Breakfast with Santa

My sister started a new family Christmas tradition last year.

Her and her husband takes all the kids and

their parents to Breakfast with Santa.

It is hosted by O'Charlie's and benefits Toy's for Tots.

So we always get a group photo with the Marine

who is there to host the event.

My youngest will probably not want to get

a pic taken with Santa very much longer, so I was 

so glad she did this year.

My oldest with my G-babies.

(Grandson had to have Mommy with him!)

We all have such a great time! I think I actually 

enjoy it as much as the children!

My sister with my Granddaughter and my Great-Niece.

I also like that this event helps to teach our children

that giving to those less fortunate is very important.

Getting into the Christmas spirit over here!

I hope you all have enjoyed a great weekend!

Blessings!

Just a Country Girl

For most of my life I've lived in the same small town.

It's one of those quiet little southern towns where
everyone knows one another,

where if you need something theres always someone 
there to help.

I moved to the "Big City", as my Daddy would call it,
when I was in my twenties.

That lasted for about six and a half years,
and I couldn't wait to get back

to my sweet little town.

Many things have changed around town. The S&H Supermarket has long been closed.

(Me and my friends in front of the old S&H circa 1986)

The school that everyone in town attended for many generations has been torn down.

There are so many improvements and so much growth also.

I've been back for a little over 15 years now and I 
know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this 
is where I was meant to be.

I love this little town!

Wishing you Blessings!

CHRISTmas Past...

Me and my girls have drug all the decorations

out of the barn, Thanksgiving has come and gone, 

so it's that time again!

Time to decorate for CHRISTmas!!!

The photos being shared today are from

CHRISTmas 2011.

This is our tree full of memories.

Each ornament has been collected over the years

and has a special meaning.

Sometimes it's good to look back over the years

at how your style and decor has changed.

I've always loved to use objects for something 

other than what was intended.

Like an antique bundt pan for a tree stand.

Or antique silver flatware as ornaments.

I hope you've enjoyed a look back!

I must get busy decorating!

Fun, fun, fun! :)

Thankfulness

We celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving with family

yesterday. We are so thankful for all of the

blessings GOD has given us over the past year.

HE never ceases to amaze me!

I hope you and your family enjoyed a

Wonderful Thanksgiving also!

My cup runneth over!

Stay tuned...

 Looking forward to spending the day tomorrow with

my oldest daughter.

We will be working on a couple of diy projects.

I'll take a few pics and post them soon.

In the meantime let me get started on

decking the halls!

Blessings!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Me and Katie (my youngest) had a little

craving for something sweet

the other day.

I got out my local Woodmen of The World cookbook

turned a few pages in the dessert section and 

there it was...

A recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Simple and easy!

I took no time at all for us to whip up a batch.

(I love the way my house smells when baking is going on!)

They turned out to be one of the best 

chocolate chip cookies I've ever eaten!

So I thought I would share!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

by Sandra Lancaster

2 1/4  c. flour

1 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together 

flour. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until 

light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; beat well. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture; mix well. Add chocolate chips; mix well. Roll heaping tablespoons of dough

into balls. Place each ball 2 inches apart on an un-greased 

cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. 

Remove and cool on cookie sheet. 

Makes 3 dozen.

Enjoy with a cold glass of milk! 

:)

Autumn Vignettes

I love autumn and all it entails...

changing leaves in beautiful shades of red, yellow, orange

and brown

bonfires and s'mores

fall festivals and fairs

crisp cool mornings

pumpkins 

apple cider & pie... 

I love a big pot of homemade soup

or chili simmering on the stove,

and an iron skillet of cornbread in the oven.

I also love decorating for Fall.

My favorites to decorate with are bird nests, pumpkins

ravens, leaves, acorns...

adding these natural elements to my cloches

are one of my favorites!

 A few of my vintage dogs made them even

cuter I think!

I like that I don't have to change a lot, just add

a few of the fall elements to

the vignettes that I already have.

I wish that the fall decor lasted a little longer.

And I always think I'll let them hang around at least

until Thanksgiving,

but that never works.

I always start itching to put Christmas trees up,

so that when we come home from my

sisters house Thanksgiving night

we can turn on the lights of the trees 

and relax.

I look forward to getting together with my family.

We have so much to be thankful for this year.

GOD continues to run my cup over.

Wishing you all a very safe, blessed and 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I will give thanks to the LORD

with my whole heart;

I will recount all of YOUR

wonderful deeds.

~ Psalm 9:1