Southern Sayin' Of The Month

I live for the light of a full moon. -me

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

My Favorite Part Of Christmas!



Everyone has their favorite tradition or part of Christmas, and mine is Christmas morning. I remember when I was a child, my brother and I would wake up sometime during the night (think 3 or 4 am), sneak into the living room, survey the goods, eat a bit of candy, then go back to bed for a few more hours. We just couldn't wait to see what Santa had brought!

Now that I have my own babes, this continues to be my favorite part of Christmas. I love seeing the joy on their faces when they discover something that they asked for, and then the surprise when they find something that they didn't. This is Monkey's 4th Christmas and Bug's 1st, so we're not yet to the days when they wake us up. And sadly, the RedHead and I aren't smart enought to just let them sleep...we had to wake Monkey up because "we" couldn't wait to see what Santa had brought!

Another tradition we've started since Monkey was born is to have my Mama over Christmas morning and the RedHead cooks breakfast for us. We had delicious Biscuits and Gravy and a pastry braid. Then after breakfast we open up the family gifts to each other. It was a wonderful Christmas season, and I hope everyone had a great one as well!

Check out these cuties!



Wednesday, December 23, 2009

A Few More Pretties...

Since my blog seems to be the place where I've made my Christmas list this year (they're only wishes...no gifts since we're really trying to save for this), I thought I'd share a few more pretties I'd like to have one day.

Oh, and don't visit Etsy unless you have a couple hours to waste. You WILL become addicted; it's like craft crack...one visit and you're hooked!

Sassy Trio Fabric Rosette Bib Necklace


Black Rosette Headband


Lumiere Candleholders These are great because they are all $4.95 or less each!


Now, on to bake cookies for Santa!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

It Was A Wonderful White Weekend!

Well, the weatherman didn't disappoint this time! We got about 3 inches (which may seem like nothing to some, but trust me it's a lot here) and I had two happy boys here at our house! The RedHead and my Monkey went out sledding Friday night while it was still snowing and then again on Saturday morning. They had the best time! We live near a golf course with some great hills for sledding; I know they made some wonderful memories together! As for me, I went out and took the Bug for about 10 minutes Friday night, but that's just about all a baby can handle. So we cozied up inside and ate bowls of snowcream. It is my absolute favorite thing about snow!

Then Saturday night the RedHead and I went out to eat for our 6 year anniversary. We ate steak and lobster and had adult beverages and I didn't have to spoon feed anyone, or take anyone to the bathroom or wipe anyone's mouth and it was good (even if we did talk about them pretty much the whole time).

Sadly, the snow is pretty much all gone. Just slush and patches of ice...nothing to make snowcream with! But now we are getting ready for the big day. I'm pretty sure my shopping is done and I plan on making one more batch of party mix for the neighbors (and us to munch on) and of course, cookies for Santa. Then we can spend time with our families, celebrate the birth of Christ, and watch the wonder and joy on our babes' faces Christmas morning. Merry Christmas to you all!

Here's my party mix recipe...which is the best! I just dare you to make it. You'll be hooked!

This makes 2 9x13 pans.
Wheat Chex
Rice Chex
Honey Nut Chex
Honey Nut Cheerios
Pretzels (sticks or twists, your choice)
21 oz can of Planters Deluxe Mixed Nuts (I like Deluxe b/c I always pick around the peanuts anyway)

Layer the above ingredients into the two pans and then drizzle the following mixture on top.

Melt together on the stovetop:
11 Tbls butter
6 Tbls Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Lawry's seasoning salt

After putting mixture on the cereal, stir to mix and then bake for 1 hour on 200 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes. Enjoy!!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Fingers are Crossed!


We've got our sled, snow boots, milk-vanilla-sugar (for SnowCream), cocoa and marshmallows, plenty of junk food, and one eager little Monkey! Now all we need is for the snow to fall. Forcast is calling for 1-8 inches (way to nail it down Mr. WeatherMan), so my fingers are crossed for a White Weekend!!

Oh, and I know I asked for a BlendTec, but I ammend that because I found these little beauties...if only they had a "little" pricetag too!
Frye Carson Boots in Berry

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Fast Approaching

Ready or not...here it comes!


It seems hard to believe that Christmas will be here next Friday! This season has felt oddly different, cut short for some reason. The RedHead and I have both dealt with the loss of a grandparent in the past month, and I think our attention has been averted to them (and rightly so). However, I decided to get my rear in gear on Monday. The tree is up, presents are wrapped, stockings are hung, and the baking has begun! Here's a few treats I've been making!


