Tis' the Season

Now that Thankgiving is over and everyone is enjoying their Bobby's, let's talk greeting cards.

I've come across a site called Shutterfly.  Now I'm sure everyone has heard of it long before I did, as I still pretty much live in the dark ages of the past.  Ya, I refuse to grow up at times too. lol

Anyway, Shutterfly has some great Christmas greeting card ideas that I'd like to share.

Now I'm more into the personal touch of things and am really torn between the timeline card, the family card or the collage.

I have to admit, I keep going back to this one

And for a limited time they are 30% off!

Did I mention it was the Cyber Week sale too!

Happy Holidays.



Giving Thanks

There is not a single day that passes that I am not thankful for my family.  Without them, I would not be the person I am nor have the wonderful life that I live.  It is filled with many happy memories, warm smiling faces and as many hugs as one could ask for. 

However, on this special day, it is above all else the reason why every family gathers together.  To give thanks.......... and eat LOTS of turkey!

We made it a family affair to make the cookies, the pumpkin pies and the appetizers the day/night before.  Here's a couple of photos of that.

Peanut Butter Kisses.  Here's the recipe for that.

I'm a collector of antiques (USABLE antiques), others would call it the collector of fine junk.  But no matter what you call it, if it's USABLE and it's OLD you'll find it here, sometimes in triplicate. haha

This time of the year is one of my most favorite, as now is the time I bring out all the heirlooms.  The fine china from one great grandmother on one side of the family, the table cloth my great grandmother on the otherside made just for me.  And even some lead crystal from my grandmother on another.  
Here's a picture of that..

I scaled the setting down quite a bit from prior years, not all the family could make it, but just as they are in our thoughts and prayers daily, today they were there too.

Ok, BRING ON THE TURKEY! It's time to eat..

I am one of those people, that longs for the left overs of the holidays. 

Mmmm, makes my mouth water to think of all the leftovers I will have the opportunity too make sandwiches out of.  One of my fav's is the Bobby.  It's a hoagie smathered with mayo, topped with shredded turkey, cranberry sauce and of course stuffing.  Cram it all together and you have a "Bobby".

Here's to a Thanksgiving filled with many happy memories of the past, that brings you all together.  And the new memories you'll be making, to talk about next year! 

HAPPY THANKGIVING!

Anytime is Family Time

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it makes it a bit harder to stop and smell the roses.  In my case it's ok - I don't have any roses.

But for some the holiday season means that family will converge in one place and share some holiday cheer and give many thanks to have each other in their lives.  As there is nothing I love more than FAMILY, I too have the same sense of meaning as the holidays grow near.  Though I only have one little one remaining at home, I have grandchildren now too. 

Yes, that means I'm getting old.  Apparently my oldest believes I'm old too, because he has teased me about being "old and slow" forever!  However, I think I will call it reaching my prime. As old, well... just sounds old.  And I'm not quite ready to be old just yet.

Since I am a fond lover of FAMILY and the adventures that go with having children, I try to make time and treat each and every event, trip, social, get-together or just a moment in time, like it's a holiday.  Course that means alot of work, alot of planning and of course a strong commitment to make and take the time.  Oh and how could I forget, money. haha

In keeping with traditions, I home school the youngest and it was time for a well deserved Field Trip.  Well my husband works on the pit fire rescue for Nascar and there was an event coming up soon and close to home..  Now what that actually translates into, is 4 days of adventure with the family.  So, seeing opportunity .... I took it!

I talked with all my children, young and old (haha).  We made a plan to all get together the weekend of the Nascar event at PIR and truly enjoy life as a family.  With life always adding it's own sense of adventure, like jobs and bills!  I knew time would be short (2 days with all the kids), but it would be well spent.

With the help of my daughter in law, Angie (the google queen who is married to the google king) we were able to keep things on the inexpensive side and still enjoy the time we had together and not feel broke afterwards.  Some portions of the adventure were expensive, no getting around it.  But other parts were cheap or free, so it averaged itself out nicely.

My oldest (haha oldest) children (Mark and Angie), gave me a wonderful surprise a day or two before we were all to meet up.  They were planning on staying longer than 2 days making it 4 days total! WHOOOOO HOOOO!  Ok, now I'm not good at gambling but that was like hitting the jackpot! 

With the 2 extra days we were able to fit in even more into our already packed itinerary.  Here's a short list of all the adventures we were able to incorporate into our weekend.  Nascar, Sea Life Aquarium (field trip), Cabella's, Bass Pro, Johnny Rockets, RainForest Cafe, many other restaurants and last but not least, Toby's Keiths I Love This Bar! (hey, ya gotta eat right!) 
Now I truly appreciate the Thanksgiving dinner and all the family getting together for the holidays.  But this was truly an adventure that would have been missed sitting around the table for dinner!

My husband hates it when I act like a tourist in a place I lived for 30 years...... so I was SURE to take LOTS of pictures! hehe 

Here's some photos of our weekend..

