I'm just curious...

In your neck of the woods, do you have a particular food that you prepare for New Years?

Here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, it's tradition to serve pork and sauerkraut! We've always done that for as long as I can remember. Eating sauerkraut on the New Year is supposed to bring you good luck in the coming year. Since I don't believe in luck, be it good or bad, I make it because I like it!

So I would like you to leave a short comment and tell me what will be on your New years Day menu !

P.S. Don't forget to tell me what State or country you're from!

~A little inspiration motivation for 2008...

• Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.


• To speak of health, happiness and prosperity to every person that you meet.


• To make all your friends aware of the special qualities within them.


• To look at the sunny side of everything and let your optimism work to make your dreams come true.


• To think, work for, and expect only the best.


• To be just as enthusiastic about the success in others, as you are about your own.


• To forget past mistakes and press on towards a great future.


• To wear a cheerful countenance at all times, as a smile radiates warmth and love.


• To give so much time to improvement of yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.


• To be too wise for worry, too tolerant for anger, and too courageous for fear.


• And...to be happy!

" See it Sunday " photo meme ~

This week's theme is: OLD

Why not join us over at "See it Sunday" ?

~ Odds and Ends ~

I wanted to show you my "Snow babies" knock-offs before I pack them away. I bought them for $5.00 each at Michael Arts and Crafts one year and I like the way the faces are painted much better than the real ones!

Also...

If you like beautiful scenery photos, check out Kathleen Connally's site ~

"A walk through Durham Township" I would love to be able to take pictures like those.

-----------------------------

Another great site is Elizabeth, "The Computer Lady". She's a computer wiz !

You can sign up for her newsletter, which has been a great help to me this past year. She explains it in everyday language that even a "newbie" can understand, and all this great advice is free!

~ Show and Tell ~

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Kelli, over at "There is no place like home "is our host.

When I was decorating a few weeks ago, I pulled this little handmade ornament out of the box and immediately thought of Kelli. She loves acorns! So Kelli, here's an idea for a project for you and the kids.
Isn't he cute?

His head is an acorn...I love how the top looks like a tossle cap!...and his body is a walnut. He has Popsicle sticks (cut 2 inches long) for skis and toothpicks for the poles.His arms are just strips of red felt, about a half inch wide. Add another strip of felt for his scarf and your done!

Why don't you join us...
Since this is Christmas week, do you have a favorite ornament that you made or one that has a special memory to go with it?

~collage of the day~

If you look for me at Christmas...

If you look for Me at Christmas...

you won't need a special star,

I'm no longer still in Bethlehem,

I'm right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me
amid the celebrations,
You'll have to look beyond the stores
and all the decorations.

But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do,
And listen to your heart, you'll find
I'm waiting there for you.

You're the one I want to be with,
you're the reason that I came,
And you'll find me in the stillness
as I'm whispering your name.
Love,
Jesus

Be blessed this Christmas!

~Christmas Prayer~

I said a Christmas prayer for you,

Because the season's here.

I didn't ask for riches,

But for gifts so much more dear.

I asked for joyful gatherings,

With your family all around,

And for carols to inspire you,

with their old familiar sound.

I asked for quiet moments,

In your heart on Christmas morn,

For a special time to celebrate,

The Savior who was born.

I asked for friends to send their best,

That you might know they care,

I asked for peace and love and hope,

And I know God heard my prayer.

Reindeer cookies...

I made these cute little reindeer cookies to take to work.They were easy to make and would be a great baking project to do with kids!

What you need:

1 roll of pre-made cookie dough

small pretzel rings

M&Ms candies

baking sheet

directions:

preheat oven to 350*. Open cookie dough. Cut slices 1/4 inch thick. Pinch dough to form a "v" shape. Place pretzel on each side of his head. Add a red M&M for his nose and 2 brown M&Ms for his eyes.

That's it!!

Bake for 10 minutes or lightly browned around the edges.

These would be great christmas party favors or cute to leave for Santa with milk!

For some special people...

Christmas is a time,
to remember the special people in our lives...
the thoughtful people who brighten

our days all year through.

The fun-loving people with we share laughter,
good times and fond memories.
the wonderful people who touch our lives
as few can...
you are truly special people.

and though it's not often that these feelings
are put into words,
the Christmas season
just seems like a good time
to let you know
how very much you mean to me.

Merry Christmas to all my blogger freinds!

umm....chocolate...

Last week I made my Christmas goodies, chocolate-covered pretzels and Oreos. They are so simple to make. Just purchase a bag of chocolate wafers from your local craft store. Then pour half of the bag into a small, deep bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Then microwave for 30 seconds and stir again. Now the wafers should be melted and smooth. Dip a pretzel rod in the chocolate while holding the other end vertically. Spoon the chocolate onto the rod, leaving 3 inches bare. Lay on wax paper to set. No need to refrigerate.

Then melt a cup of white wafers in a cup. When melted, spoon into a plastic sandwich bag. Twist the top shut and cut the very tip of the corner off of the bag to drizzle onto pretzels.

Then repeat using Oreos.

When I finished, I made up these gift baskets. One for my hairdresser, who keeps me trimmed, one for my chiropractor who keeps everything in place and one for my boss that's a pleasure to work for!

