Happy Housekeeping...

I recently purchased a Shark floor steamer. I saw the ad on tv and really wanted to get one. I've now had it for a little over one month, and I'm happy to report that I am very pleased with it's performance. Yes, it cleans the floors really really well....and it leaves the floors disinfected. I got mine at Costco and it came with 5 cleaning pads. When I am done cleaning, I just toss the pads in the regular wash, and they are ready to be reused. Before, I would have to prepare a bucket with hardwood cleaner, then I would use Pine cleaner on the bathroom floors. Well....no more carting around buckets with water. I simply fill the compartment with water from the fridge that has been filtered, then I use one cloth to do all of the main floors, and a separate one that I keep for the bathrooms. So easy.
I also recently got this adorable Paula Deen percolator at Wal-Mart. There is something about the smell of fresh brewed coffee....it brings back such fond childhood memories of visiting my best friend's house who's mom always used a percolator. My aunt recently saw this in the Wal-Mart paper, and we went and got a couple. She got the red one and I got the olive green one. We've been enjoying some great cups of coffee together.


Well I'm off from work now until January 5th, so I've got some shopping to finish up, and then hours of gift wrapping....blah. Hope you are all staying nice and toasty. We've been getting some frigid temperatures here in Indiana, with ice covered trees. It's perfect for staying in and sitting by a roaring fire...which we've been doing a lot of these days..

Christmas Decorating Update...

Ok, so I had to post specifically about these CUTE fuzzy snowball lights that I noticed last week when I was at the mall. They were strung on the display trees at Nordstrom, and I told my husband that I just had to have them. Of course they were not for sale at Nordstrom, so as soon as we got home I did some internet searching, and I found two boxes for sale on ebay and snatched them right up. I just added them to the tree, each snowball is fuzzy and has a small clip to attach to the branches. Are these cute or what? So, I thought I'd take some photos of my scaled-down Christmas decorating this year. Hope you like it.

Christmas Decorating...

Well, I must admit that I didn't go all out this year with my Christmas decor. I've been busy at work, and I have been fighting a nasty cold...not to mention my little guy has been fighting a cold and stomach virus too. So, I just haven't had the energy. The tree is up and we put out some of the Christmas decorations, but no where near what we usually display. I still have shopping to do, so I'll try to get that done at least by next weekend. I thought I'd cheat and show you some Christmas decorating pictures from last year.



My sweet aunt (mom's sister) is still here visiting from California. AND, she is now staying at our house. The woman is a complete workaholic. I left her home alone yesterday as we all left to work and and kids to school, and she spent the entire day cutting fabric to make drapery, pillows, and a new seat cushion for a love seat for our guest room. I will show you pictures once everything is put together.



Here are last year's Christmas decor pictures. I'll chat with you all later!

Girls Day Out...

Thanksgiving Day was a success! We had a house full of my side of the family, and my best friend and her family too. It turned out to be a wonderful time, and we had a lot of laughs...I mean belly aching laughs! None of us got up early for Black Friday shopping. I promised my sweet nieces that I would take them to the nail salon, so they were bursting with excitement. My girlfriend's daughter's came along too, and it was a fun time for the girls! I let them all pick out their own nail polish colors, and it sure was a treat...I mean a girl needs to be pampered right?! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with those you love. A few pics of the girls at the nail salon - too cute!

This is Miss L - she's my BFF's daughter - ain't she sweet?!

My two sweet nieces Miss L and Miss C! - They love girly stuff!

And here is Miss R! She is a doll!Enjoying every minute!

Vegetable Casserole - Recipe Share

Phew, I'm off for the rest of this week.....and boy do I need it. I have a house to clean and grocery shopping to get done, and of course a Thanksgiving feast to prepare. I am having a house full for the holiday. Yes, all of my family will be together. All the people I love in my house, it can't get any better than that!!! As I was preparing my shopping list I realized that I should share a simple but delicious recipe with all of you...just in case you want to add it to your holiday menu. And I didn't have a photo to show you, so I did a quick search online, and found this picture...I thought to myself..."what in the world....."!

You can use fresh veggies or frozen. I've used both and they are both equally yum.

2 or 3 bags of california blend (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)

1 stick margarine

1 lb. velveeta cheese

1 sleeve of butter crackers (I use Ritz brand)

Steam veggies, drain water, place in a buttered 9x13 casserole, dot with small squares of the velvetta cheese, crumble 1 sleeve (or less) of crackers and sprinkle all over the top of the veggies, melt one stick of butter and sprinkle over. Bake for 35 minutes at 375 degrees.

Enjoy!

The Gift of Light...

First of all, I'd like to say thank you to my dear friend and "mentor" - John-Michael, who I consider one of the most brilliant individiuals I've ever known. He helped me to work through something, and I am most appreciative! If you have not had the pleasure, I invite you to visit his blog. You won't be disappointed - I assure you!

One of my most favorite aunts has arrived to visit mom, and spend time with all of us. She is my mom's dear sister, who traveled from Southern California. She'll be staying with mom for about a month, and we are so happy she's here. Of course a selfish part of me if partly happy, because she also happens to be one of the most talented women I know. She can sew up a pair of drapery panels like the finest, and has a keen design sense, both fashion and interior. Aren't we lucky to have her?!

Of course sis and I have plans...but we'll let her rest for a few weeks - ha! She gave each of us a adorable tea cup. Sis got a brown toile, and I got the red. I can't reveal what else she has for our third sister, and sister-in-law...as they could be reading here. ;) I had the day off yesterday, so I picked her and mom up and took them out for a day of shopping and dinner. We had so much fun, but my feet were quite sore... While shopping at one of my favorite stores "Tuesday Morning" I found a great lamp for my family room. I took some pictures to share with you.

Ok, Break is Over...

Phew...that is the longest I've been away from blogging! I have missed each and every one of you. I needed the time away to get caught up with life and work... I can hardly believe we are in the midst of November with Thanksgiving just around the corner. In fact, I already picked up some ingredients for a few of the dishes I will prepare for the feast.

Some of you asked if I was going to test the granite again. No, I've decided not to dwell on it too much... I am such a worry wart, and it's not healthy. So, "inconclusive" it will remain. But I hope to hear from anyone who may have had theirs tested.

I don't have a lot to show you at the moment, as I am just getting back into the swing of things. But I promise as soon as I do, I will update all of you. In the meantime, I've missed you all, and I'm glad to be back. I'll be around to visit all of you really soon. Won't you stay for some coffee and pie. Meet you in the kitchen.

((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))