THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME. . . THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!

Ya-Hoo we're heading home today!!

I really didn't want to come up to the cottage this year after CHRISTmas. I just didn't feel up to it. I have so many things I wanted to finish at home and I'm. . . just. . .plain tired out after CHRISTmas. But hubs loves his cottage and wants to spend every second here he can. He has a highly stressful job, so if this little place is a piece of heaven for him, I'm right here with him.

But. . . he decided we should go home (Yeah!!) due to the storm a brewing later today. Yes, more snow!! We left for the cottage on Saturday afternoon. Yeah, it was fun at home Saturday morning trying to pack to leave too. Our power went out just as I was getting ready for the day. I packed, put on my make-up by candlelight, and my hair, oh, let's not even go there. Just think, no blow dryer, no curling irons, aauugghh!!

It was so foggy the last half of the drive to our cottage that I was scared to death!! I honestly think we could only see about 2 feet in front of our car at times. That is too dangerous for my liking. I was praying the entire time. We arrived at the cottage to find the guy we hire to plow our driveway DIDN'T - this time!! We called and got his voice mail and he came out the next morning with his snow truck/plow. Too late, we still had to truck in ALL our stuff from the street upon arrival because there was 3' of snow in our driveway. No way was our car going to plow through that stuff. The snowplow guy put us on the wrong list. The "plow when I get a call list" and not the "plow when we get 3" of snow list!" Hopefully, he made the correction!!! He did apologize, so that was nice.

It's very windy and cold right now so the kids don't want to go outside sledding, or skating ~ the usual things they do up here. So we went to see Marley and Me yesterday. Great movie, the ending stinks. That's all I'm going to say. It's a movie that you are laughing at until the last 10 minutes, then you're crying.

So, I'm off to pack up the cottage now and head home. Home. . . it's where I want to be.

Blessings. . . until next time,

IS IT REALLY OVER ALREADY!!!!?????!!!!

Happens every year. . .all the wrapping, shopping, baking, cleaning, cooking, entertaining, decorating then * poof * and it's all over!!

Well, did you all have a wonderful CHRISTmas celelebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus?? I hope you and your family had a great CHRISTmas with lots of memories and plenty of pictures. We had a wonderful CHRISTmas, but we forgot to take pictures on CHRISTmas Day, can you believe that? We got too busy opening presents, cleaning up the wrappings, making dinner, cleaning up dinner, etc., etc.

We were supposed to head up to our cottage early Friday morning, but the weather did not cooperate with us. We had a lot of freezing rain/ice ~ so we decided to stay home an extra day or so until it the roads are safe. What's an extra day to wait for safety? It was a wonderful day too. We. . . did. . . NOTHING. Just rested. Boy, did I need that!

We'll head up in the morning when the temperatures have risen a bit. Then, while at the cottage, I'll make our family's favorite Bean Soup with our leftover ham bone. That, with a fire, with our family, at the cottage *sigh* doesn't get any better than that :)

Enjoy your family time!!

Blessings until next time,

Merry CHRISTmas & Happy New Year!!

Merry CHRISTmas dear friends!!

I hope everyone has a most wonderful, peaceful and Merry CHRISTmas with their friends and family.

My husband is not traveling this week, so we're enjoying some time together. We actually went to a movie this evening and saw "Four Christmases." I was somewhat disappointed. It's the kind of movie that I wish I had waited to see on DVD and not spend good money on at the theater. Do you know what I mean? Like OK, but not GREAT!

Our 14 year old has her last day of school tomorrow. Yeah, I know!! A lot of schools are out already. Their last day was Friday. Our district has "winter break" for a week in February so we have to go a few extra days just before Christmas. It's actually OK with me. I mean what are people really supposed to do with geeked up kids a few days before CHRISTmas anyways? But, the flip side is, what are people supposed to do with bored kids, in February, in Michigan, in the middle of winter????

I'm going to be taking a break from blogging probably through the holidays to enjoy the season with my family. I hope you enjoy your CHRISTmas and New Year too.

. . . and please remember during all the shopping, wrapping, running, decorating, baking, eating ~ to take time to remember why we celebrate CHRISTmas. The ULTIMATE gift we could ever receive. The birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for sending us your son ~ to save your people ~ to make it possible for us to have eternal life through HIM. Thank you, thank you. Amen!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!!

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE PAST HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL :)

Yes, I live in Michigan. The Lord "blessed" us again with a fresh, pure, blanket of the the white stuff. We had a huge dumping of snow on Friday morning (like 12" of the fluffy white stuff). EVERYTHING was shut down and cancelled. School, colleges, businesses, entertainment events. . . the ROADS!!

