Toot your horn.

This past weekend we had the first of many family Christmas gatherings. 

Most of my gatherings are well, rather reserved.

This one was my husbands fathers's family and we (they) have a good time.

He has an Aunt, an Aunt Wanda we all need one.

She is kind and fun-loving and well she is that lady, the one who always has the game we can play.

This is the time when those who hate party games make their way into the hallway or back to the kitchen

and those of us (that's me) who enjoy party games, well we put on our game face.

This year's game was by far my most favorite ever.
Christmas crackers (those things pictured above), are fun in themselves....well
have you did these before, I had not, you pull them apart and goodies fall out.
These were stuffed with a tiny horn and a number
and my oh my a crown cut from sheet music it was fabulous.

One  of the crackers was filled with a list of songs and a directing wand, the person with those goodies was the conductor and the rest of us, the ones with the horns, we were the Christmas orchestra.

Fun and easy.
Each horn has a number when the conductor points to you you play.
What happens then is pure magic.
Songs...they happen.
Out of tune? Yes
Laughter ? Yes
Fun ? Yes
Screechy at times? Yes
But Christmas songs...we were good...we were real good.
The crowns we were wearing made it even better...we were cute.
A little crown wearing, horn blowing Christmas band.

Those of you who choose to stay in the hall or kitchen you will miss out.
This was such a fun time.

You can get hand bells too.
Maybe next year...........

There are several places I saw online where you can buy these.
Your still have time to get this for your party.
I searched Christmas Crackers horns and/or hand bells.

Fun. Serious. Don't stay in the kitchen. Wear your crown. Play.

see ya'll

My Week of Instagram

1. My snuggle-bug puppy.  This dog has virtually no hair therefore in the winter she freezes, so she wants to cuddle all the time.  So sweet.
2. In December I ONLY go to Wal-Mart before 8:00 a.m.  I don't really like going ever....at all, but I'm sorry their prices can rarely be beat.
3. My favorite tree.
4. Reading time...with cold cuddle dog.
5. Rudolph is a STEELER fan.
6. Sunrise = Amazing.
7. Chloe bought this strange stuff at the school holiday shoppe, it's very therapeutic to shape and mold it.
8. Ticky the elf hijacked Chloe's Rudolph coloring book, she was not real happy about the scribble.
9. Just some of my vintage books

see ya'll

Thursday

Done.   Cute.   Festive.
One decent photo of Chloe in front of the tree, a boring and classic shot I know, but one I always feel like
I have to get.
Kids are so excited around Christmas and getting one to be still for a photo is nearly impossible.
Yes, she loathes that gigantic bow, but she indulges me and wears it around Christmas.....I love her.

My favorite Christmas decoration.
A charming, dreamy tree from my Mom.
Beauty.

Oh Ticky.
You did indeed bury yourself inside my apothecary jar of bubble gum.
You sneaky funny lil' elf.
You are also a very lucky elf, because if you had broken my apothecary jar you would have
promptly received  a one way ticket back to the North Pole Mister.

Maintenance Required.
I need an oil change and I know that is why the light is on.
But it still makes me nervous, even though I know nothing is wrong with my car. 
I wonder if the people in the cars beside me can see it and I then wonder if they think hey lady...something is wrong with you car. 
Oh no, I just need an oil change.

My absolute favorite snack.  Have you had these Pretzel Crisps in Buffalo Wing flavor.   Scrumptious I tell ya.

This video.
LOVE !!!!
It's Christmas.....He is BORN !!!
Party !!!

see ya'll

P-Cans P-Cons P-Yummy

 No matter how you say pecans it sounds better with the words Cinnamon Sugared in front of it.

We snacked on these at Disney this past Summer and then came across them again at

the beach weeks later and ever since then I have found myself thinking of them.

So this year when my step dad gave us our annual bag of pre-shelled pecans I knew

deep in my heart what their fate would be.

A sugary, cinnamony, crunchy coating.

Here is the recipe I used.

3 cups of halved pecans
1 large egg white
2 teaspoons vanilla.
1/3 cup of cinnamon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 300
Coat pecans in egg white
Combine cinnamon sugar, salt and vanilla.
Add to pecans and stir until covered.
Spread on a ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes.

In my opinion the ingredient amounts except for the pecans could be increased.
When I make these again and I will make them again,  I may add more of everything in equal amounts.
If you make them try them as they are first...you may find the sweetness to you liking.  If I am going
to overdose on something sugary I like to do it well.

Give them a try, I think you'll like them.
Just you try not to eat one right out of the oven, they smell so darn good it's tempting.
Walk away let them cool or you'll burn the hair right off your tongue.

This would probably be good on almonds too....and a great treat for teachers, neighbors and friends.

see ya'll

Candy

ok....if you want to die and I mean just die....especially if you LOVE color.
Check out this house, it's like a Giant jar of candy.  Yum.

see ya'll

Elfin' Around

 If your little one is over your shoulder or by your side.....this may give away some precious elf

secrets....so send them on their way or read this later.

Our elf arrived days ago.

He usually arrives on December 1st, however the 7 year old smart mouth disease has been running

rampant in our house lately so we told Chloe

at times that requires your elf to come early so he can collect more data.

So Ticky, our elf, arrived early.....just like we said.

Parents do know everything (wink).

Chloe believes completely in her elf.

 
She believes he leaves each night and returns before she wakes.

We forgot to move him twice already and she was very worried something was wrong with him.

If you sometimes forget to move your elf too, the Elf on the Shelf Blog has explanations for your kids.

 It's hard to be creative EVERY morning with Ticky's location.

Pinterest has lots of ideas. What, you don't pin ???!?!  You should.
Anyway.
I however did not like the elf lying beside the bottle of pills, that is just wrong.

I do like the elf whom has made a snow angel in the flour.
Our elf WILL be doing this.

Do you elf ?

What is your most creative elf hiding spot ?

Happy Elfin'
See ya'll.

Let's Catch Up A Bit

And in good ole hurry up fashion December will be here....ohhh...tomorrow.

Decorating, crafting and baking.....YES...let it begin.

Our first Christmas project was to make paper towel roll owls of a Christmas kind.

You may recall my everyday owls...if not they are here.

Angel Owls, yes the big one is the boss angel, per Chloe.

Christmas Tree Owls...complete with lights.

Ho Ho Hooo....Santa Owls, You better watch out !!

Snowman Owls and they don't even melt.   Fantastic.

My favorite the Reindeer Owls.  Poor Rudolph, once again feeling odd and alone, no beak only that silly red nose, but we all know how that  ends don't we ??

What would any of us do really without the sweet as pie Julie over at Joy's Hope bringing us all these scrumptious goodies to try.  Consider these baked !!

We went to the town Christmas parade, I love a marching band....LOVE IT !!

The tree is up. 
This was the first time ever that my lights would not work, I have always heard other gripe about it but until now I never shared their frustration.
Chloe and I made the trip for new lights, she talked me into colored which you can kinda tell from the photo...but I love em'. 
Why didn't I do colored lights sooner...they are perfect in my colorful home...perfect.

Dinner tonight is turkey sammich....every once in a while don't you just want a good turkey sammich?  Yes?
Me too...tonight it is.

See ya'll