Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Dinner is done, the kitchen is cleaned, and the ads perused. Now, it is football time.

Hope each of you and yours are enjoying a day full of family, fun and good food. Be sure to take a moment and count all of the things for which you are grateful and say a prayer of thanks!

Take a family picture, have everyone write down one or two things they are thankful for and create a Thanksgiving 2009 scrapbook page. Not a scrapper? Create a quick piece of art to display on the fridge. It is fun to look back on these lists a few years down the road.

Freebies!!

2010 is just around the corner and that means a new calendar. Here are two free calendars that include excellent coupons!

Betty Crocker Calendar

Oriental Trading Calendar

What fun to ride....The Polar Express

We love the Polar Express movie. It is a holiday staple in our home. My greatest wish is for my home to ooze the magic of the holiday season. Decorating for Christmas takes days and days, but what fun!

This year I was looking at fun day trips that we could do on the weekends and what to my wondering eyes should appear? The Polar Express departs from the Texas State Railroad depot in Palestine, Texas. Yes, you read that correctly. Last night, we departed on the 8:15 to the North Pole. I was so magical. There was hot cocoa, cookies, Christmas carols, elves, and Santa. My son loved his first gift of the season....the sleigh bell. We all heard the ring of that special bell!

I know that this will be a wonderful memory for all of us and hope your family can experience the same magic. The Polar Express runs select days through December. May you all Believe!
Polar Express Train Ride

A Christmas Must Read

I'm sure many of you feel the same way I do - the holidays begin October 1st. That is when I begin dragging out the Halloween decorations. (My son finally got over the scariness of Halloween and looks forward to decorating.)

I have found that the calendar seems to fill up much faster this time of year. A free weekend is harder to come by, but I can't seem to find anything that I want to mark off. Then there is all of the baking I ache to do (yes, I do mean ache!) I love the fact that the kitchen is cool and I can stand to keep the oven on all day. I have lists galore. There's the Halloween party, Fall Festival at school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, kids' birthdays, Christmas shopping, church bazaar, Winter Party at school, Christmas, New Year's, etc. Oh yes, lest I forget that this is my very busy time at work.

We all know that this means Moms are tired, harried, stressed, and the list goes on..... I discovered a wonderful book this past weekend (I should have been tackling an item on one of my lists) that really puts it all humorously into perspective - "On Strike for Christmas" by Sheila Roberts. It kept me laughing and saying oh my. I highly recommend you find a couple of days, a few nights, or several lunch breaks to read it! Welcome to the holidays!

Menu & Recipes for October 11th

Happy Fall! We are even getting a taste of fall here in Texas.

I cannot believe how crazy everything is at the moment. I do apologize for not have recently posted. That will be changing!

I really hope that you enjoy the meals this week. There are some new cool weather comfort foods prepared in the crockpot. Such a marvelous way to prepare dinner!

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dc7vbv4c_15hsrcb4gh

Menu & Recipes for Week of September 13th

This week starts the cooler weather here in Texas. I have enjoyed watching the rain for the past three days. Horrible baseball weather - great baking weather!! Fall welcomes back all of my family's cool-weather, comfort foods. I am so excited to share them with you this season.

Have an a Fall-bulous week!

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dc7vbv4c_14gbz9hffp

Game Day Munchies

Football season has arrived. I know some of you are football widows, but I love football. Tonight's the kick-off and the game is on as I post this!

We do kick-off Sunday up right. I fix a nice breakfast and then start on the day's buffet of munchies. I make plenty to nibble on throughout the entire day. No, there is not a formal meal the remainder of the day (unless I make wings). There are Italian Sausage Balls, Turkey Roll-ups, Rotel Cheese Dip, Assorted chips, crackers, Football Brownies, Football Sugar Cookies, Vegetable Tray, and a Savory Dip. The recipes and tips are available at http://docs.google.com/View?id=dc7vbv4c_13frhrkmfs

This should give you something to look forward to even if you don't enjoy the game. Have a great Sunday and go Cowboys!!