A Country Christmas!

I've decided that when I decorate for Christmas this year, I'm going to put a little more thought into it. Just ask Polly, she has the same idea. See every year I put up every Christmas decoration I have. There's a complete hodge-podge chaos theme in my house. And I hate that. I love Christmas so I tend to put up the same things every year, going completely overboard. Decorations that I stole from my parents, ones I bought when I moved out on my own, ones given to me as gifts and the list goes on.

I want an orderly and pretty house at Christmas this year. Tastefully displayed vignettes. Artfully designed centerpieces. All with a country feel to it. Is that too much to ask?? I get all of the magazines. I see how beautiful homes can be. My sister's home is no exception. She so tastefully displays her poinsettias. Her stockings, beautifully hung with care. But see, the major difference between me and my sister: I'm a pack rat, she's not. Now don't get me wrong, she still displays Christmas crafts Jozef and Ava have made in school. She's not heartless, just organized. Something I definitely am NOT. But this is my vow! This is my year to shine!!

I found this "recipe" and I'm doing it! I love the look of home-spun country decor. Does that make any sense? And little, by little, I'm getting there. My Christmas decor will be no exception this year. And I can't wait to try this out. I have stockpiled applesauce and cinnamon (the cheap kind you can get for a dollar/bottle) and by mid-November, I will have enough to make a good amount of garland for my tree. And just imagine how delicious my house will smell!

Cinnamon and Apple Garland

1/8 yard each of 7 different fabrics (colors of choice)
Jute twine
Raffia or 3/8-inch ribbon
3 apples
3 cups lemon juice or white vinegar
12 teaspoons salt
Cheesecloth
Paper towels
Wire cookie cooling rack
12 tablespoons applesauce
15 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Small cookie cutters of choice (gingerbread men, diamonds,
leaves, stars, hearts, etc. - use cutters to match a holiday)
Cookie sheet
Straw

To dry apples: Pour lemon juice (or mixture of vinegar/water) and salt into bowl, stir. Cut apples into 1/4-inch rings; remove seeds. Place in bowl to soak 15 minutes, turning often.

Remove from bowl and pat dry with paper towels, absorbing as much moisture as possible. Using a double layer of cheesecloth on wire rack, arrange apple slices in single layer. Lay an additional double layer of cheesecloth over top of apples. Place in cold oven; set temperature to 150 degrees F. Bake for 4 to 5 hours or until apples are soft and a pliable (no water visible when squeezed).

Make cinnamon cutouts: Blend 12 tablespoons of applesauce with 15 tablespoons cinnamon; mix. Dough will be stiff. Sprinkle work area with cinnamon. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out desired designs. Place on cookie sheet. Make a hole in "cookie" with a drinking straw. Bake at 150 degrees F for 3 to 4 hours, until dry.

Tear each fabric piece into 1 x 8-inch strips. Tape a 42-inch piece of jute twine to table; tape opposite end of twine. Beginning 4" from one end of twine, tie on one strip of each fabric. Tie one strand of raffia or ribbon onto the twine. Thread apple slice, cinnamon cutout, and another apple slice onto twine. Add raffia or ribbon and follow the "pattern" until all fabric is used.

Middle School Open House

Tonight is Open House at the Middle School for Jesse. I have such mixed feelings about Open House. I like to go and get a feel for the teachers. See where my child needs help, where he is excelling, what projects are being planned, etc. I do NOT however enjoy going. Because invariably, there are parents with their screaming 4 year olds who feel Open House is the perfect opportunity to discuss every issue known to man. I'm all for closing the communication gap between parents and teachers. However, I do not feel the need to discuss problems my son had in the 3rd grade with his 8th grade teacher. Nor do I discuss recipes with the Home Ec teacher. I don't talk about what I did in middle school, the rising cost of gas, global warming or the ongoing custody battle between Britney and KFed. Granted I do not have small children; but I'm pretty confident that I would have enough sense to keep the child at home instead of bringing the screaming, shin-kicking, paper-throwing, up-chucking, sniffly-nosed monster with me. Parents KILL me. Why would you bring that child with you???

