~~It's Thursday!~~

Outside My Window~  SNOW, SNOW, SNOW!!  About 18 inches greeted us upon our return from Missouri Tuesday Night.  It took my guys 1 1/2 hours to shovel out the driveway so we could park the van.  The new snow makes my yard look so clean and BRIGHT!  The dog is having a hard time navigating in the deep snow to use the facilities.

Around The House~  I am so glad that I clean the house before I take trips.  It is so nice coming home to a clean place knowing the only thing I face is doing laundry from the trip!  My house is a lot less chaotic than the one we left.  We had, at times, 14 people gathered around for festivities.  I am enjoying peace and quiet of my own home.

 I Am Thinking~   I am lifting poor bachelor Mickey in prayer today.  I had a bit of a sleepless night as the Lord continually brought him to mind last night and I would pray.  Still haven't heard any update on his condition.  We are going to try to find out more today.  Not sure if we'll be able to see him in ICU  because we all came home sick with colds.  I remain miffed that his 'guardian' didn't let us know about Mickey while we were gone.
 
I Am Praying~  Praying for lots of things as always.  For wisdom.  For my far away family.  For the desires of my heart.  For Mickey.  For David.  For #1 son as he prepares to make his own way.  Praying for the future of my little family.






From The Leaning Room~ School will resume in earnest on Monday.  Piano lesson will resume as well.  He has thoroughly enjoyed his two week break!

  I Am Wearing~  Denim skirt, brown tee, black and cream cardigan and long brown socks.  Thinking about a new year, new me for 2011.  I am seriously giving consideration to cutting my hair short and letting my natural color come through.  What do you think about that?  I came across a great inspirational web sight last night.  Going Gray Looking Great!


(Christmas morning.  I think I am complaining about having my picture taken before I've had enough coffee!)

I Am Creating~   Have a big to do list for the new year.  Including that photo album project.  I still want to write about Brotherly Love, Christ's First Love=the church.  I've hesitated doing my Brotherly Love one for fear I would offend or be too strong in my opinions.  But after this past week I think I need to get it off my chest.   I saw an idea for a swag that I really liked and would love to try to copy.


One Of my Favorite Things~  Food scented candles.  I received a coffee candle for Christmas with 3 coffee scents included.  I can't wait to burn it.  Enjoying all my new music.  I bought myself 3 David Nevue c.d.'s a Majesty Music Christmas c.d. and received a Christmas music c.d for Christmas.  It is so peaceful to listen to piano music.  I can't wait for heavenly music.

From The Kitchen~  Frozen soup going in the crock pots.  I think I have Spicy Black Bean and Hot and Sour soup.  I will serve that with cold cuts for making sandwiches.  My menu in the coming weeks will feature a  lot of #1 son's favorites.

I Am Enjoying~  The quiet of my home.

I am Sharing~  Not too much to share this week.  Just lots of boring pictures of our Christmas time.







(Uncle Doug got a head scratch-er for Christmas.  It was really weird feeling.  It sent chills down your back in a nice way!)

(Maggie wearing a pretty apron for future domestic duties!)

Have a great weekend dear Friends!

Bachelor Mickey

We just heard the news that Bachelor Mickey was struck by a car last Tuesday morning (December 21st).  He is in ICU at a local hospital suffering from 2 broken legs, broken pelvis and head injuries.  We'll try to find out more information on him and post it.  Please pray for the Lord's divine will concerning Mickey.

She Said "Yes!"

Aaron and Maggie

December 24, 2010

 

~~It's Thursday~~EDIT***Pics added**

Outside My Window~  BBbbrrr. . . it's very cold outside.  That's what I said last week!  It's still true.  It's about 27 degrees with the windchill making it feel like 20 degrees.  My heater runs a cycle about every 10 minutes to keep us warm!  There was a tiny bit of snow on the ground this morning, the first that stuck.  Looks like we may have a chance at more snow on Sunday.

Around The House~  Around the house, peaceful Christmas piano music is playing.  Christmas lights are blazing.  Company is coming for visit this afternoon.!!
 
