Goodbye 2011

Happy New Year!!!

xo

Last Friday of 2011

Happy Friday

❉ I can't believe we are in the final days of 2011.....it's making me sad how fast life has gone by. The last four years of my life have been a blink of an eye. So my changes and more to come.

❉ I'm trying not to focus on Katelyn leaving for college since it's not until fall but I find myself saying well next year when your gone...or this is the last Christmas as a child....yada yada yada....trying to focus on the now instead of the when.

❉ I worked three days this week ...it's been 3.5 years since I worked a paying job. I liked it but also wanted to stay home with my family, that were off on Christmas break...it was weird to be the one up and leaving early for a change. 

❉ Katelyn and I have lost our picture taking mojo ! Last year we started project 365 a picture a day...I made it to day 222 and cheated a lot...some days I'd take a lot of picture and use them....I'm not a good rule follower. I really miss taking pictures but haven't been inspired for many months! I want to start the project again and perhaps make it to day 223!

❉ I'm taking down my Christmas decorations today I wish I could wiggle my nose and have someone magically clean it afterwards! 

Happy New Year!!

Stop by Mrs. 4444's at Half past Kissin time for more FF! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Share something you loved about your Christmas Day.

Her smiling face....

2. You get to put five items in a time capsule to be opened in 100 years, what items would you choose and why?

1.  An Ipad because it's the great invention of all time.

2. An Iphone for the same reasons as above.
3. Bottle of vitamin water, for the shear fact it exists. 
4. Picture of our family 
5. Fashion Magazine like Vogue big book! 

3. What do you like on a cracker?

Cheese....I'm a big sharp cheddar girl!

4. Do you make resolutions at the start of a new year? How'd that work out for you this past year?

Not always, but I think change is good and refocusing on ones life goals etc.. is a good thing! I'm focusing on once again losing weight and getting fit. Last year I started intense workout class....this year I'm hoping to add the nutrition part needed and step up workouts at home. 

5. What's a song or song lyric you'll associate with 2011?

Adele's " Rolling in the deep" big song this year....plus I love her. 

6. How will you ring in the new year?

We are attending the Ice Ball in Buffalo...it's a 9 event venue with 2 acres of fun!! Not sure what to expect....we are going with our neighbors. I usually don't do fancy but this year we are....It's a first! 

I'm excited to wear my new shoes....they are super comfortable and look awesome with my outfit.

My Dansko are the highest shoe I've worn in years!! I don't own high heels so this is a stretch....if you own Toms you know the comfort I'm talking about!!

7. What is something you look forward to in 2012?

My daughter's High School graduation....it's an exciting year and lots of changes around the corner. 
As sad is it is for me thinking ahead to the empty nest etc...I'm excited for her to start the next big chapter in her life.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It's an exciting week here in our house. My hubby is off work and is busy painting our Master bedroom...yay!! I'm training for 3 days this week for a job I'll work every Sunday for 4 hours at our local ski resort. It's fun getting out there again. It's completely different than what I've ever done....just nice to be in customer service again. People are interesting....lets just leave it at that!!


Happy Wednesday!! Stop by Joyce's at From this side of the Pond for more Hodgepodge! 

Merry Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours!

Happy Eve of Christmas Eve

I went digital in 2004 at least I think I did....before 2004 all my pictures are in my scrapbooks or on negatives...I wanted to find pictures of Katelyn sitting on Santa's lap over the years....guess what I don't think I was that mom waiting in lines at the mall. The first pictures I have are from preschool some years none at all.

People starting families today or relationship are so lucky everything is documented online...do you know how hard it is to find photos on negatives in a musty old box!! Or try and undo a scrapbook just to scan a photo and try and put it back together again....ugh!!

So here is Katelyn sitting on Santa's lap when she is older and much more wiser to the man and the myth.

This is the same Santa and Mrs. Claus year after year we would go to brunch at my parents and sister's Country Club. I love the top left picture it's a fake beard after that he embraces his inner Santa and grows his own!! I loved that brunch, Santa and Mrs. Claus would arrive via helicopter it was so exciting for all.

Katelyn was never a big fan of sitting on Santa's lap....

Except for this one in I think first grade....

Unplanned event she is still in her uniform...

He looks like the "real" Santa don't ya think??

