Thursday, December 31, 2009

Projects for 2010

In 2009, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish around the house. It was just in my project notebook. This year I am going to put it on my blog and then post pictures as I finish the projects or write about things I get done. This is not my NY resolution, that will be a different post all together.

  1. Sand and paint telephone bench
  2. Refinish kitchen cabinets
  3. New curtain rods and curtains for several rooms
  4. Paint bathroom cabinets
  5. Put a closet organizer in the office/craft closet
  6. Sand and paint the student desk
  7. Sand and paint chest for bedroom
  8. Paint front door
  9. Backyard landscaping
  10. Paint laundry room
  11. Put trim around chalkboard
  12. Put trim around mirror in master bath

I am sure there are more. I'll add to my list as I think of them. Some of them are very small projects, others will take a bit longer. I am going to get started this weekend with something small before I go back to work.


Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Christmas Getaway

Barry's parents planned a Christmas Getaway for our family this year. We all loaded up and went to Ridgedale, MO right outside of Branson. I rode up with his parents and grandpa because Barry couldn't leave as early as they could. My family was coming down and I didn't want to waste a minute with them. Unfortunately, the ice storm in Chicago prevented my mom, sister and nephew from making it. They had to turn around and head home.

We stayed in the most beautiful home on Table Rock Lake. There was plenty of room for us to enjoy ourselves and enjoy each other. We had an amazing time. It was a very special Christmas that we'll always remember.

Here are some pics...

We walked in the house to this kitchen! I could sure get used to this.

Lots of room

The family room downstairs


Here's our room. It was beautiful. We could walk right out onto the screened in porch...of course with the cold weather...we didn't.



Media room
We all loved this room, but I think the guys may have enjoyed it just a tad bit more than we did.




Barry with his video camera on Christmas morning.

Going for a walk into the woods.

Brothers wrestling

Making a snow angel.

The finished project!



Monday, December 21, 2009

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I love this time of year!! It's truly my favorite time of year. Well, summer vacation is a close second. All the things that come with the Christmas season are what make it my favorite. Spending time with family is at the top of my list. Of course I know that Jesus is what this season is really about and we will celebrate him too. This year, Barry's parents have rented a six bedroom house in MO for all of us. Not only his family, but my mom, sis and nephew will also be there. How wonderful is that?!! We get to spend several days with all of us under one roof. That's 9 adults and 4 kids. I can't wait to have everyone together. All of us talking, laughing, playing games, eating, sleeping and waiting for Santa to visit. Spending time just being together! This year it truly is the MOST wonderful time of the year!


I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!


Here's a peak where we will be sleeping! This makes it even more wonderful! :)


Sunday, December 20, 2009

Christmas Came Early

I have been wanting a KitchenAid Mixer for as long as I can remember. Well, at least since I've been an adult. I've spent time walking through the aisles of stores looking longingly at the KA mixers and just wishing I could have one. I cook a lot, but I don't bake as much because it's just not that easy. Well, that all changed today. Today I used my new KitchenAid Mixer to make cookies. My sweet husband has known how much I've wanted a mixer. He has watched me drool over them when we are in a store together. He's watched me look at them on the computer and research the type of mixer I wanted.

Last week when I was at Sam's, they were on sale so he told me to get one! An early Christmas present! So of course I did. I'd done my research and knew I wanted a 5qt mixer. This one is an exclusive to Sam's and Costco. It is a Professional HD 5qt mixer. With 475 watts, this baby can do everything I want it to and then some. I think there will be a lot more baking in my future. Of course I can use it for so many other things...not just baking.

Thank you so much sweetie! Enjoy those cookies!

Here she is!!!



Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Pioneer Woman Book Signing

Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love The Pioneer Woman. Ree Drummond has become an obsession! Well, maybe her website is my obsession. When her cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl went on sale for pre-order, I ordered several. One for myself and some for birthday and Christmas gifts. It is one of the most beautiful cookbooks I have ever seen. It isn't just a cookbook it is a beautiful representation of her life on their family ranch in Oklahoma. She has included beautiful pictures of her family, the ranch and of course her recipes. She dedicated the book to her husband, "Marlboro Man." That page is a must read. It is beautifully written and so sweet. Her love for her husband and children is one of the many reasons I am drawn to her site.

