CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES
By Jan Humphrey

On a starry night long ago
Was born to the world a Savior -
The Beloved Child of God -
On whom God showed His favor.

A new tradition was also born -
To celebrate this Blessed Christ Child,
By sharing the story with everyone
Of the love that made God smile.

Generations have continued the tradition, With friends and family far and
near.
Even random acts of kindness
Can spread a little Christmas cheer.

Amidst the joy and happiness
Might come an urge to shed a tear,
Especially when circumstances
Make for a difficult year.

Experiencing the loss of a loved one -
Whether expected or unforeseen -
Can cast shadows on celebrations -
No matter how joyful the scene.

That's when God sends special angels
To remind us of memories gone by.
Cherish your happy times together,
And know that it's okay to cry.

Christmas is the season of giving
And spreading love all around,
And that Bright Star also sends peace,
While reminding that hope can be found.

So, as 2014 comes to an end,
Hold close to each work of God's art -
And take comfort in each memory -
For they'll always be in your heart.

 

Elf Report for Dec 18

Okay, I admit, I missed a couple of day of reporting on our friendly Elf.  I just plai forgot to check up on her. Well, when I did find her I caught her checking out to see if there is enough room in Hubby's Stocking for Santa to put all the goodies he's picked out for Him.

 

 

 

Billie C.

Elf Report for Dec 17

Elf Report for December 17

 

Our Elf jumped from Hubby's side of the camper bedroom over to mine.Time to check out the shelf over my bed and my Build A Bear who I keep up there out of Barney's reach.

 

Billie C.

Elf Report for Dec 16

Our Elf has been checking out what my Hubby likes to read and the music he enjoys at night.

 

 

 

Billie C.

For Today ... Dec 15

For Today ... Dec 15

 

Howdy.... And Good Afternoon.
Jerry only had to work 8 hours on Saturday and he was hombe just a few minutes before 4 pm. We went to town for dinner, then shopping for the week. Sunday we ate at a new to us Buffet place in Boone and it was good. I think we will end up going back more often.  We had the laundry with us and did it on our way home.  Took it into the camper and let the dogs out for a few minutes.  We talked about going to De Moines and looking for Costco. Jerry looked it up and found out where it's at so we went and got a membership and did some more shopping. Now I really need a larger camper. I forgot just how limited space we have in the kitchen until we brought in the things we bought. Yikes I need more room but the bargins were worth it. So worth it.

 

I woke up extra early this morning (3am) and just could not get back to sleep.  I can't do house work that early or I'll wake Jerry up so I did a few things on my computer. Discovered that our new Connection was not as secure as we thought and when Jerry woke up I told him about it. We are back on the old Belkin until he can get home tonight and set up a password for it. He got a bit behind in getting ready for work and forgot a few things this morning. His watch and his phone are still here at the house. 
It's been a cloudy day and we have had rain off and on as well. Enough so, that when I take the dogs out I need to wear a light jacket just to keep the damp off. They went out then came right back inside. They didn't want to even sniff the air for new scents.
The cats are enjoying sleeping together on Jerry's bed where it's nice and warm. They are curled up around each other.
Dinner is going to be Bread and Parmagane Chicken tenders over noodles with a Salad. It is so quiet here that I have the TV on for the noise almost all day long. I have been playing a few Christmas CD's and still have a few more to play before I start over again from the begining. I am also catching up on shows I've DVR'ed over the past few weeks.
I am wearing... a purple T-shirt and black sweat pants. I've been straightening out my drawers and found few things I still need to go through. I think I'm going to put off folding the laundry until tomorrow afternoon at this rate.
I am reading... Reading Ezra in the Bible, I read a Children's Christmas craft book over the weekend and I'm always reading emails.
I am thankful for... Warmer weather even though the rain makes it very muddy outside and the dogs bring a lot of mud inside on their feet and we bring a lot of it in on our shoes as well. 
I am creating... I made a Fleece scarf the other day for my older Grand daughter and I have one ready to do for her brother, that I will work on soon. I have everything needed for one for me that I need to work on this week, as well.  I have a few half done Christmas ornaments done and there are some I really need to get made this week to give to a friend we have made here. It's for where we eat at each week on Thursdays and Sundays.
I have put a few Christmas ornaments up around the edge of the front room. I still have a long ways to go to make it look like Christmas in here and Christms is next week.
One of my favorite things... Taking care of Jerry and making sure he is happy.
A few plans for today... Besides making dinner, I need to straighten up the kitchen and put away a few things and hope to clean up in the living room again.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Straightening up the living room and over my bed to make room for some of the stuff in here.
Work on Menu planning for the beginig of the New Year and take better care of us.
Waiting for a few things to come in the mail over the next few days.

 

Billie C.

