Things I Love

Cuties

How can this not be something that is loved.

The name just evokes a smile.

They are just the right size for a lunch.

They peel easily.

They are seedless

They pull apart with no juice dripping.

They are very tasty and give you the vitamin C for the day.

They are in season, I got this bag for $3.99!

When I turned 30 I decided I needed to splurge and buy some good face lotion.

My Mom used Clinique and so I thought I would give it a try.

Here I am 20 years later still using it.  My face thirsts for it if I don't put it on.

It has no fragrance, and just soaks into my skin.

If I were Oprah I would put one under everybodys seat. 

I also got a special bottle that is larger for breast cancer awareness and they were giving away key chains. They offer this just a couple times a year.  I use one keychain on my flash drive so I don't lose it.  Along with all this I buy from the Clinque/club. I know what colors I need and it comes right to my door plus you can choose samples and order it right on line. 

New Recipe-Sour Cream Streusel Bars



Warm Streusel Cake




One of my Big Lots finds

Here it can be found at Amazon.
The recipe is on page 163.

I made it for my co-workers and they seemed to really enjoy it.

INGREDIENTS

1/2  cup butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup sour cream

FOR THE TOPPING
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
4 T. butter chopped

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
grease  the sides and bottom of a 9 inch square baking pan
Make the topping first using a knife or pastry blender to cut the butter
add all ingredients and mix well together

 In a large mixing bowl cream the butter until soft then add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one.  Sift the flour, baking soda and powder together and add to the butter mixture.Fold in the sour cream.
Pour half the batter into the prepared pan then sprinkle half the topping mixture.  Pour the remaining batter on top and sprinkle on the rest of the topping mixture.  Bake for 60 to 70 minutes until browned.



Hey Santa

Through the years I have received a nice collection of Santa's.

Made from all different materials.  Some handmade and others store bought.

It's a delight every year when I open the box.

Fun, Fun, Fun.

This is our little tree for the basement.  It has predominantly glimmer, glass ornaments.

The old quilt at the bottom came from Tom's side of the family.  It is getting worn out but is still sweet.  I should fix it some time.

The following will be closeups from the tree.

The largest ornament-Santa.

Being a big baseball loving family we were happy to find this one.

Saint Francis is another favorite.

Mr. Star Santa resides at the top.

This was given to us by Angie T. it's too cute with our names on the list.

The newest....a beloved Detroit Tigers ornament.

Smelling Good

My sister and brother-in-law brought us this neat housewarming gift.

It should be filled 1/3 full of the fragrance oil

Then the wick should absorb it for approx. 20 minutes.

The wick should get lit and then snuffed.

Then this top gets put on and the smell will diffuse through the top.

The smell will last for a day and a half.

My smell is very nice and enjoyable.

The purifier is to add to the fragrance oil if it is too strong.

I didn't need it.

Below is a picture of all the different containers.

Darn Cat

Anytime I have something new, Stonewall decides he needs to be the center of attention.

I keep my camera in this drawer.

I had left it open and there he is.

Acting all shy and he won't look at me.

Finally with a whistle or maybe a shaking of he treat bag..

he looks at me.

Everybody looks good in sunglasses and a bow tie!

Christmas Decorations

We got a good portion of the decorating done this weekend.

The stairway received some garland and poinsettias along with Christmas pillows from friends.

The quilt I made a few years back.

Quilts are perfect to put in this spot.  It is viewed right as visitors come in the door and it would be hard to put pictures in this area.

A good view of the lovely red poinsettias.

This nativity I painted when we were first married.  I worked in downtown Lafayette, IN and there was a ceramics store a couple of blocks away.  I would go down there on my lunch hour and found these.  Tom worked many different hours and I was home alone in the evenings.  This passed my time very nicely.  It is now about 30 years old and there are some chips but all in all it is still beautiful to me.

The finished decorated tree in the daytime.

Here is the tree top angel we call Gloria.  She also is almost 30 years old.  I picked her up on a shopping trip to Merrillville IN.  She has survived well.

We enjoy a very full tree.

Here it is at night as I play with the flash and shutter speeds.

Moving the camera sideways.

Moving it up.

Gotta always keep track of the days till Christmas.

I love my snowman collection picked up on my own and also given to me as gifts from very dear people.

My newest one is the guy with the star on his head and also holding a star and he looks like he is singing.

Boy am I glad I didn't sell this corner cabinet!

Simple yet elegant decorations.  We have gotten a little snow today.

Here is some snow blowing off the roof.