Happy New Year!

HAPPY  NEW  YEAR!

Wishing my dear blogging family

good health and wealth.

See you next year...



A New Year’s Prayer



May God make your year a happy one!


Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,


But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;


Not by making your path easy,


But by making you sturdy to travel any path;


Not by taking hardships from you,


But by taking fear from your heart;


Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,


But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;


Not by making your life always pleasant,


But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,


and by making you anxious to be there to help.


God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.

...Anonymous

They're coming, they're coming!!

Our Grandchildren!

It was a wonderful surprise last week when we found out our grandchildren will be flying up from Mexico

with their father, our oldest son.

We absolutely cannot wait to see them!

It will be the first time they have stayed in our home so this

truly will be a treat. I'm busy planning meals and activities.

It is a challenge as Carmen has Celiac Disease. If you are not

familiar with that, it means that she is extremely gluten sensitive. It means we watch everything from breads to canned and bottled items.

Carmen is almost seven and David is almost three.

So, it's going to be a wonderful week, so if you

don't hear much from me, you know I'll be with

grandchildren!

Today you are ours....

 

Beau

You came to us in a phone call. A home for you was needed. Loving parents were desired. You flew thousands of miles, a gift from God. A significant connection with a friendship

brought you into our lives...

A young woman and young man, a loving couple were waiting for you.

God said, "This is the moment..."

Lives were turned upside "UP"... We spun in circles to

prepare for you, Beau. We ran to the stores to purchase your needs with such excitement... arriving back home to find your new "Daddy", new grandfather and forever friend,

circled around you in amazement.

It was for a moment a scene from

"Three Men and a Baby".

You make us laugh, Beau. You brighten our days. You are an amazing reminder of the best things God does for us.

We'll stand in court today and hear the words that nothing can change ... you are "ours".

Forever and ever...

We love you, Beau!

In celebration of the adoption of Beau I am linking to

Little Red House for

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/
Mosaic Monday

Bonnie Braids, Dick Tracy dolls for Christmas 1952

Christmas 1952

My sister and I are showing off our Bonnie Braids, Dick Tracy dolls. What a Christmas that was! I remember it so well. This was in Midland, Texas.

 Today I am linking to Vintage Thingy Thursday where The Colorado Lady highlights her vintage treasures and invites us to do the same!   http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Ready for Tabletop Tuesday

Tabletop Tuesday - Ready to Entertain

Maybe this fits more under a tablescape, but if you

look closely I am featuring my peacocks that I love so dearly. My mother had these on her mantel in her home for

several years that I was aware of. I had no idea they would be considered an "heirloom" but after looking at pictures of

my grandmother's home back in the 1950's, I saw them on

her mantel as well. That was AFTER I had chosen them to be a part of my household after the passing of my parents.

They can still be found in antique stores I have been told... and if I saw one or a pair someday in a store... I would then

start my "peacock rescue club".

Today I am linking to

A Stroll Thru Life

for Marty's 44th

Tabletop Tuesday.

Visit Marty for some very inspiring photos!

Lunch with dear friends!

Two dear, dear friends and I met for lunch yesterday.

We've known each other for over thirty years, but with

busy schedules, moves, major changes in our lives

it has taken us all these years to just sit down... the three of us... and talk. And talk we did yesterday. We didn't just talk

about small children as we would have had we been

young mothers, or the trials and tribulations of

rearing teens. That is very much in the past for us.

No, we talked about the challenges facing us as we

experience.. how do they say it, "Life on life's terms".

Smoothly our conversation would drift into our

blog world, exchanging photography tips and

sharing where and when we blog.

We realized that we had a thirst for needing to be heard.

It was a beautiful time for sharing and laying out on

the table some very tender feelings and frustrations.

Who can you ever do this with but friends

God has placed in your path?

You may know these two dear ladies.

There is Laura on the left from White Spray Paint

and Nancy from Nancy's Notes.

What a blessing they are to my life.

Yesterday truly was an early Christmas gift!

Christmas 1957

This was just one of those Christmases that as a child you just do not forget. We were at my maternal grandparents' home in Texas. I'm sure it was Christmas Eve. What I am holding up there is a REAL bottle of finger nail polish! You would have thought I was holding a beautiful piece of jewelry, but that would be in later years.

My uncle dressed up like Santa in a vintage costume. That's my mother in the beautiful skirt and black sweater. My dear little Aunt Mary Anne, seated in the chair, my little brother, Clay, who was about three at the time were all enjoying some wonderful surprises. My sister, Anne, in the red pajamas was patiently waiting her turn to receive a gift. This is just one of those very special moments in childhood that has stayed with me.

