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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.

What’s Up Wednesday

What’s Up

is a recap of everything that has been going on this month.

Because it is an immensely important topic, What’s up Wednesday begins with

What we’re eating

WE CAN’T STOP eating the Almond Roca that I made last Sunday.

We = Me

Almond Roca is a chocolate-covered, almond/butter toffee with a sprinkling of chopped almonds.

It looks like this:

It is made like this:

Almond Roca

  • Servings: 2 lbs
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 cups (4 sticks) butter
  • 1 1/2 cups almonds, chopped
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp coconut oil

Directions

In a saucepan over medium heat, add brown sugar and salted butter.

Stir until sugar is dissolved and occasionally until mixture is bubbling.

When candy thermometer reaches 280° remove from heat and add half (3/4 cup) of the almonds to the mixture, stirring to combine.

Pour mixture into a rimmed, foil lined 18×13 baking sheet and let cool.

While toffee cools, add chocolate and oil into a pot set over low heat, stirring until melted through.

Use a rubber spatula to transfer melted chocolate evenly on top of toffee layer, taking care to smooth the surface.

Sprinkle remaining chopped almonds evenly over the warm chocolate layer.

Chill in the fridge

Once set, break into pieces and store in airtight container.

What I’m reminiscing about

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been reminiscing about an album that I remember from my childhood. 

What I’m loving

I’m loving these two…

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They spent all day with Glammy last Saturday and we had a great time.

What we’ve been up to

Same as it ever was… Work.

And the degree that I’ve been working on since 1984.

My class ended on December 14th and I am one course closer to completion.

Also I got an A!

What I’ve been working on

Wrapping Presents!

What I’m excited about

CHRISTMAS!

What I’m dreading

My typical New Year’s resolutions: to exercise more, lose ten pounds, and try to be nice.

What I’m watching/reading

Hallmark movies, the Food Network, and the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda.

Last week I was very disappointed to learn that Kathie Lee will be leaving the show in April 2019.

What I’m listening to

After reminding myself that I have quite a few great Christmas CDs, I put this in the car…

What I’m wearing

With the help of my Stylebook, I’m wearing something different to work every day.

What I’m doing this weekend

I am DOING five days away from the office!

What I’m looking forward to next month

LB’s birthday is next month!

I never got around to posting about his 2018 birthday and now I can’t remember what we did!

But I’m sure it was fun!

 

 

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.

 

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

Friday Favorites

Although it has been a long and arduous eight weeks, I am proud to announce that I have successfully completed a course in Social Psychology.

Once again I can focus on my

Friday Favorites

And OMG am I glad it is Friday!

Favorite # ONE

The END of Social Psychology!

Nuff Said Stan Lee GIF

Favorite # TWO

Birthday Selfies!

On December 9th we celebrated Amanda’s birthday.

A few of us squeezed in to photo bomb her birthday selfie, including this little cutie who was giving Glammy Eskimo Kisses.

It has always been a December practice to wait until Amanda’s birthday has been celebrated before decorating for Christmas.

On Monday of this week, the decorating began.

Favorite # THREE

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Two of my trees are in place.

Most of my decorating is done.

A BIG thanks to LB for all that he does to help.

And thanks to Elvis for doing his part

Favorite # FOUR

Wendy’s Chocolate Éclair Cake

The holiday festivities at work have begun.  I know this because everyone is bringing goodies to work.

Last week Wendy brought her famous Chocolate Éclair Cake.  Reminiscent of an Éclair, it it made with graham crackers, pudding, cool whip, and [believe it or not] canned chocolate frosting. This is how she makes it:

 

Chocolate Éclair Cake

  • Servings: 20
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 2 packages instant French vanilla pudding
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip topping
  • 1 box graham crackers
  • 1 can dark chocolate frosting

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.
  2. Line bottom of a 9-inch x 13-inch pan with a single layer of graham crackers. Pour half the pudding mixture over the crackers and spread evenly.
  3. Top with another layer of crackers. Pour the remaining pudding mixture over the second layer of crackers and top with a third layer of crackers.
  4. Microwave the frosting just a few seconds, then stir, pour, and spread the frosting over the top layer of graham crackers.
  5. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. Serve chilled and store covered in the refrigerator.

prettyis.me

Favorite # FIVE

Christmas Cards!

It always makes me feel special to receive Christmas cards and I’ve collected a few already.

