Give Thanks

Thanksgiving Blessings

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving weekend.

Ours was a whirlwind but very fun.  On Thursday we celebrated

Thanksgiving with just our family.  After calling FU and gloating about

the sausage stuffing, stuffed into old Tom and roasting in the oven, I prepared
to welcome the rest of the family.  We totaled 10 this year, which

for us was a very intimate gathering.  We ate, talked and laughed our day away.

Kristi posted some cute

pictures of our day over at

Family Rush Hour

Sean and Madison

On Friday we headed off to Festival of the Trees.  I was greeted

by a treat when I got there.

Santa Baby

Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me

I've been an awful good girl


Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa baby, an out-of-space convertible too, light blue
I'll wait up for you dear
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight


Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be oh so good
If you'd check off my Christmas list
Boo doo bee doo




Santa honey, I wanna yacht and really that's
Not a lot
I've been an angel all year
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Can you see all of the things Santa's Honey asked for on the
List on the Mantel?

Santa cutie, there's one thing I really do need, the deed
To a platinum mine
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight




Santa baby, I'm filling my stocking with a duplex, and checks
Sign your 'X' on the line
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight



Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me
Boo doo bee doo



Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring
I don't mean on the phone
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight

I won some ribbons for my hard work.

1st Place for best lighting (may have something

to do with the awesome fireplace Kevin built for me)

1st Place for Most Creative

3rd Place for Best Whimsical

It was a really fun theme to decorate.  I tried to include everything in

the song Santa Baby, that Santa's honey asked for.

It turned out very glitzy and sparkly.  I found

that even though I had a whimiscal theme

I ended up doing it in a more elegant way.

I wonder what I can do next year? 

Hint:  All aboard

Oh no, when did the holidays sneak up on me? EEKK!!!!!!

The Faster I go the more Behinder I get................


Well as usual I am way behind with everything....I guess I am as behind as Kris is organized (I just read her post and I would like to go on record and confirm that their family only has one pair of undies each ;)

I have spent alot of time with my tree for Festival of the Trees and yesterday was set up day.  A "BIG" thank you to Peggy and Sean for all of their hard work yesterday.  We were pooped puppies after the day was done. (I will post some pics of the finished display)

So now that I am done with that I can actually start thinking about Thanksgiving and then on to Christmas.  For those of you in my area, you must check out all of the gorgeous trees on display at Raincross Center in Riverside.  They are designed by some very talented people and each and every one is amazing. 

Here is a preview of my space.  Santa Baby...........Hurry down the Chimney

Like Mother, Like Daughters

Like Mother, Like Daughters

There is a story that I think of often when I think of my girls and me.  I know that each of my girls have characteristics (not physical characteristics) that remind me of myself.  They like things I like and do things like I do (with their own twists of course).  I have enjoyed watching them marry, start families and make warm and beautiful homes for their families.

The story goes:

A newly married young woman was making a roast for her new husband for the first time.  She purchased the roast, brought it home and began the preparation.  Before she placed it in the baking pan she cut the edges off either side of the roast...just like her mother did.  She baked the roast to her husband's delight.  The next time she was with her mom she told her about the delicious roast she had made, and proceeded to tell her mom how she prepared it.  When she came to the part where she cut the ends off the roast her mom just smiled.  The daughter looked at her mom, puzzled by her mom's reaction.  She asked her mom why she was smiling.  Her mom laughed and said ...Oh dear, when I used to make roast for our family I would cut the edges off because I didn't have a pan big enough to cook it, cutting the edges off was the only way I could fit the roast in the pan.

This made me notice the similarities between my BFF Kris and her mom, Diane.   Diane graciously invited Kevin and me to dinner last night, along with Kris and Greg.  Diane was such a gracious and welcoming hostess, a great cook and made us feel very comfortable in her lovely home.........just like her daughter.   I had to laugh, we all take so many things from our mothers and grandmothers and like the story... who knows the origins of  these lovely characteristics. 

I'm Hungry Mother, Really I am............

Do you recognize that famous line by Rollie, the bit chubby puppy on 101 Dalmations. Well that line came to mind this morning after I ate my morning oatmeal (3pts).

I have been bragging that I haven't been hungry....but I lie. I am hungry this morning and I am now dreaming of my 1 pt chili lunch.

Okay, now on a side note:  CAN YOU BELIEVE WHO GOT KICKED OFF DWTS LAST NIGHT?  WOW.

Can't say that I am totally surprised though.  Kelly and Donnie  are sentimental favorites.

9 Points and Counting

I have consumed 9 points so far today.
Anyone who has ever done Weight
Watchers knows what I am talking about.

No I am not at a sporting event (unless you count power eating), but I have renewed my commitment to lose weight. Along with my good friends Kris and Donna I headed back to Weight Watchers this morning. We enjoyed an outstanding meeting and I am feeling very inspired ... but of course it hasn't even been 24 hours.

Why am sharing this on my blog... ?  I would like to be accountable and hopefully share
my progress.

I do have high hopes. 

Wish me luck.

Big Pumpkins ... Large and in Charge

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday hosted by the lovely Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. 

Today, thanks to my daughter, I am posting large and in charge.  She altered my blog to show my pictures extra large and I love it.  Thank you Kristi for the larger pics and the extra toys to play with on the toolbar.  I am still learning how to use it but it is very fun.

Today I am sharing a Pumpkin table featuring an embroidered runner that I love.  The flash altered the colors a bit so next I have to work on my photography ;)

So much to do on these blogs ay?

Here are a few of my pumpkins

Here is a close up of my cutwork napkins

and I invited a little birdie to fly down and join my table

I was playing with the closeup of the glasses.

