MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Thank you to all of you who have stopped by to visit me through this year. For your wonderful supportive and caring comments.

I'm sure some of you are all cookied and baked out, but today Marissa, the kids, and me had so much fun baking. We had the radio playing Christmas songs, and Marissa was playing "Christmas Bells" on her violin. The house was warm with the heat of the oven, and smelled so good with all the Christmas goodies.

So help yourself to some virtual goodies, they are absolutely, 100% calorie FREE!

Pecan Swirl Bread

Chocolate Chip Cookies with a Caramel Drizzle

EggNog Bread

I found the recipe from Kelli at There is No Place Like Home! It had such a wonderful smell while it was baking. I didn't get a chance to put on the Eggnog glaze. If you have time to bake, I'd really suggest you make this.

Cranberry Orange and White Chocolate Chip Cookies with White Chocolate Drizzle

We also made some Peppermint Fudge, but Blogger is not letting me post a pic of it.

Wishing you all The Very Best Christmas Wishes!

With Christmas upon us, I've been really busy. Buying presents, baking, and sending Christmas cards. I often miss something, and can't remember everything. I like to have my kids give their teachers a little gift. This year, I bought their teachers Apple Ornaments that I had personalized. As much as my kids say they want THIS for Christmas and they want THAT for Christmas, I was so surprised when my son this morning spoke up and said," What did you get for the nurses at school, Mom!" That made me feel really good, that he was thinking of them, and helped me to remember I'd almost forgotten them. So I ran over to Starbucks and got them gift certificates. I don't know how much of my ,"It's better to Give than Recieve" talk they listen too, but it was a refreshing change to hear him being so thoughtful.

For more Pass the Torch Tuesday stories you can read over at Kelly's.

When my brother and I were growing up our Mom would take us to the Mall right around Christmas every year. This mall, some of you may have heard of it called South Coast Plaza. It's one of the most amazing malls in So. California. I haven't been back recently, but I do have this fond Christmas memory. The mall every year we've gone, and been has always been gorgeously decorated. Bright lights and Huge Christmas ornaments. Bright red pointsettas and those White Reindeer light decorations. Simply beautiful to look at. When I think of Shoppers rushing home with their treasures, I think of this mall. There are some of the same shops in there that you would find in Beverly Hills. Back when I was growing up, those shops didn't exist, but the mall was just as bright and beautiful.

At the center of the mall, was an old Merry-Go-Round, and my mother would take me and my brother to see Santa, and then to ride on this Merry-Go-Round. Of course 20+ years ago it was only 10 or 20 cents a ride, but there was something magical about it for me and my brother.

While shopping for gifts at Toys-R-Us a couple of years ago, we wandered over to the mall next to it. When what to my wondering eyes did we see, but a Merry Go Round. Although it's $1 a ride now, I'd hope to continue a wonderful tradition I grew up with and continue with my children.

Do you have a Christmas memory or Tradition that is very special to you?

This story had me ROTFL, The Truth about Reindeers. Enjoy it, I did!

MY PICTURE OF THE DAY!

