Getting ready for 2010

Can you believe it, 2010 is almost here. I am ready to take stock. What can I do to be better? I want to be a better daughter, mother, co-worker and friend. All those things are me and the best thing to improve on is my response to those around me. Take on a better attitude. Stop being the one who has to be right all the time.  Next year this time I hope to be better.

Happy New Year to all of  you and thanks for checking out my blog.

New opportunities

If you are not careful you can get a bit of a let down after Christmas. All that anticipation and preparation can be a bit overwhelming especially if things did not turn out as you planned. I usually start reflecting on myself. Thinking of things I can do to be a better person. I ask for forgiveness and set new goals for myself, ones I know I can achieve. There is always a time for getting yourself in order. Sort of like cleaning out a closet, a room, the house, the garage, etc.  You get my drift I am sure.

Enjoy your weekend with family and friends. Take some time to encourage yourself so you can encourage others. Welcome those new opportunities.

I love the feeling of Christmas

Our work place is closed today and for that I am so grateful. Today will be a peaceful day. I intend on making some treats to share with neighbors. Go to Christmas Eve service at church. Tomorrow go to my daughter's house, spend the day and enjoy the grandgirls.

Tonight is the night we celebrate the birth of Christ.

"Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will your recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!"

(The Living Bible  Luke 2 verses 10-12)

Can't you just hear the angel all excited and telling the shepherds the news.
1. Do not be scared.
2. This is the best news ever.
3. Everyone can be a part of it.
4. He is the one you have been waiting for.
5. You can recognize him, he is not hiding from you.

I never really looked at the different messages but there they are. No one is left out of this special birth.

Enjoy your day.

KISS (Keep It Simple Susie)

This is the last weekend before Christmas. Shopping for gifts, and shopping for food. About this time you have either wrapped the last present and on your way to cooking the last of the sweets. My motto is keep it simple. I know those recipes look tempting and those ads tell you to come on back and buy something else but you probably have enough already. By keeping things simple you put less pressure on yourself and now you have time to really enjoy the season.

Tomorrow we will have our Family Christmas. We have exchanged names and that makes shopping easier. I have the 2 daughters and my Mom bringing a side. I will cook the meat, rolls, potatoes and carrots. I have decided that my house does not have to be perfect. I am really looking forward to another day with my little family.

May you have a peaceful weekend, remember whose birthday it really is and KISS.

I don't think this is Susie, maybe her cat is called Susie.

Picture came from allposters.com titled -- Mrs. Yandle Cooking on Coal Stove, Yacolt Mt, Future Recipients of Electricity from Bonneville Dam   by Alfred Eisenstaedt

Window Views and Doors

Sweet little bakery I found on the trip in Michigan.

For more Windows and Door views go to http://windowviews2.blogspot.com/

A Gift for you

This time of year can bring on many emotions. A lot of people feel that they cannot buy enough for their families, they get in debt and the expectations of euphoria explode and they are empty. Shopping is fun this time of year but really not a necessity. For families with young children they put so much pressure on themselves that the true meaning of Christmas seems to fade in the christmas presents opened and laid aside. Usually the child finds one toy they really love and play with it the whole day.  Commercialism has it place but we all need to put it in its place. Take a few minutes to stop and remember what Christmas is all about. God's precious gift to mankind, his Son. Not only is it time to read the story of the birth but remember the shadow of the cross.  That is where the true gift lies. He loved us and gave His sacrifice, the ultimate gift. No store bought, handmade, or kitchen sweet concoction can ever measure up to that one gift to all. So do not be overwhelmed by this time of year. The best gift has already been given and all you have to do is receive it, untie the bow, and hold it close to your heart.

Happy Friday

I have been very busy this week. Just cannot get a handle on work. Sometimes I feel like I cannot even get organized. I have to have some semblance of order before I can work. Are others like that? I have to stop during the day and see where I am if my desk gets too messy.  I have a very small (closet size) office but I am grateful because it has a door (yea). The door can be shut if the hallway gets too crazy. During this next year I want to come up with some ideas to streamline my duties at work. I have the job of 2 people. Most of us are doing just that, taking on extra work because well--we just have to. That is the law of the land now a days. Belts are tight and everyone has to give their all and more. Not complaining really just want to know how I can keep my santity and still be a happy team player. Better get going, the office is waiting. Have a great Friday.

Monday morning...vacation day.

I have a few vacation days left til the end of the year. Taking today and going to a fancy mall in Atlanta. I am going to enjoy looking, may find a few interesting things and will take my camera to snap decorations, etc. My two friends are joining me, they took the day off as well.

Just a picture to get you in the cookie mood, ours were a bit different.

Yesterday had the 2 grandgirls. Made Christmas cookies, our favorite thing to do. We make this recipe all year and we have different cookie cutters and sprinkles for the season. The recipe we love is Martha Stewart's basic sugar cookie recipe with royal icing.  We have tried them all and this one is our favorite. The cookie is crunchy and has a perfect taste. That morning I made the dough and 11 yr old did all the rolling, and cutting out while battling with the 2 yr old. She kept snatching cookie dough and flour to eat. Hopefully her stomach can handle the raw egg. She was fast, popped it in her mouth before we knew what happened. Jorden took all the cookies to give out to her neighbors. We will make some more for mine before Christmas.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/sugar-cookies-living

Basic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients



Makes about 2 dozen 4-inch cookies


4 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for surface and more if needed


1 teaspoon baking powder


1/2 teaspoon salt


8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened


2 cups sugar


2 large eggs


2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract


Royal Icing (see below)


Directions


1.Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Turn out dough, and divide in half. Flatten each half into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.


2.Preheat oven to 325 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Let one disk of dough stand at room temperature just until soft enough to roll, about 10 minutes. Roll out dough on a lightly floured work surface to just under 1/4-inch thick, adding more flour as needed to keep dough from sticking. Chill in refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes. Cut out cookies using desired cutters or templates. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets as you work. Roll out scraps, and repeat once. Repeat with remaining disk of dough. Chill cookies in freezer until very firm, about 15 minutes.


3.Bake cookies, switching positions of sheets and rotating halfway through, until edges turn golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Decorate with Royal Icing. (Cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week.)

Egg Free Royal Icing

Ingredients



Makes 5 cups


2 pounds confectioners' sugar, plus more if needed


2/3 cup water, plus more if needed


1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons meringue powder (wilton.com)


Gel-paste food coloring (sugarcraft.com)


Directions


1.Mix sugar, water, and meringue powder with a mixer on low speed until smooth, about 7 minutes. Icing should be the consistency of glue. (If icing is too thick, mix in a little more water. If icing is too thin, add more confectioners' sugar.) Add food coloring, 1 drop at a time, until desired color is achieved; if making more than 1 color, divide icing and work in batches. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. Stir before using.

Around 6:00 took them to meet their Mom (we meet halfway at a QT since they live a bit away). This works out well.  When I walked back into the house I could not believe the mess. Talk about a cyclone hitting the house. J does not pull things out anymore but Addisun does. Baby Jesus and his manger is missing. He is very small. I asked her where baby Jesus was and she said in my room. I guess he will show up. I still have a room to clean up (I am sitting in it and every once in a while an electronic toy goes off especially when I step on it).

Have a great Monday.

Window Views for Thursday

East Randolph Street in Chicago, IL 2008

For more window views and doors click below.

http://windowviews2.blogspot.com/2009/12/window-viewsand-doors-too.html