New Year's 2011 in My Own Bed

Home for New Year's Eve!

Barely, but glad we made it home before the amateur drinkers got out on the roads.  Very glad to lay down in my very own bed and wake up HOME to begin the new year.

Quite a different scene coming home -- NO SNOW!  Well, there were a few remnants of large "boulders" by the road side, the ones that will take a while to melt.  Even though it was registering 66 degrees, I still found it odd that the snow boulders were still there.   

It was a good, quiet visit to Florida.  The FIL was very accommodating, and I got to eat a wonderful Lasagna prepared especially for me by my brother-in-law.

Told y'all I was spoiled!

Spent 4 lazy days....hit a few Bealls stores, visited with friends and ate a lot.  

Finally made it over to the water after leaving FIL's to head home.  Miss T and I scouted for shells, which is hard at this area of the "beach".  It's not a typical sand to shore area this Hudson Beach.  I would have much rather been a bit more South at Siesta Key (Sarasota) or Casey Key (Nokomis).

Soon....the calendar will allow me to schedule a trip further South.  I really need to be meditating to the drums on a Saturday night on Casey Key watching the sun set in the Gulf!!  Ahhh....

Wednesday with Shelly

Still in Florida and it's beginning to warm up -- slowly.

My dear FIL says that this is the Suncoast because of 365 days there is sun on 370 of them.  I'll take that!  I love the Gulf side of Florida.

After a light breakfast Miss T and I set out for Tampa to visit my dear friend Shelly.  It was just by luck that she didn't have any of her kids (babysitting job) today.  Her youngest daughter (a Sr in HS) and son (6th grade) were home.  We had a wonderful visit.  I also got a surprise when I arrived, a most pleasant surprise too!

She made these just for me from her latest fabric shopping!!  I just love love love these little bags.  They are great for everything!  Even my phone or camera, and boy do I ever need one for my camera and phone from time to time.  Miss T is trying to claim one, so I'm keeping my eye on these!  Shelly is such a talented lady - so smart.

While I was there she walked me through a PSP trick for tagging the blinkies I like to make.  I knew there was one little minor thing I was missing and sure enough.....once she did it, I smacked my head DUH!!

Would you believe I haven't made it over to the water yet?  I know this sounds silly, since I live on the Atlantic Coast, but I do love the Gulf.  I just wish the holidays had been scheduled differently - we would have trekked on down to the Nokomis/Sarasota area.  As it is, we'll have to head home soon to beat out the New Year's traffic.  Don't want to be caught up in that mess!!

No Snow In Florida!!

Wow!

When I woke up Sunday morning I noticed a bit of snow that had fallen throughout the night.  Then as we began to load the car for our trip, here it came again, in large flakes.  It was quite pretty.

Heading West to I-95 it was heavier, I expected that.

When we got to Pedro's "South of the Border" (SC) poor Pedro had snow on his nose!

Yep, I took pictures along the trip, I'll post them later when Danno isn't busy on his.

I'm typing on Miss T's new netbook!

 

The snow was light, not rain/sleet....but pretty and cold!

It snowed the whole trip from NC to around Brunswick GA near the FL border.

Finally.....no snow on the West Coast!

Still, it's COLD -- in Florida of all things!

That should be against the law, seriously.

Thursday the temps here are to be 72; 78 on Friday.

Even with the snow, it was an easy, lazy drive....not in a rush at all.

The only change in plans was not stopping overnight in Kingsland GA, but heading on out to I-10.  But that got messed up too....we passed the exit for the hotel and I didn't want to turn around.

So we stretched the run on out to Lake City and stopped for the night.

That made the rest of the trip a no brainer, easy and fast.

For some reason, Tom was making himself nervous.  I don't know what it is, if it's the anticipation of being with his Father (and listening to him ask questions and give advice) or....I just don't know.  

Maybe it's because he can't "hide" behind the drink anymore.  Used to that would "calm" his nerves.  But we all know it also lead to more than that.  I'm happy he's sober now 23 months!! 

One day at a time!

Merry Christmas Day

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12).

"Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).

 

 What a wonderful day!

