Merry Christmas!

Gingerbread Houses

For as along as I've been alive (and actually for about 20 years even prior to that), the Saturday after Thanksgiving has been reserved for gingerbread house making. From what my mom was saying yesterday, my grandma and her sisters started this prior to 1957. The earliest pictures we have are from then, however, my mom remembers houses being done for years before that. We've used the same pattern the entire time. There is a version with a second part to the house, but I prefer the simple, traditional house. We don't eat them. They're simply for decoration. An extra house is always made and given to someone who might need a little reminder during the holidays that they are loved. We've done as many as 15 houses at one point. Its too much when it gets too big. I prefer a smaller setting.
As per tradition, I got together yesterday with my mom and her friend and her daughters for gingerbread Saturday. Each house may begin with the same pattern, but they definitely turn out with a flair of your own.
There's so much to this day that I could write about, but it simply boils down to remembering my grandma and the things I learn from her, even though she's been gone for many years now. Having a little gingerbread on my dining room table reminds me what an amazing lady she was. Merry Christmas, Grandma!

As I head into Thanksgiving

I've been decorating my house today for Christmas. I'll post some photos once I get my tree in better shape. We've been fighting each other today. Tree=3. Me=0. More on that later. As the holidays roll around, I have one friend in particular who always makes it a point to remind me how "HARD" the holidays must be me. I believe its her way of trying to be supportive and a good friend so I never really put much stock in her comment. I've never actually said "Wow, the holidays are so difficult." So I'm not quite sure where she gets that from, other than some people who are in similar situations such as myself maybe don't handle the holiday season too well. With that being said, there can be some tinges of sadness, occasionally, but most of the time I focus on how blessed I am and how fortunate I am to be so well loved by my great family and friends. Sometimes I think making a list of all I'm grateful for at Thanksgiving time is so cliche. Shouldn't I make of point of being grateful ALL the time, not just some Thursday in November? Regardless, I'd like to take a minute (or a paragraph or two) to mention some of my blessings.

First on my list (and probably many others) would be my family. We are all healthy at the moment. We welcomed a new niece this year and she is a delight. We get to welcome another one just after the new year starts! All my nieces and nephews are such little adults in small bodies. I learn new things from them all the time. I'm so looking forward to having most of them around for a bit. Meg and I were laughing the other day at how abnormal our normal family is compared to the "modern" family of today. We're so lucky.

Next would be my friends. Nope, I don't have my own kids so my friends are my "in-laws." It has been a year of friendships all over the charts. I have lost some dear ones and gained some new best ones. The great thing about my friends is that they come from all walks of life and ages. It always makes me so happy to hear them say "I love coming to your house. Its so cozy and comfortable." I love when they wake me up to tell me something funny or stop by late at night because they know I'll get up to listen to them. I love that we respect each other and work through disagreements and keep trying. They are some good people and I'm very blessed.

I am grateful for my home. And for my little trooper car that keeps running. I'm grateful for a warm bed and my beenie to sleep with. I'm grateful for food and the ability to prepare it and take care of myself. I am grateful to have a job (i still can't call it a career for some reason) and have it be something I enjoy doing. And I am SO grateful for the people that have come into my life as a result of that. I'm grateful that I not only believe in a God, but that I belong to the only true and full gospel on the earth and that brings me more comfort than any soft blanket could.

Most people don't get the perspective I do of puttering around your house and being able to reflect on all your blessings in silence, without kids underfoot. I get turn on Josh Groban and remember "there's so much to be thankful for." And if that means I get to "have a hard time during the holidays," then I'm thankful for that, too. :)

Welcome to my Winter Wonderland!

And there's more on its way!

Every girl wants a tea set.

When I was a little girl, I wanted a tea set so badly. My older sister had one and I wanted one, too. I'm not sure if I wanted one simply because Meg had one, or if I really thought having a tea set was the coolest thing ever. Regardless, I eventually received my own tea set. I don't remember playing with it very often and now that I look at it, it really doesn't have much wear and tear on it. But l loved it.
I'm obviously much older now and don't keep my tea set out for visitors. However, I do still love a tea kettle and enjoying my wassail or cider or cocoa in a tea cup and saucer.

My adult tea set comes from my Uncle Jay. I'm not sure of the full story behind how the set came to be in my possession (other than MOST dishes in my family end up at my house because I love dishes...). I think the set once belonged to his neighbor's wife and they had a garage sale and Uncle Jay picked it up. I do know that it has the same wheat design on it as my grandma's china. Whether or not that had anything to do with why he got it, I'm not sure. This set is not priceless china and I use it all the time. I love it. And yes, it does make my hot drinks taste better.

Garden Vegetable Pizza

ONE OF MY FAVORITES!

1 13.8 oz refridgerated pizza crust
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 red onion, sliced into rings
1 zucchini, sliced thin
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 Roma tomatoes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out pizza crust on cookie sheet. Place olive oil in small bowl. Infuse garlic into oil using garlic press. Brush oil/garlic mix over dough. Place in oven and cook for seven minutes.
Prepare vegetables while dough is cooking.
Combine all cheeses in a large mixing bowl. Add Italian seasoning and toss lightly together.
Remove dough from oven. Sprinkle half the cheese on dough. Layer with vegetables. Top once more with remaining cheese. Bake 15 minutes to complete. Serve hot!

October was delightful, but...

I've given myself until Sunday. Sunday is my day of pulling it together. During the school year, I use my weekends to pull myself back to my life. I clean. I shop. I sleep and be lazy. I ground myself in my life outside school. I relax and do what I don't have time for. It brings some balance. As you have seen, October was busy for me! I was out pretty much every weekend, traveling or being some place other than my house. It was so fun and I can't say I really regret it. However, the rest of me has suffered a little bit. I've stopped exercising. My bathroom- well- let's just say it needs some attention. I need to clean and do some serious grocery shopping besides milk and bread and cereal. I need to sleep and feel re-freshed. So this is my last busy weekend for awhile. Then on Monday, its back to business. I plan on getting my house cleaned and shelves stocked and body exercised. So look out!

Love TJ Maxx!

If you know me at all, you know I love to find a good deal. And then you also know I love a good dish. Some people go on vacation and bring home t-shirts... I go on vacation and bring home platters and bowls and kitchenware. This past weekend I went to my favorite store for good deals and (even better...) good deals on kitchenware. Never fails! I can always find something that has to be added to my kitchen. Look at this lovely piece! I have a gajillion Christmas dishes. Plenty of every day ware... but nothing for fall or harvest. This is perfect! And of course it looks perfect on my table with my brown tablecloth and amazing wicker pumpkin. You should come see it :)