It's funny, after spending time in San Antonio (during the end of May) where it was hot and humid and hot and humid and over 100 degrees. . . I don't complain anymore. Personally, I'd rather have the snow and cold! Yes, seriously. Even our 14 1/2 year old is not complaining anymore about the snow and cold. She was actually wishing for snow when we were dying from the heat exhaustion while visiting San Antonio. Yes, Texas is a beautiful state. I actually "lived" in the Dallas/Fort Worth area one summer. It was hot, but dry. Big, big difference to us northerners anyways. That humidity can kick your fanny and leave you exhausted. I think it's just whatever we are accustomed to ~ whatever you've been raised in becomes your "norm."

I'm prepared. We have bread, milk and all the food we need. My Christmas presents are purchased and wrapped and are under the tree. Everything has been purchased for Christmas dinner and I'm just enjoying the "homeboundness" ~ is that even a word? Well, it is now!

I'm sure those in the southern states prepare for ungodly hot weather as we here in the north prepare for our snow. Get all your "stuff" done and out of the way. . . and just stay in the house.

Yeah, we'll be in here for a while. We are expecting another dumping of snow tomorrow night, Sunday. Of course, our 14 1/2 year old is hoping for another snow day. They are scheduled to attend classes through Tuesday, then off. We'll see.

Blessings. . . until next time,

CHRISTMAS DISHES

I almost forgot to show you my CHRISTmas dishes!

A few years ago, while out doing my thing (garage/yard sales) I came across this lovely CHRISTmas set of Farberware dishes. I always thought it would be so nice to have a set of dishes for just CHRISTmas, but didn't want to spend the money. Some sets are kind of pricey for only using one month of the year.


This was a complete set of 8, including a large meat tray, serving bowl, creamer, sugar and teapot. It was only $10!! AND it was in perfect condition. Not even a chip on them.

The pattern is White Christmas, making them all the more special. I have always loved the movie and have seen the play twice ~ so I knew I had found my CHRISTmas set of dishes. The price was right, the name was right. They were PERFECT!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

MEGA BATCH OF CANDY

Do you like peanut clusters? We do, especially at CHRISTmas time! (For those of you coming over from Darlene's Blog (Our Creative Life) for the "Cookie Recipe Swap" ~ Darlene asked me to link up my candy recipe too. Hope you all don't mind!

Here's the recipe for a huge batch of these babies. They're really easy to make when you use the crock pot. Just dump all the ingredients into the crock and let them slowly melt together. They are yummy, yummy too!!

Peanut Clusters

1 (16 oz.) jar unsalted peanuts
1 (16 oz.) jar salted peanuts
1 (12 oz.) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (12 oz.) bag milk chocolate chips
2 (12 oz.) bags peanut butter chips
2 (1 lb.) packages White Almond Bark/Vanilla Candy Coating break into pieces

Layer ingredients, in order listed, into (4 quart or larger) crock pot. Turn the pot on low, cover it with a lid. Allow to melt for two hours, then stir to mix. Replace lid and continue melting ingredients for another 30 minutes.. Check to see if almond bark is melted, and if so, stir and spoon mixture onto wax paper. Allow to cool/harden - 1 hour or so before removing.

You can see it makes a large amount. Just perfect for holiday gifting to friends and neighbors. Monday I'm taking a large tray of candy, cookies and Pizzelles to our youngest daughter's school for the teacher's lounge. So, I'll once again be cranking out those Pizzelles. If only I could keep my family out of them LOL!

Blessings,

WE'RE NOT ITALIAN, BUT WE LOVE PIZZELLES

Pizzelles are the perfect little cookie to have with a cup of coffee or tea. I have always loved them ever since I was a little girl. I had an aunt who made them every year at Christmas time. Yummy, yum. Her hubby was Italian and she learned to make them from her mother-in-law. Lucky lady. I looked forward to these special treats every year. That was long, long ago. . . .


Besides knowing how much I loved Pizzelles, all I knew was that they were made with a special Pizzelle waffle iron; which I didn't have. . .so I couldn't make them.

Until. . . this fall. While garage/yard sale shopping I came across an almost new-like Pizzelle waffle iron!! Can you believe that???? The owner told me she had purchased it only to make Pizzelles for her daughter's wedding. She had not used it since and has no desired to use it again. She had a price of only $5 on this treasure.



It also included the original instructions and the "Classic Pizzelle" recipe. I asked if I could plug it in just to make sure it worked. (I didn't test something once and after getting it home found it didn't work ~ bummer!) Oh yes, this little baby was mine once it started to heat.

I was a happy girl making these babies!! And my family was happy too when these Pizzelles were finished. Now my family loves them too and it will become part of our Christmas tradition from now on :) .

Blessings. . . until next time,

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT???!!!!????

OK friends, help me out here!!



What's up with the attack on holiday sweaters????? Everyone is making fun of them, swearing they would never want to receive one for a gift (don't worry family/friends, I've never gifted anyone with a CHRISTmas sweater and I don't have any future plans to do so either). I've heard ladies saying they would never be caught dead in one, blogging pictures of them wearing holiday sweaters in the past years and asking "what were they thinking???" blah, blah, blah.