I mean correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the purpose of Open House was to meet the teachers, see the classrooms and briefly (can I stress that any more) discuss your child. It's a time for the teachers to inform you that A.) you have a brilliant child with no foreseeable problems or B.) these are the areas your child will need to work on. That's it!

Now Jesse has 8 classes. But, through out the course of the year he will have taken 11. His 'specials' are divided amongst each of the 4 nine weeks. Right now he has Tech Ed (shop, for those my age or older) but I'm not going to wait in line to speak with the teacher. Nor am I going to wait in line to talk with his gym teacher. I have 6 different teachers to see. A five minute discussion with each teacher does not mean that I will get out of there in 30 minutes. OH NO. This is a 2+ hour process. The lines are 3 miles long. And in each classroom you can pretty much guarantee a 15 minute wait BEFORE actually getting to speak with the teacher. And because I don't want to cause the poor sap behind me any more time in that line than I have to, I make my discussion short and sweet.

So what's the point? Really, what IS THE POINT? You can't go into depth on any thing. Wait, let me rephrase that. You shouldn't go into depth on anything. Because there are a million other parents and snotty kids waiting in line. It's not like he's in elementary school where he's all excited to show me his desk and meet his fantastic and wonderful new teacher. He's 13. He changes classes so there are no specific seats just for him. He's way past the point of thinking his teachers are brilliant or even human. I walk out of there frustrated, germ-infected and tired. Each year I say that I'm not going back. If I have a problem I will contact his teacher personally. But each year I go. In years past Kenny was always working. He had days off during the week with his previous job. But NOT ONCE did Open House fall on one of those days. So either he was working until 7 pm (after the start of Open House) or he started at 7pm so he didn't have time to go. I go by myself every year. He'll probably be work over tonight so I can see me going it alone again. Now this year Austin is in the High School. So, I don't have 12 teachers to visit in one night. I get to do it all over again on Thursday. Aren't you jealous??

Our House

Yesterday was a typical Sunday in this house. I went to 9:00 mass and then my family came over. But let me explain...

What started out different ended up the same. The boys had gone to their biological mom's in Ohio for the weekend. So they weren't here. Kenny was working and my niece had spent the night at her girlfriend's so they weren't here. And my oldest nephew was out with his friends. So after church today, instead of a full house, there were only a handful of people here: me, my parents, my brother and SIL and 2 of my nephews. My dad bought cupcakes and we enjoyed some coffee and conversation. Then Kenny came home. And then the boys and their mother. A few minutes later, my nephew and 2 of his friends showed up. Then Gina came home. Within a matter of minutes there were 15 people here.

Kerry (the boys' mother) started laughing and said there are always a hundred people in this house. Yep, pretty much. And it really kinda makes me smile. Sometimes it can be overwhelming but most often it makes me smile. My home is frequently filled with people. At any given time of the day you'll find someone extra here. My aunts stop over. Friends drop by. Cousins and friends of friends. I've even had friends of my nephews come by asking if they were here. And normally, if they're not at their own home, they're are here. My house is party central. Where you can find good conversation, loved ones and friends and something to put in your belly.

There's a sign hanging above my front door that reads: May all who enter here know peace and love. I hope that's the reason people drop by. Because they know that they're always welcome. So while not everyone stayed the entire day, they knew they were welcome to. The guys played football in the back yard. Gina and I putzied around on the computer. We ordered pizza and drank a few beers. Well, I had Pepsi One. But you get the picture. Gina even got her shower here last night. The game came on finally (I hate Sunday night games) and we all sat down to watch, munching now on chocolate I keep in a glass pumpkin. No one stayed until the end. But no one was asked to leave. It's comfortable here. People flop on the couch. Sit on the floor and roll around on the computer chair. I think I have a nice home but it's not a museum, that's for sure. Kenny says our house is lived in. That used to bother me. I used to think that a nice house meant perfect order, pristine surroundings. But now I think that a lived in house is a good thing.

