Christmas - 2011 - Recap
Wow! What a blur. I can't believe it is over all ready, my favorite holiday. I did so much baking this year. I tried the white chocolates dipped Oreos with crushed peppermint. Definitely, a girl's cookie, pretty, but why mess with an Oreo, they are so great on their own. They were for our neighborhood cookie exchange. Next up, my husband asked me to bake and decorate 32 cookies for his junior golf clinic. 16 Tuesday and 16 Wednesday. It took two batches of sugar cookie dough. It was a 3-night process after work. I also individually bagged them in cookie bags and tied them with ribbon. Then on to our favorites, 3 batches of peanut brittle, 2 batches of chocolate balls, my Grandmother's Snickerdoodles and my Sister's butternut balls. We also made ten candy sleighs for Taylor's Christmas Caroling Party. Taylor and I wrapped beautiful presents for each other, we went and looked at Christmas lights, we celebrated Grandma's birthday at Aunt Janets. Mark's beautiful cousin, Patrice, came for seven days. We love her and love spending time with her! Santa left money for Cole and a new IPOD Touch for Taylor. Mounds of gifts were under the tree. I got a Kindle Fire and love it! Mark got a stereo system for our TV. The kids gave each other clothes for Christmas and I we enjoying a relaxing Christmas morning and had a nice breakfast at the dining room table. We went to Taylor's Winter Dance Recital. Taylor and I went to the NCL Christmas Tea.

Remembering my Sister this Christmas and our happy childhood Christmas's. We lost her in July, due to a very long illness. She was my only sibling and the holidays can be very difficult for those who have recently lost family members. I am so lucky to be surrounded my friends and family, near and far.

We celebrated our 25th Anniversary yesterday. My husband made reservations ahead of time, had a card waiting for me when I woke up and delivered these beautiful roses. We dined at The Melting Pot. I loved it. It was private and romantic and perfect. We have other celebrations planned for our 25th and are stretching them out throughout the year.

Happy Fourth!
I hope that you are enjoying a Happy Fourth of July, celebrating with family and friends. We are! My sweet friend, Loretta, had a festive party yesterday. She taught several of us to play a fun card game called "Skit Skat". I'm enjoying my festive banners hung on my vintage window. Tina gave me the window and she will be up from Tucson on Wednesday. I can't wait to show her how I'm embellishing our window.



I made these cookies with my William's Sonoma Message in a Cookie set. Of course I was in a hurry and was out of unsalted butter. I used margarine and promptly threw them in the trash as soon as they came out of the oven. I learned my lesson.



Today the four of us are home together. I made a summer dinner of burgers, potato salad, watermelon, lemonade and flag cake for dessert. We will be watching the fireworks from our master bedroom window enjoying the air conditioning. I think it only hit 110 today.

Happy Fourth!

Taylor's dance recital was last night. It turned out really well. Their performances were held on two days which helped significantly with the length of the recital, parking, etc.






The backdrop was amazing.



Daddy brought flowers.

My husband got a Hole In One today. It's his fifth one. I'm so proud of him. He was so excited when he called me.

Hello Pedicure! My husband left for work this morning while I was sleeping. When I came downstairs, I found this awesome surprise. I can't wait to go get my pedicure. What a great way to start my day. Thanks hon!

Eighth Grade Graduation





These girls have been friends since third grade! I'm so proud of all of them.


Taylor and her friend Maddie. Maddie is so talented. She sang the National Anthem at the assembly a few weeks ago, just had an audition in LA, has stared in several musicals and sang a duet from Wicked at the graduation.



Two of her favorite teachers. She had them for the past two years.






Taylor and I whipped these cute cookies up for a graduation party. We literally had about one hour to work on them. I bought an awesome new gadget called "Message in a Cookie" from Williams Sonoma. I love it and highly recommend it. I wish I could write a review on it. You just never know if products are going to live up to your expectations.

I think the baby hummingbird has outgrown its nest. Google tells us that only stay in the nest from 3-4 weeks, so it is about time for this little one to try out her wings!



We celebrated with Mark's family Sunday and our own little family yesterday. I love celebrating every occasion.