Sunday, December 29, 2013

A VERY BLONDIE CHRISTMAS


My descent into pain and misery occurred after all of the festivities of Christmas so I still have much to share with you.  I have done this post in baby steps so I don't get yelled at for being out of bed.















This year I veered away from the usual overnight egg casserole as I found a slow cooker recipe that sounded really neat.  It's layers of frozen hash browns, peppers and onion, 2 types of shredded cheese and then an egg mixture poured over.  Problem was, I'd have to wait until 2:00 a.m. to have it ready in 8 hours, or 6:00 a.m. to do it in 4 hours on high.  So I set my alarm for 5, jumped up, threw it together and then went back to bed for a few more Zzzzzz's.  It was delicious, very moist and so easy to serve right out of the crock.

Along with the egg dish, we had pancakes, bacon, toast and fruit.  I set up little 'cooking stations' so everyone could help.  MC was in charge of bacon at the stove, Deirdre made pancakes on my big electric skillet, Abby made toast and Emily fussed with the buffet.  





Brunch wrapped up about 1:00, and then The Husband and I joined Kevin and MC at her sister's home with her whole family, all of whom we love.  Abby and her boyfriend, Tom were also there.  Emily and Jeffrey had other plans.  Katie does a beautiful dinner of fillets, mashed potatoes, asparagus, homemade rolls and plenty of beautiful desserts.  We had such a great time, although this is about when my back started going to hell. :(





Okay, I've been up long enough.  If I had done this post in parts between going back to bed, this would be about Part 8.  Ha!  My doctor is a great lady and she gave me this tip for icing my back and I thought it was so great that I'd pass it on to anyone that might have to use it (hopefully not).  Fill a Styrofoam cup with water and freeze it.  When it's ready, peel off about the first inch and then hold it by the cup part and massage the ice on your back (or wherever).  So much better then an ice pack.  I can't say anything good about the pain medication, it gives me a headache.  How can that be?  Should I take Tyelenol with it for the head part?

I will be back in a few days with my "Year In Review"  I did that for the first time last year and I really enjoyed going through my old posts and pictures.  As my blogger friend, Carol, wrote to me today, it gives you a nice perspective on the year.  I've often gone back to that post, it cheers me up when I feel I'm not accomplishing things...yes, Jane, you have and did.  And it makes you feel amazing that you made it through some rough waters...yes, Jane, you survived!

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year! :) 

XO,
Jane

Monday, December 23, 2013

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS


We have flies.  Why?  And we have squirrels in the garage (as you already know), that now sit quite confidently on The Husband's sleek 2 seater sports car.  I think that they are laughing at me when I catch them, they pause, take another bite out of whatever they're eating from MY GARBAGE CANS, and then scurry out.  And with The Husband using my car in the winter as he always does since his car is not made for driving in snow, sleet and rain...I depend on my children to get me from point A to Z.   They call it, "Driving Miss Daisy".  And I broke my glasses as well as a $50.00 platter that was a gift.  I lost my internet for a few days and it turned out to be the router coming unplugged in the office.  Just stupid s***, (now that you know I use that word a lot).

Okay, I painted these letters from Michael's and they are above my kitchen cabinets.  I have little lights in front of them and they look wonderful at night.  Maybe I will glitter or distress them one day, but for now I just like them red and cheery.  'Cuz I need that.













Merry Christmas to all of you, my friends! :)

XO,
Jane

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

MORE CHRISTMAS & SOME MEMORIES

Also on my dresser I have these little choir girls.  Do you remember these?  I sure do, and years ago I found reproductions in the Vermont Country Store catalog.  I remember these as a child; where my mother had them displayed, I'm not sure.  But I remember them vividly.  I had five and The Husband broke the head off one the other day.  I tried to melt the wax with a match and it just turned black.  So sad.  These are on my dresser as well and the sun was shining in so perfectly.  I would never light the wick...who wants to see their little heads burning off! :(

I am so not organized (as Chandler would say).  I don't mean to complain but I will anyway.  I sleep so poorly...in bed at 10:00...toss and turn til 1:00...get up and look at emails, go back to bed and toss and turn til 4:00 a.m. and then sleep pretty well til 9.  Okay. big deal.  I make my plans for the day, especially for the holidays, like today...wrap gifts and make cookie dough.  Oh yeah, more like laundry, running to the pharmacy and vacuuming up tree needles!!  Thank goodness we can order pizza!

So I'm off to bed.  Tomorrow is another day to wrap and say Hello to that guy in BROWN, if you know what I mean!!!! :)  And then wrap some more.  But oh...so ever grateful for the abundance and blessings we have!