Elf Report for Dec 15

Elf Report for Dec 15. 

Our Elf was Mia for a couple of days. I think she may have been up at the North Pole reporting her finding to the Big Man. She did show back up, being nosy again. I'm not sure what's she's looking for since I don't keep anything Christmas up there.

 

 

Billie C.

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned, and cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground, and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter's girl scout sash with staples and a glue gun.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year, I'd like a car with fingerprint-resistant windows and a radio that plays only big-people music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can be heard only by the dog.

And please don't forget the Playdoh Travel Pack, the hottest stocking stuffer this year for mothers of preschoolers. It comes in three fluorescent colors and is guaranteed to crumble on any carpet, making the in-law's house seem just like mine.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It would clear my conscience immensely.

It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family; or if my toddler didn't look so cute sneaking downstairs in his pajamas to eat contraband ice cream at midnight.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the chimney and come in and dry off by the fire so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, Mom

P.S. One more thing: You can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young.

 

Billie C.

Candy Cane and Cookie Sleds

I don't have room to show off any gingerbread houses and I love them. When I saw this, I thought I would share it with my Dhristmas Group and blog in case soneone else had a gingerbread house and needed something to add to it.

http://www.momontimeout.com/2012/12/jingles-christmas-tree-and-cookie-sleds/

 

 

 

 

Billie C.

Elf Report foe Dec 11

On the move again. Now our Elf has decided to visit the bedroom. She is checking out the shelf over Hubby's side of the bed. I think she has a thing for the T.V.

 

 

 

 

Billie C.

10 Uses for an Egg Slicer

10 Uses for an Egg Slicer

1. Mushrooms. Sliced mushrooms can go into almost any savory dish! I like to saute them with onions to top a steak, and we put them in most of our pasta dishes and stir fries. They're also nice for salads and pizza.
2. Strawberries. Slice strawberries for fruit salad and for peanut butter and jelly pie. Top ice cream sundaes, brownies, or make strawberry fans to garnish any dessert. To make the fans, slice a strawberry from the pointed end up to the top, but stop just short of the leaves. Gently push the slices apart in a fan shape.
3. Fresh mozzarella. If your cheese is fresh, a knife (even a really sharp one) will smash it. An egg slicer will give you perfectly even slices of cheese for your pizza or salad.
4. Olives. Both green and black olives will slice evenly in an egg slicer. You need sliced olives for salads, pizza, tacos, pasta, burritos, and a number of other recipes (like torta rustica).
5. Avocado. I love to put slices of avocado on sandwiches, both hot and cold. There's nothing like some creamy avocado on a grilled cheese or even a plain old ham sandwich.
6. Bananas. Sliced bananas make banana splits easier to eat, especially for children. They also make a fun dessert if you top a brownie or large cookie with them. And then, there's my all time favorite dessert from childhood. My mom would slice a banana, top the slices with a small handful of chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Then she microwaved the whole thing for a minute or so, til the chocolate and marshmallows were melted and the banana slices are cooked. Be careful because it will be very very hot and needs a few minutes to cool before you can eat it.
7. Peaches, plums, and other soft fruits. Even canned fruit like pears or apples will slice evenly and cleanly with an egg slicer. Kiwi and grapes are also quick and easy to slice in an egg slicer.
8. Butter. If you have a child (like mine) who likes to eat butter from a spoon, you might find it useful to slice butter into perfect pats with your egg slicer.
   Not that I would know. I slice butter into pats for fancy dinner parties.
   Ahem.
9. Hot dogs. If you add hot dogs to pork and sauerkraut or to baked beans, you might like to have thin slices. An egg slicer also makes quick work of slicing a hot dog for a small person.
10. Baby and toddler food. Thin slices of soft foods are perfect for self-feeding. Any of the above foods will make an awesome snack for baby, especially if you toss the slices with crushed up graham crackers or crushed up Cheerios to make them less slippery.

Read more: http://www.feelslikehomeblog.com/2010/10/10-uses-for-an-egg-slicer/#ixzz3LbxL3mAk 
Follow us: @TaraZiegmont on Twitter | FeelsLikeHome on Facebook

 

Billie C.

