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Happy Mother’s Day

Here’s another poem to tell you
(just in case you haven’t guessed)

Of all the Mamas in the world
You’re the sweetest and the best.

You’ve been there for your daughters
through the laughter and the tears

Throughout the years your patience
has continued every minuteYou sweeten up our family,
I’m so glad to have you in it!

A finer model for “that quote”
in all the world there never was
What you’ve always tried to teach me…

Pretty is as Pretty Does

On this day I wish you gladness,
just like what you pass around.
May your joyfulness continue,
And your happiness abound.

You are a lovely lady and forever you will bethe greatest Mama in the world

you mean everything to me!

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO THE BEST MAMA EVER!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

Although there has been no time for blogging this week

Alice In Wonderland Disney GIF

 there’s always time for

Friday Favorites

Favorite # ONE

Carrot Cake Trifle

I first posted this recipe here but thought it would be a good idea to post it again… with a photo this time.

Look at those luscious layers.

I made the Carrot Cake Trifle for Easter Sunday Dinner dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 1 box Carrot Cake Mix & required ingredients
  • 8 oz. softened cream cheese
  • 1 1/2 sticks of softened butter
  • 3 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla
  • 16 oz. Cool Whip
  • Chopped walnuts

Easiest dessert recipe ever!

Directions:

  • Prepare the carrot cake according to package directions, allow to cool.
  • Cut cake into cubes.
  • Mix filling by beating together cream cheese and butter.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
  • Fold frosting mixture together with Cool Whip.
  • Layer in trifle dish with carrot cake and walnuts.

OMG delicious!

~

Rory was not the least bit interested in dinner and seemed to need a nap.  I was rocking her and noticed that her little legs were cold, so I asked Levi if he would bring her a blanket.  Not only did he bring a blanket, he brought a story book because, before any baby takes a nap, a story is in order.

Favorite # TWO

Everyone enjoys

Story Time

There was no nap.

~

Favorite # THREE

Easter Baskets

for everyoneAs long as I’m able, I’ll make sure these babies have goodies in their Easter baskets!

~

Favorite # FOUR

Family Time

It is good for the extended family to get together for special occasions.

On this occasion we enjoyed Easter Sunday dinner, an Easter egg hunt family photos then two sweet girls got to come home with Glammy to play.

~

Later that evening, LB and I watched the Jacksonville Passion Play presented by First Baptist Church which featured the talents of

Favorite # FIVE

Several special members of my family Thanks for the Jesus selfie, Dillon.  Who else has one of these???

My nephew Dillon played the part of Judas Iscariot (that’s him in the back with the money bag), my brother-in-law Stuart was an angry Pharisee, My Mama, Aunt Linda, niece Sydney, and cousin Sarah all had parts in this program.  I was impressed with the talent that was displayed from my family!

I hope you had a

Flowers GIF by dasherzallerliebste

Special Thanks to LB my personal Photographer

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Three Kings’ Day

With the new year bringing a call to get into shape and embrace good health, all of the goodies in my house were expelled.

By the first weekend in January, LB was looking for his 9PM dessert.

Yeah I got nothin’.

So when I found out that there was a CAKE made especially for a celebration on January 6th, I was in!

This celebratory cake is in honor of

Three Kings’ Day

a/k/a Epiphany

a/k/a Día de Los Reyes

In Mexico, Día de Los Reyes  is a holiday celebrated on January 6 to honor the Three Wise Men.  The day the Three Wise Men gave gifts to Jesus Christ is the day that closes the Christmas festivities.  During Día de Los Reyes, Mexicans serve Rosca de Reyes, also known as

Three Kings’ Cake

“Rosca” means wreath and “Reyes” means kings. The Rosca de Reyes has an oval shape to symbolize a crown and has a small doll inside which represents baby Jesus. The doll figure symbolizes the hiding of the infant Jesus from King Herod’s troops. Traditionally roscas are adorned with dried and candied fruits to symbolize the many jewels that a crown would have.

My version of the Rosca de Reyes was made from a box mix, baked in a bundt pan, and decorated with icing, maraschino cherries, slivered almonds, and some leftover green chocolate chips.  It looks a bit odd, but tastes as good as any yellow box cake you’ve ever made.  Also, I did not include any trinkets in my cake.LB didn’t mind.

 

Here is a fun tidbit of information:

For those of us in the U.S., Christmas is over, but for those in Latin America and Spain, the majority of gifts are coming not from Santa Claus, but rather from the Three Kings.  Before going to bed, the children place their old shoes with a wish list on top for the Three Kings.  The next morning, the shoes are filled with toys and gifts from the Three Kings.

(source)

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

Last Friday was my Favorite of all Fridays because I enjoyed the start of a staycation that lasted until Wednesday, December 26th.

Now I am back to work.

Alas.

But what a great Christmas holiday!And although being away from the office for 5 days was the best gift ever, I have some other favorites that I want to share today.

Favorite # ONE

While LB and I were Christmas stocking shopping last Saturday I was reminded of the bucket list that I have been adding to [and have yet to share].  One of the bucket list items is to try each flavor of

Pringles

This idea came to me when I was looking for items to add to my bucket list via google search.  I read in another blog that there are 29 flavors, but I count 22 on the Pringles website.

There were about 12 different varieties on the store’s shelf and I proceeded to add one of each to the buggy.  We walked around the store for about a half an hour before I decided that it was a bad idea to take so many Pringles home with me at one time.  So I put them all back.

We’ll tackle that bucket list item slowly.

Favorite # TWO

Sunday night LB and I experienced

Elf the Musical

at Alhambra Theater and Dining

Dinner was great.  I ordered the parmesan crusted salmon (which was SOOO good) and LB had the Holiday feast.  While Elf the Musical doesn’t compare to the Charles Dickens story, it was a very good show!

