Happy Homemaker Monday 12/07

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Late post today. Had a busy weekend preparing and attending the Library’s Fundraising Gala. It was a lot of work, but fun to decorate, and was worth it. It was a beautiful event, and many of the guests hinted at what it would be like next year. My daughter and I made ourselves all fancy and had a nice time. See the pics below.

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

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WHAT I’M READING/HAVE READ:
Still reading The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans. I am about half way through it, but didn’t get much reading time this weekend. It is really good so far, I like when I can’t figure out a character. Hope to finish it tonight.

FAVORITE RECIPE TO SHARE:
Next to Roshky, this is my next favorite Christmas cookie.

Chocolate Filled Snowballs

½ lb soft butter
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
1 5 ounce pkg chocolate kisses
Confectioner’s sugar

Instructions

Beat sugar, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy.
Add sifted flour and nuts and blend well. Chill dough.
Remove foil from kisses. Shape dough around kisses, using about 1T dough. Roll into ball. Be sure to cover kiss completely.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake in 375 degree oven for 12 minutes or until set but not brown.
Cool slightly, then remove to wire racks.
While still a little warm, roll in confectioner’s sugar. Makes about 2 dozen cookies. I sprinkle more powder sugar on them when I put them on a serving tray.

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:

HOLIDAY PREP TO DO:
I am planning on doing some baking this week. We had a lot of leftover goodies from the Gala. My son is a busser at a local restaurant, and they had a holiday party over the weekend, he brought home some kind of cake from that. Then my neighbor gave us a tray full of cupcakes from one of their Christmas events. Never thought I’d ever say it, but that’s a lot of sweets 🙂 Looks like I’ll be baking at the end of the week, if I’m not in a sugar coma.

THING’S I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO:
This Saturday, the town will have over a dozen ice sculptors on the main street. Also, the reindeer will be back with their trainer, where you can take pictures with them. OMG the reindeer!! They were in the parade on Friday, and the one was so adorable!! It’s like he had a personality, his face was just too adorable!!

FAVORITE VIDEO/BLOG POST:
I found this video a couple of years ago, and I don’t know how. Probably looking for the Pentatonix rendition of Little Drummer boy, which is really good. This is an added twist. This guy is a drummer, and he does videos just drumming to various songs. This is the behind the scenes video which I thought was so much fun to watch, just to see what these guys did to make this video. The actual video plays in the upper left hand corner, but you can watch it here. I have always enjoyed watching drummers (my brother is one) because they always seem to have so much fun. Awesome drumming!!

PICS FROM THE GALA:

The Food Table.

Decorations…There are two fire places in the library, this is one of them.

The library has some beautiful architectural features. It was expanded some years ago, but they kept the original design of the building. Me and my favorite girl!! ♥

All these decorations were brought in and put up by one of the residents, he also works for the city.

Music provided by the Heavenly Harps. This is a mom and her three daughters. All three girls have been classically trained on piano as well. She has a few more kids at home, and she home schools them as well. The Harp music is just simply beautiful. They also do healing music, for more information you can visit their website: heavenlyharps.net

These are the front cases that are in the entryway. My mom, daughter and I decorated these. The wooden sleigh is my mom’s. Her dad made it in the summer of 1958. He made one for each of his kids, which has been a treasured keepsake for them, since he passed away the day after Christmas that same year.

QUOTES:

MY HOLIDAY PLAYLIST:
I really like Ariana Grande. This is my get-up-and-go Christmas song 🙂 My daughter has been singing this one around the house, you’ll be singing it too once you listen.

18 More sleeps until Christmas!!

#BlogBattle: Fallow – Week 38 – Nature’s Haven

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

🙂 Tuesday is upon us once again!! Let the #Blogbattle begin!!

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration. Hosted by the talented Rachael Ritchey. Feel free to join in, or click here to read the current week’s stories and vote for your favorites.