As soon as I heard The PW was coming to Dallas for a book signing, I entered it into the calendar on my phone. December 1st was a sacred day. I was going to Dallas to meet Ree and have her sign my stack of cookbooks. Barry thought I was insane...well, he still does. He teased me, but at the same time totally supported me attending. He was so fantastic that he went to Borders the morning of the signing to get my wristband. Do I have an amazing husband or what?? He was able to get two gold wristbands. One for me and one for our friend, Andy who is also a PW groupie!

December 1st arrived with rain and even some snow in the early morning hours. That didn't deter this fan. Barry agreed to chauffeur us to Dallas to the signing. He took his laptop so he could sit in another part of the store while we were in line waiting. We arrived about 6:15 and Ree was schedule to appear at 7:00. The store was PACKED already. I'm not sure how many people were in attendance, but it was more than I anticipated. I was so very thankful that Barry was able to get our wristbands earlier in the day. Boy, was I thankful!!! We got in line with the other gold band folks. Here was an entire store of men, women, children and babies who adore The PW as much as I do. Well, a few may have been forced to attend, but I doubt many. We chatted with some great people in line and discussed recipes we had tried. I soon realized I need to step up my cooking.

At just a bit after 7:00 Ree appeared. The store went crazy. We were at the back of the store in line so we couldn't see her. I went up closer to get a couple of shots a bit later and got a few, but nothing really great. We inched our way closer and as we got close enough to see her, I got nervous. What would I say to her? Would I sound like a babbling idiot? Most likely I would, but I decided that was ok. Many of our fellow groupies brought presents. Weren't they smart??!!! What had I been thinking? I should have brought something for her. Too late now!

It was finally my turn to walk up to her table. I can't even remember exactly what I said. Andy was right behind me and I am sure he said much better things than I did. I was a total dork, of that I am sure. But, it didn't matter. I got to meet this sweet woman who is just as gracious in person as I imagined her to be. She was charming and made me feel at ease. She signed all of the books I brought and made small talk. I'm sure that can't be easy for her considering there were hundreds of people there and she does this over and over again, week after week. BUT, she did it. I walked away from her table flushed and smiling like a fool. Her beautiful daughters were just to the right of the table handing our her beautiful shirts. She GAVE us all a free t-shirt. Made by the wonderful woman at Wild Olive Tees...if you haven't been to their site, you need to. They have some beautiful tees. I had each of the girls sign my book and went to find Barry. We had made it through the line at just a bit past 8:00. Not too Shabby. We headed out into the rain and made our trek back to Sherman. It was an amazing night full of fun, laughter, camaraderie and a realization that Ree is just what I imagined...and maybe more.

If still haven't checked out her website, you really MUST! I am positive you will love it just as much as I do.


The Golden Ticket

Doesn't Barry look thrilled?!

Here we are waiting in line...

Sneaking up front to take a picture. Don't you just LOVE those boots!?!?


The girls handing out the tees. They are just so beautiful and very sweet!


Eeeeeek!! How exciting. She is just so beautiful. Loved her jewelry!
I look so blah. It made me realize I have to get lose some weight! AND I think I hate my hair!


Andy, me and Ree




Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Sooooooo Excited!!

Tonight I am going to Dallas to The Pioneer Woman's cookbook signing!!!!! I cannot tell you how excited I am!! I have been reading her site forever. I pre-ordered 3 of her cookbooks the day they went on sale and went through mine cover to cover the day it arrived. I ♥ her!

I will have lots of pictures tomorrow of the book signing! If you haven't been to her website before, you must go check it out. She has amazing recipes, a cooking site, photography tips, homeschooling info and ranch life confessions. You won't be disappointed....I promise!

Now to wait until 7:00 tonight!!

 
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