Why do weekends seem to go by so fast? I started feeling the pressure of the Holidays. We did a little baking. Marissa made us brownies. Which were gone in less than one day. Then Marissa, me and the baby did a little shopping. For Katelyn, I first wanted to buy her some Disney Princess Dressup clothes and shoes, but couldn't resist buying her a Pink Purrincess Kitty doll from Build-A-Bear with a Fairy dress and wings , and the good news I would save $15. What was really nice was getting to spend time with Marissa shopping. Being that she's almost 13, growing up for most of her life I worked nights, and felt like we really didn't spend a lot of time together. So it was so cool, picking outfits out for Christmas Eve and just having her try on jackets was alot of fun. On Sunday morning my Mom invited us to Church for their Children's Christmas Pagent. Can anyone relate to getting 4 children ready for a church service by 10:30. Thank Goodness, doughnuts and juice were served between services, because I did not have time to make a nice breakfast. Hearing the Christmas story of Jesus's Birth really made my soul refreshed. I felt my heart soften a little. Not that I have a hard heart, but with my son's illness, I realize I do harbor some resentment towards God for allowing this to happen to a child, and our family. I almost wish he'd of made me Diabetic, so my son wouldn't have to suffer. I came away from the service glad that I've known all along , this is God's way of getting me to trust him and have faith in him, that he is taking care of our family. After that I took the kids to see Santa. I must have this inner timing of year after year, for the 3rd. year in a row, we get there and then 1/2 an hour later Santa takes a break, and we end up waiting another 1/2 hour. The kids were all right waiting, not an easy thing for a 3yro and 6 yro to do. Josh surprised me, last year he didn't want to have anything to do with Santa, this year he just jumped in his lap and started talking about wanting an XBOX360, and a Basketball. Well, I can get the Basketball. Katelyn was more than a little scared, she didn't sit on his lap, she kind of sat next to Santa and told him she wanted a Pony! I'll have to go buy her a My Lil Pony. My husband found a mini Donkey online for $700, he was just teasing. You know what I like about this picture, they are both smiling. Last year, they were both annoyed about having to wait so long to see Santa.

I've still got plenty of baking and shopping to do. If you have time stop by Tuesday night, I'll have some Fresh Baked virtual goodies for y'all. Everyone have a good Monday tomorrow!

Are you all finished shopping? What do you have left to do?

Welcome to our Home! Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad! Help yourself to some Fudge or Sugar Cookies, and some Hot Chocolate! Enjoy the Tour!

Please stop by and visit BooMama for more tour information or to view other beautiful decorations. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

I always find something fun and new when I visit Local Girl. She posted about Club Mom having a Photo Contest. One photo each day will win a $50 gift card from their rewards catalog. Stop on by Club Mom, and vote for my picture! Joining is really easy!

#122

Appetizer

What was your very first job with a paycheck?

My first job was at a 'Lil Soup, Sandwich, and Salad Cafe. It was a hole in the wall joint in

South Coast Plaza mall in Santa Ana, CA. Soup

Did you ever lose something really important to you?

At a resort where I worked in CA. After 5 yrs. of service, I recieved a Pin. I've looked everywhere for it and I can't find it. Every holiday we worked too, we got a pin, and my 5 yr pin's not with the others. I'll just have to keep looking for it. Salad

What is the best Christmas present you ever received?

My husband bought me a Home Foot Spa, and a gift certificate for an hour massage. Main Course

Tell about a favorite “hang out” place for you and your friends when you were in high school.

At the mall from up above, because it was close to school. Or in the Summer we'd hang out at the Beach. We'd play Volleyball all day and have bon fires at night Dessert

Name something that always brings a smile to your face. That's an easy one. My silly kids and my husband, who'll never grow up.

Dine for Yourself

Thanks to GoofyGirl for this gorgeous Holiday TTHeader!

ThursdayThirteen#29 13 of my Favorite Christmas JOYS!!

1. Decorating : Hanging stockings, and ornaments on the tree. The pretty lights and gorgeous colors that just brighten the room.
2. Shopping: This is the perfect time of year for me to get away with overspending!! I mean I love buying gifts for everyone.
3. Baking: Cookies and Fudge. A tradition I started about 3 yrs. ago is to make Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.
4. The Smell of a Christmas Tree: Even if we have a Fake tree, I found FEBREEZE has a Pine Tree scent, I just spray on the tree once a day! Nothing compares to smell of a Real one.
5. Hot Chocolate: With Candy Canes or Peppermint Schnapps, just warms me right up. With plenty of Marshmallows too. Oh, and Starbucks too!
6. Singing Christmas carols.
7. I love candles. Lighting all my candles, so the room is all aglow really makes me happy. I'd wish Christmas was like this everyday of the year!
8. Watching all the old Christmas movies that I grew up with, makes me feel like a kid again.
9. I'd like a White Christmas, but it really doesn't snow here. It did snow in Scottsdale about 6yrs ago, but it melted within the hour. So we're keeping an eye on the weather to see if it'll snow up North were my Grandparents live, and possibly have Christmas up there, if not, they might come down here and spend Christmas with us.
10. Sending and recieving Christmas Cards.
11. Shopping online. I've done about 3/4 of my shopping online, and I'm loving it. No fighting crowds, no fighting for a parking place, and no fighting over the last toy that's on a shelf.
12. Watching the kids open their presents on Christmas day, and seeing their eyes get all wide with excitement.
13. Spending time with the family.

