When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.
-Maria, Sound of Music, 1965
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
San Antonio: What a Lovely View...Not So Much
I spent last week in San Antonio for work. I stayed at the Omni (which was once a school so very cool building) on the River Walk. Now, before you get all jealous let me show you my view of the River Walk from the hotel...
Not what you remember the River Walk looking like, right? Well, for about 12 days each year they drain the River Walk to clean it up and dredge some of the dirt, trash and rocks that settle in it throughout the year. Nothing like strolling down the scenic River Walk to the sound of heavy machinery, smell of diesel fuel and the worry that you might trip over a large blue hose full of San Antonio river water!
I think the River Walk being empty is a great visual - perhaps a metaphor - for business travel. You go to a great city expecting to see the sights (not really but that's what everyone else thinks you do when you travel for work) and instead you sit in a meeting room for 8-plus hours a day for two days and then fly home. Empty River Walk equals drab meeting room! See how I linked them...you were worried, huh?
Now, I'm not saying that I didn't get out and see anything while I was in San Antonio (more on that in a bit), I did and there was a Starbucks right across the street so it was a good trip for me. I also met 12 women who really inspired me (really 14, but I already knew two of them before I went) during the trip.
I was at a meeting with a group of farm women. That is such an insignificant description of these women.
They are wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, teachers, business women, and so, so much more! They are intelligent, passionate, compassionate, funny, witty, engaging and just downright FUN.
Though they are from five different states and had never met before, by the end of the two days you could tell that some wonderful friendships had been formed.
I just sat back and listened (OK, I talked a bit too) to the stories about why they farm; how they met their husbands (at the lake one summer for one gal and online for another); how they adopted not one but three beautiful boys from Russia - the last one right before Putin stopped adoptions to Americans; how they asked their teenage children what they liked and didn't like about the farm (liked living in the country, disliked living in the country...teenagers!); how their husbands promised them they could take vacations WHENEVER because they don’t have livestock but forgot to mention planting in spring and harvest in the fall; how their lives revolve around their animals because it doesn't matter if it's Christmas, the cows need fed and milked; and how they couldn't imagine living and raising their families any other way.
I'm privileged that while I no longer live on my family farm, I get to work in the presence of farmers, like these women, and do my small part in helping them (and their families) continue to do what they love to do - grow stuff, whether it's plants (corn and soybeans here in Indiana) or animals. Getting to know these women really made the trip for me.
I did manage to snap a few more photos on my trusty Blackberry while I was down in Texas and they even turned out OK since I solved the mystery of the blurry photos. I mainly took these pictures to post to Twitter during my trip. I don't know why, but I really immersed myself in the Twitterverse last week!
So here's a "snapshot" of my San Antonio trip.
OK, maybe this isn't what you expected but that's just part of my caffeine consumption during Day 2 of the meeting. I truly appreciated the Coke Zero in the meeting room. It was a great chaser to the Venti Starbucks I consumed that morning! There might have been a few other bottles of Coke Zero that didn't make the shot.
What did you expect to see? The Alamo? Mariachi Bands?
Oh, you did expect to see those. OK, here we go...
Only in Texas (and maybe Mexico) can you see this on the side of a building!
On my second morning in San Antonio, I got up early (Central time kills me) and took a walk along the River Walk (after hitting Starbucks) but had to detour because of the work being done so I took to the streets and realized that my hotel was just about 4-5 blocks from the Alamo! So after dinner that night, I walked back to see it lit up at night. Very cool.
We ate at a barbecue joint along the River Walk just before my walk to the Alamo and this sign made me feel right at home. Shout out to all the other 10-year 4-Hers out there!
At this same restaurant we were served these...
Do you know what went through my head when I saw these...the opening to the Flintstones cartoon when they brought out the huge dinosaur (assuming they were dinosaur) ribs to Fred's car - that and the Jetsons theme song, not sure why the Jetsons...Meet George Jetson, his son Elroy! The ribs were huge and I have to admit that these were almost too big to enjoy...though the BBQ chicken was yummy.