I hope Santa is good to you all!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Kwanza!

Irish Creme Liquor

     

2 cups Half and Half

1 can sweeten condensed milk

¾ cup Whiskey

1 tsp. Instant Coffee

1 tsp. Chocolate syrup

Blend 3 minutes – chill

These babies are heading to work today with my hubby...

I hope they wait and drink it at home and not at lunch! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Are you cooking Christmas dinner? How many will be round your table this year? What are we having?

Yes I'm cooking Christmas dinner, but just for the three of us. We are having a simple meal of pot roast, mashed potatoes, veggies and carrot cake for dessert. 

2. What is one must-have Christmas cookie in your house?

Frosted sugar cut out cookies.....love them....they don't last long here.

3. Santa likes a glass of milk with his cookies. Do you? What kind of milk is on tap at your house-skim? almond? soy? full fat (Gasp!)

Some times...not really a huge milk person. We buy fat free milk.

4. Time magazine recently named their 'Person of the Year' for 2011. This is the person the editors believe had the greatest impact, for better or worse, in the past year. This year they chose 'The Protester'. Your thoughts? Who would you name Person of the Year for 2011?

I guess I would agree by the definition "The Protester" fits! It's hard to say there has been a lot of news this year. I'm with Joyce at least it wasn't a Kardashian or worse yet Casey Anthony! 

5. December 21st is National Flashlight Day... when was the last time you needed a flashlight and did you know right where to find one?

It was when we were in NJ this summer during Hurricane Irene. My brother in law was so prepared  next to our bedside sat a flashlight. Today if needed in my own home I would head to the garage work shop. 

6. candy canes...yum or yuck?

Yum I love candy canes but they have to be Bob's candy canes they are the best! 

7. What Christmas carol lyric means the most to you?

Joy to the world....

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I always go out the day after Christmas to places like JoAnn Fabrics, Target etc..for discounted wrapping paper etc... yesterday I was in JoAnn Fabrics and all the Christmas was marked down already to 70% off and they were wiped out! I quickly grabbed some bows and ribbons....but my most amazing find was this.....

This is my most favorite Easter candy....who knew they had a Christmas one too????!!!! Not me and they were almost gone..I snagged a few packages, barely made it out of parking lot before I tore into a package! I'm happy I didn't know about these sooner...to think of how dangerous this could have been on my waist line! 


Happy Wednesday all....stop by Joyce's at From this side of the Pond for more Hodgepodge! 

Holiday drink...

On Sunday we went to probably the best brunch I've ever been to, and now a new tradition for our family. Not only was the food out of this world delicious but the entertainment was so beautiful and festive.

One of mine and my hubby's favorite part was the starter drink.....called Poinsettia.

Champagne, Triple Sec and Cranberry juice...

Yum!

What about you, do you have a favorite holiday drink?

Last Christmas break we (when I say we I really mean my hubby) were suppose to paint our master bedroom....but he came down with a man cold...remember this video! It was close to this in our house!

So it's still not done...I have high hopes this Christmas break it will happen! I hate the color in our room, I would paint it but he is a bit of a perfectionist and insist it will get done. I'm also wanting to make a new headboard. Thanks to Pinterest I have lots of ideas...our room will be a work in progress.

I really like these two styles.....

I'm looking at a solid brown Duvet and tossing around the following material for a headboard.

I really hope it happens...

I really hope he stays healthy....

One day at a time

Today I have been a busy baking girl.....

Butter Spritz cookies

White chocolate popcorn.....

I hope my neighbors enjoy......

Just need to make a trip to liquor store for wine...

Plan my Christmas dinner and we are set to go....

I love a stress free holiday....

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Joining Joyce at From This Side Of The Pond

1. Do you put Christmas decorations in every room of your house? If not every room, what rooms do you decorate?

Every room except the bathrooms and my bedroom has some kind of Christmas decoration.

Our newest decoration was found at my new favorite consignment shop. It's a mini Steinbach Nutcracker. Isn't he cute...he's about 3-4 inches high.

Great find anything with West Germany marking is rare.

2. If you could visit one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) which one would you choose and why?

I've been to Norway and loved it, I would love to visit Finland or Sweden....After traveling in Europe there isn't a country that I wouldn't love to visit someday. 