My husband and I had the biggest laugh tonight. Most of you know, our 3yo Katelyn has quite the imagination. Well tonight, using the box I got the baby's Christmas toy from Amazon , and the attachments to my vaccuum, declared she was in a swamp, and she was looking for swamp creatures and that she was in a boat in a swamp rowing with my vaccuum attachments. We then asked her who the swamp creatures were, and she said, of course her brother, Marissa, and my brother. This child has the wildest imagination. She is bound to be a future story writer with the plots she has in her head. As we all know and love, 2 and 3 yos behaviors as Terrible or Terrific, depending on the time of day, and if candy is involved. For Katelyn, ever since she saw her cousins presents, wants her presents NOW! Every day this past week, and I kept telling her not until Christmas Eve, and that she needed to wait for Santa Claus to open her presents. Bless her heart, after stomping her feet, through all the pouting and the endless I wants.....She told me today out of the blue....OK, Mommy I'll wait for Santa, and just walked out of the kitchen, like nothing every happened !! I can completely relate to being impatient over the Holidays. I had and still have a hard time waiting for Christmas! If you like to read more Pass the Torch Tuesday posts, where Kelly challanges us to catch a kid, whether it is your own or not, doing something good, you can read them HERE!

If you have time today, stop by Local Girl's and vote for your favorite

Decorated Christmas Tree.

You are also needed to vote for one of my good Blog Friends Mrs. Lifecruiser for the

Weblog awards. She's up against Dooce. What I love reading are her wonderful stories and memories she has about her travels with her husband Mr. Life Cruiser. She was also sweet enough to post her recipe for Sweedish Cinnamon Rolls, which I plan on making for Christmas morning!

You can vote once a day until 12/15.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was pretty good. I started my Christmas cards, did a little more decorating. Didn't get to do shopping, but my SIL said she'd watch Katelyn for me so I could do it sometime this week. Marissa's been sick, and Katelyn and the baby have a touch of the cold, and I've been fighting getting sick. I'm just stuffed up and can't breathe a little. So, I'm drinking plenty of OJ, and going to bed early. I've missed late night blogging. Katelyn was sneezing really loud, and I told her God Bless you, and she looked at me, and said she didn't sneeze, she was "BLESSING"! Thought that was really sweet of her. We have more family coming to visit today and tomorrow, leaving on Weds. This is my MIL's oldest sister, and one of her closest and dear friends. She loves to play with the kids, and always has time to stop by and visit us. So I'm off to finish cleaning up before she gets here. Hope your Monday's a good one!

Your Christmas Song Is

White Christmas I'm dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten, and children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow You like everything to be perfect at Christmas And it's just not Christmas if it doesn't snow

What Christmas Carol Are You?

Here are the lovely gifts Mandee's Mom Hazel sent to me for the Christmas Grotto Swap. The gorgeous Santa snow globe ornament, The Santa, Katelyn loves playing with him and imagining his reindeer and hearing Jingle Bells. Some beautiful candles, and the Gorgeous candle holder. I really like the Ceramic SchoolHouse, and the other Snowman decoration. I was really excited to see all these wonderful presents from the Netherlands.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Morning Glory at Seeds From My Garden is hosting Christmas Tree Treasures. Most of my glass ones and collectibles are put up, but here are a couple of ones that are very special to me!