For Today ... Dec 10, 2014

For Today ... Dec 10, 2014

 

Howdy.... And Good Afternoon. 
I got most of the house chores done. Just a few things still left on my to do list, and those are mostly oprional.
It's cool outside but not the Cold of just a couple of weeks ago. Here in a few minutes, I need to take the dogs out, but there isn't any hurry just yet.  The dogs will be able to enjoy some outside time although it's cloudy there isn't any rain or snow falling.
I just caught one of the cats sleeping in a box.
Last night, the dogs all had to sleep in kennels. They are going to sleep in them again tonight and this will continue until they let us sleep through the night and then a few more days beyond that as well. I know I had at least one cat almost all night long, sleeping at my feet. Jerry had one with him and I think the third just could not make up her mind if she wanted to sleep with Jerry or with Me.  I woke up just before the alarm went off, and when I came back out of the bathroom all three were on my bed, stealing my warm spot. When I got back, they all jumped over onto Jerry's bed and started loving on him, trying to wake him up. Strips (Motorboat) was so sure we just wanted to pet him that he would push the other cats ot of his way so he could get to our hands. They, of course, pushed back.
I can sure tell that the days are much shorter right now and can't wait for them to start getting longer again.  I know the weather has warmed up and we have been enjoying some very nice days. And we are not having to run our water over night as much.
Breakfast was Oatmeal and coffee this morning. I like to use juice to make my oatmeal. I add some raisins and frozen fruit to a cup of juice I have heating on the stove, then add in some cinnamon and either clove or cardamon. I miight add some brown sugar if I think about it, usually I forgot that though.
Dinner is going to be Salad, Pinto beans with diced up Ham, and maybe some cornbread.  Tomorrow we will eat out at Nilands again. I want to make them some ornaments to go on their tree, but I need them to look 1950ish. I found several pictures of the place on the internet and I will either slip them into clear glass bulbs or use the plastic cups and do them up more like snow globes but right now, I'm still leaning toward the glass bulbs with some red ribbon around the tops.
I am hearing... The TV. The fan from the heater just went off and from time to time, I can hear a car out on the road out front of the camper.

 

I am wearing... a dark T-shirt with a horse on it and brown sweat pants. yesterday I wore a blue sweat shirt but it's warmer in here today. No wind outside helps to keep it warm in here. It's not sucking out the warm air.
I am reading... Ezra in the bible. A Kids crafts book, And Dragon's Time by Anne and Todd McCaffery
I am thinking... I really need to get up from this chair and take my cards to the mail box and get them sent out. I know the mail has run today so I have until tomorrow morning to deal with it. I also need to find my birthday cards and find a couple to send to Jerry's twin sister.
I am thankful for... Living out in the country. it's so nice and quiet here and yet, neighbors are so close if I need help I can get one to help me.
I am hoping... that the weather stays nice for a few days.  It does look like it is going to be nice through the weekend and even after that isn't not going to get brutally cold, just more Normal for this area of highs in the mid to low 30's.
I am creating... I need a scarf to cover my face with when it gets cold again. I found some fleece in the discount bin and picked up three different pieces of it. I'll make me a scarf and then two more to use as gifts.
One of my favorite things... is playing Christmas music in the afternoons, while working on a craft or two.
A few plans for today... make cornbread for dinner. make a scarf (or two) take care of the pets
A few plans for the rest of the week...  Eating out a couple of days, and if I can, order a new Cricut Expressions 2 over the phone and hope it gets here. The Christmas rush isn't going to help that out much.

 

Billie C.

Elf Report

 Elf Report

I cleaned and straighten up my cupboards at least once a month. You should have seen this one before I cleaned it last week. Our Elf decided to check it out.  So many things to look at and wonder what do you make with each item up here. So many possibilities.

 

 

Billie C.

Berry Scone Mix in a Jar

Berry Scone Mix in a Jar

Submitted by: Brenda Smith from Gooseberry Patch
Originally shared on the web 02/21/2011

2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. vanilla sugar
1/4 c. powdered milk
2 t. baking powder
1 t. lemon zest
1/4 t. salt
1/3 c. shortening
1 c. sweetened, dried blueberries

Stir together flour, sugar, milk, baking powder, lemon zest and salt in a large bowl. Cut in shortening using a pastry cutter or fork, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in berries. Pour into a one-quart, wide-mouth canning jar; pack down gently. Add additional berries to fill jar if necessary. Secure lid; attach instructions. Store at room temperature for up to 6 weeks, or freeze up to 6 months.

Instructions:
Place scone mix in a large bowl; toss gently to mix. Add one beaten egg and 1/4 cup water; stir just until moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; quickly knead gently for 12 to 15 strokes, or until nearly smooth. Pat to 1/2-inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and place one inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with milk. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly; serve warm. Makes 6 to 8 scones.

 

Billie C.


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Elf Report Dec 9

Our elf had lots of fun hangin around in the doorway between the kitchen and the bedroom. But now she has moved and is up side right again. She must be like me and needing a cup of coffee cause she's sitting on my coffee maker this morning.

 

 

Billie C.

Elf Report for Dec 7

I am thinking our Elf needs a name instead of just being referred to as "Elf".

I still think it's a She, as well. A Tomboy She Elf.

She's having fun hanging upside down between the kitchen and the bedroom. Wonder where she's going to end up next.