I think I have an obsession with food...took another photo of another meal. This time it was beef brisket and it was quite yummy.
Now you know why I got up and took that morning walk, huh?
Here's a shot of the beautiful pool at the hotel that was actually warm enough to swim in, though no one did while we were there!
Since the hotel used to be a school, it's shaped kind of funny with all of these nooks and crannies. There was this cute courtyard close to my room and I snapped a shot of the two Hoosier farm wives that were at the meeting with me. They are such fun!
Not what you remember the River Walk looking like, right? Well, for about 12 days each year they drain the River Walk to clean it up and dredge some of the dirt, trash and rocks that settle in it throughout the year. Nothing like strolling down the scenic River Walk to the sound of heavy machinery, smell of diesel fuel and the worry that you might trip over a large blue hose full of San Antonio river water!
I think the River Walk being empty is a great visual - perhaps a metaphor - for business travel. You go to a great city expecting to see the sights (not really but that's what everyone else thinks you do when you travel for work) and instead you sit in a meeting room for 8-plus hours a day for two days and then fly home. Empty River Walk equals drab meeting room! See how I linked them...you were worried, huh?
Now, I'm not saying that I didn't get out and see anything while I was in San Antonio (more on that in a bit), I did and there was a Starbucks right across the street so it was a good trip for me. I also met 12 women who really inspired me (really 14, but I already knew two of them before I went) during the trip.
I was at a meeting with a group of farm women. That is such an insignificant description of these women.
They are wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, teachers, business women, and so, so much more! They are intelligent, passionate, compassionate, funny, witty, engaging and just downright FUN.
Though they are from five different states and had never met before, by the end of the two days you could tell that some wonderful friendships had been formed.
I just sat back and listened (OK, I talked a bit too) to the stories about why they farm; how they met their husbands (at the lake one summer for one gal and online for another); how they adopted not one but three beautiful boys from Russia - the last one right before Putin stopped adoptions to Americans; how they asked their teenage children what they liked and didn't like about the farm (liked living in the country, disliked living in the country...teenagers!); how their husbands promised them they could take vacations WHENEVER because they don’t have livestock but forgot to mention planting in spring and harvest in the fall; how their lives revolve around their animals because it doesn't matter if it's Christmas, the cows need fed and milked; and how they couldn't imagine living and raising their families any other way.
I'm privileged that while I no longer live on my family farm, I get to work in the presence of farmers, like these women, and do my small part in helping them (and their families) continue to do what they love to do - grow stuff, whether it's plants (corn and soybeans here in Indiana) or animals. Getting to know these women really made the trip for me.
I did manage to snap a few more photos on my trusty Blackberry while I was down in Texas and they even turned out OK since I solved the mystery of the blurry photos. I mainly took these pictures to post to Twitter during my trip. I don't know why, but I really immersed myself in the Twitterverse last week!
So here's a "snapshot" of my San Antonio trip.
OK, maybe this isn't what you expected but that's just part of my caffeine consumption during Day 2 of the meeting. I truly appreciated the Coke Zero in the meeting room. It was a great chaser to the Venti Starbucks I consumed that morning! There might have been a few other bottles of Coke Zero that didn't make the shot.
What did you expect to see? The Alamo? Mariachi Bands?
Oh, you did expect to see those. OK, here we go...
Only in Texas (and maybe Mexico) can you see this on the side of a building!
Unfortunately this next establishment was closed...really could have gone for a plate of pasta served by a belly dancing jazz musician!
We ate at a barbecue joint along the River Walk just before my walk to the Alamo and this sign made me feel right at home. Shout out to all the other 10-year 4-Hers out there!
At this same restaurant we were served these...
I think I have an obsession with food...took another photo of another meal. This time it was beef brisket and it was quite yummy.
Now you know why I got up and took that morning walk, huh?
Here's a shot of the beautiful pool at the hotel that was actually warm enough to swim in, though no one did while we were there!