And as always, LB and I had a great time.

Favorite # THREE

In addition to the spectacular giraffe jammies presented to me by Stephanie, I also received a pair of ENORMOUS silver hoop earrings.  Richard thought it would be a good idea to try them on and LB caught it on camera.

This Photo

is definitely a favorite!

Favorite # FOUR

Friday’s

OOTD

Straight from Macclenny’s  Classy Crossroads Boutique

I wore this Merry Christmas outfit to work on Friday, so my blouse wasn’t off the shoulder as intended.  It can be worn comfortably both ways.  I love it and the jeans are very comfortable.

Blouse // Jeans // Shoes

 

Favorite # FIVE

 Holiday Hoopla

at Mama’s house!

I love it all!

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Merriest Christmas Moments

This Christmas was very merry, so much so, I wanted to share a few of

My favorite Merry moments.

I was awake very early on Christmas morning.  LB “lit” the fireplace and Elvis made himself cozy on my lap.  LB and I enjoyed our coffee and listened to Christmas music before exchanging gifts.

Although exchanging gifts also makes for Merry Christmas moments!

LB wraps packages beautifully!

And watching LB dance for joy makes for merry memories.Merriment and mild chaos ensued when the clan arrived!Elvis was Merry prior to their arrival.  He may not enjoy having company, but I am so happy to report that he is healthy this year!  We did not have to spend Christmas Eve in the Pet Emergency Hospital!Two little girls loved their Merry Mermaid Stockings! And later when I donned the

Merry Giraffe Jammies

It made me feel Merry to discover that there was a TAIL!Thanks Steph!

Later at Mama’s house, it was Pure Merriment to receive a bag filled with a few of

Gina’s Favorite Things

(Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Mascara, Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream,  L’Oreal Color Riche Shining Peach Lipstick #910, Carmax Classic Lip Balm, Dream St. Kathleen Lights X Colourpop [Eye] Shadow Palette, and Buxom “Kimberly” full-on Plumping Lip Polish).

What a fun little goodie bag!

I’m looking forward to sampling each of these items.

It was truly a Merry little Christmas with many Very Merry Moments!I hope you had yourself a Merry Little Christmas too!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

Today is a FAVORITE Friday because I have the day off!  I LOVE my days off!  Even though I spent most of it getting organized for Christmas and doing laundry, I am Not Complaining! 

Although this week has been a short one, it has presented me with several memorable experiences worth sharing. 

Starting with…

Favorite # ONE

Wendy

and I exchanged Christmas gifts at work this week this week. 

(Trivia Question: How many times has WENDY been one of my favorites?)

She presented me with the PERFECT coffee cup…

I love it!

Thank you Wendy!

 

Favorite # TWO

As I sat in my car yesterday morning before work,

A Special Lady

walked over and knocked on the window. 

I opened the door and she said “Hi Honey… Merry Christmas” and handed me this…

A Tory Burch Mini Ella Patent Nylon Tote

which she thought would go nicely with the Tory Burch Miller Platform Wedge Slides

that I acquired earlier this year and shared in this post.

Thank you Juenic!

Favorite # THREE

On Wednesday night, my nephew left me a hint in our

Family Group Text

With that, Amanda and I proceeded to meet today for our annual Divinity fiasco.

Favorite # FOUR

Although it has been advocated by the Talking Heads, I enjoy

Not burning down the house

Even though we set fire to the stove.

Luckily LB has a fire extinguisher stashed under the kitchen sink. 

It came in handy today.

 

Favorite # FIVE

Divinity

Amanda declared it to be a Christmas Miracle!

Even though the first batch caught on fire, the second and third batches were successful! 

@clayridgdon there will be divinity at Mema’s on Christmas Eve! 

Along with

Diabeetus.

Diabeetus GIF

Just kidding! 

I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

All Things Christmas

This Monday’s Linkup with the Blended Blog is

All Things Christmas

covering the topics: Décor, Movies, & Music.

DÉCOR

I mentioned in my Friday Favorites that I am almost finished with my Christmas decorating. Although only half of my Christmas décor is on display, I’ve decided that I AM finished with my Christmas decorating.

~

MOVIES

It is a fact that I have become a Hallmark movie junkie.  When I tune into channel 312, LB will typically ask “have we seen this one?” which lets me know that he isn’t really watching.

So far my favorite Hallmark movie has been Mingle All the Way.

“̔Mingle All the Way is a new networking app designed to pair busy professionals together for upcoming events, without long-term romance. Molly (Jen Lilley), founder of the app, is determined to prove to her family that it is a success. Therefore, she joins the app, and meets another busy professional, Jeff (Brant Daugherty). When Molly and Jeff are matched, they are both horrified to realize they’ve already had not one, but two disastrous previous encounters. Nevertheless, they agree to stay matched for all their respective upcoming holiday engagements. As the pair gets closer, perhaps their business arrangement might turn into something more this holiday season”.

(source)

And it will be airing again tonight at 11PM and Sunday at 4PM.

There are a few other Christmas movies that I enjoy watching:  Elf, A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and my favorite…

It’s A Wonderful Life!

~

MUSIC

This one is easy enough:

Me: “Alexa, play Christmas Holiday Favorites”

Alexa: “Here is a station for Christmas Holiday Favorites music “Holiday Favorites” on Amazon music.”

She’s the best!

Although I haven’t listened to a single one this season, I have some great Christmas CDs:

And a favorite from Mama that takes me back to my childhood…

A Christmas music compilation from W.T. Grant Company which was sold at these “25 cent” neighborhood stores as the A Very Merry Christmas record album series (source).

A Very Merry Christmas Volume 3

which included this favorite by Cary Grant.

https://youtu.be/Gp0naivYkFw

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

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