Photo of the Day

Cheers! It's New Year's Eve...

(taken 12-31-08)

One of my goals this year is to improve and learn more about photography. To get as much practice as I can, I'm attempting to take at least one photo a day. It may not be anything spectacular, maybe just a snippet of something that catches my eye. I'm hoping the more pictures I take, the more familiar and comfortable I will become with my camera. Hopefully, by the end of 2009, I will be able to notice some improvement in my photography skills. And, an added bonus for me will be the documentation of my everyday journey.

Christmas in Dallas.....

Doesn't he look proud of his new baby brother? He is! But, he could only hold him for a couple of seconds, 'cause he had presents to open! A few days after M. was born, Aunt K. and I went home to pick up Uncle KK and spend some time with Deda on Christmas Eve. Then we headed back to Dallas to spend Christmas with the girls (and guys!). It was my first Christmas morning away from home in 30 years! But, it was so worth it to be able to be with the grandkids.

Little G. really got into Christmas morning this year. He was so excited and had so much fun opening gifts. Here's a sampling of the kind of fun we were having....

A drawing easel from NieNie, doesn't he look big!!!!

A Thomas Train Set from Aunt Sissy---this girl knows how to made a little boy happy!!!!

....and Daddy shared his Wii & Guitar Hero, what a guy!!!

Who knew a 2 year old would get so excited over a new toothbrush? I think he got at least 3! Here he is showing it off to Uncle KK.

And what did Santa bring? Exactly what he had asked for, a new, red bike!!!

Hubby was still not feeling well so he didn't make the trip with us. He stayed back home to get some much needed peace and quiet!

It was a different, but exciting and memorable holiday. I'm very grateful for my family, and happy that they put up with me!

our early Christmas present.....

Here's a peek at the best Christmas present ever! Morgan Wiley D. was born Wednesday, December 17th. I got a phone call at work around 11:45 a.m. I headed home to load the car with my bags and all of our Christmas packages. Aunt K. left school and met me at the house. Uncle KK was taking finals in Pittsburgh and wouldn't be home until later that evening. K. and I headed to Dallas! We got there an hour before Morgan was born. We were able to see the proud mama and papa-to-be for a bit before the little man made his debut. We were so excited to finally meet him. He is absolutely precious! And big brother was so happy to have him home.....

Fingerless Gloves, what's the point?

OK---initially I had the same thought, too. Why in the world would you want a pair of Fingerless Gloves? Didn't make sense to me, either. You wear gloves to keep your hands warm, and with nothing to put your fingers into, they are going to freeze! While I definitely wouldn't advise wearing them while trying to build a snowman, I do have some uses in mind.

• Great for typing when you need some extra warmth!


• How about driving, easier to change the radio dial.


• In the car, answering your iPhone (not while driving, of course!)


• Easier to use the camera for outdoor photo shoots! (as demonstrated above)

These were a quick, easy knit! And, they match my red coat. Love 'em! Off to scrapbook, just got some goodies in the mail. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate.....

Now that I have your attention...Peanut Butter and Chocolate make quite the combo, don't you think! These cookies are so easy, I don't really think you could call this a recipe. We always include these in our holiday baking and this year will be no exception. I only had two left to photograph because I forgot to take the pic before I put them in the freezer. In case you need a reminder, here's the directions.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough (I use ready-made)

Small Reece's Peanut Butter Cups

Spray Oil

Lightly oil small muffin pan. Slice cookie dough into 1 inch thick pieces, then cut each piece into 4 smaller pieces. Place each chunk in muffin pan. Bake as directed on dough package. When cookies puff up and are lightly browned, remove from oven. Quickly press unwrapped peanut butter cup into center of each cookie. Let cool before removing from pan. You can place them in the fridge for a bit to hasten cooling time.

Bet ya can't eat just one.....

This is my all time favorite cookie, the Spritz. A double-batch is sharing space in the freezer with the Snickerdoodles and the Chocolate, Chocolate Chip. I just hope I can save them long enough to share them with my family at Christmas time. If I eat them now, that would defeat the purpose of "baking ahead", right? This recipe came from "Betty Crocker's Cooky Book." It's an easy one to double!

SPRITZ COOKIES

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1/12 tsp. salt

1 tsp. almond flavoring

2 1/4 cups flour

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix butter, sugar, eggs, salt, and flavoring thoroughly. Work in flour. Using 1/4 dough at a time, force dough through a cooky press on ungreased baking sheet in desired shapes. Bake 6 to 9 minutes, or until set but not brown. Makes about 5 dozen cookies. Enjoy!

Away from home....

This layout was put together about a week ago. The pics were taken right after KK and his girlfriend moved into their very first apartment. I remember driving all the way to Pittsburgh that day in the POURING DOWN RAIN! Dear hubby had endured some oral surgery the day before, and wasn't in the "all clear" to drive yet. We took the kids to lunch, bought groceries, purchased a new lamp for the living room and just hung out for a while. I have vague memories of moving into my first apartment, (back in the 70's!), but no photos or scrapbook pages. It would have been fun to look back on them now, to remember more of the details. So.......being the scrappin' maniac I am, I wanted to make a page for KK to have to add to his "stack" of memories.