Did you have a house that you went to more than others? Not to say that you weren't welcome somewhere else. But did you ever just feel more comfortable at a particular place? You know my girlfriend Holly's house was always that way. A million people at that house morning, noon or night. And I used to want the same thing. A home where anyone can drop by and know that they're not intruding. Somewhere fun. A gathering place of sorts. Austin bought me a cookbook one year for Mother's day. It's Rachael Ray's 30-minute Get-togethers. As I opened it he said it's perfect, Mom. There's always people here.

So, drop by. Kick your feet up. Have something to eat. Stay a while. You're always welcome at our house!

Three Wooden Crosses

A Few Things From the Attic

Do you realize that there are only 9 weeks until Christmas?? Time to get shopping. My mom and I wanted to post a few items that we love from the attic. These make great gifts! Gifts for the people on your list and even gifts for yourself because you didn't burn dinner or something else extraordinary like that. I only posted a few things and the majority of them are out of the Santa Shop. Be sure to explore the rest of the attic and remember that all of our prices are discounted at least 20% off the suggested retail price. Click on the caption for more information.

Thanks for stopping by the attic. Take a peak inside. You never know what treasures you might find.


For the animal in all of us!


Because sometimes regular coffee just won't do!


Everyone can use a few more angels!


A 4-piece set!


Let it Snow!


Ho Ho Ho!


More Let it Snow!


Mmmm, hot cocoa!


For that gorgeous Christmas cake!


Let the countdown begin!


Who says Santa wears bright red??


The Reason for the Season!



FREE---With any order from the Santa Shop. A Selection of Festive Recipes from the Four Corners of the Globe! Everything from Drinks to Candies and Delicacies.

It's Friday!

I saw this man meme post over at SuperMom's and I laughed so hard I had to give it a go.


1. Who is your man?
Ken aka Kenny, Babe or Jerkwad - depending on my mood!

2. How long have you been together?
Let's see - November 16, 2001 was our first date. Is it odd that I remember that???

3. How long did you date?
Not quite 2 years before we were married. But, we got engaged February 21, 2002. How's that for fast!

4. How old is your man?
35 - just changed demographic groups this year! He's officially middle-aged!!

5. Who eats more?
Definitely him, although I used to give him a run for his money!

6. Who said “I love you” first?
Probably me - I've always been more in touch with my feelings. He just liked to feel and touch!

7. Who is taller?
Him of course, otherwise he would have to be a Keebler elf (stole that from Barb, but still appropriate here!)

8. Who sings better?
I do, probably. But, if you get a beer in Kenny and he loosens up a bit, he sings beautifully!!

9. Who is smarter?
Oh he's way smarter than me. I used to send emails home from work asking him if it applied to me - too many words confuse me!!

10. Whose temper is worse?
MINE!! He's slicked in oil. Everything just slides off of his back. And since I'm much shorter, normally right on to me.

11. Who does the laundry?
I do, are you kidding??

12. Who takes out the trash?
Not me that's for sure! That's a boys job! So I don't care if it's him or one of our sons - flip a coin, draw straws, rock paper scissors - whatever! Just get it out of my kitchen!!

13. Who sleeps on the right hand side of the bed?
Ok this always confuses me. If you're looking at the bed - me. If you're laying in the bed on your back - him. Make sense? Do you care?

14. Who pays the bills?
Him! That involves the use of math. I avoid it at all costs!

15. Who is better with the computer?
Definitely him! I know nothing. But I don't deny it either.

16. Who mows the lawn?
Austin. Again, boys job!

17. Who cooks dinner?
Obviously me. When I went in to the hospital for my hysterectomy Austin said that 5 days of Dad's cooking is a long time. Does that tell you anything??

18. Who drives when you are together?
Normally him. Unless there's beer involved. Then I drive home!

19. Who pays when you go out?
Go out - what does that mean??

20. Who is most stubborn?
Definitely me! I want things done my way all of the time! What's wrong with that?

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?
Me - which is hardly ever! But on the slim chance that I am - I accept it immediately and apologize.