This one my husband gave to me for our 1st Christmas.

I just got this one from Mandy's Mom Hazel for her Christmas Grotto Swap. All the way from the Netherlands. She did send some really wonderful gifts, which I will share tomorrow with y'all!

Homemade ornaments are very dear to my heart especially the ones that my kids make. Both are from their K class.

For those of you who have come here looking for a T13, I am taking a short break this week! My week has been pretty hectic. I'll be back next week for sure. This week I'm posting something new that really touched me this week. I don't post about my husband enough, and as he has started to read my blog, I thought it only appropriate to let him know how much I and his family Love him. From Kelly at Pass the Torch, I found this Love Thursday post, so I thought this post would fit perfectly.

LOVE IS..... Sharing my 1st Cookie with my Daddy!

Don't you just love how the baby has more hair than my husband. LOL! Just teasing. He really is a wonderful father and husband. When I had to go back to work with Katelyn our 3yo when she was 6wks. old, he stepped up and took care of her, even after he worked over 12 hrs. as a restaurant manager. Those were a couple of crazy years for us for sure. He loves to play catch with our son, and the baby is his little precious Angel. Right now, he's working on starting his own WoodWorking company, building cabinets and custom furniture, so he can work from home.

What I love about him most, is his deep blue eyes, and sense of humor. He can always put a smile on my face, when I'm having a terrible day. Taking care of our son has been much easier with his support. He is a Type 1 diabetic as well, so I have him to turn too, when I feel hopeless against not knowing what to do in taking care of our son. We've had some interesting years together. I just Thank God for my husband's love and support of his family, for all his hard work, and all the little things he does to make all our lives better.

You can read more stories about Love Thursday at Chookooloonks and Pass the Torch.

Wordless Wendsday "Grand Canyon in a Snow Storm"

Picture taken by MFShadow

Picture taken by Samir

I'm sorry I didn't get around to visiting everyone yesterday. The morning started fine, I took the baby to get her shots, and it only took an hour this time. What hung me up, was when I went to get a prescription for test strips, (this was on Thursday), the pharmacy faxed the Dr. for a refill request. Here it was Tuesday, and the Pharmacy still hadn't heard back from the Dr. So I called the Dr. and they returned my call and said they never got a refill request. Then, come to find out since we switched insurance, the type of strips I needed weren't covered by the insurance, I had to call the Dr. and have them fax a prescription for the ones that are covered. So I spent a better part of my day going round in round with Dr.s, pharmacies, and insurance companies. It's all taken care of now, but I don't understand why everything has to be so difficult?

5 of my Favorite Christmas Songs Meme

I found this great Meme over at East of Oregon, so I snagged it.

1. Mary Did You Know by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna
2. The Christmas song by Nat King Cole
3. Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt
4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springstein
5. J-I-N-G-L-E BELLS by Frank Sinatra

This time I am tagging since this was a fun and easy one. Let's start with

Ocean Lady, LocalGirl, Liz, Catch and Southern Girl ( I allready know who her favorite singer is, just wondering which songs!)...And You, what is your favorite 5 Christmas songs. If you do this, let me know, so I can visit yours.

A few other Wonderful Christmas Happenings are

Morning Glory's Christmas Tree Treasures this Friday, December 8th. Post a picture of a special ornament you have and why it is so special to you.

Local Girl's 2006 Tree Decorating Contest- Post a picture of your beautiful Christmas tree by Monday December 11.

I missed this the last time,

BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes

on December 15th.

