Christmas Countdown - 2012

[ballcoach]

Gooooooooooood Morning!

Hope this finds everyone having enjoyed the first half of what is a very hot weekend here! Went for my bike ride yesterday at three....reached about 5 miles and it was crazy hot....heat index of 113. We are supposed to get some rain today, so maybe it will cool off before I ride this afternoon.

100 days to the season....I can't wait. I'm taking off work the next day and going to do some Christmas shopping. There are so many things that I look forward to in the next 100....Christmas TV starts up....looking at the schedules and picking what we are going to watch, the Christmas Blossoms thread....Halloween....I just can't wait....

 

[sugar142286]

OOh, that sounds good. I bought a couple packs of that at the end of the season last year...they had them 18 pk for 4.99! YUM

Yea, mine are still good from last year too.

 

[snowflake22]

Hope you guys enjoy! I've never been to one before, but we've passed them. One of my favorite foods is wings and you would think we would have stopped at one. I think the next time we're down at the beach, we will go to one.

Thanks, sugar! It was very good, the waitress scolded us because we hadn't been in for a few months, lol. She's a nice girl, and sees a lot of us during football season! I had boneless parmesan garlic wings & hubby tried a new lemon pepper rub on his reg. wings, and did his usual spicy garlic on the others. YUM!

Good afternoon mmc
Hows ur friday going ?
I have the marquee up for my bbq tomorrow night it was hard as the wind was blowing and even yet it is blowing and am not sure it will be up in the morning ~{{{{... have the tables and chairs all set up and the chocolate fountain as a little treat ..
My brothr was on phone he can not get the kids to come round a inch. they want there mum home as in home to our town but want to give her a hard time...i wish i could stay out of it .
Hope all furbabies is doing good hugs to them all
Enjoy the rest of your friday

Hope you had a blast at your BBQ, and could get things off your mind for a bit! Thinking of you, friend!! xo

I've got 7 years on my wife; she calls me a cradle robber...

Hahaha! Love it! :lol:

Good evening, Christmas family

I am officially done with my old company. Still uncertain about the future with my new company but I do know I HAD to leave my old one........So far I am really pleased with my new company's response to things plus if I have concerns, I can speak with the owner herself and she is a NICE lady!! I will never forget, one time at my old company I had a migraine during my shift. I called to tell them I could not keep typing because of the migraine and the owner got on the phone and pretty much TOLD ME I could not call off because they were behind..... I had vacation and PTO but I guess they were just for show.. Needless to say I typed the rest of that evening with the migraine....I am sure not my best work. But that is over now.

Had another major, MAJOR disagreement with my husband today which is pretty much the ordinary around here so I am a tad down tonight but this is not the time or place to talk about it. My kids are here and they love me and I can't think of a more precious gift xo

I am off to watch HP 7 Deathly Hallows pt 2. Harry always cheers me up.

Praying for your FIL Solice xo And also for you Seawaters and MG Ramsey I have not forgotten your mom xo Praying for you Brad and your friend, Gail and Made your niece is in my prayers still also.

((HUGS))) everyone ESPECIALLY:

Ella, Harlowe, Snowball, Gomez, Ophelia, Sidney, Alex, Merlin, Snickers, Victor, Daisy, Diva, Palmer, Mouse, Bo, Chico, Meca, Alvin, Charlie, Gary, Bailey, Jerrold, Irving, Martha, Uncle Julio, Missy, Scooby, Sasha, Jacob, Cracker, Bunny B, Penny, Pocket, LuLu, Bear-Bear, Stripey, Holly and all furkids everywhere xoxoo

Hope you're feeling much better today, CM3. Hope your HP movie cheered you up! Sending big hugs your way! xo

Snowflake - this is so funny b/c I am 11 months older than my hubby. Our neighbors just realized this last weekend & they have been calling me a cougar every since!!! HA! We had to marry younger men so they could keep up, right??