This one is my favorite:

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

Christmas Wish List

As I read through the various blogs that I follow, I found one that was particularly interesting and gave me an idea for a post of my own.  The Blended Blog is one that I read regularly and also enjoy linking up on their site.  This past Monday’s post was TBB Wish List written by the adorable Andrea Nine.
From what I’ve read, it seems that we all have a leopard print fixation this year.
I was motivated to include a few items from my own Pinterest Wish List and incorporate those items into the post today.
Sing along as you read the following “Christmas Wish List” post to the tune of a song made popular by Mariah Carey:

All I Want For Christmas is You

~
I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I must have these Archway cookies
buy them for me this I plead
I don’t need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
If you’ll give these glasses to me
I will put them on my face
I just want this for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
What I want for Christmas
Is shoes
Oh, I won’t ask for much this Christmas
I won’t even wish for snow
And I’m just gonna keep on waiting
for a  jacket, this I know
I won’t make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won’t even stay awake to
Hear this little gold watch tick
‘Cause I just want all of this stuff
And I know that its enough
What more can I say?
it’s what I want Christmas day!
~
Yes that was goofy, but I had fun.
And I’m serious about the cookies.

Although it is Mariah Carey who made this song popular, I’ve included a clip from a favorite movie Love Actually featuring Olivia Olson.

Enjoy…

 

 

 

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

Black Friday

Black Friday began as it normally does.  Everyone is recovering from over consumption on Thanksgiving Day.  Some are planning to go brave the crowds and shop.

On November 23, 2001, my Mama was out to begin her Christmas shopping.  My Daddy was beginning work on a project that would be a gift for Mama.  He was planning to build an arbor that would hold a swing and be covered in roses.  His friends Fred and Charlie would be helping him.

It would be his last day with us.

If I had known, I wouldn’t have been at home being my typical home body self.

Somewhere between 4 and 5 in the afternoon,  I was sitting in my room, on my bed watching one of my favorite movies: Overboard [starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell].  My phone rang.  I picked up the phone and said hello.  A voice began speaking to me so hysterically that I didn’t even recognize who it was, nor the message being relayed.  “Who is this?” I asked.  And then I heard her say “Kim. Its Gina. Daddy is having a heart attack”.

I dropped the phone, ran to my car and left.  No shoes, no drivers license, no word to my family.  I drove the short distance [about 3 miles] to Mama and Daddy’s house to find that I would have to park a few houses away and walk to get to them.  When I walked in through the garage door I saw Mama sitting on the sofa, surrounded by family and friends and obviously in shock.  I saw firemen down the hall, in her bedroom, working to revive my Daddy.  I started toward them when my Uncle Roger grabbed me and held me close.  I put my head on his chest and began to pray “Lord Jesus, please take care of my Daddy”.  I said it again and again.  He prayed with me and assured me that Jesus would take care of Daddy.

It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but Jesus did take care of him; Daddy went to be with Jesus that day.  November 23, 2001. The day after Thanksgiving.  Black Friday.

It has been 17 years and even as I type these words, I’m wiping tears from my face.  I’ll never stop missing him.

Today I saw a familiar photo and Facebook memory that Mama shared last year:

 

The arbor was finished later in 2002 by my Daddy’s friends Fred Scarborough and Charlie Brown.  I believe there were others who helped as well.

We’ll see you again someday Daddy.

 

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

Countdown to Thanksgiving Dinner

I’ve included the recipe below because we (I) need it.
Also, I delegated the responsibility of the green bean casserole to Stephanie.
She accepted the challenge and did a great job!
If you have family/friends who are willing to help, let them help.
That is my #1 Thanksgiving dinner prep tip.
On

Monday

I finalized My Menu:
Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Brussels Sprouts [wrapped in bacon], Classic Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole (Pioneer Woman), Cranberry Relish, Marshmallow/Fruit Salad, English Pea salad (Paula Deen), Pecan Pie Bars, pumpkin pie [or something similar].
This is not a big deal because I have the same menu every year, which seems to make things easier for me.
No complaints yet.

Tuesday and Wednesday

It was the usual:

I went to work, and completed assignments for my class.  It’s important to get that classwork out of the way!

Thursday

November 15th is

Cleaning out your refrigerator is VERY important as you will have No where to place anything if you do not.

 

On

Friday

I stopped by the store for a few items and after work, I made my Pecan Pie Bars.

These are addictive, everyone loves them, and I cannot stop posting about them.

You can make them too!

Everyone will love you for this.

 

 

Saturday

I peeled potatoes.

Five pounds of Russet potatoes that would go into the refrigerator, covered in cold water and a paper towel, until I placed them into my crock pot the following day to make Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes.

They were perfect!

 

 

On the

Sunday before Thanksgiving

I began working as soon as I awoke… and didn’t sit down until dinner at 6PM.

My fitbit logged 22,451 steps for the day from moving around in the house!

Dinner was DELICIOUS!

I would have taken more photos, but I had my hands full!

 

 

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

 

 

Martha Stewart's Pate Brisee

Yield

Ingredients

Directions

1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 seconds.
2. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream through feed tube. Pulse until dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds. To test, squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
3. Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill at least 1 hour. Dough may be stored, frozen, up to 1 month.

 

 

 

 

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