Good food, good friends and a wonderful family all gathered at one table.  Is America great or what??

 

Christmas Eve

Today we are in awe of the season.

There is always a special feeling in the air.  I don't know about you, but I feel it when it is late, and I'm on my way back home from my Nanny's.  It's as if time is still for a few moments, and I always take a moment to take it in and appreciate it and the reason for the season.

Tonight we will gather at my Nanny's for Christmas Eve dinner.  I convinced her that I wanted chicken, rice and gravy (yes, I'm the oldest and I'm spoiled) and I promised that I would fry some chicken. 

I did find a recipe for the "Hungry Boy Cookies" and I'm making those today too.  No telling what else I'll make, maybe some Spritz cookies - the kind you use the cookie shooter for.

For a moment, Christmas Eve is a sad occasion for me - the memories of "Christmas Past" sneak in on me and I remember the promises that were broken by my Father.  I guess he couldn't help it.  I try my best to shake it off and enjoy the family and certainly eat the bounty of food that is prepared.

Nanny told me Thursday that she was making an "artificial" cake for Christmas.....I was confused; no wait, she was confused.  She wasn't going to make it from "scratch", she was going to use a box mix.  Silly Nanny...gotta love her.  I pray that I am as good at 88.

a Candy Cane Story

This is one version of the Christian candy cane story:
A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy for Christmas that incorporated symbols from the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white candy to symbolize the virgin birth and the purity of Jesus. He then shaped it in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus and the staff of the "Good Shepherd." Finally, he added red stripes to symbolize Jesus' blood and suffering on the cross.

The candy maker hoped that each time someone ate his creation they would be reminded of Jesus and the great love God gave us at Christmas.

 

What is your favorite...............?

Last evening we had the pleasure of enjoying a dinner with some great friends.  Dinner was a pork tenderlion, mixed veggies, mashed potatoes and gravy.  Dessert was a variety of homemade goodies, cookies, fudge, apple pie and cheesecake.  Cheesecake is Miss T's favorite dessert.

Miss T is the official "little sis" to this family and "adopted grand" to the grandparents.  Such sweet people, the Grandma (68) keeps saying "thank you for your friendship"; the Grandpa had a stroke many years ago, it only affected partially one side.  He's such a hoot!  and so smart too!

We played "scattergories" after dinner....oh the words we came up with!  My hubby is not one for playing games, so Mr Stick In The Mud sat and listened, occasionally chiming in to vote on an answer.  I think this is one of my favorite games.

I received a "Friendship" heart glass ornament from the Grands.  How sweet!

Miss T got a Teal Tinkerbell pendant from their daughter straight from Disney!  I love Disney!  We will be there next June where Miss T will be dancing in the Parade!  This family is also going so it is sure to be a great time!  Once the Holiday's are past, we will get together and plan our trip.  I think we're going to go a day earlier and probably stay a bit longer than the 4 days we are already signed up for.

After dessert, the Mom asked me "of your Mom and Grandma, what are your favorite foods from their table?"  Well, of course from my Nanny's table it is Fried Chicken, and rice and gravy and speckled butterbeans and collards and biscuits!!!!!!

Then she wanted to know what the secret was to the Fried Chicken.....I'd have to kill her if I told her!  After all, she's a Yankee and this was a Southern Recipe!

I struggled with Mom's table.  Not that she's not a good cook....SHE JUST DOESN'T COOK MUCH!  Haha...but overall it may have to be the Country Style Steak....and she learned that one from my Dad's Mom.  So....is there an original recipe from her?  Hmmmm YES, her Pot Roast!!!!

Have you ever noticed that you can make the same dish, by the same recipe and it just doesn't come out the same?  What is the trick?  I find that you cannot CANNOT substitute certain items.  Cheese is one and creme cheese, peanut butter, chocolates -- I mean, really, use the real brand, not the store brand!!

I am missing one of my Favorite Cookie Recipes - Hungry Boy Cookies - John, I sent you some one year and I wanted to do it again.  But where's that darn recipe card?????  Time to tear up the house looking!

What is your favorite.............?