Since the hotel used to be a school, it's shaped kind of funny with all of these nooks and crannies. There was this cute courtyard close to my room and I snapped a shot of the two Hoosier farm wives that were at the meeting with me. They are such fun!
And thank goodness the lady in blue above was with me...we had a 5:40 AM flight home and if she didn't call my room at 4:15 AM and ask me if I was joining her in the cab, I'd still be in San Antonio!
So, maybe I should add helpful to that list of adjectives describing the farm women I was with in San Antonio!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Venturing into the Tasty Kitchen
I've been reading lots of posts about setting New Year's resolutions or choosing NOT to set any. Now, I'm not a big believer in NYRs. I'm not saying that others shouldn't set them. I just know myself...I won't keep them.
However, I have decided to make some changes in my life and they just so happen to coincide with the New Year, so maybe I am a believer. I won't go into detail on why I've set these as my 2011 goals, but here they are:
So, I did go to Mass this morning. The band was playing and it reminded me of my days at Purdue and the band that played at St. Tom's...of course the band members this morning were about 20-30 years older, but they were still great. Sorry, I digress.
I really wanted to talk about the third "goal" on my list. I've gotten lazy over the last year (I guess "lazy" is the reason behind all 3 goals, huh?) and not really cooked much at all. I've relied on Steak 'n Shake way too much for my evening meal...but they have Coke Zero so I felt justified!
I'm determined to keep more "easy meal" options on hand, like bread for sandwiches and carrots and grapes for quick and healthy side options. Sometimes I don't get home from the office until after 7 p.m. and that's way too late (at least for me) to be doing a lot of cookin' in the kitchen!
I also want to start using my crockpot more regularly and fixing meals on the weekend so I can have leftovers throughout the week. I did the latter this weekend.
I had a craving for macaroni and cheese but I never really make it myself. I'm not a confident enough cook (usually) to just throw some ingredients in a pot and hope for the best. My mom makes macaroni and cheese this way and it comes out just fine, but I wanted a recipe!
So, I headed over to a website that Istalk read regularly, The Pioneer Woman. If you haven't visited, I dare you to go to her blog and spend just 5 minutes. Trust me. You will go over and start to poke around and the next thing you know, it's been an hour and you just want to read more!
Well, the Pioneer Woman also has a cooking blog - really a community - where cooks come together and share recipes. I have to admit that The Tasty Kitchen has been the section on her site that I've spent the least amount of time exploring. I've gone there a time or two looking for recipe ideas but I never "joined" until this weekend.
I went there for a simple macaroni and cheese recipe and came away with an amazing one!
Doesn't this look awesome?
It's called Chicken Bacon Ranch Macaroni and Cheese.
Now, I admit I made some substitutions and I'll let you know what they were as we go through the recipe.
8 ounces, weight Uncooked Elbow Macaroni (I used a penne pasta and probably used 10 oz.)
4 slices Applewood Smoked Bacon (I cooked my bacon in the microwave - less mess, so I skipped the second paragraph below and the onion & garlic powders too.)
8 ounces, weight Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, Cut Into 1/2-inch Pieces (I had some breaded chicken breasts in the freezer so I just heated those up instead...reminded me of Noodles & Co.'s mac 'n cheese with Parmesan-crusted chicken breast.)
½ teaspoons Onion Powder
½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
½ teaspoons Salt
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Flour
1-½ cup Fat Free Milk
½ cans Condensed Cream Of Chicken Soup, 10 Ounce Can
¼ cups BOTTLED RANCH DRESSING (I might have added just a bit more dressing - definitely a great addition.)
¾ cups Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese, Shredded (I used regular Colby Jack instead.)
½ cups French Fried Onions (I didn't have these, probably would have been good though.)
½ cups Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
[Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings in pan. Finely chop bacon; set aside. Increase heat to medium-high. Season chicken with onion powder, garlic powder and salt. Add chicken to drippings in pan; sauté 6 minutes or until done.] I didn't do this step as noted above...I just cooked my bacon in the microwave (such an easy way to do it) and heated up some pre-cooked breaded chicken breasts.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; sprinkle flour evenly into pan. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Combine milk and soup, stirring with a whisk; then gradually add milk mixture to saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick. Add ranch dressing and 3/4 cups of cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in pasta and chicken.