Green Jays at the Ranch

These Green Jays at the ranch in deep south
Texas were enjoying fresh seeds and some sunshine.
It was a wonderful break from all of the scurrying
around  baking and shopping and decorating...
Even though the break only lasted about fifteen minutes
it was exactly what I needed!

It's Mosaic Monday time...
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

at
Little Red House

Christmas Dinner Party Last Night

We entertained our deer lease hunting group

last night with an Italian dinner of lasagna and

also eggplant - chicken parmigiana. A salad, garlic

bread and rum cake were also served.

This is where half of our group was seated.

The other half were in our breakfast nook... and why I

don't have a picture of that.. baffles me.

I really enjoy our Nativity set that I purchased from..

get this... Sam's in Colima, Mexico.

In keeping with the tradition in Mexico (and probably elsewhere too) I am leaving the manger empty until

midnight Christmas Eve.

I have another function at my home tonight...

a church meeting. I'll serve dinner again.

Someone told me once that back to back entertaining is

the way to go. I'm going to find out.

I'm linking for the first time to

No Minimalist Here

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

AND

Tablescape Thursday

Designs by Gollum

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Visit both of these blogs to see some of the most

fabulous Christmas decorating ideas.

Christmas 2010

Department 56 - Snow Village

It's finally completed... or rather, it's gone as far as it's going. It's amazing how much time one can spend tinkering with these little buildings!  Now I can hardly wait to show it off to the children in our lives.

I am linking to 

Little Red House 

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/search/label/Mosaic%20Monday

for

Mosaic Monday 

My First Snow Village Piece - 1982

This is one of my favorite Department 56 Snow Village pieces. I believe on the bottom it says "1982". This is just one of the pieces that I want to highlight here at Ladybug Creek.

So much fun! I know now why men children love to play with toy trains and setting up displays.

This was a gift from a brother and his wife one Christmas.

Hope you'll check back to see more Snow Village.

Most of the accessories I have for my snow village

were bought at the end of the season when no-one for sure is setting up their village. I even use toy train set accessories

in some of my displays.

I'm sharing this with

Laurie's Bargain Hunting and Chatting

http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/

Snow Village - YIKES!

Yikes!!

I love my Snow Village. It doesn't make it up every Christmas but this year is special. We have children in our lives that we have not had in quite some time, so I just

felt like I wanted to set it up. But, oh my goodness....

Last year I came upon a special deal with Department 56

and so scooped up as much as possible. Somehow I have to make a Christmasy, snowy village with all of this and twenty-two buildings... each one with a special memory of its purchase. My husband has even gotten into this. Mind you not setting it up... oh no... but he does enjoy shopping

for new buildings. After our shopping would be done for the children and the rest of our families, David and I would take off to shop for ourselves. It always included a new addition to our Snow Village.

Hopefully  I will have an update for you soon

as to how this mess becomes an enchanting little town.

You'll find me at Coastal Charm today...

enjoying all of the wonderful postings!!

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Here is the first one!

I want to live in this house.

The cottswald design was something I was not

familiar with, even though we lived in one for seven

years. My excuse is that we were young and

just had no clue.

My name for this piece is

"406 N. Garcia Street"

as that was the address of our home.

It was not brick, but stucco. It had a green roof and

a huge, huge front window/door... sort of garden style.

The house was 60 years old when we moved into it.

A doctor had built it and it was two-story so that

he could have his clinic downstairs and live upstair.

Several rounds of renovations had been done on it,

but it was such an interesting home. There were

even secret passage ways. Our closet upstairs had a

red light in it and I assume that was for developing

pictures. I bought this Snow Village because it

reminded me of what I had hoped to accomplish

with that home. 

I love my RED Pashmina scarf!

I love using my Pashmina scarves on my tables.

This is one I bought recently and it is actually the

flip-side of the scarf. The reds in it fit the season!

Tonight I am linking to

"It's a Very Cherry World"

for

Rednesday

http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

 

It's Not Over Yet!

My decorating is far from complete but just to let you know that I am a busy bee full of glee (I know... that's SICK!)!!
I truly love this part of Christmas... all the excitement and glitter.. the sparkle and parties...
Truly it is the customs that I love the most. I plan to share some with you soon. The baby Jesus one is my favorite!
Back to "work". Who knows what will be spruced up next.

It's Mosaic Monday so take a minute to visit Little Red House. If you haven't been there before... you'll love it!

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

How funny... I just noticed that you can see my husband's reflection in the mirror. LOL Busted, David! (He's getting a second helping of popcorn.)

Hola, Yoli of Apron Senorita!