This week’s word: Fallow (yep…had to look it up, several times 🙂 )

Genre: Romance/Drama

Nature’s Haven

People often referred to Liam as a recluse. He would just nod his head in agreement, no need trying to explain yourself when a person has already judged and labeled you. No, he wasn’t a recluse, he just likes his solitude. He lives alone, with no family in the area, he works, and spends time in his studio painting. Over the years he found that too much going out for the sake of just going out, was a distraction that interrupted his creative flow. He had a goal. He was working on getting enough material together so that he could have his own showing at the local art gallery.

He works at a job that he tolerates enough so that he has a place to call home and a separate place to do his painting. His home isn’t anything fancy, it’s actually a second floor, one bedroom condo, just right for him. He’s happy with where he is in life and where he is headed. Then one day it all went down in flames…literally. It was an accident, caused by one of the other tenants in the building. Luckily, everyone escaped unharmed, but they lost everything. He was so grateful that all his paintings and supplies were in a different location, but still, losing all your earthly possessions, sure does knock you off balance.

It’s been months since he has been able to paint. Even after finding another place to live, and replacing some of his creature comforts, he just can’t seem to find inspiration. That is why he took some time off, and is now spending it in a little cabin in the woods by the lake. Getting out into nature should help him snap out of this funk.

After a good nights sleep, and his first morning there, he begins his trek through the wooded forest, anticipating the burst of colors that arrive every fall. He stays on the designated paths for the most part, but at one point he decides to veer off, and go deeper into the forest, hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife, maybe a fallow deer. With each step he takes into the crisp cool air, relishing each natural sound that reverberates in his soul, he feels the muddledness of his mind break away piece by piece. Walking towards the lake, he takes in each detail that surrounds him. He makes a mental note to return to the lake to experience the rising and setting of the sun. Looking out towards the horizon, he can picture what it just might look like. Now, the sun is brightly shining off the smooth calmness of the water, he returns to the path that would take him back to his cabin. In the distance he can hear a rhythmic sound of footfalls on the graveled path, it was a unique steady rhythm, nothing clumsy about it at all, determined actually. It reminded him of a reggae beat with an emphasis on the first and third note. As if hypnotized by the sound, he finally looks up and sees a beautiful woman jogging towards him, ear buds in her ears, the swaying of her copper pony tail perfectly in sync with the drumming of her feet. The sun shining down on her highlights strands of shimmering gold nestled in a sea of ginger, and when she looks at him, it’s as if he was looking into a tropical ocean. She keeps her steady pace as she moves past him with a dazzling smile, and a slight wave of her hand, she continues down the path.

That evening he decides to sit by the lake to take in the sunset, and to enjoy the unseasonably warm temperatures. It was then that he notices she must have had the same idea. A little ways down the shoreline he can see her sitting in a folding chair, sipping on a beverage. He stands there unsure wondering if he should approach her or not. Just then she looks up and when she sees him, she raises her arm to wave, then motions for him to join her.

He walks over to where she is sitting. She reaches out her hand to introduce herself, “Hi, I’m Dahlia.”

“Hello Dahlia, I’m Liam, nice to meet you.” He sits down on the ground next to her, with his knees bent, he rests his arms on them.

They talk for hours. He tells her about losing everything in the fire, how it has affected him and the problem he is having trying to find the right inspiration to paint. Dahlia tells him that she is on somewhat of a healing retreat, physically and emotionally. She needed this time after a tumultuous relationship with her ex-boyfriend and the accident that left her without a left leg from the knee down. Just then she stretches out her leg, and he sees her prosthesis.

“Dahlia, boy do I feel like a jerk. Here I am going on and on about me losing just stuff, when you have dealt with losing part of your leg.”

She laughs and waves him off, “How were you to know? But just like you I had to move forward, and I am determined not to let it slow me down.” She says with a confident grin.

The conversation stops as the last bit of the sun sets over the horizon. Reluctantly, he returns to his cabin, however, believing he has found his muse.