I also love my leaf and acorn garland down the center of my table.  Very earthy.  My chargers are hand painted (by a Homegoods person)

Another shot of the table

Do you like my little pumpkin topiary?

I got these pumpkins years ago at TJ Maxx, Homegoods and Ross
They have been all over my house, both inside and out at one time or another

I need to work on some pictures in different lighting next... you tablescape bloggers do some lovely shots
with candlelight.

Thanks for stopping by, I don't know if I got this post done correctly but I shall see. Head back to Susan's for more tablescape fun.

DWTS - Party at Kristi's

Shall we Dance?
Our hostess with the mostest....

The scene is set...Monday night.. 8:00
Get ready for....


Grab your disco ball and head to the party.



On Monday night...my daughter Kristi had a Dancing with the Stars party (with a little push from me).

With the help of some fun loving ladies, we laughed and ate our way through 2+ hours of dancing bliss. We started our evening welcoming our guests with a red carpet and special V.I.P. entrance.


V.I.P.'s only please!

Bearing delicious platters, and crock pots, the smiling guests arrived.

Rewarded with Makstini's or their beverage of choice and an empty plate we began the festivities.

The Arrival... here we have Carolyn and Kris

Tammie Delores

and more...


Our spread included: veggies and dip, baked brie, 7 layer dip, artichoke dip, crock pot meatballs, pizza, corn dog wraps and an assortment of mini quiches. OMG! and for dessert we had YourSugarRush coconut cupcakes, peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes and delicious lemon bars from Debbie and Diane. We had so much food we could have invited another 20 guests.

As is our M.O. we had a special treat for our guests...what would that be you may ask?
(no telling when it involves us)


A judges table of course, equipped with scoring paddles and lovely
costumes to distinguish the various judges.
Here is Len (Kris) adjusting CarrieAnn's tiara and boa (Donna)


Our first 3 judges...
Carrie Ann (Donna) Len (Kris) and Bruno (Carolyn)


Here are our second set of judges...
Carrie Ann (Debbie) Len (Diane) and Bruno (Tammie)
I would like to compliment the judging for their skill and accuracy and totally
getting into character. They were great sports.



Here are our 3rd set of judges...
Carrie Ann (Kristi) Len (Lindsey) and Bruno (Maryrose)


Who is your favorite.. I think the consensus was as follows:

Mya and Dmytri are probably the best but not the favorite (except for Kristi's).
Donny, though not the best dancer is definitely the favorite (except for Kristi who is still
mourning FoodNetwork guy) Kristi......time to move on.
Kelly is a favorite.....Aaron can go.
Diana is in love with Derek but no one seems to like Joanna.
Who will be voted off tonight?


Here is a great picture of Lindsey, Donna's date (daughter)

After and evening of fun, we realized we were missing just one thing.
Oh well, maybe for the finale.



Thanks Kristi for a great evening of fun and laughs.

Festival of the Trees 2009

It is time again for "The Festival of the Trees".

FOT is a fundraising event to raise money for Riverside County Regional Medical Center. For more information on this event click here for their website. It's such a good cause.

I did a tree several years ago with my friend Peggy. Our tree turned out darling and we actually won the "Santa's favorite" award. One of my other friends, Tammie, asked me if I was going to do a tree this year. She caught me at a rather perky time, and I answered with a laugh and a maybe. One morning, several weeks later, my husband comes into the house and says...tell me you didn't buy another Christmas tree...to which I replied..No, but if it is flocked tree, I'm keeping it. So I went out to meet the delivery men and it hit me. They were delivering me a tree to decorate for FOT. I just laughed...that Tammie.

The theme this year is a song. You must use a song or a line from a song as your inspiration. I was not feeling a serious, traditional tree, which is more my style. I wanted a whimiscal and fun tree. I won't be winning any prizes but I am having a ball designing and decorating it. When I went to my daughter's several weeks ago I shopped at Hobby Lobby. OMG! I found so many fun things...I filled a suitcase and headed home.

My colors are fuchsia pink, black, white and silver with lots of glitz and sparkle.

Here are my before pics... with my suitcase of treasures from Oklahoma.

 This is the 7.5 foot Costco tree.  Everyone gets the same tree.

 These are my treasures

Here is a glimpse at what I have so far. Stay tuned for
the reveal.
I wish we had a Hobby Lobby in CA.

Sparkle

Glitz

Diamond Rings

Oh, I haven't shared my theme...song yet.

This year I am doing

"Santa Baby"

Presents

Hurry down the chimney tonight

Outdoor Wednesday -

Happy Outdoor Wednesday

hosted by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer

Earlier this month I was lucky enough to visit my daughter, son in law and grand-daughter in Oklahoma. I had a fantastic time and realized I had taken my camera off my grand daughter long enough to get a few outdoor shots. On the way to one of our shopping trips to Arkansas we passed an old water wheel. We thought it might
make a unique photo op so we stopped. Oh did I say I took my camera off my granddaughter...oopps.

Here is Stacy and Bella

I peeked through this cool stone wall to get a glimpse at the water wheel

There was a lovely stream rushing at the bottom

This was a pic I took driving to the airport. Now picture this...me driving to the airport...not sure where I am going at 55 mph...grabbing my camera and shooting this picture.
Kristi, this one is for you..
Up with Trees (no idea what this means but it is all over Tulsa)




This was another interesting shot on the way to the airport. Have you
ever seen a car cemetery?



Beautiful green field...we don't see many of these in my town.

and this is what I left behind... a pooped out puppy who had had a mountain of fun.

Thanks for joining me, now back to Susan's