Yeah, that picture is one of my holiday sweaters ~ I have several :) I love to wear them with jeans and a turtle neck the same color as the sweater background. I mean, doesn't everyone? Guess not!


Maybe it's because I'm 49 I don't see any thing wrong with wearing them. Is it an age thingy maybe? I mean, I can't see our 14 1/2 year old or our 21 wearing one, but does everyone feel like that????

. . . just wondering friends, just wondering.

Blessings. . . until next time,

HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR!!

Welcome to our Home!

Thank you Tracey from Notes from a Cottage Industry for hosting the Holiday Tour again this year.
Merry CHRISTmas and welcome to our home!! I know you have a lot of homes to visit today, so I won't talk to you much on your tour :)

Don't you think I would have seen this pillow knocked down before I took this picture???!!! I love this pillow too. It says "Be Naughty ~ Save Santa the Trip!"

May you have a wonderful Christmas with many special memories to treasure with family and friends. Remember through all the hustle and bustle that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Blessings. . . until next time,

THE HACKERS ARE OUT AGAIN!!

Yup, those people must have marbles for brains!!
Remember a few weeks ago when someone from India tried to crash my computer and I shared it with you all? Well, they are out again. I detailed the episode this time because I want you all to be aware of what their little game is so it does not happen to you too!! This is the message I received:

Susan <http://www.blogger.com/profile/09986100770407045723> has left a new comment on your post "2008 Holiday Tour <http://sherscreativeexpressions.blogspot.com/2008/12/2008-holiday-tour.html> ":

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Susan
http://www.car-insurance-xxx.com

Madras, Tamil Nadu arrived from blogsearch.google.co.in on "Sher's Creative Expressions: 2008 Holiday Tour"

I disabled the direct link so no one would read my blog and accidentally click on this stupid car.insurance sight. I also changed some of the words in this link. . . just to be doubly safe.

I included exactly where this crap came from. Madras, Tamil Nadu, which is in India.

I mean, don't these people have anything else to do? My husband works for a large, very large, computer company and said they may be receiving money for direct hits to this sight, just trying to spam us, or as they did to me crash my computer with their virus. Remember, I had to Rescue and Recover my computer. You can read all about it here if you don't know what I'm referring to. And my link is SAFE, just so ya know!!!

Because of this, I have had to enable my Comments Moderator feature. *I also disabled the option to allow search engines to access my blog. Thank you Karen from The Bunnies Bugalow for suggesting this to me. I wouldn't want this jerk to leave a comment, me not know it yet, and one of you click on her comment to find out where her blog is and maybe want to read her profile. Yeah, that's how it all started for me a few weeks ago. . . I wanted to see my new friend's profile/blog. Yeah, right.

BLOGGER BEWARE!!!!!!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

2008 Holiday Tour

Wow, two post in one day for me!!! What's up with that?

I forgot to tell you in my last post about Tracey's Annual Holiday Home Tour. Tracey has a cool blog, Notes from a Cottage Industry. She's a very creative and talented lady who continues to inspire many.

Be sure to come back on Wednesday, December 10th for my "Home" decorated for the HOLIDAYS this year. I will add Tracey's link again and you will be able to visit many homes around blogland to see how they decorate their homes for the holidays too.

Blessings. . . until next time,

Sunday Dinners

Do you make a big dinner on Sundays or do you go out to dinner?

We have always gone to church on Sunday as a family and then out to dinner. Well, I'm tired of paying all that money each week for dinner. . . and it certainly does not help our waistlines either. It's hard to control how the restaurants cook our food (fats, oils, calories, etc.) and the restaurants give us wwwaaayyy larger portion sizes than anyone really needs.




But my family is hungry and ready to eat after church. They don't really like to wait while I'm cooking dinner. So, I've solved this problem. I place a roast in the slow-cooker (a frozen roast) the night before ~ sprinkled with Steak Seasoning. . .and cook it on low all night long, I've also dug out my bread machine. You all have one of those stored away somewhere now don't you?!?

I found this wonderful bread machine recipe book this summer at a garage sale for a couple of dollars. Simple, easy, bread recipes. Yeah, it was stored away with my bread maker. . . waiting to be touched and have those wonderful recipes tried. I now wake up on Sunday mornings, get the bread going, get ready for church and by the time we get home. . . it's all ready!! Today we arrived home with 6 minutes to spare before the bread was done!!

Today we had Egg Bread. Yummy, yummy. A few weeks ago we had Cheese Bread. Double Yummy. The house smells wonderful when we arrive home from church between the roast and the homemade bread baking. I peel potatoes and get them boiling, one of our daughters will set the table, and my husband will cut the roast.

I found this wonderful West Bend Bread Slicer at the Thrift store a few years ago and it makes slicing bread so easy with the guides. I use an electric knife to slice the bread.

We now have so much more family time on Sundays. We're not driving to the restaurant, waiting in line and waiting for our food. And best of all, we have those yummy leftovers and more money in our wallet too!

Blessings. . . until next time,