Tuesday, December 10, 2013

It's Christmas Time in the....Rental.... Bah Hum Bug!

I love Christmas... it's my favorite time of year.  I love the lights, the smells, the hustle and bustle and all the happy faces at the toy stores... I love it all.  So, this year being in a temporary rental house with no place to put anything and all my good stuff still in storage bins, my Christmas spirit has been dampened.  I have, however, managed to display a few of my favorite red and white pieces and a few of my new thrift store finds.  Take a look.... just ignore the bare walls..... a renters nightmare.... not being able to put holes in the walls.
My Santa collection- the locomotive Santa and the Fishing Santa were found last week at the Goodwill by my mom. She is a good finder.
My Santa Collection on top of my antique china closet.... I hate the bare wall.....YUCK
My dried arrangement in the foyer with a hint of red for the Christmas season.
My new bookcase and my collection of red and white Santa mugs and other pretties.
I love my Harry and David cups and plates. 

A better view.

The mantel.... don't know why I hung 2 stockings... ONLY one of us has been good.
My Santa tree.

My new Santa vase.... A gift from my mom... I love her!
Two of my favorites.... The red one was a gift from my daughter. Love her too!
The kitchen beverage station... ready for Christmas.  Well almost, I need some goodies for the cake stands.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

He really is my "Old" man...

On January 7th, 2013 my younger man finally joined us in the "Over the Hill" club.  I wanted to give him a surprise party but if you knew him you'd understand why I didn't go that route.  He embraced 50 much better than I did. I was curled up on the sofa on my big day SICK!  I wondered how he was gonna take all the gag gifts we got him so I asked my daughter if she thought it was too much and she reminded me of her 20th birthday party when he gave her dog poop wrapped up in a box.... I guess I had my answer.... Pay backs are.... well you know.

Here's the party table.

 
 
 
 
 
 
And this is the beautiful cake my talented cake baker daughter made for Billy....and my attempt at a sucker bouquet. 
 
 
 
 
 
I must give credit to my sister for giving me a new recipe to try for the party. She found it on pinterest
adapted via kendallboggs.com
These were super easy and I had no leftovers.  All you need is:
3 pkgs. mini fillo shells {in the frozen aisle}
1 can Rotel, drained almost all the way {I used Mild}
1 bag real bacon bits
1 1/2 cups shredded colby & monterrey jack cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
 
In a large bowl, mix together almost fully drained Rotel, bacon bits, and mayo until blended.
Add in the cheese and stir until mixed.
Now go ahead and fill your shells.
 
Pop these in the oven and cook at 350 for about 15-20 minutes.
 
Hmmmm.... oh yeah... back to the party.  This is Billy opening his age appropriate gifts.
 
DIAPERS.... and
 
 
 
 
 
A Pill Reminder Box
 
 
 
And explaining the diapers to the grandkids....
 
 
 
 
My beautiful grandbabies...... plus one...patiently waiting to eat.
 
 
 
I love parties.... minus all the work .  Glad this one only happens every 50 years.  
 
 Happy Birthday Billy Head!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Pumpkin Parfaits

Okay so October is almost here and I guess that means I should start planning my Thanksgiving meal, I mean after all I only have 21 people coming to dinner that day.  I tried this recipe out on my parents and hubbie a couple months ago and they voted it a keeper.  Looks like I have made a start...this will make its way to my Thanksgiving table.

Pumpkin Parfaits

12 Biscoff Cookies, crushed into crumbs

1 tablespoon butter, melted

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 cup pure pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

½ cup sugar

2 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ginger

1/8 tsp.nutmeg

1 large tub (12 oz) whipped topping, thawed, divided

Directions:

1.       In a medium bowl, combine Biscoff cookie crumbs and butter.  Divide the crumbs into the bottoms of your trifle glasses.  Gently press crumbs to form an even layer crust.

2.      In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add pumpkin, vamilla, sugar , brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.  Beat until well combined and creamy.

3.      Use a spatula to fold in half of the whipped topping.  Gently combine ingredients until no streaks remain.

4.      To assemble the trifles:  Pipe or spoon a layer of pumpkin cheese onto the Biscoff crust followed by a layer of whipped topping.  Repeat layers until your trifle reaches the top of the glass or jar.

5.      Store trifles in the refrigerator until ready to serve.  If desired, garnish with cookie crumbs.