SNOW

We received our first snow of 2010. The accumulation is light. Courtney is thrilled to miss a day of school and cheer practice!

The snow is EXTREMELY dry. Courtney is INCREDIBLY imaginative... observe the cake icing holding the candies in place.

Cheerleaders are REQUIRED to build a snowman or they will RUN when returning to practice! It is difficult (but not impossible).




Ellie is stylish in her new Christmas sweater and jacket!



Brrrrrr...

SO COLD...

It is so cold we have ice floating in our pool! The temp is 29 degrees and feels like 19 degrees. Our area has a 70% chance of snow Thursday morning. Brrrr

Bunco

My friend, Shelia, started our Bunco group in November. The eight of us get together each month. We all host a month and prepare a meal for the group. Tonight we played and had a wonderful time. My sides ache from laughing. Even though I did not win the “mass of cash”, I look forward to next month laughing and socializing with an entertaining group of women.

EMILY WON-MOST BIG BUNCOS (5)

SHELIA WON-MOST WINS

STEPHANIE WON- LAST BIG BUNCO OF THE NIGHT

ALLISON WON-MOST GAMES LOST

BIG BUNCO YOU GET TO WEAR THE CROWN

EMILY CROWNING CYNDI FOR A BIG BUNCO

PASSING CROWN TO EMILY FOR ANOTHER BIG BUNCO

Happy New Year

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. The year went by so fast and 2009 has so many blessings to be thankful.

FIVE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR IN 2009:

1. I am thankful to God for meeting all my needs.
2. I am thankful for my loving family and caring friends.
3. I am thankful for my Church.
4. I am thankful for my family’s health, protection and safety and for another year of life.
5. I am thankful for simple joys.


FIVE THINGS I WANT TO IMPROVE IN 2010:

1. Continue to read the Bible in 365 days…I am on day 167.
2. I want to be a better Christian.
3. I want to be a better wife, mother, and friend.
4. I want to be healthier. I am addicted to sugar and need to cut it ALL out!
5. I want to do more random acts of kindness for others who need help.

Christmas Morning

Christmas in Forest

Cheerleader Christmas Party

The Cheerleader Christmas Party was at our house. Each cheerleader brought an appetizer. After eating, we played “Dirty Santa”.

Christmas Candy

Courtney and I enjoy making Christmas candy.

We are sharing a few of our favorite recipes.

Enjoy!

WHITE TRASH

WHITE TRASH RECIPE

3 Cups of assorted cereals

1/3 cup of each raisins, peanuts, pretzels (we just add pretzel and M&M's)

4 oz of white chocolate

Melt chocolate and stir in cereal mixture until well coated. Dump on wax paper until cool and dry. Then break bite size pieces.

PEPPERMINT BARK

PEPPERMINT BARK RECIPE

12 oz white chocolate, such as Ghirardelli

1/3 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, candy canes crushed

2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

Line a 13 X 9 baking pan with aluminum foil and set aside. Melt the bark and add 1/3 cup of peppermint. Pour the mixture onto the foil-lined pan, spreading it to within a half inch of the edges. Melt the semisweet chips and drizzle them over the white chocolate mixture. Sprinkle on the remaining candy pieces. Place the bark in the refrigerator and chill until firm, about 15 minutes. Then break the bark into pieces.

EASY PEANUT BUTTER CANDYEASY PEANUT BUTTER CANDY RECIPE

1 pkg almond bark

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup dry roasted peanuts

2 cups Rice Krispies

2 cups mini-marshmallows

Melt bark in microwave for 1-2 minutes. Blend in peanut butter. Add rest of ingredients. Spoon on waxed paper and let cool and harden.

OREO BALLS

OREO BALLS RECIPE

1 pkg Oreos

1 8oz cream cheese (softened)

almond bark

Crush oreos in food processor or blender (a little at a time). Mix in cream cheese (this takes a little while). Roll into small balls. Put in freezer for several hours. Melt bark. Dip balls in bark. Allow to harden on wax paper.

HAYSTACKS

HAYSTACK RECIPE

1 6 oz pkg butterscotch morsels

1/2 cup peanut butter

3 oz chow mein noodles

1 cup peanuts

(I usually double recipe)

Melt butterscotch and peanut butter over low heat. Remove from heat; stir in noodles and peanuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper. Cool and harden.

CROCK POT CHOCOLATE PEANUT CLUSTER

CROCK POT CANDY RECIPE

1 1/2 vanilla almond bark (30 oz)

1 (12 oz) chocolate chip semi-sweet

1 pkg german sweet chocolate

1 (16 oz) jar salted peanuts

1 (16 oz) jar unsalted peanuts

Cook on low for 3 hours. DO NOT STIR OR DISTURB...until time is up. Drop onto waxed paper until cool and hardened.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PRETZELS

WHITE CHOCOLATE PRETZELS RECIPE

Almond bark

pretzels

Melt bark. Add handfuls of pretzels. Remove pretzels (with fork is easiest) and place on wax paper until cool and hardened.