22. Whose parents do you see the most?
Mine, Thank God!

23. Who kissed who first?
Well...there was drinking involved. So, that's a little hazy!

24. Who asked who out?
No one really. His best friend and my best friend are married now too. They had a party. We both went - and we've never really been apart since then. He did call off work that night to stay with me!

25. Who Proposed?
He did, on his knee in my apartment. Still makes me gush...

26. Who is more sensitive?
HA! That's funny! ME! I try to tell him that all women cry over Hallmark commercials but he doesn't believe me.

27. Who has more friends?
I do. Kenny isn't really a fan of people in general.

28. Who has more siblings?
I do. His brother is an asshat (to quote Anthony Bourdain.) I think that's why his mother stopped having kids...

29. Who wears the pants in the family?
Well, that depends. I make the day-to-day decisions I guess. Big things, like the decisions I don't want to make, I leave up to him.

Have a great Friday everyone!!

Be Anxious for Nothing

This morning I had a change of plans. I had a different post in mind. Something my mom and I discussed. But then I realized that I wasn't prepared to post it yet. After this realization, I wondered what I was going to say. I thought that maybe I would post later in the day. Or maybe just once, not post anything at all. But, then I read two blogs this morning that changed my mind.

One of my favorite scripture passages is from Phillipians. It reminds me that I'm not in control. God has control of my life. Or He should anyway. I sometimes fail to remember that. As many of you know, I worry about everything. I worry about my family, our finances, our business, the war, violence in the schools and on the streets, that the family values of yesterday are gone for good. My husband says he never has to worry because I worry enough for the both of us. But, I started reading the bible. Phillipians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

WHOA! That passage doesn't instruct you to cut out some worry from your life. Or tell you that ok, the big things you can worry about but that's it. It's not telling you 'don't sweat the small stuff.' It clearly instructs you not to worry about ANYTHING. And having worried about everything for so long, I didn't think that I could do it. Now let me clarify one thing before I go on, I do slip up! I admit that there are times when worry sets in. But, something in me clicks. And I am reminded of that passage. And the burden is lifted.

How often do you worry? At a certain low point in my life, I poured through the bible for answers. I prayed that God would hear my prayers and hopefully the answer I was seeking was in His plan and according to His will. And to His glory, my prayers were answered. Not exactly as I wanted but He gave to me the discernment to realize that His plan was better. Then Holly's nephew was in that terrible accident. And something she said will live in my heart forever. She said Julie, pray for him. Your faith gets you everything. Surely He'll hear your prayer.

I said Jo (that's her middle name and I always call her that) He'll hear your prayer too, you know. She said oh I know. But show me where to look in the bible. You're always reading it. Help me pray. And Phillipians was the first book I turned to. I showed her where God instructs us to give all of our burdens to Him. Of course I wasn't disregarding the seriousness of his injuries. But, I knew that no matter how much I worried, Donnie's life was in the hands of God. So, I broke it down for her. Ok, we're not going to worry about this. We're going to praise God and thank Him for sparing his life. We're going to ask God to continue to heal Donnie. To restore his health as it was before the accident. We're asking for no long-term effects. And we're going to pray that God gives us peace in understanding and accepting what happened. So that in the end, no matter what happens, we may glorify God.

And the strangest thing happened. In explaining it to her, I learned the lesson I was trying to teach. The bible tells us God knows the plans He has for us. Let's face it; He's not up there winging it. He already knows the paths we will walk. The only thing we can do is pray that as we walk, we walk with the Lord. Psalm 143:10 says "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your kind spirit lead me on level ground." And if you are doing the will of God, how can you worry? It's all relative, you know.

So give your burdens to God. Having given those burdens to Him, what do you have left to worry about? Nothing. It doesn't happen over night. But, the longer you pray, the easier it gets; relinquishing control to God. You know Charles Stanley once said that people are always praying 'what am I going to do, Lord?' He said we have it all wrong. We should be praying 'What are You going to do, Lord?' So God put upon my heart this morning to talk about that passage. Maybe someone who reads my blog is worrying about something. Maybe I could help them. And in helping them, I in turn, get to glorify God. Worry about nothing, my sweet friends. God has it all worked out!