Day 5 ~ EARLY

 

My cup full of coffee w/ cream!!! YUM!

Come join us in The Idea Room for this fun meme! It helps me stay on target of posting something each day of January, even if it is a simple picture. I hope this will help launch me back into the habit of journaling our lives on my blog more consistently!

Day 4 ~ Bright!

Guest bath vanity lights!

Photo A Day meme at The Idea Room
#theidearoom

Day 3 ~ Organized!

 

UMMM NOT YET OBVIOUSLY!

I’m participating in another Photo A Day meme for the month of January and our word on the list  for today is “ORGANIZE”. I hope that means to START organizing!!

I’ve been experiencing quite a lot of pain for the past two weeks and haven’t been able to do daily household chores much less attempt to put away our Christmas décor. But thank the Lord, today I felt enough reprieve from pain that I excitedly pulled some boxes to the middle of our garage floor and began packing away our Christmas decorations. This should all be put away by tomorrow. I still have to take down the tree.

 

Another area that needs my attention and some purging is our office. We moved in a year ago and I still haven’t gotten the office organized, but that all changes this month!

 

What about you? Have you been bitten by the PURGING BUG or ORGANIZING BUG already this New Year?

Resolution for the New Year

 

 

 DAY 2 ~ Photo A Day @ #theidearoom

You can see "resolution" is listed as our photo topic for today, January 2. 2013. 

 Join in the fun at The Idea Room

I do this at the start of each new year, make a resolution, even though I know I will fail at some point. (You know the old regulars like *lose weight * get in better shape * exercise more.....). Many folks scoff at the idea of making "New Year's Resolutions" but I know you agree with me about the importance of us all having goals of some sort.  I mean, that is one of the things I find so exciting about a new year - turning the page! It's the feeling of a new beginning!

See these beautiful little ones in the photos below?

My resolution for 2013 is to spend more time with these kiddos! 

At our church, I am the Children's Church teacher. I enjoy preparing the lessons and snacks for each week. The children are sweet and very loving in my class - (most of the time) *smiles*. However, with the recent realization of just how fast they're growing up and how the world is vying for their attention already, it has recently laid heavy on my heart that I need to reach out and try to become more involved with them during the week. An hour or so at church on Sunday morning and a snack from a loving teacher just isnt' enough. That's not going to cut it in giving them the spiritual strength, knowledge, and tools they need to stand up to the many hurtful temptations in this fallen world. I ask you to pray with me for the precious young lives I am a part of. I've lived with a chronic illness since the age of 27. 
for the past two months, my disease has been in a very active mode. I see a new specialist soon. I need to feel better physically in order to follow through with what the Lord has laid on my heart, so I'd appreciate your prayers in the specific area of my health.
 


I know they will most likely make some poor decisions in the future, but I have been there, done that. If/When that happens, I hope to be there with unconditional love for them;  to help dust them off and get them going on the right track again.



Things I have in mind for the year as my health allows:

*Invite the child's family to our home for a meal; include a short devotion.

*Invite one child at a time to spend a Sunday afternoon with us.

*Let children take turns helping Shane and I pass out food & water bottles to the homeless.

*Deep clean the classroom together on a Saturday. Pizza party afterwards.

*If you have any suggestions on ways I can disciple these children more frequently, I'd love to hear them. The logistics will be interesting since the children and I live in scattered towns.

12:01 am ~ Happy New Year!!

 

No New Year's Eve party for us this year. Agustin had to work. But after I spent a quiet night at home, sick I might add, he surprised me by walking in the door about five minutes to midnight!

My honey, it seems, was able to steal away from work just in time to step in the door and watch the ball drop with me, then...

 

the New Year's kiss!

 

 

 

Oh, did I mention he brought home Mexican food too?

I'm participating in #The Idea Room's Photo A Day meme.

Here's her list of some of the fun things we'll be capturing with our cameras and posting either to Instagram, Twitter, or our Blogs.

Why don't you join in the fun with us?!?

Day 31 ~ Reflecting on 2012

Well, this is the last day of the #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY meme I've been participating in. I believe I managed to post a photo each day capturing the month of December. Sure, some were doubled up on various days to make up for what I missed,

but I did it nonetheless!

