Outside Shots

I needed to get a tripod in order to get these pictures better... but this gives the general idea...

It's the holiday season...

Thought I would share some of the pics from the decorating this weekend... still more to come....

Love the way this picture looks!

 

 :-)

 I am so excited to have my own village!

 

 Dickin's Village

 I would love to be sitting on the bench...

 Aerial view of the city...  Look at all that snow!

My fireplace.... Still need to show a good one of the tree!

More to come...

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish everyone I know and love a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Today (and everyday) I am grateful for my wonderful husband. I love him more and more every single day. And I gave thanks that he is in my life.

I am also very thankful for my wonderful family. Words can not describe how wonderful they are and how much love and support they give me! No matter what!

And finally there are my friends. I love all of them so much. There are a few that stand out and I am grateful they are in my life. Could not have survived without them!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Have a wonderful and safe holiday!

Cookie Time!

 I love baking... here is my latest creation and the recipe that goes along with it..... I think that this might become one of the cookies in the Christmas Cookie Basket!

Aerial View of the cookies....

Don't these look scrumptious!

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze Ingredients

2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions


1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.

2.In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.

3.Bake for 13 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.

4.To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter,1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.



It's Holiday Time

I love this time of year! Holidays are always great when you have people to celebrate with and this year is no exception! Lots and lots of activities through the month of December....
One thing noticeably absent this year is my parents holiday party. For the first time in 8 years they have decided to forgo this years party... So JoAnna and I have decided that we can not forgo tradition and we are hosting a joint party at her house! We are doing something a little differently and doing a Caroling Party! My husband thinks I am nuts! But there is nothing that can get one into a more festive mood than walking from house to house singing Christmas Carols!!!
Hopefully next year mom and dad can resume their annual party but this year, its up to Jo and I. I think that we can handle the task... we hope....

Stay tune for videos and photos!

Free Thanksgiving Recipe!

My Favorite Cranberry Recipe! From my boss....

Ingredients

• 1 Cup frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate, thawed
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 12-ounce package fresh or frozen cranberries, rinsed and drained. This recipe has not been tested using frozen cranberries.
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (about 2 ounces)
• 3 Tablespoons orange marmalade
• 2 Tablespoon fresh orange juice
• 2 Teaspoons minced orange peel
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)

Directions

1. Combine cranberry juice concentrate and sugar in heavy medium sauce pan. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
2. Add fresh and dried cranberries and cook until dried berries begin to soften and fresh berries begin to pop stirring often, about 7 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in orange marmalade, orange juice, orange peel. And in the allspice if you are using it at this time as well.
4. Cool completely
5. Cover; chill until cold, about 2-4 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated). I always pour this into a beautiful glass dish after it has cooled before it goes into the refrigerator. It has a beautiful look.

Everyone enjoy!!!!

More pics

This is my M3 crowd.... Or just a few. Love them all!

Cynthia, Lynda and I. Don't we make a hot trio????? Although I probably should have been in the middle and balanced the LBD's more...

Party Time!

On Saturday Rich and I were able to celebrate our marriage and new home with all of our friends. Somehow we were able to fit (60) people in our home and backyard. With a threat of rain coming in we hoped that it would hold off (and it did) so we can celebrate this occasion. It was a fabulous night and we have some wonderful memories to take with us!

One of the tables set up....

Close up of the centerpieces. Made by: Me!

The Lansdale Vineyard.... :-)

Our Beautiful cake table. I love all the petals!

Our main cake.... Red Velvet!

Part of the backyard getting set up

Rich and I cutting the cake.... Love! Next to my mom, the other most amazing woman I have ever known!

Back-to-Back

It's the most wonderful time of the year..... nope not Christmas... LAKER TIME!!! We started the season right when we got back from our honeymoon (very convenient for the Laker's to wait for us to get home, don't you think?) This year we go for the 3-peat.... I just don't really want a nail biter at the end like Game 7 of last years series... I literally felt like I was having a panic attack! Here is Rich and I at a few of the Laker events...

At one of the games during the 2008-2009 season Daisy all ready to got for the Playoff's from 2009!

Rich and I at the Laker Town Hall meeting at Staples Center. This was obviously before the back-to-back victories these past 2 season! CURRENT STANDINGS: 3-0 Poor Clippers.... 0-3 is there any hope for this other LA team?