You got it, that's exactly it, Holiday!! :lol:

I ordered 2 "2012" ornaments for my 2 Goddaughters & I ordered the Angel for the Fontanini nativity scene for another Goddaughter. I am buying her a piece to the fontanini nativity scene for every birthday so when she is 18'ish she should have a whole set & then I'll buy her the stable for her graduation. AND of course along with the order is the tiny candy cane. I am saving that to enjoy on another Christmassy day!!!! I don't know why Bronners candy canes always taste better!!

They all sound lovely!! That's such a beautiful idea @ ordering a new Nativity piece every year for your Goddaughter! My Mom always bought us a new Christmas decoration every year, and would give it to us on Christmas morning. When I moved out for the first time, it all made such wounderful sense! My first year in my apartment, I was in awe. My friends wanted to come over to my place, because they didn't have many decorations, and couldn't afford any. It just gets built up more every year!

Good morning!! It's RAINING!!!!!

I see that I have a lot of reading to do to catch up on yesterday/this mornings posts, so before I begin I wanted to say that I saw my 1st (2) pumpkins on someones porch this morning while walking at the lake! Fall can't be far away now!!! I am never ready for summer to end but I do love fall, so...bring it on!

That's awesome!! Love it!!!

Today is my parents 61st wedding anniversary!!! I'm going to give them a call in a little bit to see what they have planned. Maybe we'll take them out to eat tonight. 2 of my sisters have weddings tonight & another sister has her whole family home for the town festival so everybody is busy today! I should cook for them.... it's a great day for it with the rain & all...

Make it a great day!!

Happy 61st Anniversary to your parents!! How amazing is that?!

Thank you! ♥



The Family Stone is one of my favorite. Love it! Lucky girl!
Sending hugs right back at ya, Mrs Robinson =]

Tehehe! Thanks for the hugs, my friend :*)

My friend loved The Family Stone! She is not a crier, but she shed a few tears =) I always do, lol. LOVE that movie!

Hi all - the past few days have been pretty crappy, so I haven't been online.

Off to bed now, but hopefully tomorrow everything will finally start to get better for me. Optimism at its finest!

I promise to try to catch up on posts tomorrow. In the meantime, I am thinking of all of you and praying for you and your families (as I have been the past few days)! Hope all is well! ♥

Thinking of you Jennifer, hope things get better for you. Sending lots of hugs!! xo

********** MILESTONE DAY **********



Good Morning, my Awesome Olympians.

Enjoying the games? I try to see some of them every day.
It has been an interesting nip and tuck race for the medals lead between the US and China all along.

And what else is interesting and awesome?
This:
Days to the Season: 100
Days to Christmas Day: 142
Oh, yeah!
The 100-day Season Window.
Zowie!!
And tomorrow -- the start of our double-digit count to Christmas Season 2012.
(Ready for things to move into high gear?)

Seemed a bit cooler here yesterday with somewhat lower humidity.
Would be a nice trend if it continues but I won't count on that!
Currently, I read 76.1 degrees on our back door digital thermometer here in the capital city.

You have a Super Sunday, Everybody.
And may the team of your choice find gold!

Good morning,

Getting ready to head to the movies, one of our cats, Alex, got out last night we called and called him after he was outside for a few hours he finally came back. We thought we lost him, since he is such a scaredy cat. But he is home and boy was he glad to see us.

Enjoy your Sunday!

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!! It's FINALLY here!!
Happy Milestone Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)

Oh, I just read this (By Louann)
So wonderful! I Love it. Brought tears to my eyes...

Yes.. Im thinking about Thanksgiving..
Planning..

We are soon ready for dinner.
Are you joining us? =]

Wow, that is so beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!!
Just goes to show that Louann has the ability to amaze me even more everyday- just lovely!! xo

Good morning Christmas family !!

It is raining and gloomy here but we need the rain so bad. No matter, in my soul it is snowy and there is a Christmas tree !!

Today is my Wishbone's 16th birthday !!! He made it !!! I am so happy he is still here with me......I call him my "little man"......

Tomorrow is the first official day of my new job. Ive been doing a few random reports here and there and so far so good except that I am on 100% QA,... which means they all have to be checked so I am on a limited amount I am allowed to do........I hope I can learn the format quickly and get off QA so I can type unlimited !!