 

For this the final day of 2012, I'd like to share a few of our highlights from this busy year!

• Our niece Jewel graduated from college in Jacksonville, Fl
• Our nephew David graduated from college near Chicago, Il
• My cousin, Garin, married his beautiful Casie
• My niece Jackie and her family visited us from Paraguay & I got to introduce her to Taco Bus
• The RNC came to town
• My Aunt Phyllis made her debut on ESPN
• My sister & her family visited in June which afforded her a rare chance to be with our dad on Father's Day
• Our first born moved into his first apartment
• Our baby turned 15

 

And Agustin & I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary!

Day 30 ~ "Jingles" Goes A Fishin'

 I enjoyed participating #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY meme with Social Savvy Mom and Kerry Bergman. Tomorrow, my final post will be about my goals for the new year, 2013.


Before allowing me to pack him away with the other Christmas decorations, our buddy "Jingles" wanted one last excursion for the year 2012. I couldn't resist his begging so I gave in and let him hang out at his favorite "fishin' hole" before being placed in his storage box. I'll miss this little bear and all of his shenanigans!

If you've followed my posts throughout December, I'd love to hear which of "Jingles" predicaments you enjoyed most.

Good bye you naughty little bear!

Day 29 ~ Tis the Season for the 7 Day Diet Weight Loss Wonder Soup!

After all the rich and delicious foods during the holidays,  my husband and I are so ready to detox and eat healthy. I've heard rave reviews about "The Cabbage Soup Seven Day Diet" being a quick start to weight loss and a great way to detox. It's supposed to help rid your body of uric acid build up. I think I tried this years ago and felt much better afterward. So here's the recipe and the week's instructions to go with it just in case you'd like to give it a shot!

(If anyone has tried this before, I'd love to hear your review. I think I remember my sister Rita doing this a couple of years ago!)

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7-Day Diet Weight Loss Soup (Wonder Soup)

Author: Divas Can Cook

Recipe type: Soup

 Ingredients

• ½ head of cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 cup white or yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 14 oz can basil, oregano, garlic diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• few shakes of black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add celery, onions, bell peppers, and carrots.
3. Saute until slightly tender.
4. Stir in garlic.
5. Pour in chicken broth.
6. Stir in tomatoes and cabbage.
7. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.
8. Cook until cabbage is tender.
9. Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt (if using)
10. Taste broth and adjust seasoning if needed.
11. Serve and enjoy!

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This recipe came from Divas Can Cook which is
Old School Cooking For The Modern Woman.
Make sure you go check out the website for more great recipes.

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Read More http://divascancook.com/2012/10/wonder-soup-recipe-weight-loss-soup-7-day-diet-cabbage-soup.html


CLICK HERE FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE WEEK

I will start this after New Year's party! ;)

Day 28 ~ Just the Right Medicine for Me Today

 

 Having had several days of pain with an R.A. flare, I needed some relief. I'm so thankful for praying friends and the power of prayer! The good Lord saw fit to send me some relief today and I'm happy to report that I was able to do some light housekeeping. Not only did I feel well enough to change the sheets on our bed, I also had the "oomph" to put away Christmas dishes and silverware. That's so much more than I accomplished yesterday!

I love using my Lenox flatware during the holidays!

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Days 24 - 27 Catching up on my #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY

Well, I can't believe Christmas has come and gone already. Due to my son having strep throat, hubby just getting over a terrible bout with the flu, and me having a flare up with my R.A. - we didn't do our traditional Christmas Eve homemade Mexican meal. Agustin and Josh both had to work on Christmas Eve anyway. So Shane and I stayed home and rested.

DAY 24 ~ CHRISTMAS EVE

Agustin brought us some delicious Mexican food from Cantina Laredo.

 Beans & Rice

 

 

 

 Fixin's for Steak & Chicken Fajitas

 

 Platter of gourmet cookies dropped off by neighbors on Christmas Eve & a "Tres Leches Cake" dropped off at hubby's work on Christmas Eve from a former employee. So sweet!

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Day 25 ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

 We found "JINGLES" the bear in another predicament on Christmas morning! It seems he had a craving for some chocolate kisses during the night while we slept!