HOT Tamales and Monday Christmas Memories

Yesterday my husband was so funny! I'm sitting posting my GTS post of my Christmas Cactus, and he comes up and asks me Out of the Blue,if I know how to make Tamales. We both love Tamales, and I've watched some friends of mine make them. So I told him, if he goes this week sometime and gets the ingredients, I'll try and make some. My favorites are the Sweet 'Dulce' ones with Pineapple, and the Spicy Red Chili Pork Tamales. He used to work as a Restaurant Manager, so he knows his way around a kitchen. Another thing I told him, He had to help me make them! I couldn't have all the Fun myself! So we'll see how they turn out!

Since I'm writing about my Husband, here's a funny Christmas memory I have of him, when I was pregnant with Katelyn. I told him he could buy me some nice warm JOE BOXER P.J.s, some really cute and comfortable ones. When he comes back after shopping, he looks so proud of himself for buying me EXACTLY what I wanted. The only problem was it was size XXXL. They were cute, but it was like I was wearing a tent, even being 7 months pregnant. He does a wonderful job in the gift giving department, this particular year, I'm not sure what he was thinking!! Anyways I get a smile when I think of him pulling the top out of the bag and the smile on his face, and then the look he had when he saw the look I had! Priceless!

This Thursday I'll have a special post about him!

Today's Christmas Quote!

Emily Matthews~

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other.

Everyone have a Good Monday!

Today was an extremely BUSY day! First Josh had bowling. He got 2 strikes and 3 spares and bowled 102. Then we picked up Nana so she could go Christmas shopping with me. When we got back home, my husband and BIL were putting in a new kitchen window for me. We are slowly replacing the original single pane death trap windows, with double pane ones. One by one of course. We still have half the house to do. Nana and I went shopping, she got her husband Vince Gill's new CD Collection, and gifts for her great-grand children in CA. I was able to get dress up shoes for Katelyn, and a Basketball for Josh, and one gift for one of my neices. We had a good day shopping. After we got back, I didn't plan on cleaning up the mess my husband would make this weekend, which put a damper on some of my decorating, I'll just do more tomorrow. I have some Christmas shaped Sugar cookies, and Chocolate chip for y'all, with some hot chocolate. These are a few pics I took, the tree didn't quite get finished because by the time after dinner Katelyn fell asleep, and I want her to have some fun decorating.....Oh and the baby, crawled right straight for the tree, and almost pulled it down. My husband's been asking me what I want for Christmas. For a materialistic gift, I would really like a new digital camera. If I could have my Mom's new husband's fmily and ours get together would be my Christmas wish! So here's a question for you, What are you asking Santa for?? Something materialistic, or a simple Christmas Wish??

Most of our ornaments are plastic or the silk covered balls. Anything non glass.

With 3 'lil kitties who like to climb the tree, I learned my lesson a couple years ago after they just about broke all of them. I don't want any of my fur babies or children to get hurt.

Starting today and all throught the weekend, I'll be shopping and decorating and doing more shopping, and decorating the tree and more shopping!! I'll be posting a pic of our Tree Saturday night! Stop by and I'll have some virtual Eggnog and Hot Chocolate and cookies for you all! Carmen's having a Party this weekend! If you have time this weekend stop by. She's put on a wonderful Holiday spread and hired a virtual D.J. to play your favorite Christmas song! Both her Tree and decorations are gorgeous!!

To Everyone Have a FUN weekend!!

Friday's Feast 120

Appetizer Have you ever flown in a helicopter? No, but I would love to fly in one over Hawaii, or the Grand Canyon.
Soup What color is your warmest coat or jacket? I really don't wear jackets here in AZ! My long sleeve shirt is a Teal color!
Salad What is your favorite rainy day activity? Curled up in a blanket, drinking Hot tea, and reading a book I just can't put down!
Main Course Describe your hands. My fingers aren't long, and they aren't stubby, but they are very skinny! I wear a size 5 ring!

Dessert If you could eat only one nut for the rest of your life, what nut would you pick? I love Macadamia nuts. If I could afford to eat them the rest of my life I would, Covered in Chocolate of course!!