Wow !! 100 days to the Season !! I can't wait !! I think I am going to put my mantel Fall stuff out the first of next month and all my Halloween stuff too !! That way I will have a nice long time to enjoy them !! xo

Have a wonderful Sunday Christmas family ! xxo

100 Days To The Season !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Wish!!!!!!!!! Love & hugs to you from Har & I!!!! xo

Good afternoon all

Good Morning, irishsnow!! What a beautiful Santa!!

MY FAV:
Pam’s Fresh Salsa

¼ Cup Jalapeno Peppers (1/2 the seeds) diced fine
2 Cups Fresh Tomatoes diced
½ Cup Green Peppers diced
8 oz. Can Tomato Sauce
½ Cup Onion diced (I used Green Onions KMB)
1tsp. Parsley
1 tsp. Oregano
1 tsp. Salt
2 Tbs. Sugar
2 Tbs. Oil (I used Olive Oil KMB)
2 Tbs. Lemon Juice

Mix and eat yum!

Peach Salsa

3 Quarts Chopped & scalded tomatoes
2 – 12oz. Cans tomato paste
½ C. chopped onion
½ C. celery
1 C. chopped green pepper
1 C. chopped banana peppers
1 C. chopped jalapeno peppers
1 C. white vinegar
¼ C. Brown Sugar
3 Tbsp. Salt
1 ¼ tsp. Paprika
3 pints peach jam (I use 1 - 16 oz. Jar)

Combine all ingredients (except jam) & bring to a boil. Cook on low for 40 minutes & add jam. Put in pint jars & can in a water bath for 25 minutes. Makes 11 – 13 pints.
*remember to use the seeds from both the jalapeno & banana peppers
*Pineapple Jam/Jelly/Preserves are great too!!!
**2008 I added 2 small peaches & I used 1 1/2 – 18 oz. Jars of peach preserves

Jalapeno Pickles
Follow the directions on the "Mrs. Wages" Bread & Butter Pickle package ( make sure to get bread & butter and NOT "sweet") as far as vinegar and sugar goes. Add FRESH cut jalapeño slices to cucumbers in jars -- to taste/hotness desired. I add approx. 1-2 peppers (sliced) per Quart. I also add 1-2 cloves garlic per jar (cut). The only other thing to add that's not on the package directions is 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt per jar right before I put the lids on

GREEN/RED PEPPER JELLY
3-4 GREEN OR RED PEPPER
¼ C. RED ONION
2 BANANA PEPPERS
2 JALAPENO PEPPERS
¾ C. VINEGAR
¾ C. APPLE JUICE
SALT TO TASTE
2 C. SUGAR
¼ C. BROWN SUGAR
DASH OF CHOLULA, OR HOT PEPPER SAUCE

CHOP PEPPERS & ONION. BOIL WATER & POUR OVER VEGGIES TO COVER THEM. LET SET 5 MINUTES, DRAIN. BOIL MORE WATER & POUR OVER VEGGIES – LET SET 10 MINUTES, DRAIN. SIMMER ALL OTHER INGREDIENTS. POUR OVER VEGGIES. SIMMER 10 MINUTES & THEN BRING TO A BOIL. PACK INTO HOT JARS & PROCESS 15 MINUTES IN BOILING WATER CANNER.
I PUT MINE IN ½ PINT JARS & I ALSO LET IT SIMMER UNTIL IT THICKENED AFTER IT BOILED. IT WAS STILL A LITTLE RUNNY, SO I POURED SOME OF THE JUICE OFF. I TRIPLED THIS BATCH & IT MADE 11 – ½ PT. JARS. THE LAST BATCH THAT I MADE I ALSO USED A LITTLE LESS OF THE VINEGAR & APPLE JUICE SO IT WASN’T QUITE AS RUNNY. ADD 1-2 PKGS. SURE GEL
Great poured over a block of cream cheese

Salsa

5 lbs. of tomatoes (peeled & cored) – I boil mine for a minute or 2, put them in cold
water, take the peeling off, & run them through the blender, rather than chopping them.
1 lb. of onion
2 green bell peppers
3-4 jalapeno peppers
5-6 red chili peppers
¾ C. vinegar
3 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. cilantro
½ Tbsp. sugar

Cook till boil on low, the longer it cooks the thicker it will get.