Elf Report for Dec 5

Our Elf was hanging out in the kitchen yesterday. Not that I use the microwave much, She just liked being close to where I was working.

 

 

 

Billie C.


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Elf Report for Dec 4.

Elf Report for Dec 4.

 

Our Elf is really energetic today. She made the leap from the left side of the camper over to the right, landing just above the T.V. and was just hanging out, watching what ever we were watching as well.

 

 

Billie C.

Dec 3, Elf Report

Ah, time for a little Fun.  Hanging upside down with Chirpy. Chirpy sings a song every time he thinks some one is close enough to hear him.

 

 

 

 

Billie C.

Dec 1, Elf report

I picked up an Elf at Hobby Lobby and have been having some fun with him, and hubby.  The first day of December, she (?) was letting me know, I needed to get some cleaning done by peeking at me around some stuff on the top of one of my crafts drawer sets.

 

 

Billie C.


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Howdy, Dec 3. 2014

 

 

Howdy.... And Good Morning. (10:30)
Ah... I have gotten my shower. I heard a sizzle and pop after I got out of the tub. Not smoke or heat from that area, so I'll have to ask Jerry about it.  I Had a bit of rouble with the shower head and may have gotten a bit of water in a light fixture by the shower.  I took the dogs out before I took my shower. they liked that the sun was shining and they got to play a little bit before they got cold and it was time to come back inside.  We may only get in the upper 20's today, but the sun is making the camper nice and warm. I've turned down the heater and turned off the Sun heater.
I added some more stuff to my Chicken soup I made the other day. More vegetables and some more chicken I cooked for our dinner last night.It will be my lunch today ad most likely for the rest of this week, as well. 
Aw Man.... Mannheim Steamroller is going to be in De Moines the 19 and 20 and we can't afford the tickets to go. I would so so love to go see the show.  I play the CD's very loud.  I just love the Steamroller Christmas music as well as the Trans Siberian Orchestra. This is twice I have been close enough to a town the Mannheim Steemroller is going to be at and can't go either time.  But I'm not going to let that get me down.  I'm sure if we had it, Jerry would make sure we got to go.
The cats are not really happy with me. I didn't give them canned food last night. I gave them dry food several times but didn't give them the canned stuff. 
Dinner tonight is going to be a Pork Roast with Green Beans and Potatoes cooked with it.  I would add Carrot but Jerry is not fond of carrots or Onion added to his roast. 

 

I am hearing... Elvis Christmas.  " I Believe". I love that song, no matter who is singing it. 

 

I am wearing... Black Sweat Pants and a black T-Shirt thatt I put some iron on "Stones" on. a blue heart, the word "Love" in pink and a small green flower. I've just brushed my hair and now need for it to dry so I can put it up in a pony tail. I am so wanting to get my hair cut short again.

 

I am reading... I am now in Ezra in "The Bible".  I am reading a lot of e-mails and don't seem to find much time for books any more.

 

I am thankful for... The weather being warmer. Jerry  has to work and although he's inside a building there isn't much heat in it. He is working on one of the rooms that has to have heat in it (control room) but I know he still hurts when he has to come out of it.

 

I am hoping...  That Jerry hears from a job we want him to get on, soon. We have not give up hope on it.. This job is scheduled to work until April at least, if not longer. I am not fond of winter in the mid-west and a camper is not really made for living in, when there's a lot of ice and snow outside.
I am creating... A Christmas decorated camper. I have done a good clean up in the bathroom and now need to find a few things to put back there to help make it Christmasy. There are a few things I want to make for in the front and to put in the kitchen as well.

 

One of my favorite things... Is getting my house chores done early in the morning so I can don what ever I feel like for the rest of the day... only my list is so long that I never seem to totally get everything done on it.

 

A few plans for today... Start dinner in the crock pot. Bake some Ginger bread, I didn't get to that yesterday.. and then maybe some Banana Walnut cake.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Keep the camper taken care of .  Straighen up my crafting area, Clean over my bed and re-arrange it to store more craft stuff up there. Find my Christmas cards or if I can't find them, make more to send out next week.

 

Billie C.


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Good Morning

 

Good Morning.It's another Cold Morning, but tomorrow is to be above Freezing.  We still have running water and the Toilet is working as it should (again) so all is well.  Jerry went in to work. He is on a new Med and it is suppose to be taken an half an hour before eating. So either he has to get up earlier or I can slow down on making his breakfast of a combo of both.  We (I) asked if it could be taken in the evening before dinner and the doctor was a bit hesitant on saying yes to that. After reading the papers from the Pharmacy, it said to take it in the morning. It made Jerry a bit light headed for a few minutes yesterday morning but once that passed he was fine for the rest of the day, until dinner, but that was a different issue.  He's been having some trouble with his stomach over the last few days. That started before he started taking this new med.