Happy Holidays to all of you, my friends! :)

XO,
 Jane

Friday, December 13, 2013

MAKING CHRISTMAS HAPPEN


So here is the pretty tree for 2013!  Packed to the gills with so many of our memories of 28 years.  Whispering:  I can say that because tomorrow is our Anniversary!!  And that's the new tree skirt that Sonya made for me that I showed you a few weeks ago.  I love it.  Ignore that goofy quilt on the chair...that's "Milo's chair", and I have to fold it because he jumps on the arms to look out the window and they are getting a bit worn.  Dogs!  In a future post I will get some close ups of my favorite ornaments.









Another thing I discovered and used is the color red.  I'm not a red person at all although I love to see it in others homes.  And I mean that (especially you, Brenda!).  But not only do I not look good in it, (totally washes me out ghost-like),  but I really don't have a lot primary colors in my home. I guess I'm just not that sort of bold person.  Pastels are hesitant, introverted and non committal.  But I digress, as we all do, I made the leap and threw red into the mix.  Poinsettia's, tartan bows, bright red candles and candy in the  dishes.  I have more to show you...just not now...this is just enough.  But I feel sort of liberated!  And inspired,  (those Home Tours are quite inspiring if I say so myself! :)  Still don't know how to get on one! lol!



  

I feel that Christmas spirit as real as the candles I'm burning right now that smell of pine.  Emily came and decorated much of the tree and we drank red wine (sometimes it takes a village!).  Abby worked on her Christmas list.  I've done a little online shopping and I'm looking forward to some wrapping tomorrow.  I want to make the dough for my cookies and I'm hoping...just hoping that maybe The Husband will take me out for our anniversary.  To think...28 year ago we were getting married and on our way to Hawaii.  Christmas didn't seem to exist there (except for Elvis singing Blue Christmas in almost every bar, restaurant and store we went into). But all of that's okay...we still have each other and more...and like the new candles on the mantel and spreading Christmas cheer throughout the house...life changes and becomes more abundant...not with material things, but with the memories and the makings of new memories. :)

Feeling the love this holiday season,

XO,
Jane

Joining the party at Dwellings-The Heart of your Home for Amaze Me Monday!!



















Tuesday, December 10, 2013

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS AROUND US


Saturday we were off on our adventure to the Christmas Tree Farm.  Yep, just looking for that Christmas spirit!!  It was about a 45 minute drive south of here.  Lots of farmland and little subdivisions popping up here and there.  We really had high expectations for a fun afternoon.









 





To make it even more like Christmas, Emily and I were off and shopping yesterday.  As cold as it has been, I really wanted to do more shopping out in the big world than online.  I've been a real avid online consumer over the past few years and I think I have really muddled up the concept of buying a gift and true gift giving.  Don't pay any attention to me...I just miss the good old days of being around people, the crabby and the cheery, all at once, weighted down by bags and the sights and smells of Christmas.  The mall we went to wasn't crowded at all and we rarely had to wait in line anywhere.  As usual, Emily is great at putting together ideas...if you get someone cute jammies, get them a scented candle, too.  If you find the perfect book for someone, how about a cute mug for their tea?  I crossed a lot of people off my list.  We shopped from 1:00 to 5:00 and I could have kept going!


Remember Pauly the Personality from my last post?  Yes, the master carpenter that put my hall closet doors on.  He was back again bright and early to install my new light over the sink and add the wood panel with the hooks to the closet.  Does he not look just as I described him?  He never stops talking and once you get used to the never ending dialogue, it seems pretty normal.  He's quite fascinating.  Today I found out his son is a professional motorcycle racer and his daughter is an award winning competitive equestrian jumper.  They have several horses on a farm in an area they own acreage in and plan to move to one day.  I was taking my mantel apart, actually the whole house it seems, to decorate and he jumped right in with ideas for the mantel.  And they were fantastic!  Later he showed me some pictures on his phone of homes he has worked on, remodeling/renovation type of work.  My mouth was hanging open.  He did $1.2 million dollars of work on a beer baron's 5K home up near Milwaukee.  The staircase alone looked like it belonged in Liberace's home.  Yes, as you get to know people, you can unearth some interesting things.  I thought my morning was going to be spent listening to him talk and perhaps even rap a little more today for us, but instead I was asking him question after question  He really is an amazing guy that loves life, loves his life and after you get used to him constantly moving, talking and laughing (and using a power drill I might add), he's great!







Stay warm and dry.  I will have some pretty pictures for you the next time I pop in! :)

XO,
Jane