Grilled Stuffed Jalapeno’s

12 Jalapenos
1 pkg. Cream cheese
2 green onions
¼ C. bacon bits (or to taste – I use a little less)
seasoning salt & pepper (to taste)

Slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise & remove seeds. Mix all other ingredients together & stuff inside the jalapeno halves. Put jalapeno’s on a piece of aluminum foil, set on grill & sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture. Grill until cheese is melted & the bottoms of the jalapenos are turning a dark color (black or brown)
I'm told this is also great using banana peppers.


Chuy's Creamy Jalapeno Dip

2 -4 whole fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded, minced (depends on how hot you like it)
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch salad dressing mix
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 of a 4 oz can of green chilies (optional)
a squeeze of fresh lime juice

Place all ingredients into a food processor. Blend until smooth. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hrs or overnight before serving w/ tortilla chips. (DON'T use a blender...it makes it too runny)

YUM!!! Thanks so much for sharing, Holiday!

 

[trackrebel]

I am so tired....lol.....cooked spaghetti bolognese....now I really just want to throw the dishes away...so they don´t have to be washed....lol...I think that is an idea....just using paper plates and stuff like dis....less work

 

[sugar142286]

Thanks, sugar! It was very good, the waitress scolded us because we hadn't been in for a few months, lol. She's a nice girl, and sees a lot of us during football season! I had boneless parmesan garlic wings & hubby tried a new lemon pepper rub on his reg. wings, and did his usual spicy garlic on the others. YUM!

Those wings sound so yumy! I'm glad you guys had a good time!

 

[snowflake22]

Good Morning, Christmas Family!!

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

It has been kind of a crazy one here. I had plans w/ my friend yesterday, and we had lots of fun, but I ended up staying there much longer because of something that happened in her neighborhood. A mysterious death, that has since been called a homicide.. And her husband is out of town, so she was scared- understandably. So was I. I offered to have her come home w/ me, but she wanted to stay there. But I had her lock up tight, turn the alarm on, and she was fine. Cops were crawling all over by the time I left.

Then, on the long ride home last night, there was a bad accident on the freeway. So, I was backed up in that. I missed the GSR show
*Sigh* Bet you all had fun there!

I was wiped out last night, so I crashed early...

Today, I have lots of laundry to do. Housework, too. Har is getting groomed, and Adrian is going biking in the canyons.

What are you guys up to?

Sending lots of hugs! Have an awesome MILESTONE day!!!
:dance:

 

[RadioJonD]

Good Morning, Christmas Family!!

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

It has been kind of a crazy one here. I had plans w/ my friend yesterday, and we had lots of fun, but I ended up staying there much longer because of something that happened in her neighborhood. A mysterious death, that has since been called a homicide.. And her husband is out of town, so she was scared- understandably. So was I. I offered to have her come home w/ me, but she wanted to stay there. But I had her lock up tight, turn the alarm on, and she was fine. Cops were crawling all over by the time I left.

Then, on the long ride home last night, there was a bad accident on the freeway. So, I was backed up in that. I missed the GSR show
*Sigh* Bet you all had fun there!

I was wiped out last night, so I crashed early...

Today, I have lots of laundry to do. Housework, too. Har is getting groomed, and Adrian is going biking in the canyons.

What are you guys up to?

Sending lots of hugs! Have an awesome MILESTONE day!!!
:dance:

Ah! We could have all been tuned in!

Don't worry, you didn't miss much. Five check ins and not much in the way of chatting.

 

[caninemom3]

Oh, I just read this (By Louann)
So wonderful! I Love it. Brought tears to my eyes...

Yes.. Im thinking about Thanksgiving..
Planning..