Preheat broiler.
Spoon pasta mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with reserved bacon, fried onions and 1/2 cup of cheese. Broil 3 minutes or until cheese melts.
Take another look...
...notice the brownies in the background? Another super-easy "recipe" but this one was from Hoosier Homemade - a great blog from right here in my home state (be sure to check out her awesome cupcakes). Just whip up a box of brownies, sprinkle some peanut butter chips on top once they are in the pan, bake for 5 minutes and then swirl the melted chips into the brownies with a knife, and finish baking. YUMMY...I used a box of Ghiradelli Double Chocolate brownies and that made them THAT much better!
I have to admit this wasn't my ONLY bowl of mac 'n cheese last night...or today!
I heated up a bowl under the broiler for lunch today and I think it was even better than it was last night. Notice the bottle of wine in the background? The mac 'n cheese with great with a glass of Pinot Grigio from Easley Wineries in Indianapolis...check out http://www.indianawines.org/ for more info on Indiana wines and wineries.
I'll definitely be returning the Tasty Kitchen to hunt up some other recipes and maybe someday I'll add one of my own!
Since, I've already tackled 2 of my 3 goals maybe I should head to the gym...maybe tomorrow! Who wants another brownie?
However, I have decided to make some changes in my life and they just so happen to coincide with the New Year, so maybe I am a believer. I won't go into detail on why I've set these as my 2011 goals, but here they are:
1. Go to Mass regularly (maybe not weekly, but more than just Easter and Christmas).
2. Go to the gym at least twice a week. (It annoys me to see my gym membership payment on the credit card statement and know that I NEVER go.)
3. Eat at home regularly (unless Mom calls...so it should read: Eat at home or Mom's regularly). Try to cut out the drive-thru runs on the way home from work.
So, I did go to Mass this morning. The band was playing and it reminded me of my days at Purdue and the band that played at St. Tom's...of course the band members this morning were about 20-30 years older, but they were still great. Sorry, I digress.
I really wanted to talk about the third "goal" on my list. I've gotten lazy over the last year (I guess "lazy" is the reason behind all 3 goals, huh?) and not really cooked much at all. I've relied on Steak 'n Shake way too much for my evening meal...but they have Coke Zero so I felt justified!
I'm determined to keep more "easy meal" options on hand, like bread for sandwiches and carrots and grapes for quick and healthy side options. Sometimes I don't get home from the office until after 7 p.m. and that's way too late (at least for me) to be doing a lot of cookin' in the kitchen!
I also want to start using my crockpot more regularly and fixing meals on the weekend so I can have leftovers throughout the week. I did the latter this weekend.
I had a craving for macaroni and cheese but I never really make it myself. I'm not a confident enough cook (usually) to just throw some ingredients in a pot and hope for the best. My mom makes macaroni and cheese this way and it comes out just fine, but I wanted a recipe!
So, I headed over to a website that I
Well, the Pioneer Woman also has a cooking blog - really a community - where cooks come together and share recipes. I have to admit that The Tasty Kitchen has been the section on her site that I've spent the least amount of time exploring. I've gone there a time or two looking for recipe ideas but I never "joined" until this weekend.
I went there for a simple macaroni and cheese recipe and came away with an amazing one!
Doesn't this look awesome?
It's called Chicken Bacon Ranch Macaroni and Cheese.
Now, I admit I made some substitutions and I'll let you know what they were as we go through the recipe.
8 ounces, weight Uncooked Elbow Macaroni (I used a penne pasta and probably used 10 oz.)
4 slices Applewood Smoked Bacon (I cooked my bacon in the microwave - less mess, so I skipped the second paragraph below and the onion & garlic powders too.)