 

We have about have the windows covered with plastic and I am going to try to get at least two more done today after I send this off.  I have lots of laundry to fold and pt away as well.  But if I jump up from here and get that done, I can work on a craft this afternoon. So if you don't hear from me for a while, you know I'm either cleaning the camper or folding laundry or making a count down calendar.

 

 

Billie C.


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Good Morning

Good Morning

I did mention that it's COLD outside, this morning. So cold that the dogs were not happy to go outside, but once out were more than ready to "take care of busness" and get back inside. Barney wanted to play ball though and after the first couple of tosses, Macon took the ball away from him.  As soon as Rocky "scratched" the ground (His way of telling me he's finished) he was ready to go back inside. Barney was shivering yet still willing to chase his ball. Macon was more than happy to take that ball and bring it into the house.  The cats have barely moved off my bed. I changed out an non working electric blanket for one that works yesterday and I was fighting the cats off my feet all night long. I don't mind them sleeping with me, but they have to stay away from my feet.They are still on my bed but I turned off the blanket hours ago when we got up.

 

We have a few flurries overnight, enough to lightly coat every thing with more snow. Nothing deep, just nice and frosty.  Now the sun is shining and I'm hoping for some solar heating here in the camper today. Our high is to be close to 30 according to the news but I see by my weather thing under my signature we won't make that.. but it's warmer than it was yesterday, anyway. We may be getting more snow Saturday. Each time I hear the weather on the news the amount changes.. from 1/2 an inch to up to three inches in this morning news.

Jerry is very happy with his remote starter on the truck. Said it was nice and comfy when he left for work this morning.  I did text him that we are going to have to pick up tubes of sand this weekend. to go over the back tires of the truck.

I think I'm going to have to make a "winter" kit for the truck. I'll have to look in the camper area for one of those silver blankets. They are well worth the cost for the amount of space they safe in a can.. In the can will be a lighter, two candles, some hard candy a space blanket and a set of hand warmers. of course I may toss a couple of regular blankets onto the back seat because I love to cover when we are on a longer trip. Oh yeah, I better find a piece of Red Material as well as a notebook or some paper and a pencil for note writing.

 

We have left the water running a little bit over night. I made sure that it was warm and not just the cold water that was running because the other night we almost froze our hot water line.  Brenda did say she's seen the time where sewer lines have frozen over, as well.. if it's going to be that cold... I'll just have Jerry remove the water line from the camper and drain it, and put it back on the next day. But from what I just saw on the news about the weather we are not going to have to do that this week.

 

Jerry is wanting Fish Sticks for dinner. The last few times I've asked him what he wants for dinner he'll mention the fish sticks, then recall that something else is already in the fridge or doesn't take the oven to fix. We can't have both the heater and the oven on at the same time. The breakers just can't handle both at the same time.  Of course,  to go along with those, I'll make a box of Mac and Cheese.  Comfort food, for sure.  I'll make a salad and Sugar Free Butterscotch pudding to go with our meal.

 

I am considering putting on some fleece leggings under my sweat pants this morning, but I don't want to get use to that and then need even more later this year.  I am wearing a light blue sweat shirt this morning but if this cold keeps up, I'll be putting on a t-shirt under it.

 

I just saw an idea for a Christmas ornament that I may adjust and use for myself.  (  http://www.michelemademe.com/2011/11/series-7-ornament-ed-finale-heart-house.html  ). I think I can use my Cricut or the Cuttlbug to do the cutting for me.

 

Wow. We just had a blast of wind.  It rattled everything. The windows, shook the camper and the apple trees are moving with the wind as well. I sure hope that don't happen too often here.

 

Well. I have got to get up and away from the computer. I need to do the daily clean up here, including the dishes and sweeping the floors and I know that moving will make me feel warmer so I have got to get up and do that.

 

I hope your having a good day, I'll check in to my mail box again later today... Be blessed.

 

Billie C.
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some food decorating ideas

Here are some food decorating ideas I've come across

 

 

 

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http://thesimple-sweetlife.com/2014/09/03/candy-corn-meringue-swirls/

 

Candy corn is

 

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http://www.momontimeout.com/2012/12/jingles-christmas-tree-and-cookie-sleds/

 

 

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http://www.partypinching.com/tutorials/jack-in-the-box-treat/

 

 

 

*************

 

http://www.partypinching.com/tutorials/popsicle-turkey/

 

 

 

http://www.partypinching.com/tutorials/no-bake-gingerbread-heads/

 

 

Billie C.
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Best Festive Cranberry Sauce

Best Festive Cranberry Sauce

 

1 (12 ounce) package fresh or frozen
cranberries,
thawed
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water, divided
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons cornstarch

 

Combine cranberries, sugar, 3/4 cup water and almond extract in medium
saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium-high hear; reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until cranberries are tender and sugar is dissolved.