 

My sweet family posing for our annual picture with the tree. My poor hubby was recouping from a terrible bout with the flu and Shane (in green) was still sick with strep throat. He really didn't want to leave his comfy couch to pose for this! You can't tell a bit from his expression, can you??? ;)

 I was pleased we were just able to get him *vertical*!!.

On Christmas Day, we kept it pretty low key. Extended family came over for a nice meal and gift exchange. None of us bought a lot of gifts this year. I didn't feel well most of the month and had only shopped twice.  I had only bought a couple of things for Shane. I gave out checks and restaurant gift cards mostly. Agustin and I had agreed not to buy each other anything; but I did end up printing out a photo our son took of us on one of our date nights and put it in a new frame that I hadn't used yet. I wrapped it up for him and he seemed very pleased when he opened it.

 

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Day 26 ~ The photo I wrapped up for hubby.

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

Day 23 ~ Jingles the Bear caught "in the act"!!!

 

I think our little "Jingles" the Bear has been eating too many candycanes? What do you think?

 

 I should have warned the poor little thing

to ALWAYS lock the door for privacy!

Day 22 ~ Sleigh Full of Fruit

During the Christmas season, I enjoy using this little sleigh as a fruit bowl. I added the jingle bells for a tad more flair. Isn't it cozy looking, setting there on our breakfast table?

 

 

Days 20 and 21 ~ Part 2 of Peanut Butter Ball Making

Days 20  & 21 of @HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY

Capturing the Season in Photos

 

My mother and youngest son have gotten together to make these delicious Peanut Butter balls for years, since he was tiny!! This year was no different except for ... well you'll see if you watch the video at the end of this post! ;)

 

 

Shane & his grandma working diligently

while I'm in the office.

 

They call me in to snap some photos of their progress. I had been hearing an awful lot of giggling.

The finished product! They turned out so creamy and delicious!

 

Shane remembered his older brother likes his Peanut Butter Balls best if not dipped in chocolate so he built him a Christmas tree with the plain P.B. balls and decorated it! I think it's adorable!!

 Delilah was thrilled to help! She really cleaned that bowl well!

 

Just a few moments earlier, a lot of laughing and noise brought me into the kitchen. They were having way too much fun in there! This is what I found! Pay close attention to our "ninja-dog" Delilah!

Note Card Party at Vee's

 I was so happy to stumble upon A Haven for Vee tonight and find that she is hosting a Christmas Note Card Party. I'm excited to add my post to Mr. Linky and then head out to visit some new to me blogs!
To join in, come on over to Vee's Note Card Party!!

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These are a few of my favorite things!

An ornament to remind us of the REASON for the SEASON!

 

 

A glimpse of our tree.

 

A house we caroled at last year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from our house to yours!

Day 19 ~ Capturing the Season

Day 19 ~ #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY

I love the warmth and coziness
that Christmas decor
brings to our home!

Click on photo to enlarge.  

Day 18 of Capturing the Season

Let the night of Grandma & Grandson Peanut Butter Ball making commence!
This year they had an extra helper - our new buddy Jingle Bear! He kept inching closer and closer!

 Delilah knew she smelled peanut butter!

Days 17 & 18 ~ Capturing the Season

Day 18 ~ Tuesday

My view right now as I sip on Apple Cinnamon Spice Tea and blog at my breakfast nook table. It's our front door waiting for you to come a knockin'!!!  Come on over and I'll fix you a cup and we can talk all night!

Day 17 ~ Monday

Our little friend, “Jingle Bear” made another appearance Monday, but he wasn’t being NAUGHTY---he was being NICE!!
Can you tell what he did to help out around the house on Monday?

Capturing the Season~Days 15 & 16

Saturday's #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY

Day 15

 

Jingle Bear is at it again! He opened our mail! In doing so, he got the honors of opening our first Christmas Card of the season---

 

and reading it. (HOW RUDE!)

 

 

But he's so cute - I can't be angry at him!

 

Thanks to Andy and Natalie Williams for their sweet card!

 

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Day 16 of #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY

 

 

Glimpses of our tree