I Am Thinking~   I am remembering the 'stress' of the last week or two while I tried to finish getting my Christmas mailing done.  I am so thankful to have that project done.  It was so easy to order my pictures on line.  I am excited to start my photo album project after the first of the year.

I Am Praying~  Still praying that my college student passes all of his final exams.  He took the hard math final yesterday and hasn't heard the results of it yet.  Hard Chemistry final tomorrow and a Biology final on Saturday.  Praying for our safety on our 17 hour drive to Missouri for Christmas.  I think the Pennsylvania turnpike can be nasty during bad weather.

From The Leaning Room~  No school again this week.  We've had some fun Home EC lessons instead.  He is very proud that he helps me in the kitchen and is sure to tell Daddy about the things he has "made!"

  I Am Wearing~   Warm clothes.  Jeans a long sleeve purple tee a cream vest and my purple scarf.

I Am Creating~ I am teaching creativity today.  When Sharon arrives we will be making Gingerbread Men.  After those cookies are made, my treats will be ready to pass out. 

From The Kitchen~  Dinner fit for company tonight.  Meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, garlic broccoli, green salad, whole wheat rolls and a TON of leftover treats from our Home EC this week.  No firm plans for the weekend yet.  The bachelors may come over on Sunday afternoon between church services.  My manly man works duty on Saturday.  We are leaving on Monday morning for Missouri.

I Am Enjoying~  Bionic Woman from netflicks.


 My new music.  Cozy candles and the promise of seeing family next week.

(gingerbread tanks)




(Making tanks from gingerbread)






 

I am Sharing~ Not too much to share right now.  I'll come back and add pictures tonight after the company leaves.   I did come across good verses today about one person and his prayer for others.  SWEET!

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory,

to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;

that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth,

 and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ,

which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly

above all that we ask or think,

according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages,

world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3: 17-21

One Of My Favorite Things~  Fresh fallen snow that's all sparkly and clean.  The quietness you hear when it snows.    Old movies.  Good home cooking.  Good friends. 



A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week~ Packing for a trip.  Planning on taking some matching clothes for family pictures.  Loading the van for the trip.  Enjoying a peaceful weekend.  Looking forward to some fresh popcorn and a movie.  I want to try to find a church with a Christmas Cantata this Sunday morning. 

Have a great weekend dear friends!

~~

Piano Lessons ARE FUN!

When we left our former church we had to find a new piano instructor.  Here is my little student with his new teacher!  He REALLY likes her.

~~Terrific Tuesday! With Recipes~~

Butter Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
• 1 egg, separated
• 2 cups Quick Cookie Mix 
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, 5 tablespoons butter and egg yolk until smooth. Add cookie mix and mix well.
• Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead 15-20 times or until smooth. Roll into a 12-in. square. Spread remaining butter to within 1/2 in. of edges.
• Combine sugar and extract; sprinkle over half of the dough. Fold dough over sugar mixture; pinch edges to seal. Brush top with egg white; sprinkle with almonds.
• Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
• Transfer to a cutting board. Cut widthwise with a serrated knife into 1/2-in. slices; cut each slice in half lengthwise. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 4 dozen.

Toffee Triangles

Ingredients

• 2 cups Quick Cookie Mix 
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup mixed nuts, chopped

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat the cookie mix, brown sugar, butter and vanilla until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and mix well.
• Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Sprinkle with chocolate chips; let stand for 5 minutes. Spread chocolate over bars. Sprinkle with nuts. Let stand until chocolate is set. Cut into squares, then cut in half to form triangles. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 5 dozen.

Quick Cookie Mix

Ingredients~

• 1-1/2 cups butter, softened
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 6 cups all-purpose flour

Directions~

• In a large bowl, beat the butter, salt and baking powder until blended. Gradually add flour and mix just until crumbly. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

It's cookie baking day at our home.  Getting ready to assemble treats to pass to our neighbors, landlord and a couple friends.  I found a neat cookie dough recipe in the new Quick Cooking Magazine.  I've been playing with it most of the day.  Keep it chilled between batches.  It spreads a bit.  I also couldn't get my results to like the magazine pictures.