3. What does the word faith mean to you?

Faith to me is believing in something you have no control over.

4. You can go back to your childhood for one day...what day and age would you choose?

I had a wonderful childhood don't get me wrong....I wouldn't want to go back to that awkward time in my life for anything . 

5. When did you last have 'punch'? If it's not too much trouble share your favorite punch recipe.

It's been years....certainly back when I lived in Utah. No party was complete without some kind of punch. I'd say recipe sprite and frozen lemon/limeade. I personally have never made it. 

6. Do you fill stockings at your house? Are stockings opened before or after the bigger gifts?

Yes we do...it's probably my favorite part of the gift giving process. We always open them first.

A standard in our house is always a Terry's Chocolate Orange. 

7. What takes your breath away?

Not so much of what but more like who.....

The love of my life....and my baby girl!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday afternoon there were five deer playing in my back yard I couldn't get a clear shot but it was a sight. Some were eating the neighbors tree while the younger ones chased each other around the yard playing in the snow....it was so cute to see! I wish I could of captured it! I texted Katelyn who was babysitting next door....the kids scared them away!! :(

Happy Wednesday! 

Sunday in my city- Christmas

Unknown Mami's Sunday in my city...Stop by and travel the world

Christmas is full on.....okay probably is everywhere that Christmas is celebrated. With 13 days 11 hours left....We are enjoying our tree and it's 700 mini lights! Our fake but life like tree needed new lights this year, some reason hubby kept sending me back to Walmart for more lights....it's like Las Vegas in our living room! Our living room mantel sports our Santa collection and our tree has ornaments from the early days of homemade to ones from our travels to gifts given over the years. We have lots of skiing santa's and skiing snowman.....I really love all of the ornaments they have a special meaning. 

Have you ever heard of Santacon? My older nieces and nephews partake in NYC, it was all over FaceBook....so of coarse I had to google it because I like to be educated and in the know!!
What is Santacon you ask? It's a mass gathering of parading in streets and gathering in bars spreading Christmas cheer and being jolly celebrated throughout cities around the world. I like the idea most events you donate cans of food for the food banks or toys for toys for tots!

Here's Sophie ready for Santacon Buffalo.....

 

 an

dHave a wonderful Sunday and Holiday season!!o. 

Where has the time gone....

I missed my Friday Fragments yesterday.....the twinkling Christmas lights and sounds of Christmas carols are distracting me from my routine.

We had snow off and on yesterday oh my gosh it's gorgeous! It wasn't so gorgeous driving in it yesterday evening....45 minutes what normally would take 15...white knuckling all the way and maybe a few curse words too! Here's my morning view....pretty uh?

On Thursday night I went to see The Addams Family at Shea's Performing Art Center....it was probably the best musical I have seen...I loved it, it was sooooo funny! The set was amazing, cast perfect! I loved that show back in the day! It's a must see!

Are you done Christmas shopping yet?...I went to the mall on Thursday it was insane in the parking lot, couldn't find what I went there for, but I bought a new winter coat that I needed. I was so excited to find the perfect coat for Buffalo winters, went to wear it yesterday and the damn security tag is still on it. I'm so ticked off now I have to go back to mall again!! Urg!!!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Christmas music ♥

I found this on Pinterest 

A list of someone's top 25 Christmas songs....

I love the first one.....

I love Zooey Deschanel 

Her new show is so funny

Loved her in Elf

So happy to have found her music

I like her style..old school

 Enjoy!! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Will you be hosting any house guests between now and the end of December? Does that thought make you happy or crazy? Do you do anything special for your guests to make them feel at home? How long should a house guest stay?

No not this year....

2. Walter Elias Disney was born this week (December 5) back in 1905 ...what's your all time favorite Disney movie? Here's a list in case you're struggling...and yes, you have to pick one.

The Lion King

3. What was the last thing you purchased that you realized was a mistake after the fact?

I'm going with The Genie Bra.....totally promised miracles and it did not deliver!!

4. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?

I did a bunch on Cyber Monday...I'd say 30% of my shopping is online .

5. Amaryllis-snowdrop-poinsettia...your favorite winter blossom?

Amaryllis 

6. What is one thing on your personal Christmas wish list? I think we all want peace on earth so let's make this answer an actual item.

Perfume...I always run out right around my Birthday or Christmas...and world peace! 