Cross a few more tasks off my list...

The halls are decked!

Boomama and Tracey are both hosting a "Christmas Tour of Homes" for 2007 ~ on their blogs and I'm ready!
The teapot is whistling and the cookies are made...so pull up a chair and enjoy.

Here's my snowman collection...

This nativity was purchased several years ago at Michael's. I like that it's attached to the base so that all the figures stay in place.

The tree is up...

And these guys are waiting patiently under the tree...

Here are some of my favorite ornaments. Click for a better view:

I do like this whimsical Santa with a fuzzy beard!

I won the large metal snowman below in a raffle at work one year!

Just hangin' around...

I hope you enjoyed our visit. Please check out these sites to join in or just enjoy the other entries.

Get ready...It's comin'...

Donate a meal...

Shedd's Country crock will donate a meal for every story shared at their site ~ about how you shared with someone or how you were helped by another. Nothing more than a couple sentences are needed to be accepted. So please take a few minutes of you hectic day and provide a meal for someone this Christmas. I did!

There's a great site that I want to tell you about if your interested in free printables! It's Alenka's Printables.

I was looking for gift card holders and found that the money envelope works great! You can even edit the wording on the outside to make it personal.

They have everything from recipe cards to gift boxes! Check it out, the quality is great!
And have a great day!!

This Christmas...

Mend a quarrel,
Seek out a forgotten friend,
Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust,
Write a letter,
Give a soft answer,
Encourage youth,
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Keep a promise, forgo a grudge,
Forgive an enemy,
Apologize,
Try to understand.

Examine your demands on others,
Think first of someone else.
be kind… be gentle,
Laugh a little more.

Express your gratitude,
Welcome a stranger,
Gladden the heart of a child,
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth,
Speak your love then speak it again.

Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of the true meaning of Christmas...with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most.
Howard W. Hunter

" God bless us ... everyone"

I better quit posting and get baking...

Southwestern Pennsylvania has a great mix of ethnic heritage and culture. During this time of year, Friends are asking “Have you made your Christmas cookies?”
This is a tradition shared in this area by folks of every background. Making Christmas cookies is a must….and plenty of ‘em !
There’s the Italians with the Pizzelles,

the Czechoslovakians and polish with filled nut rolls and Kolachky (a light pastry filled with apricot,cheese or nuts...

Russian tea cakes and European Lady locks!

So you ask, “what's a lady lock?”
As anyone who ever bellied up to the “cookie table” at a wedding reception in Western Pennsylvania knows, a lady lock is a small, puff pastry cream horn filled with sweet butter-cream icing, usually vanilla in flavor.

One bite conjures memories of grandmothers and great-grandmothers who came from Europe, bringing the recipe with them from the old country. Sometimes the confections are called clothespin cookies because the puff pastry at one time was wrapped around a clothespin to shape it.

You will find these cookies at every wedding, church bazaar or any family event worth mentioning...in fact, Pittsburgh had their first Annual International cookie Festival in November!

Fall Sunset through the trees~

"Wordless Wednesday"

To view more W.W. photos....click here!

~ Christmas Reminders ~

May the Christmas presents remind you~

of God's greatest gift - His only begotten Son.

May the Christmas candles remind you~

of him who is the light of the world.

May the Christmas tree remind you~

of another tree on which He died for you.

May the Christmas cheer remind you~

of him who said, "Be of good cheer "

May the Christmas feast remind you~

of Him who is the bread of life.

May the Christmas snow remind you~

of the cleansing power of Christ.

May the Christmas bells remind you~

of the glorious proclamation of His birth.

May the Christmas carols remind you~

of his glad tidings which we are to proclaim to all mankind.

May the Christmas season remind you~

in every way of Jesus Christ your king!

How would you like to find this in your stocking Christmas morning?

Marble Mansion
6200 Crown Place,
Collier Township,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This majestic mansion sits high atop a hill in Nevillewood, overlooking the pristine golf course.
Seven years in the making, it is what homeowners search for — built with marble throughout and an open and expansive floor plan.

Price: $4,400,000
Type: Single Family Home
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 5 Full, 2 Half
# Fireplaces: 8
Year Built: 1997
Garage Size: 6
Style of Architecture: 2 ST
Taxes : $64,373
The approximate monthly Principal & Interest payment
for this property would be $20,588.75.

The all-white marble master bathroom has ornate hand-carved marble and is larger than many people’s bedrooms, with a step-up Jacuzzi tub and more magnificent views.

Another World

The home features a wine cellar and an Italian-inspired “outdoor” café that transports residents to the streets of Tuscany — literally. Thanks to an elaborate sprinkler system, it can actually rain, and the rain drains into pipes in the “street.” The lighting goes from day to night with a push of a button, making the sun go down and the stars twinkle

New Heights

The three-story property features beautiful staircases, and even a small elevator to navigate its levels.

Exotic Atrium

In keeping with the Italian charm, a hand-tiled mosaic atrium, waterfall, and fountain add to the ambiance in the foyer, under the marble staircase.

** Not my style, but the article stated that there are several interested parties.