The next picture is our ingredient station.
 






Pictured: Drizzled Peppermint Oreos, Turtle Candies, Butter Almond Cookies and Chex Party Mix in the background in the zip bags.

Tomorrow I think we'll make Peanut Butter Bars, Kit Kat Bars, German Chocolate Bars and Cashew Brittle.

Thursday my friend Sharon is coming over for a gingerbread men cookie baking lesson.  She is bringing baby Anastasia with her.  I may make her do all the work while I hold the baby!

New Clothes!

 

I thought you'd enjoy seeing me all dressed up in the new clothes my husband got for me from Coldwater Creek.

It's my Christmas present.

~~It's Friday!!~~

It's Friday!



Outside My Window~  BBbbrrr. . . it's very cold outside.

Around The House~  Trying to get so much done in my home office this week.  Everything else has slid to the back burner.  I did have a goal yesterday-got that done so I cleaned and vacuumed yesterday.  Even made a hot dinner!

(Sitting in a bit of sun on a cold day.)
  
I Am Thinking~   I don't make new year resolutions but do try to set goals for myself.  I haven't reached some of the goals in the recent years.  Busi-ness has crept in.  I am thinking about some of the goals I'd like to have for the new year.

I Am Praying~  Praying for my college student and his final exams this next week.  Praying that he will recieve a passing grade for all of his classes!  Praying for far away family.  Praying that during the holiday we will grow closer as a family and have some great memories stored away for later.

From The Leaning Room~  I am sooo bad. . . no school this week.  I think we did school on Monday and Tuesday.  I have given my student the rest of the week off so I could get my office projects done.

  I Am Wearing~   Warm clothes.  I have my winter tights on under my jeans, knee high socks, long sleeve tee and a sweater vest.  My husband took me on a date this week to Coldwater Creek to pick out a Christmas outfit for me.  This is what he picked~





I'll be wearing the jacket with a skirt and my new boots for church on Sunday.  Isn't he sweet? 

I Am Creating~ Well in the creating department. . .lots of stuff.  I made a purple watch yesterday for a Christmas present for my oldest nephews girlfriend.

 I have a bunch of bachelor Davids papers here.  I've had them since June, BAD... I know.  I've bought David a plastic file box and some folders to keep his important papers organized.  I've also had my sewing machine out twice this week to do mending.  An arm pit on a jacket was ripped out and on another jacket, the pockets were coming loose.  I also hemmed the sleeves on a new fuzzy robe for me.  I like to buy the 2XX size.  They fall to the floor in length and are roomy enough I can wear pj's under them, then they are just a bit too long in the sleeves so I trim the sleeves and hem them.

From The Kitchen~  For Tonight: Swiss steak, scalloped potatoes, creamed corn, green salad, pumpkin bread.  For Saturday:  Bachelor Mickey is coming for dinner as David is going to a Christmas party.  I'm making a pork roast, mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, dinner rolls, peaches and cottage cheese.  For Sunday:  Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo with cornbread, green salad.

I Am Enjoying~  David Nevue music.  I bought three c.d.s for myself for Christmas. 

 They are wonderful!!

I am Sharing~  Pictures of our evening with baby Anastasia last Saturday.  We all had fun keeping her entertained.
 


(Do you see how the dog is sitting?  He didn't want to miss out on the attention!)

(She loved it when #2 son son was talking to her.)


One Of My Favorite Things~  Cinnamon, candles, bubble bath, dark chocolate, coffee, hot soup!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week~  A regular weekend around the house.  I'll be in the kithen a while this afternoon.  I have a few more presents to wrap.  Christmas shopping is all done.  My Christmas letter is DONE!!  I'll probably veg out tonight with "The Mentalist" season 2 and a HUGE bowl of popcorn.

Have a great weekend dear friends!