Off the cuff- A break from everyday.

Well, I am getting ready to have the Kids over form the night. We will be Going to the Market , Cooking cookies, Decoration the backyard, going to a Light display and watching a Holiday movie. Looking forward to the time with them. Critter is a joy to have in my Kitchen. he loves to cook. Alex I am not sure. This will be the first time for her. She spent one night with me a few months ago. This will be her second one. Critter Lived with us as a baby and has been coming back to spend nights and weeks overnight since. He went to Canada and Pa with us.

I am look forward to these next days. Christmas music playing , Smells of baking, and Holiday fun. Making new Traditions will be so much fun!

What are your plans for the next two days? yes that's right TWO DAYS! til Christmas. Are you Done Shopping Yet?

SwanLake-The Ultimate Goal!

It's a winter tradition watching the Nutcracker. Swan Lake is always one of our favorite.
Here is an ultimate Goal for anyone to achieve. I believe it took hours and years of training. Saw it this week and was just memorized by it. I could watch it over and over. Hubby watched it and was amazed at the performance. It's like nothing you've seen before!
Enjoy the Great Chinese State Circus preforming Swan Lake.
This is well worth the time seeing.


Now let's get stretching. Happy Holiday's!

On our way Back....

It is time to hit the roads again. Time to travel back home. We have been at Virginia beach for a week. I believe we will stop by Colonial Williamsburg on our way back. I love that town especially during this season. I have been inspired to putting light up when we return home after visiting Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. So for the next months I will be posting some Holiday Cheer here. Let the Fun begin. Photo taken by Auntie E at Christmas Town of Santa's home in the North Pole. Oh I just love it, makes the kid come out in me!!!

Getting ready for Spring.

Kathys Comments
All Of Gods Creations rejoice for...
today is a New Day.
Hope you are having a...
Wonderful Easter and Spring Break.

If The Old HotCross Bun Could talk!

Taking a break because it's Easter time and we are going to family's to visit and share the time of year. If you are traveling, be safe out there.
Heard about this on the radio this morning and thought Oh I got to see it.
the story is a 91 year old lady Nancy Titman was given this Easter HotCross bun when her Mom died. Her ancestors worked in a bakery shop and they bake this on good Friday. It was been handed down through the family for centuries. I think they could cook back then, but it amazed me that there is no Mold on it. It is said the the currants are disintegrated and the bun is rock hard. So how's that for preserving.
Now what went on in 1821? Here's a few things.

• Mexico gained their independence from Spain,
• Greek Independence Day celebrates the liberation of Southern Greece from Turkish domination,
• Peru declared its independence from Spain.
• Florida became a US Territory, Andrew Jackson became the governor of Florida.
• Missouri became the 24th state.
• Kentucky abolished debtor’s prisons. Thomas Jefferson wrote his autobiography.
• American sealer Captain John Davis landed on the Continental Antarctica, It was the first Known landing.
• Napoleon Bonaparte dies at the age of fifty-one,
• The 1st US pharmacy college was organized in Philadelphia, the first classes where held.
• African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church founded in NY
• the Greek Orthodox christian church was founded in Greece.
• The 1st edition of Saturday Evening Post was published.
  

What a busy Year in history. This little Hot Cross bun carries a lot of history knowledge.



The world's oldest hot cross bun . It was baked on Good Friday in 1821

Photo: GEOFF ROBINSON

Where It's Always Green

A trip for you today
Where to? you may say
Where you'll always think Green.
While watching these scenes
Wishing you a Happy St.Patty's Day

Being Green Minded

Can you believe January is midway through? Less than a month til February 14th, Valentines Day here in the U.S.. There was a question on a Friday post " Are you going to buy valentines gifts and what will they be". Years ago I did this, got gifts. Now for about 5 years I haven't. Going Green has made me rethink this. Maybe a Rain barrel would be nice or a Battery charged Lawn Mower. It would have to be something green to replace an item or be able to use resources wisely. Hubby is very Green conscience, any suggestions outside a Car? (in case hubby is reading,lol)

A Big Thank You

I received some really good ideas for the men in my life gifts. I want to thank you all for your suggestions. I would tell you which ones inspired me however, the men in my life read my blogs. So they will have to guess and you will have to wait til next week to hear how they like their gift and what a choose.
It is really snowing now. That means I will not be able to go shopping today. We are expecting 12-18 inches today. Tomorrow and early in the week I will be shopping. That leaves time for you to continue to make suggestions.
Right now I have my Cinnamon Swirl Log cooking. Coffee is on and hot cocoa for my daughter. Our Pellet Stove is fixed and working and the snow is still coming down. Hubby is putting the recycling in the bins. We are enjoying our day at home. Our Daughter will have a lot of shoveling to do when she gets out of bed. The smell of the cinnamon will get her up for sure.

What To Get Him?

A question : What should I get my Dad for Christmas?
He told me " unless I can eat it or use it up, don't get me anything". Now we find out he has Diabetes and so the Hershey Chocolate he so love, is out. Since the passing of my Mom almost 23 months ago, he really does not want anything. It has been very hard for me. Mom would always give me clues and he liked doing things in the yard. Me being an outdoorsy person could find some yard things. Now he Tells me the only reason he did things in the yard was to please Mom. His whole live was based on Moms likes and desires. Now we need to find something for him to enjoy. You know it is hard having the medical knowledge that most spouses only live a short time after the death of their partner. I want him to have a long life.
So I will be out shopping today with my Blackberry in tow. I will be able to get all the suggestion you leave in my comment section. Please go shopping with me and get me some ideas. One comment might be the thing that lights up his face.

Happy Thanksgiving to All: A Pardon or Gift?

Here we are the official turkey day. My daughter stated yesterday that she wanted to print out a turkey to pin to your shirt. Hubby said he would go into work early today and she said "No we need to watch the parade". We usually watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade and cook the turkey.
Oh I saw President Obama Pardon the turkey. It will now live at Disney World...What a great life to be with Mickey and all his friends. But, watch out....

They celebrate Thanksgiving also!

Living Healthy Through the Hoildays

Will it be a hard time to stay healthy through the Holidays? In today's Lifestyle that will be the main theme on all the Networks Shows. Every Year about this time people can't wait to have all the comfort Holiday foods.



You know the types;

• Turkey and Moms Stuffing
• Ham deck out with pineapple, brown sugar and cloves
• Lamb for some
  
• Cranberry sauce
• Sweet potatoes with Marshmallow topping
• Mash potatoes with Gravy
• Potato cakes with apples sauce and sour cream
  
• Green bean casserole
• Pumpkin Pie
• Pecan Pie
• Apple cranberry Pie
• Mincemeat Pie
• chocolate- Any kind
• Nuts
• Gingerbread houses
  
• Eggnog
  

All these are high in Fat and Carbs. So what are we to do? You know we will be eating these things. Holidays dictate it and what kind would it be if we did not eat these foods?
I love the holidays and it traditions, just could not enjoy it without them. Sure we can modify them, as seen on some Network shows, but it would not be the same. Let's Face it, this time only come along once a year. If we can manage a little control and not over doing it, we will be fine.
We can exercise a little more in the yard or in the house. Clean out the closets, get rid of the coats (the coat drives are out), do a Winter cleaning verses a spring cleaning of the whole house, Get those decorations up and start to bring in the Holidays with a healthier energy. Yes we can enjoy this seasons Holidays and still keep a Healthy Lifestyle.