There is no way he can sleep now after spending the evening with such an incredible person. Besides, his creativity has lain fallow long enough. He works well into the early morning hours, but yet he feels energized, alive!! Finally!!

When he sees her on the path, he briefly jogs along side her, not wanting to break her stride and asks her to stop by later that evening. She agrees without losing pace.

When she arrives, the table is set and he has a stew simmering on the stove.
“You made me dinner.” She says with more appreciation in her voice than surprise.

“Oh…yeah…well we need to eat.” He says with a shrug. “But this is what I wanted you to see.”

He shows her the painting, it’s her. Standing by the lake. She steps closer to take in every detail. He steps back to give her room, silently praying that it doesn’t freak her out. She looks back at him and says, “Liam, it’s beautiful.” Then turns away before he can see the tears forming in her eyes. Is that how he actually sees me? Her past and the accident made her feel anything but beautiful.

As if reading her mind, he says, “Dahlia, you’re beautiful. You have inspired me. I can see the difference in my work, the colors, the details, are so much more vibrant. This dinner was my way of thanking you. You’ll never know what you have done for me.” He steps in front of her and wraps his arms around her and pulls her in a hug then whispers in her ear, “Thank you.”

“No, thank you Liam,” she says holding unto him, as if his tight embrace would put all her broken pieces back together.

Happy Homemaker Monday 11/30

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Had a really nice Thanksgiving, enjoying all the leftovers 🙂 On Saturday, our local High School football team played in the State Final game at the Indianapolis Colts stadium. This is not the high school I went to, (actually our rival) but it’s the one my son went to for his senior year, and is right across the street from us. They didn’t win, but it was an accomplishment nonetheless, and an awesome memory for those students to play at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

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WHAT I’M READING/HAVE READ:
I finished Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery. The scavenger hunt was a lot of fun. But I had downloaded the one from one of her previous Christmas stories, and I kept checking the list, and I was like I’m usually into the details of a book, but hadn’t come across any of the things on the list after like 4 chapters. Yeah…wrong list, lol. Like all the other Fool’s Gold Christmases, there was a wedding in this one. Good holiday stories.

What I am starting next for my holiday reading is The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans. This is an actual book, and it’s one of those books that’s a really nice size, hard covered, beautiful cover design…my eyes will be crossing from the small print though, LOL. My mom got this one from the library, and it sounds really good. Romance, Christmastime, a writer’s workshop at the Mistletoe Inn, two aspiring writers sharing their dreams, their writing and their troubled pasts…yeah…this oughta be good 😉

FAVORITE RECIPE TO SHARE:
These are easy to make, and a great way to use leftover turkey. I add mozzarella cheese when I make the sandwiches, (and a little mayo on my own).

Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sandwiches

1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce
1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce)
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
6 cups shredded cooked turkey breast
12 sandwich buns, split

In a large saucepan, combine the first 10 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until sauce is thickened.

Stir in turkey; simmer 4-5 minutes longer or until heated through. Spoon 1/2 cup onto each bun. Yield: 12 servings.

ON THE TV:
I watched this the other night with the kids, and it was so much fun to watch. On the Food Network, All-Star Gingerbread Build with Food Network’s master bakers, Duff Goldman and Ron Ben-Israel, and HGTV’s Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott. So much fun, our favorite bakers and builders!! They had to build a 12′ x 12′ Gingerbread house, that had furniture on the inside, and a yard on the outside. They were awesome!! The prize was a donation in their names to a charity. The Property Brothers were on opposite teams, and it was so much fun to watch their twin/sibling rivalry come out, add Duff’s personality to that, and watching Ron Ben-Israel use a power saw…too much fun!!

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:
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HOLIDAY PREP CHECKLIST:
I am the head elf on the exterior illumination, and got that done on Sunday. It was a bit chilly, but I’m glad it is done 🙂 “250 Strands of lights….100 individual bulbs per strand….for a grand total of 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights.” (Clark Griswold) LOL…it’s not that extravagant, but pretty enough.

