I love something very hot and sweet in the winter to warm up with...

Thank you Reina for the wonderful thoughtful gifts.

Apron Swap Anyone??

I am thinking ahead...about holding a Valentines Apron Swap .. I would like to know if people would be interesting in do a swap like this. I love aprons as everyone can see by my many posted apron photos.

Please let me know what you think....

Hello my fellow bloggers out here in the land of blog :)

I don't like to have downer moments on my blog.. but I must.. from my heart of hearts.. share this with all of you......

First off.... I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

But .....I have something very important to say for everyone.

Please Please if you DRINK..... PLEASE DON'T DRIVE.

My reason for posting this as some of you know that I was hit by a drunk driver in June. My life has not been the same since. I am no longer able to do some of the things that I enjoyed in life because of that drunk driver hitting me. I was in formed by my Supervisor yesterday.. they are going to boot me from my current job. Because of my medical restrictions.. as I can no longer preform my job due to my current limitations. This means a possible pay cut and a change to my invested retirement. I have to tell you this is a great blow to me because I have done this job for over 24 years. I was not at fault at this accident. If I could I would take it all away. I do not wish any of this suffering on anyone. I worry about the pay cut.. as to what it will do to me financially... will I be able to afford to live???

I am in constant pain.. it may never go away. I refuse to take the pain drugs until I can no longer stand the pain for that day. Which I don't take these drugs often only when I can't stand the pain any longer. I have had two scripts since June and I still have 2/3's of one bottle left. I am not becoming a drug addict because of that drunk!!!

So you see there is someone with a life out there in that other car that gets affected by those drunk drivers...

So Please Please don't drink and drive, during this up coming Holiday Season!!! Call a cab, call a friend, designated driver, limo, bus, subway, train, airplane, rocket ship, walk... do anything but drive. The next person affected could be you from that Drunk Driver.

Cathy from Aunt Daisy's Cottage sent this to me...STOP!!!! WAIT!!!!! I can't breath.. laughing too hard :)

Thanksgiving Weather Report
In the pre-Thanksgiving rush, we have received an early weather report from our in-house weather reporters. This is one that you should be sure to e-mail your Mom.
Turkeys will thaw in the morning, then warm in the oven to an afternoon high near 190F. The kitchen will turn hot and humid, and if you bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or cold shoulder.
During the late afternoon and evening, the cold front of a knife will slice through the turkey, causing an accumulation of one to two inches on plates. Mashed potatoes will drift across one side while cranberry sauce creates slippery spots on the other. Please pass the gravy.
A weight watch and indigestion warning have been issued for the entire area, with increased stuffiness around the beltway. During the evening, the turkey will diminish and taper off to leftovers, dropping to a low of 34F in the refrigerator.
Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday, high pressure to eat sandwiches will be established. Flurries of leftovers can be expected both days with a 50 percent chance of scattered soup late in the day. We expect a warming trend where soup develops. By early next week, eating pressure will be low as the only wish left will be the bone.

I have purchased a HOUSE BOAT :)

All of you have seen my Time Share at the bottom of my Blog.. well I was out today and purchased myself a new House Boat.. What do you think???

I got it for a very reasonable price :)

It offers a lovely deck to fish off of, loaded with other sweet amenities. For instance.. roomy with lots of windows. Even comes with its own porch swing.

BAKED STUFFED CHICKEN ... could be used for Turkey

Here is a chicken recipe that also includes the use of popcorn as a stuffing ... imagine that. When I found this recipe, I thought it was perfect for people like me, who just are not sure how to tell when poultry is thoroughly cooked, but not dried out.

Give this a try:

4-5 lb. Chicken

1-cup melted butter

1-cup stuffing (Pepperidge Farm is best)

1-cup uncooked popcorn (ORVILLE REDENBACHER'S LOW FAT) Lightly salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brush chicken well with melted butter, then salt and pepper.

Fill the cavity with the stuffing and popcorn.

Place in baking pan with the neck end towards the back of the oven. Listen for the popping sounds. When the chicken's butt blows the oven door open and the chicken flies across the room, it's done.

And you thought I couldn't cook.