8 ounces, weight Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, Cut Into 1/2-inch Pieces (I had some breaded chicken breasts in the freezer so I just heated those up instead...reminded me of Noodles & Co.'s mac 'n cheese with Parmesan-crusted chicken breast.)
½ teaspoons Onion Powder
½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
½ teaspoons Salt
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Flour
1-½ cup Fat Free Milk
½ cans Condensed Cream Of Chicken Soup, 10 Ounce Can
¼ cups BOTTLED RANCH DRESSING (I might have added just a bit more dressing - definitely a great addition.)
¾ cups Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese, Shredded (I used regular Colby Jack instead.)
½ cups French Fried Onions (I didn't have these, probably would have been good though.)
½ cups Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
[Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings in pan. Finely chop bacon; set aside. Increase heat to medium-high. Season chicken with onion powder, garlic powder and salt. Add chicken to drippings in pan; sauté 6 minutes or until done.] I didn't do this step as noted above...I just cooked my bacon in the microwave (such an easy way to do it) and heated up some pre-cooked breaded chicken breasts.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; sprinkle flour evenly into pan. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Combine milk and soup, stirring with a whisk; then gradually add milk mixture to saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick. Add ranch dressing and 3/4 cups of cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in pasta and chicken.
Preheat broiler.
Spoon pasta mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with reserved bacon, fried onions and 1/2 cup of cheese. Broil 3 minutes or until cheese melts.
Take another look...
...notice the brownies in the background? Another super-easy "recipe" but this one was from Hoosier Homemade - a great blog from right here in my home state (be sure to check out her awesome cupcakes). Just whip up a box of brownies, sprinkle some peanut butter chips on top once they are in the pan, bake for 5 minutes and then swirl the melted chips into the brownies with a knife, and finish baking. YUMMY...I used a box of Ghiradelli Double Chocolate brownies and that made them THAT much better!
I have to admit this wasn't my ONLY bowl of mac 'n cheese last night...or today!
I heated up a bowl under the broiler for lunch today and I think it was even better than it was last night. Notice the bottle of wine in the background? The mac 'n cheese with great with a glass of Pinot Grigio from Easley Wineries in Indianapolis...check out http://www.indianawines.org/ for more info on Indiana wines and wineries.
I'll definitely be returning the Tasty Kitchen to hunt up some other recipes and maybe someday I'll add one of my own!
Since, I've already tackled 2 of my 3 goals maybe I should head to the gym...maybe tomorrow! Who wants another brownie?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Farm Animals and a Bling Ring
Remember when I told you that I went Christmas shopping at a gas station? No...check out the post here.
Well, the exchange was a huge hit with my coworkers! All but one of my coworkers participated - and even the one who didn't buy a gift enjoyed the hilarity that ensued.
Here's the pile of goods...notice that we "wrapped" them very elegantly.
I didn't get a shot of each gift...I didn't even get a shot of the gift I bought! My contribution included a bag of dill pickle flavored sunflower seeds, Lee Greenwood Christmas CD and a small snow globe featuring an Indiana farm scene.
Several of the gifts included lottery tickets and those were stolen multiple times...this one was not stolen - not even once...
I totally stole this gift. My sister really wanted to get my 2-year-old nephew some little farm animals but couldn't find them anywhere. Well, Aunt MeeMee came to the rescue!
Now, I felt a bit bad about stealing them away from a coworker who also has a 2-year-old son...but only for a second!
My nephew is in love with the box of farm animals at Grandma and Papaw's house. He always gets them out right after he pulls out the John Deere tractors and New Holland combine so he can farm like Papaw. So he HAD to have a set at home, right?
I've already been told that this type of gift swap is a must for next year's staff Christmas party...now to think of a way to top the gas station idea...
Well, the exchange was a huge hit with my coworkers! All but one of my coworkers participated - and even the one who didn't buy a gift enjoyed the hilarity that ensued.
Here's the pile of goods...notice that we "wrapped" them very elegantly.