We started on the inside decorations, my daughter and youngest son are having fun, it’s like HGTV in here.

THING’S I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Friday – Illuminated Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. Did I mention the live reindeer?!?!?
Saturday – Decorating the library for the Christmas Gala
Sunday – Library Christmas Gala: Decorated Christmas trees, music by The Heavenly Harps, finger food and beverages.

My mom is one of the librarians, and the President of the Friends of the Library, so I volunteer to help set-up their bigger events. They haven’t done a Christmas event like this, so it should be really nice. I mean what’s not to like, Christmas time at the library!!

FAVORITE VIDEO/BLOG POST:
I saw this last year, and it is too funny. These two guys, lol. Now whenever I hear The Twelve Days of Christmas, I think of these two.

QUOTES:

MY HOLIDAY PLAYLIST:
We are now listening to Christmas music 24/7. So I’ll be sharing my some of my favorites. This one reminds me of my childhood. I just love this arrangement.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

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Happy Homemaker Monday 11/23

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

The first snow fall in my area was a bit uneventful, though it seemed that EVERYONE else all around us had much more than we did. Most of the day it was rain with some snow, but by the afternoon we did see some big fluffly flakes, and it did put a thin blanket of white on everything, and now the weather on Sunday was fa-reezing.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful week, and a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

weather1123

WHAT I’M READING/HAVE READ:
Just finished Thrill Me Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold sixth year, and 18th book. I’m looking forward to adding some books geared around Christmas for this holiday season. I’m starting the season off with book 19 in this series, Marry Me at Christmas. I just visited Susan Mallery’s web site and found that with this book she has included a literary scavenger hunt. There is a list to print out, and twelve objects to find while reading the book, that’s different, and should be fun. What I also like is that for each one of these books, she has pictures and bios on every character. It’s fun to put a face to them as you read along.

WHAT I’M COOKING FOR THE HOLIDAY:
Turkey
Ham
Green beans with bacon
Corn
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole (yep the one with the marshmallows)
Dressing
Mac and Cheese (homemade, not the Kraft in a box, which is what I thought of when I first heard serving Mac and Cheese for Thanksgiving 🙂 )
Brown and Serve Rolls and/or Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

Dessert:
Oreo Surprise
Banana Pudding

I’ll also be helping the twins make a few things for their Friendsgiving on Wednesday at their friend’s house. It’s the first year they are doing this, should be interesting…a bunch of 20 year-olds “planning” dinner, but with this group of friends, it will definitely be a fun time for them.

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:
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THING’S I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO:
On Thanksgiving night, my daughter and I will participate in the Shop in your Pajamas-O-rama. We usually meet up with my sister and her daughter. There are a couple of stores in town that will be open at 8 p.m. until Midnight. One is a gift shop that has unbelievable Christmas decorations, and several trees decorated throughout, they serve coffee and hot apple cider. They have two cats roaming around too, it’s just a real cozy atmosphere, and it’s one of the older buildings in town, so it has a lot of character. If only I had about $1000 just lying around, I’d spend it easily in this place. A girl I went to high school with has a t-shirt shop that we stop at, and her partner has a unique gift shop as well, where she makes a lot of the stuff in there. She takes old wooden windows and paints sayings and quotes on the glass, they are just gorgeous. It’s just a real fun time, and a great way to kick off the holiday season.

So many things happening in town for the holidays, which include the holiday parade, with real reindeer, the Library’s Gala Fundraiser, Ice Sculptors on the main street, and a chance to take pictures with the real reindeer!!

It is the most wonderful time of the year!!

FAVORITE VIDEO/BLOG POST:
My daughter shared this with me. She asked me if I had seen the Adele “Hello” video, and I hadn’t, just heard all the hype. So she was like, you don’t have to watch the whole thing, just a little bit, it will be well worth it once you see this.