 

Return mixture to a boil over medium-
high heat.
Stir remaining 1/4 cup water into cornstarch in small cup until smooth; stir into boiling mixture. Boil 1 minute or until chickened, stirring constantly.

 

Makes about 2 1/2 cups. Enjoy.

 

Billie C.
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Cranberry Apple Relish

Cranberry Apple Relish

 

INGREDIENTS
⦁ 1 (12 ounce) bag fresh cranberries
⦁ 1 cup SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
⦁ 1 cup water
⦁ 3 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
⦁ 1 medium apple - peeled, cored and diced
⦁ 1/3 cup golden raisins
DIRECTIONS
Place cranberries, SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener, water and orange juice concentrate in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil 3-4 minutes or until cranberries start to thicken and water has reduced by about half.
Remove from pan and place in medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate 2-3 hours or overnight.
Add diced apple and half of the raisins to cranberries. Stir well. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, sprinkle remaining raisins over cranberries as a garnish. Serve chilled as an accompaniment to roast meats or poultry.
Nutrition info (per serving)
Calories 30 | Calories from Fat 0 | Fat 0g (Saturated 0g) | Cholesterol 0mg | Sodium 0mg | Carbohydrates 8g | Fiber 1g | Sugars 5g | Protein 0g

 

Billie C.
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Cranberry Salad

Cranberry Salad

 

1 Lg package Raspberry Jello
1 Can Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
1 sm can crushed Pineapple, drained.
1/2 block cream cheese (4 oz)
1/2 C Sour Cream
1 t Vanilla

 

Heat 2 1/2 cups water to a rolling boil. Stir in Jerry until dissolved. Stir in Cranberry sauce until it melts. Add drained pineapple.
spoon half the cranberry mix into bowl or pyrex dish and chill unitl set. Keep rest of mix at room temperature.
Cream together Sour Cream and Cream Cheese and Vanilla.
Spread sour cream mix ture over cranberry mix. top sour cream mixture with remaining cranberry mix. Chill until set.

 

Billie C.
.....

For Today ...Nov 6, 2014

For Today ...Nov 6, 2014

 

Howdy.... and Good Evening. I've a few minutes before Jerry comes to get me to go ut for dinner tonight.  Wouldn't you know it,  Heather was told she would be able to start moving tonight, now it's been put off until in the morning.. We are both getting very frustrated with how long this is taking. If she's told she has to wait until Monday she is going to be very upset over it all. Jerry is going to have the truck worked on on Monday so I don't expect to be on line much that day since he's taking the whole day off Beth is meeting up with her brother this evening. He's picking up a load not far from where she lives and it is great that they will get together just before Thanksgiving.  Beth will have Thanksgiving day off but has to work the day before and Friday Saterday and Sunday after. Not sure if she's got to work the weekdays as well, yet.  We are still not sure if we will be going down to her place for thanksgiving or not.

 

Outside my door ... (5:30pm) it's dark. I just brought the dogs back in from their early evening outing. Some kids were playing ball and I called out that I was letting the dogs out so they were warned . Of course the dogs barked but not near as much as I thought they would. The kids dispersed while we were out excpet for three and after I let the dogs back in, I went over to talk to them and two left before we could do much more than just say Hi to each other. The one who was left, was the girl who mowed my grass the other day.  She's a bit loud, and the dogs are finally use to her voice being so loud.

 

The Dogs ... are not going to be happy with me in a few minutes because Rocky and Barney will be in a kennal and Macon is blocked to the back half of the camper. We have to keep him from the front when we are gone or he will bend some of the ends of the blinds and in the end break them, from looking out all the time. I caught Barney doing the same thing this morning when I took the trash out before the trash truck came around

 

The Cats ... are enjoying their once a day can of cat food.  The dogs will try to steal the canned food unless I push it back into the kennal they are fed in. When they are done they meow loudly to be let back out but they leave a bit of food behind and I have to convience them they have to eat more of their food. I don't like letting the dogs clean the cans too much because they then get upset tummys from time to time.
We are eating out tonight and I have to hurry and finish this because Jerry just texted that he's on his way home.
I am hearing... evening news on the tv.

