Giving Credit

I tried my hand at some chalkboard art....I have written on framed chalkboards...

but mostly just to show that it was a chalkboard....

I wanted to do something different with my mantel after taking my Christmas decorations down. 

This is what I had for Christmas

Obviously, I just scribbled that on there.

I went to my Pinterest board and started looking for something fun to write this time and I saw this

source

So, I pulled my computer over by me on the floor and started writing....

let me just say...

in 2014 I will hit a milestone in my little life...

I will turn 50 years old...

I know, you say, whaaaat?

But it is true....

I ONLY tell you that so that when I say I was on the floor...

well, let's just say, it took a while to work the kinks out when I stood up...

and I DO NOT LIKE THAT!!!!

anywho

back to the fun stuff

I love it...and think it will stay for a while....

ok, gotta finish the REST of the house...

it looks like a tornado hit it

but, at least, 

the mantel looks good

:)

                                                                                    

Family talks more around a fire

We decided last night, after Troy's family left, how much more our families enjoyed each other after getting everyone away from the tv and out by the firepit. So enjoyed our time together.

Merry Christmas Eve

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.....

Christmas is here...can you believe it?

I have been buzzing around here baking and slapping hands out of the treats meant for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Our tradition since Troy and I were engaged is to spend Christmas Eve with the Henderson gang (my family) and Christmas Day with the Thames. Everyone lives within 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours driving distance so it just works. This year we host both families and are excited to get this sleigh rolling.

I've taken a few pics....

Merry Christmas!

I tried some of Pioneer Woman's appetizers...Club crackers with a sprinkle of either Parmesan cheese or brown sugar, wrapped in bacon and baked at 200* for 2 hours....I'll let you know about these....

One of my favorites....Turtles...caramel, pecans, covered in chocolate..

sinful!!! but oh so good!!!!

And, can't leave out Troy's favorite...cheesecake with strawberry puree....

Today we are having fajitas, tamales with chili, Pappasita's bean soup, Paula Dean's spanish rice, and all the fixin's.

Tomorrow will be our traditional Ham, Turkey, dressing, squash casserole, green bean bundles etc....

The Thames family wishes you a wonderful Christmas remembering our Lord and Savior as the reason for the awesome season. May you be blessed this day!

                                                                                            

This Weekend...Fitz-Harvey Vintage Fall Market

This weekend we had a booth at the Fitz-Harvey Vintage Fall Market....

Friday night we had a great crowd....

thanks to my sweet friends who came out to support me!!!

You are so appreciated!!!

Here was my booth...

 Ellen and Sandra of Ellen's Timeless Treasures was next to me.

They always have some great treasures!

Barbara and Heather

they make up the Fitz-Harvey team

was set up under their patio cover at their business

what a transformation!

They have some awesome furniture and vintage pieces at great prices!!!

On Saturday we had some vintage trucks on the property for everyone to enjoy

this is Heather's...I WANT!!!!

One of our other vendors had this fabulous bench from an old bed...it was very cool and nicely made..

Looking forward to my next adventure....got some ideas swimming around in my head

we shall see....

oh my...is it almost Thanksgiving????

oh my!!!

                                                                           

Easy Delicious Chocolate Cake

Oldest college boy came home for the first time this semester....

so "mom" (me) kicked it into gear....

and did a little baking

I made chocolate cake with marshmallow cream icing...

ok...so the cake was a box...

Betty Crocker Super Moist Devil's Food

but...then I made marshmallow cream icing

Here is the recipe:

3 egg whites

2 T water

1/2 C sugar

1 7 oz jar marshmallow cream

In a double boiler...

(I have a double boiler, but for this I use the bottom pan of my double boiler for my water and then use a heat safe large pyrex bowl to mix the icing in)

anyway....

in the top of the double boiler (pyrex bowl) mix the first three ingredients with an electric mixer until foamy...

Add marshmallow cream

Mix on high speed with the electric mixer until it is thick, pan is full, and icing is stiff and will not fall off beaters....then it's done!!!

The icing is so light and fluffy....

love it....

My mom's recipe....thanks Mom!!!

I made the cake Friday when he got home along with filet mignon, baked potato and Sister Schubert's dinner rolls...love me some Sister Schubert's

Saturday morning....

pancakes from my Southern Living cookbook....my go to recipe for pancakes and waffles...

excellent recipe....

my boys gag and say I ruin the pancakes when I pile the pecans on them...

omygosh...so delicious!!!

Then pot roast in my crock pot Saturday night.

Excellent eating weekend!!! None of it was rather healthy but oh so good....

Oh...me and the boys went to see the movie Captain Phillips on Saturday night...

Excellent movie, pretty intense...loved that is  based on a true story.

And...

in between all of that I worked on a couple pieces of furniture for the fall market that I will have a booth at in November...I will keep you updated....

here is the flyer..

                                                                                         

A shout out....love her entrepreneurial spirit

This is a little shout out to a fellow vendor at LaBahia...

Kiki Neumann sets up a booth on the other side of LaBahia from us...

She is such a fun, free spirit kind of girl,

so fun to go visit...

Here she is with her vintage trailer...so cute....

anyway, she does art with license plates...always so cool and creative...

Well, she decided Bu-cee's needed to sell her cards...

so just like that she sent them a "ransom letter" cut out of license plates that read

"YOU NEED ME IN YOUR STORE"

and guess what?

Here they are!!!

I love that she just

...went for it...

and made it happen!!!

Way to go Kiki!!!

See you in the Spring!!