We are soon ready for dinner.
Are you joining us? =]

Thank you Solice !!! I am so thankful for your comments. I love to write but I am not good at it. Thanks for visiting Real Thanksgiving xoxo The only thing I know to write about is my parents and my family....that is where my heart is I guess xo

 

[xmas365]

He came home with Dunkin Donuts, just what we all needed. I had a blueberry muffin donut, so out of the ones he picked, I think that was the best option, although, no donut is a good one!
]

That is never an option! cheesy

 

[caninemom3]

Seriously? QVC sells Christmas Hams??? That just sounds funny! :lol:

I agree Holiday !! It DOES sound funny !! :yahoo:

 

[xmas365]

Good Morning MMC!!!!! We had a nasty storm roll through about 6am that woke everyone up. So the coffee has been flowing since then. At least we got almost an inch of rain. I'm not sure what's going on here today. I think we're headed downtown for a while and then it's going to be back home to rest before we head out tomorrow morning. I hope everyone has a GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At least you got some rain, it may have been a rude way to get it though. cheesy

 

[caninemom3]

Cm3: Seeing your signature, got me to thinking...I didn't want anymore coffee right now, but I still wanted something hot, so I made hot apple cider in my Keurig. Thanks for the idea!

You are so welcome !!! xo

 

[caninemom3]

speaking of the countdown,,,, I early early claim the 4th day special posting.. per a tradition that does back to the early days of MC.com.. ohhh those early days... Crown/Jayish/Cedar.. the site collapsed and we were frantic.. we found each other again...friends... together again with new friends....

YABBA! COFFEE ,,,,,,,,,

Binger it is always nice to see you here !! We are so lucky to have you as one of our Christmas family xo

I am to afraid to ask for a special day.......What if I wouldn't be able to think of anything ????:sad::sad:

 

[xmas365]

We're not leaving until tomorrow morning!!! We're to old to go camping when they are calling for massive storms with 70mph winds.

That could be a fun ride inside of a tent though. cheesy Just wear a helmet.

 

[caninemom3]

We have 2 seasons: 1 month of cool weather the rest hot! (slight exaggeration!)



Give Wish a hug from me!!!

Awwwww.......Thank you xooxoxox

 

[caninemom3]

Happy Birthday, Wish! Good luck tomorrow! You will do great!

I think that sounds great about your decorations. I usually put my out the second week. I like to keep my summer decor up until the first week of September, until Labor Day weekend is over.

Thank you Sugar !! xo You are such a wonderful Christmas friend xo

 

[caninemom3]

Happy Birthday to Wish!!!!!!!

I'm sure you'll do great at the new job!!!

Thanks Made !!!!!

 

[caninemom3]

Good afternoon all

Hi Irishsnow !! I LOVE this Santa !!

 

[xmas365]

Good morning Christmas family !!

It is raining and gloomy here but we need the rain so bad. No matter, in my soul it is snowy and there is a Christmas tree !!

Today is my Wishbone's 16th birthday !!! He made it !!! I am so happy he is still here with me......I call him my "little man"......

Tomorrow is the first official day of my new job. Ive been doing a few random reports here and there and so far so good except that I am on 100% QA,... which means they all have to be checked so I am on a limited amount I am allowed to do........I hope I can learn the format quickly and get off QA so I can type unlimited !!

Wow !! 100 days to the Season !! I can't wait !! I think I am going to put my mantel Fall stuff out the first of next month and all my Halloween stuff too !! That way I will have a nice long time to enjoy them !! xo

Have a wonderful Sunday Christmas family ! xxo

100 Days To The Season !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy B-day to Wish!

 

[caninemom3]

I agree with you, this is why I love living in PA! My only complaint is that I wish fall here lasted a little bit longer. It seems like we only have a month or so of fall-like weather before it gets really cold and wintery. I remember spending a few Trick or Treats being bundled up and in snow boots because of early snow! It's always nice to bring on the Christmas spirit, but then the months after Christmas are long and cold! This year we didn't have much of a spring, either. It was in the 80's in March! I have a feeling it's going to start getting cooler around here pretty soon - I kind of hope so! We've had a hot, hot summer!

I know what you mean......I have spent a few Trick-or-Treat the evenings (it was in the evening when I was little) trudging through the snow with a Winter coat on as a kid.....