 

I am wearing... a dark green long sleeved top and brown sweat pants

 

I am reading... I just read a Kid's crafts book and want to try making a few of the things I read in it. 
I am thinking... I am so ready to get moving to Tennessee but from the looks of the news we may be warmer than it will be in Tennessee and Alabama this weekend.
I am thankful for... internet service. it keeps me in touch with my friends and family
I am hoping... that the work on the truck works out well as it is going to be part of Jerry's Christmas present. He's going to have a remote start and door unlock put on the truck so he can start it while he's still in the camper and when he's getting off work

 

I am creating... I made a Birthday Card and worked on a Thanksgiving card this afternoon. I also discovered that I can cut and emboss on thin fun foam.  Sure, figures, I gave a lot of my foam to Bailey not that long ago
One of my favorite things... having time to work on crafts as I wish. Although  I have to clean up before Jerry tells me he's on his way home or everything is going to be in our way for the evening.
A few plans for today...Dinner out. sleeping

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... clean the camper in the morning and work on some cards in the afternoon.

 

Billie C.
.....

For Today ... Nov 4

Howdy and Hello.  It's almost mid day here in Iowa and it's a nice bright day outside. Not ure how warm it is as we havn't been outside since the dogs wanted out at 5 am. I'll take them out at 12:30, after the mid-day news is over. I really need to "scoop" the yard today I put Duct Tape on some of the camper windows and we can sure tell the difference. I can't reach the rest of the window so Jerry is going to have to take care of that for me this next weekend.

 

Outside my door ... Filted Sunshine.  A few high clouds are doing a bang up job of filtering the sun.  Warm today, warmer tomorrow then the bottom falls out again and we will be cold again.

 

The Dogs ... are all sleeping but once I get ready to go outside they will be all excited and willing to be ouside. Barney will want to take a ball out and I'm going to let him take it out. We will play ball for a little bit, then Macon will steal the ball (again) and hold onto it until we are all back inside, just like he did yesterday. Rocky will want to find a nice warm sunny place in the grass to lay in and bask in the sun until it's time to come back inside.

 

The Cats ... are trying to find a sunny window to get into and bask in some sun of their own. I do wish I could let them out from time to time but there are so many strays here and some have been very sick. I know my cats have had their shots but that doesn't mean they still can't catch something.

 

From the kitchen... I shared a recipe for a cooky I want to make this afternoon, baking them in the toaster oven. We are going to have a smoked sausage, Salad, Baked potatoes and Green Beans for dinner tonight.

 

I am hearing... The T.V. is on, but once Y and R and the news are over with, I"m thinking of turning it off and playing some Christmas music for a couple of hours.

 

I am wearing... black sweat pants and my bright pink t-shirt with ironed on stones in a flower pattern on it. My button tennis shoes. The buttons are held together with elastic through the lace holes and are easy on and easy off.

 

I am reading... emails and craft instructions and a chapter of the Bible. I need to find a book on my Kindle to read, and soon.

 

I am thinking... I need to get up from this chair and do something soon

 

I am thankful for... Wonderful weather in November. It could be so much worse than just a bit cool around here. 

 

I am hoping... That my daughter hears about getting into her new apartment soon. She really needs to move into a safe, clean place. She will be so much happyer if she could move where her Ex can't watch her every move.

 

I am creating... A cleaner camper and I think I'll try to make a plant poke for my pot or Rosemary that is Thanksgiving Themed this afternoon.

 

One of my favorite things... playing with the dogs outside and making things .

 

A few plans for today... Making dinner here in a while. baking a small batch of cookies

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... No set plans . Weekend plans are laundry and shopping and letting Jerry rest.

 

Billie C.
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Jiffy Cake Mix Gingersnaps

Since it's just the two of us, I don't want to make a huge batch of cookies. I also don't want to make something in the microwave since I would have to turn off my heater to do that.  (30 amp service limits how many things I can have on at one time)  I went looking and these sounds perfect for today. 

 

Jiffy Cake Mix Gingersnaps
(15 - 20 Cookies)

 

1 pkg. "JIFFY" Golden Yellow Cake Mix  2 Tbsp. margarine or butter, melted
1 tsp. ginger    2 Tbsp. dark molasses
1/2 tsp. cinnamon   1 Tbsp. water
1/8 tsp. cloves    1/2 cup sugar
 Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine cake mix, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. With fork, blend in margarine or butter, molasses and water. Chill dough for easier handling (optional). Roll into balls the size of walnuts. Dip in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 – 12 minutes.

 

Billie C.
.....