This was just too cute to pass up.  Blake (grandson) was just enamored with Waylon (son).

Or was it just the hat! haha

Fish at the Sealife Aquarium

Fish at Cabella's

And more fish at Bass Pro!

Hmm.  I can see where Grandpa is going with this!

The moose was just too big to pass up the photo opp!

More fish at the SeaLife Aquarium.

As you can tell they are in no particular order.  But that's ok, I'm not particularly perfect either.

All our time will be taken up now by the preparations for the holidays.  But as well as my family multi-tasks, it won't be long before we start planning for another adventure.

Joane

Halloween Traditions

Hallowe'en is a long standing tradition.  

Did you know ...

This day was adopted from the Irish and the Scottish festival called the Samhain.  The Old Celtics believed that on this day "summers end" was when good and bad spirits emerged upon the land from the Otherworld.  Family ancestors were honoured and invited home and the harmful spirits were scared away.  In Scotland, to ward off harmful spirits, young men wore costumes of white and a veiled or darkened mask to appear more harmful.  It was believed that the carving of turnips was to capture the souls in purgatory. They were hallowed out, a face carved in them, then placed in the window with a candle to further ward of evil spirits.  Guising dates back as far as the Middle Ages where one dressed up and begged door-to-door for food.

Let me simply say...
Thank you for letting us use it too!  I LOVE IT!

When I was a child we used to carve pumpkins and line them along the driveway for everyone to see.  Bake cookies, cup cakes and make popcorn balls.  Then of course all the kids in the neighborhood would band together and go trick-or-treating.  As we got older we were more into the party theme of things.  And what was a party without all the costumes and games to go with it!

I can remember there always being lights on at every house.  Everyone participated somehow, someway.  Even if it was nothing more than to see the scariest costumes of all time come to their door!

Since then I married, had children of my own.  I have 2 sons.  My oldest is 23 and my youngest is 8 yrs old now.   Now, for the past few years I have been able to double the experience with my youngest son and oldest granddaughter.

It was always a cherished time of my life to participate in Halloween so I wanted to ensure that my children, as they grew up through the years, would know the same fun-filled tradition and all the excitement that the season holds.

When my oldest was born, I promised myself I would ALWAYS take the time to remember what it was like to be "a kid".  And to see the world through his eyes.  It has been more than a life time of adventures let me tell ya! :D

Seeing each and every experience with such awe and excitement has made me cherish each and every tradition that has come to pass by my family.  The adventures have made me remember just how brightly the jack o'lanters burned.  How exciting it was to get ready with the make-up and artistic features to go with your costume.  And how exhilerating it was to go door-to-door and say TRICK OR TREAT!  And OHHH how sweet the reward was for all the hard work. lol

One of the greatest joys is not only seeing this experience through my youngest son and granddaughters eyes, but seeing it through my oldest sons eyes as "DAD" now too.  To see him ensure that these traditions keep going and to tackle them with the same excitement he did when he was little.......... reminds me........... how lucky I really am to have such a wonderful TRADITION to pass on!

Now with this past Halloween, I'm having to "rethink" or "revamp" this long held tradition.  I can't say that I am at all pleased with the way this tradition has morphed itself by the hands of others.

This past Halloween was one of sorrow for my kids and grandkids.  There was NO Halloween on Halloween.  It was "decided" by "others" whom I shall keep nameless to hold it on ANOTHER DAY.. blink blink WHAT! Another day?!  WHY you ask?

Because they don't participate in outside functions on Sunday.  Alright you can see it as well as I can.  It's a religious thing.  Now I have no objection to religion.  You can believe whatever you want.. I believe in traditions and family values.

Now my youngest is home-schooled by me and I suppose that puts us out of the loop.  However, after talking to a couple of news hounds (aka my Mom and Grandmother) there was no indication this was going to happen.  There was no post in the newspaper, there was no flyer in the post office or the grocery store.  There wasn't even a vote. 

I know I *&@$% wasn't asked if we could just "skip" this event because it fell on a Sunday.  I *&@$% didn't get the MEMO EITHER! 

So now, I have a grandson that will be 6 months soon.  Does this mean he will never know this long held tradition?  Does this mean I should have to sacrifice my beliefs, my family traditions because "others" choose NOT to participate???!!!  If you don't want to participate, DON'T turn on your light.  But who died and gave "them" the power and permission to change MY tradition!

This makes me irritated!  And VERY ANGRY! To believe that one can make this choice and it effect the whole community.  And the impact was huge.  We went to 7-8 neighborhoods and I could count the lights on for trick-or-treaters (with my sons help) on 3 hands!  And yes I want everyone to know how disappointed my son was.

Is this a dying tradition?  Is it going to be lost to new comers?  Is it going to be yet ONE MORE THING of the past?  :(

I call BS!  Anyone else agree with me?  Or, am I alone on this.