Meet Yoli of Apron Senorita

What fun! Las night at Dias Festivos in McAllen, Texas

I met Yoli. What fun we had getting to

know a blogging sister.

She makes fabulous aprons and Christmas stockings.

Most of her creations have that Mexican flair to them.

I love it!

http://apronsenorita.blogspot.com/

I also got to meet her darling sister, Jessica.

There is definitely talent in that  family!

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Hop over to My Romantic Home and enjoy

all of the entries for Show & Tell Friday

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake

Sometimes we discard recipes.. or cookbooks. They're not so fashionable anymore, we are tired of them, maybe they are not considered healthy by today's standards.
I almost threw out an old cookbook that someone had given me years ago. It was a church cookbook. You know the type... a fundraiser cookbook.
Mind you, I am a collector of cookbooks and to say I may have 300+... well,
I simply cannot bring myself to confess how many I truly have. This sort of
cookbook is my favorite. It's more down to earth, home style cooking, not so gourmet if you know what I mean.


I decided at the last minute that this cookbook deserved a second chance so I took it to our deer lease. It is usually the only place where I make dessert. There is always such a willing and eager audience of hungry hunters out there. Frankly, they'll eat anything!


So I was looking for something to make out there and quickly found this recipe called "Oatmeal Cake". Sounded interesting and I had all of the ingredients... except for margarine which I do not use. Buttah is bettah! Right? So, okay... I have it all ready to go in the oven when I realized there was no temperature nor baking time for this recipe. Remember it is a hands-on church cookbook. Proofing was not on the priority list I guess. But, oh well... I put it in a 325 degree oven for about 25 minutes and it came out great. I think it is one of the most delicious cakes I've ever eaten. And with oatmeal in it... well, it's almost a health food, right??


It was a total hit! Give it a try when you need a bit of "health food".

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake
1 1/4 c. boiling water
1 c. quick-cooking oatmeal
1 stick of butter

Place oatmeal in a medium size mixing bowl and add butter. Pour boiling water over this and allow to stand about 20 minutes. (I only gave it about 10 and it was fine.)

In larger bowl mix together:
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Add to the oatmeal mixture when somewhat cooled...
2 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. vanilla

Combine flour mixture with the oatmeal mixture and stir.

Pour into a "Pam'd" oblong baking dish
Bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

In a saucepan on low heat:
1 stick of butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. coconut
1 c. chopped pecans

Pour over cake when straight from the oven and hot.

Serve on a cold winter's night, by the fire with hot spice tea! Guaranteed to warm your cockles.
(Does anyone know what "cockles" are?)

Christmas Tree in Mexico

Christmas Tree in Mexico

Our daughter-in-law in Mexico has such

wonderful taste. This is the Christmas tree she

has designed for her family this year. It is amazing

how much she and I like the same colors... the brown,

bronze and then peacock feathers and blues. 

And of course some bling in there as well.

It's a little hard to see, but at the top of the

tree are peacock feathers. 

Absolutely stunning, Marcela!  

I'm just in time for Mosaic Monday...
so stop by for a visit at

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Thanksgiving Day in Mexico

Thanksgiving Day in Mexico

Our son and his wife asked us to come down for Thanksgiving. What a challenge preparing a holiday

dinner... not only in another country but also gluten-free.

Our sweet granddaughter has Celiac Disease. That means

we cook gluten-free when she is with us.

Cooking started early in the morning at our son's home.

Cornbread for dressing (gluten-free cornbread recipe and then I used GF croutons for the dressing.

We had green bean bundles, mashed potatoes,

cranberry sauce, GF gravy. I prepared a dessert for

the adults but brought Santa chocolates for the kids.

Thank goodness that was a big hit!

I must admit that the men had decided to take

charge of the turkey. What a hoot watching them!

They waited until it was nearly time to put the turkey

in the oil-less fryer to read the directions. Then my husband

had to go hunt down a gas connection. Oh well... not to worry. They still managed to get it on in good time.

Then... we had to drop everything and run to

our granddaughter's school for a program...

in English. She goes to a bilingual school...Spanish-English.

Since our granddaughter has been in a bilingual

home all of her life, she has an advantage.

Anyhow... the day turned out great!

And I hope your day was just as great!

Here is the GF cornbread recipe I used:

2 c. yellow or white cornmeal (I used yellow)

1/2 c. boiling water

1 T. sugar (I omitted since using in dressing)

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 large egg

2 T. canola oil

I baked this in a 325 degree oven for about 25 minutes. Excellent!

It's Foodie Friday so

I'm linking to

Designs by Gollum

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Come join us!