For Today ...Nov 3, 2014

 

 

Howdy.... I hope you had a good weekend.  Jerry had to work both Saturday and Sunday. He only had to work 8 hours on Sunday and that feels more like only working a half day most of the time.  He will have next Sunday off, and I expect we will sleep in very late.  I am thinking of doing the shopping Saturday after he gets off work but only if he wants to cash his check then and not wait until Sunday morning to do it. We will have to do laundry sometime on Sunday. We put off until Monday last week and that was okay but made for a very long day for both of us. I missed our breakfast out yesterday.  I missed it more than eating dinner out Saturday night.  It's been our habit for a while now to eat breakfast out on Sunday mornings.  I have almost all of our Halloween things put away. I just have to take the window clings off the front window of the camper.
Outside my door ... The sun is almost to the horizon.  It's not up yet, but it won't be much longer. The gray is starting to pick up a little bit of pink on the undersides of the clouds an there is a bit of yellow you can just see in the tops of the trees across the way.  The breeze is making what leaves are left on the trees dance and wiggle and make me wonder just how much longer those few that are holding on so tight are going to let loose and float to the ground. We had a heavy frost Saturday morning and I think the grass has gone dormant now.  It's not brown but I don't think it's going to do any more growing either. I am glade we got the Grass mowed last week instead of waiting. 

 

The Dogs ... (7:15) are sleeping but s soon as I get up to put on some "day" clothes they will be ready to go outside and look around and play and potty, not in that order though, I'm sure.  They will want to come back in soon enough as it's still chilly this morning and they don't like to stay out for long when its like this. Neither do I and I can put on a coat.  Barney will try to take a ball out, then will try to get me to toss it for him. I have to take it away before we go out or he will bark and its too early in the day for that.
The Cats ... like the dogs, are sleeping for now. Earlier they were having a merry game of chase and pounce on each other.  One jumped up on the sink countertop and didn't like that I told her to get off. She gave me a look but she did jump down, right on top of her brother. Then the chase to the bathroom was on, jumping over the other sister then jumping over Macon who happened to be sleeping in the flor at the time. He got up and got on my bed after that. The two chased each other back into the front of the camper then went chasing back to the back again, jumping from bed to bed and Macon snapped at both of them for distrubing him again. The cats can't believe that I didn't yell at Macon for snapping at them and gave me looks to let me know they noticed that. I told them... He warned you to leave hi alone. It was after that they have all curled up on Jerry's bed and gone to sleep for a bit.

 

From the kitchen... The last couple of weeks we have just had cut up vegetable instead of salad but I did pick up a bag of precut salad this week. I'll cut up cucumber and green peppers, and tomatoes to go into that for the next couple of days.  We bought a large pack of Hamburger and I'll divid that into two or three meals then decide what I'm going to make with each. Today I'm leaning to seasoning a portion with Taco Seasoning and forming into patties.  I'lll make some instant mashed ptatoes for our starch and I may make a cake for dessert. 
I am hearing... The morning local news and political ads. Rocky is asleep in the chair beside me and is snoring loudly.  Evern now and then I hear Barney, who is in the kennel in front of me, stirring around a bit. The heater just cycled off but I expect it will be back on soon and the coffee pot just gurggled, letting me know it's done brewing and now my coffee if ready to go into my cup.
I am wearing... Right this minute, white socks with pink toes and heels, a house dress that my good friend Donna gave me a couple of years ago.  I'll be changing into sweat pants, and a t-shirt and putting tennis shoes on my feet when I finish this up.  I think I'll wear my shoes with the buttons at the lace holes today. I have four pairs of these shoe.s. They are so easy to decorate and change up. I have one colored with permenet marker I call my Rainbow shoes because they have all the colors of the rainbow on them, the button shoes, and a plain pair of shoes. I haven't worn the fourth pair yet, as I'm still deciding how I want to fancy them up a bit before I do wear them. Once I do that, I'll spray with waterproofing and that will help keep them looking nice.
I am reading... emails and recipes right now. I really do need to start carving out an hour a day for reading and another two for crafting each day.
I am thinking... How funny it is that where we want to go (Tennessee) has had snow and where we are now, (Iowa) hasn't had any yet. 
I am thankful for... Jerry still having a job to go to each day. Our neighbor got fired for calling two people slackers, because they are not doing any work and always standing around, not even looking like they are working. Someone else over-heard him call those two "foreigners " that and reported him to the office. He's not all that upset about it. He's already found another job and it's much closer to his home and family. As he told Jerry, He can sleep in his own bed, by his wife, at home on this next job he's going to.
I am hoping... That Jerry can get hired onto a job we know of in Tennessee soon. It's going to be a long term job of over 2 years. I would like to find a place to rent for a while if he gets that job.
I am creating... First a cleaner camper with things put out of the way so I can decorate for Thanksgiving. I will need to make a few things for Thanksgiving and have a few ideas of paper things I can hang from the hooks along the rail above the window.

 

A few plans for today... First, change my clothes and take the dogs out. Clean the back of the camper, dishes then work in the livingroom area and maybe seal up the rest of the windows with duct tape.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... keep doing what I've been doing. cooking, cleaning and crafting.

Billie C.
.....

Toilet roll cutlery holder

Toilet roll cutlery holder....there were no directions, but its easy enough to look at and figure it out!  Cute Idea!!