Monday musings!

Log Cabin Colorado, USA
No, we don't have snow, but I thought that picture was so peaceful and beautiful! I'm torn between wanting a big snow and wanting spring! LOL I guess I'll take what the Lord gives us!

Today continues to be laid back. I've cleaned in the kitchen some and mopped the floor with lavender Mr. Clean. It smells so good!

I also made some bread earlier. We have umpteen memory cards in this house and I was frantically searching for them while the Kitchen Aid kneaded my dough. Guess when I found it? Yep. When it was finished. Oh well, maybe next time.

We were having chili and corn bread tonight for supper, but I've decided on chicken soup and homemade bread. YUM!

Later I plan to play the wii with hubby and kids, then I hope to be in bed early with a book! I hope you all are having a great day!

Saturday Happenings

I called the hospital this morning and there are 2 ladies in labor, but no babies yet, so I don't have to work today! YAY!! The only downside to that is that my daughter has to work from 10 am to noon, after working yesterday from 6 pm to 1:30 am!

I planned to make some homemade biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast, but I'm going to wait and have it for lunch so we can all eat together.

I'm hoping for a pretty relaxing day. It's supposed to get to 60* here today! If it does I hope to go outside and enjoy some sunshine and read a little lot. LOL

There's some laundry that needs doing. And oh my poor dining room! I've really put off going in there for far too long. Every square inch of surface area from table to hutch to chairs is covered in junk! It was the room we stored everything in while we were (are) remodeling the kitchen. In our remodel we put in an over the stove microwave and my old one is in the dining room, still on the cart, pushed over behind the table! Just thinking about cleaning up that mess makes me tired!


This is what my dining room should look like. Trust me when I say it doesn't look like that now!

I also need to make sure that hubby and I have clothes for church tomorrow. That's one of the things I'm working on for the New Year. Being more prepared. Not waiting until 9:35 (we leave at 9:30) to start looking for something to wear to church!

I hope you are all relaxing today and enjoying your precious families!

Look what I got for Christmas!

I have wanted a Kitchen Aid stand mixer for years! Was I surprised yesterday when I opened this! It's a Kitchen Aid 600 Professional Series! 575 watts of power! Wow! My sweet hubby also bought me the under the cabinet mount cd player/radio you see in the pictures!

First up is an herbed baguette! I'll come back later with pictures of the finished product!

Oh, by the way, please excuse the cabinets with no doors. Our kitchen is still a work in progress. Also, I'm not anywhere near being a good photographer! ;0)

Looking Forward!

I'm looking forward to the new year. I don't like to make resolutions exactly, but I do like to think of areas I can improve on.

Of course, keeping a nicer home, cooking better, and eating healthier are always on the list. ;0) I am also looking a little deeper this year. Spending more time with God. Working on my marriage. Making the last year or two that my girls will probably be home (they are 19 and 21) special.

I am also going to try to control my worrying. I know that sounds a little odd, but I can worry with the best of 'em! If I look back on 2008 I can find times where I spend endless hours in worry. And you know what? The outcome was going to be the same, no matter if I worried or not. Worrying is a sin and it doesn't change a thing. As a matter of fact, it shows how weak I am in my Faith.

What are you going to work on in 2009?

Merry Christmas!

Season of Peace
There's much to be done today! Baking to do. Cooking to do. Praise the Lord all my presents are wrapped! It's the first time in 20 years I've had everything wrapped before Christmas Eve!

Tonight is my family's special Christmas Eve dinner. We started the tradition as soon as my husband and I were married. I didn't want to take away from my mom and her cooking on Christmas day, but I wanted to cook too! So we started having a dinner on Christmas Eve.

This years menu:

• Standing Rib Roast
• Mashed potatoes
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Creamed spinach
• Glazed carrots
• Yeast rolls
• Apple pie

I will try to set a very nice table. We'll eat by candle light and drink our IBC root beer (LOL) from wine glasses that were passed down to us from my husbands grandmother, who is no longer with us.