I've made Pecan and Cashew Turtles, Party Mix, and Rice Krispie treats (these were for my Monkey's preschool party, so they've already been demolished). Oh, and here's my Monkey at his performance. When they sang "Jesus Loves Me" I just about melted. It was so sweet!


We had also decorated the RedHead's cubicle at work for a contest and he won! Yeah, we probably spent a bit too much time on it, but it did look great! Sorry, no pic. But I do have a pic of the goodies that were in the gift basket he received for winning! I am glad someone remembers some of the traditional Christmas gifts like we always had in my house growing up, nuts, fruit, and orange slices. (The only thing missing was some creme drops and cheese...that was my Mamaw's favorite)


Mmmm...sugary!

The RedHead and I aren't exchanging gifts, just dinner out together for our anniversary/Christmas present, but if I were getting a gift, I'd like this!
BlendTec Blender

And finally, for your viewing pleasure, a few pic outtakes as I tried to snap a pic for our Christmas card.


Wednesday, December 9, 2009

There's a New Angel In Heaven

I haven't posted anything lately, mostly because I didn't have anything to say. I've been at the hospital with my Mamaw a lot; she fell last week and broke her leg and it was her time to pass. I felt better that she was being kept comfortable, but I could just see how tired she was. I thought that I had said my goodbyes, but then yesterday evening something told me to go see her again. I stayed for several hours, thought I was going to leave, but again I had the feeling that I should just stay. So I lay there with my Mama and my uncle and we were "still and quiet" (as my Mamaw would say) and she took her last breath. It was a special moment, quite close to God, and I am thankful that I listened to the feeling that told me to stay.

I am re-posting an entry that I posted back in August.

Dreams

Lately I've been having a lot of dreams about my Mamaw. I'm not sure why these memories are invading my dreams, but they are there (at least a little snippet) each night. My mother, brother and I lived with my Mamaw for about 3 1/2 years after my parents divorced and even when we moved into our own house we spent a great deal of time at my Mamaw's. She is a woman I've always looked up to, aspired to be like, and who helped shape my childhood. These are my dreams at night:

I dream of sitting on the stepstool in the kitchen watching her make homemade biscuits and leaving a bit of dough out for the "rat" to eat. I loved that salty sweet dough.

Laying on her bed, the cool clean sheets, and looking at her curtains covered in red roses.

I dream of warm baths with a bar of Ivory soap.

Sitting on the porch swing drinking sweet tea or snapping beans.

I dream of her feeding me "soaky bread" which is toast dipped in coffee (I personally attribute my love of coffee to the fact that she started me on it when I was only 3!)

My Mamaw sitting in her chair crocheting a beautiful doilie.

I dream of days when it stormed and we had to unplug everything and go lay on the bed. "Be still and quiet" she would say.

The multitude of switches that woman had hid around the house...in her chair, on top of the fridge, they were always within her reach.

I dream of her giving me a dustrag and a can of Pledge and setting me to work dusting/polishing the furniture.

Watching HeeHaw...enough said.

I dream of her sweeping the sidewalk, vacuuming every day, hanging sheets on the line, ironing baskets of clothes. This woman could clean.

Most of all I dream of her and her house. The way she smelled and the way she looked. I dream of the way I knew her house, how no other place has ever felt more like home. I don't know why I'm dreaming of these things, but I'm sure glad I remember them.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Just when I thought I was ahead...

I have the habit of working, working, working to get caught up (and sometimes a bit ahead) on whatever I'm working on (cleaning, laundry, lesson planning, my Christmas shopping), but then I stop and when I look up I'm behind again. I'd really like to work steadily and stay ahead, but that's just not how I operate.

I thought my house was clean...but now it's not.

I thought I was making good progress on my holiday shopping...but I still have a lot to do.

And let's not even talk about holiday decorations. I still have pumpkins on my stoop and scattered around the house. But I know it's coming. The sudden urge to deck the halls will hit me and I'll get it done. Until then I guess I can go ahead and at least throw out the pumpkins.

On a completely different note, I'd like to thank Short Southern Momma for leaving me this award!


I'd like to pass it on to a few other ladies who I enjoy reading!

The Tale Of A Southern Belle

Her Southern Charm
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