7. If you could only use one word today what would it be?

Unbelievable.....I feel like I say that every time I drive somewhere...WNY drivers are unbelievably bad or every time I watch TV....unbelievable news...people etc... 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

17 days until Christmas.....17! Yikes I'm not ready are you?

Stop by Joyce's at From this side of the Pond for more WH! 

Happy Wednesday all! 

Hacked.....how?

Yesterday was a great day....I got so much done! I was on fire.....barely online....so productive!
Too busy to get hacked.....some time in the afternoon I started receiving texts and emails from people asking if I sent them a link?......NO I've been busy today people....

Some how my email contact list was hacked and sent out links to god knows where....well Katelyn opened hers....sent her to a Viagra website....you think you teach your children not to open links and first chance they get what so they do.....bad!!

I sent out emails telling people not to open....hope I wasn't too late and hope I didn't miss anyone!

SORRY REALLY I AM!!!
I changed all my passwords...that's what Yahoo recommends!

Here's my question around the time this all took place I had just let someone borrow my phone, to make a quick call. I stood right there....it was only a minute! Is that how my email was hacked or just a weird coincidence ????

Wish theses brilliant people would use their skills for the greater good!!

So on the bright side my Paper Whites popped! Pretty uh?!!

Happy Tuesday! 

A healthy nut

How can something so yummy be good for you? 

Guess what they are.....

Pistachios....are the good nut

healthy source of fiber

good for your heart

if in the shell...you eat them slower

equaling a healthy snack and possible weight loss!

It's true....I googled it 

see HERE

Wonder why we seem to only consume them during the holidays!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

It's no secret I spend way too much time online....especially on Pinterest. Here is one of my fireplace mantels influenced by Pinterest. I love how it turned out, I didn't use real greenery I'm allergic to the mess. But my glittery life like JoAnn Fabric one did the job.

Simple but festive

I also painted card board letters,

 idea found on Pinterest.

I love how it turned out too. 

How about you...is it beginning to look allot like Christmas?

What a nut....

This is how I found Sophie napping....

She is out cold, 

hanging out of her bed

 using her bunny aka baby

as a pillow! 

What a nut! 

I ♥ her!

Advent Fairy last year....

Hi I'm Katelyn's advent fairy...and I'm retiring after this year...it was a short career only 4 years! You see we have always had an advent calendar but never a fairy....Until we moved to Germany and Katelyn's friends introduced her to many new traditions, this being one of them. Germans do Christmas right... I think they invented Christmas.

Why am I retiring...she leaves for college next fall...she will be 18 soon...an adult!!! She disagrees.....
she looks forward to her daily gifts. This year thanks to Pinterest I became craftier and wrapped them all and numbered them. It's tough coming up with 24 little items....I told her this year I'm going out with a bang!

Kicking off the Holiday Season with......

10 things about me-Christmas version

My blogger buddy Leslie did this....

I decided to join the fun....

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Elf- love this movie! I can watch over and over again

What is your favorite Christmas song?

All I want for Christmas is you...

Mariah Carey 

Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes I collect them amongst other things. I have one my Mom gave me, one I bought, one from Germany, Holland, Italy and Mexico.

What is your favorite Christmas animation?

I'm with Leslie on this one definitely Rudolf the red nosed reindeer!

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

Every Christmas morning we lined up on the stairs....all five of us, while my parents lit the tree, turned on Christmas music, probably made coffee too waiting for our picture to be taken than off to see what Santa brought us. I remember the excitement and anticipation was over the top. 

What is your most memorable gift?

I'm going to say the Barbie Townhouse...it had an elevator and a door bell! I spent hours and hours playing with it. 

Do you have any Christmas traditions?

I always buy the Terry's Chocolate Oranges for our stockings, when we lived in Utah my family and I would go to a family friends house on Christmas Eve for a Mexican Fiesta and then go to Mass. Now living away from family we are slowly trying new traditions but last year was our first year solo...it was an adjustment and still is. 

Do you have a special Christmas wish this year?

Peace in the world, good health for all, and jobs for the unemployed...

If you could have anything for Christmas what would it be?

Ipad I know it's selfish but it's this or a new car! 

If you could spend Christmas anywhere, where would it be?

Anywhere surrounded by family....

Happy December!!