After the meal we'll head to church. At church we'll have a lovely candle light service. Last year everyone was given a candle before the service started. At the end, the ushers came around and lit the candle of each person at the end of a pew. Then, one from another each candle was lit through out the room. After all the candles were lit the preacher asked us to look around at the glowing light that all started from one candle. We could light up the world if we would share the Gospel. It starts with just one.

I was told by my daughter that she is driving to church and as soon as the preacher says, "Amen" we are to be in the car ready for a small road trip! I don't know where we're going, but it sure sounds fun!

We'll come home from our surprise trip and my kids (who are 19 and 21) will each open one gift. Then it's "lights out" and no one will be able to sleep because we are all too excited!

Gardening?

Summer Garden

Yes! Gardening!

I know it's not even Christmas yet, but I've been thinking about my garden. We haven't had a good garden for several years. Since my hubby broke is leg and since he built a barn on my garden spot!

Last year he built some raised beds, but they didn't do well. He put them where they were surrounded by the barn on one side and two sides were surrounded by pine trees. I think they didn't receive enough light or water.

This year we are going to move them to the front yard. I used to have an aversion to putting the garden in the front yard. I don't know why. It's my yard and if that's where we want the garden, then why not?

I'm also thinking about my flower gardens. I have dreamed of having a beautiful flower garden. But, just like in my home, I'm not a decorator. I just don't have a knack for making spaces beautiful. I'm going to give it my best shot though!

In years past I think my problem is a lack of planning. So, that's where this year will be different! I'm going to start searching catalogs and websites and actually making a plan for what I want to do in my gardens. (By the way, I've been doing the same thing in my home. Trying to make it more inviting and warm by doing some decorating. ;0)

We don't have a large piece of land, just an acre and a half. But, what we have has been wasted I think. We have quite a bit of room to grow our own vegetables and there's no reason why I can't have beautiful flowers gracing my table while we eat the vegetables that we've grown!

I'm so excited to get started. I'm already looking and planning and in January I'll begin my shopping. Ordering seeds and flowers a little at a time until I have everything I want for the planning season. Ok, maybe I won't have everything I want, but I'll order what I can afford! LOL

Anyone else thinking of gardening or are you still enjoying your rest away from it?

Christmas Happenings

It's a busy season, no?

We've had lots of things go on lately. First, just last week we made a trip to Maine because my mother-in-law had emergency bypass surgery. She was supposed to spend 5 days in the hospital and ended up staying 10 because of an infection. Thankfully she's out now and doing well.

We don't even have a tree up yet! Can you believe that! With all of us having varying schedules we haven't had a day when we could all go. I'm hoping we'll be able to do that tomorrow.

I'm planning to do a large amount of baking on Monday. My husband visits the juvenile detention home once a month and it's Monday. I'll be making some goodies for him to take to the kids. I also plan to bake for the teachers at our Christian school. They do so much for so little. I want them to know they are appreciated. Also, our church visits the nursing home once a month. That's next Thursday and I want to take something to that.

I might be able to take some pictures of my goodies! :0) I'm not sure yet what I'm going to be making. I'm thinking a chocolate peppermint cookie that I saw on Mennonite Girls Can Cook and a sugar cookie twisted or swirled and colored red and/or green. I'm also going to make the teachers chocolate spoons and give them with packets of hot chocolate.

I would love to do something over the top but I don't know what. Any ideas?

My first award!

My friend Patty at A Light in the Window has nominated me for an award! How sweet of her! It's for "Real People, Real Blogs".

Try as I might I cannot get the picture to work. I'm sorry, Patty.

Here are The Rules:
* Please put the logo in your blog
* Place a link from the person, from whom you received the award
* Nominate at least 7 or more
* Put the links of those on your blog
* Leave a message on their blog to let them know

I nominate:
Tanya at Chocolatechic
Robin at Stokesbury
Regina at Skeeter Creek Farm
Susan at Windy Acres

I know that's not 7, but it's all I have right now! As you come to claim your award, please visit Patty to pick up the graphic! And if anyone knows how to copy that thing let me know! LOL