After the Holidays

As much as I love Christmas, I'm so glad that it's over! Lots of cleanup, packaging that needs to be stored away, J's birthday is TODAY, a cake to bake, a few gifts to wrap.. mother-in-law coming to visit next weekend.. much to do!

Christmas flowers from my parents, Candle holder from a dear penpal

I've enjoyed my vacation for the last week. Working only half days has been good for me, spending time at home, snuggling with my cats, working on projects, relaxing. Tomorrow is another half day, Tuesday work is closed, and then back at it on Wednesday.

Merry Christmas

Stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Recipe for Christmas...

All Year Long

Take a heap of child-like wonder

that opens up our eyes

To the unexpected gifts in life

Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation

for the people whom we know,

Like festive Christmas candles

each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter,

a dash of Christmas food,

(amazing how a piece of pie

improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness

Wrap it up in love and peace,

decorate with optimism, and

Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe

we know we will remember,

to be in the Christmas spirit

even when it's not December.

Merry Christmas!

it is snowing!

Holiday Cheer

Sometimes it's easy to feel under-appreciated when working with children and their families. We're all rushed, can't bother to chat, or just too tired to talk so when I'm trying to tell how a child's day went I can feel ignored. The past three days have been so cheerful at work. Everyone is wishing Happy Holidays and smiling and looking forward to vacation. It makes me happy. I received some lovely little gifts this week. 

Makeup remover & mascara, 2 DD cards, a Christmas letter, snack mix (garlicky and delicious! I've received this snack mix as a gift every Christmas for the past 6 years from her and her older sister. I LOVE IT)

Candies, 2 Target gift cards, nail polish (wrapped with "you sparkle!", popcorn ("you make my mind pop!", Burt's Bees lotion ("Happy New Year! Hope it's a smooth start!")

Chocolate covered pretzels, gingerbread man soap, mug with Kisses, pinot noir, etched glass votive candle

Carter's Christmas Letter (without misspellings)

Darlene,

Merry Christmas Darlene! I hope you get some good presents

 (arrow points to a guitar) and a good family.

From Carter

PS Merry Christmas!!

A cheap meal

Sometimes I get excited when I can put something inexpensive together. This recipe has no name, other than "food" but J. loved this when I made it a couple of weeks ago so I made it again for him yesterday. 

1 box Ziti (with lines!)

1 large tomato sauce

1 large diced tomatoes

1 bag Banquet sausage crumbles (found at the Dollar Tree for $1)

Handful of shredded mozzarella

I cooked the ziti and heated the sausage in a pan and then added the sauce and tomatoes to heat through.

In my dish, I layered sauce, ziti, sauce, salt & pepper, ziti, and the remaining sauce. Top with cheese. 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven. 

Nothing fancy but it makes a lot!

Saying Goodbye..

Not a lot to say, but J and I just returned from Rhode Island. His grandfather passed last Friday, so we had three days of services to attend. I'm not experienced in viewings, funerals and services so it was very hard for me to be a part of.. it was also J's first funeral so it was an emotional and exhausting three day for the both of us.  He was a kind, sweet man and I will very much miss him. 

A few things..

I've been a busy bee lately. With summer camp over (sigh of relief) and the kids back in school, I have a little more time to breathe and work on some things. Christmas is coming up, and with my wrist still sore I'll be doing less knitting and more projects. Anywhoo, here's a few things I've done recently.

 Grapefruit and vinegar cleaner. 

I've got 5 more grapefruits and a big bottle of vinegar to add before this sits and I bottle it into spray bottles!

 Banana bread. 

Honestly I've never made a banana bread I didn't like!

Creamed corn casserole. 

Eh.

It wasn't bad at all, but it's not something we'll eat on a regular basis. 

Good recipe for cleaning out canned corn I guess.

Progress

Thanks to this:

I was able to make this:

!

It really felt so nice to have knitting needles in my hands again! The IcyHot really helps. There is still a dull ache while I'm working, but I'm able to work through it. With Christmas coming up in less than 4 months, I've got a lot of work to do. These round cloths are my favorite!

Sorry the pictures aren't that great. DH is away for an extra long weekend and took the camera with him :)