I didn't get a shot of each gift...I didn't even get a shot of the gift I bought! My contribution included a bag of dill pickle flavored sunflower seeds, Lee Greenwood Christmas CD and a small snow globe featuring an Indiana farm scene.
Several of the gifts included lottery tickets and those were stolen multiple times...this one was not stolen - not even once...
I totally stole this gift. My sister really wanted to get my 2-year-old nephew some little farm animals but couldn't find them anywhere. Well, Aunt MeeMee came to the rescue!
Now, I felt a bit bad about stealing them away from a coworker who also has a 2-year-old son...but only for a second!
My nephew is in love with the box of farm animals at Grandma and Papaw's house. He always gets them out right after he pulls out the John Deere tractors and New Holland combine so he can farm like Papaw. So he HAD to have a set at home, right?
I've already been told that this type of gift swap is a must for next year's staff Christmas party...now to think of a way to top the gas station idea...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Book Review...A Good, Quick Read
It's been almost three years since I read The Friday Night Knitting Club (Friday Night Knitting Club Novels) by Kate Jacobs. I loved it. I'm a sucker for a novel about relationships. The women in the knitting club all had their own quirks, problems and hang-ups but they all came together and formed this tight knit (sorry, had to do it) family.
Well, I picked up Knit Two (Friday Night Knitting Club, No 2)
months ago and it's been sitting on my bedside table unopened ever since. I think I even let my sister borrow it before I read it...that never happens. I'm not sure what kept me from reading it because I loved the first one and I'm one of those people who love sequels or series when it comes to books.
I always want to know what happens to the characters AFTER the book ends and Knit Two does this wonderfully.Well, I threw Knit Two in my carry on before I headed out for a business trip to San Antonio recently. I like quick, easy reads for the plane. I really like to be able to finish by the time I step off the plane at my destination.
As I got deeper into the book and caught up with what Dakota, Anita, Peri, KC, Lacie, Darwin and Catherine had been up to in the five years since the first book, I quickly remembered something very important about when I read the first book. I cried...no, I bawled my eyes out.
Now, this isn't a bad thing. I appreciate an author and a book that makes me cry.
However, I read the Friday Night Knitting Club while on a trip to Greece. So, I was not quite sobbing, but crying uncontrollably, while on a bus winding my way to Olympia. Try explaining to a bus full of concerned people that you are OK, just upset over what you are reading! Priceless...
So, I finished the book about halfway through my second flight today and teared up a time or two - nothing like I did with the first one though. Like I said before, I enjoyed catching up with the ladies in the Club and am planning to pick up the Christmas-themed novel Knit the Season: A Friday Night Knitting Club Novel soon
; but I definitely enjoyed the first book more.I won't give away the plot. Just know that Dakota is now a college student; Darwin is pregnant; Peri is running the shop and a growing handbag business; KC is a lawyer; Lacie is a mom and a music video director; Anita and Marty are happy but not married; and Catherine runs her own antique/wine shop. Half the club heads to Italy. Some find love. Some lose it. They all deal with life's ups and downs. They all honor Georgia in some way.
Reading it totally makes me want to take up knitting...again. I started to learn BEFORE I read the first book but after making a major mistake on my scarf at the beginning of the aforementioned trip to Greece, I put away my needles.
Maybe I'll pick them back up...or maybe I'll just go out and get the third novel in the series!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A Look Back on Christmas 2010
I know it's 2011 already and I'm just now doing a post on our Christmas celebration, but I was just so busy lazy during my week away from the office. Now with Monday lurking right around the corner, I am finally getting around to sharing some of the fun images I caught during the family Christmas fun.
These photos have been sitting open in Photoshop for five or six days. Every time I sat down to work on them, I got distracted...by Storage Wars or iCarly or Gilmore Girls.
I am lucky to have two wonderful parents, three fun sisters (along with three great brothers-in-law), four wild and crazy nephews and one ADORABLE (soon to be two) niece. We don't wait for holidays to spend time together but Christmas is always a fun afternoon of opening gifts, gorging on yummy food and playing games (this year it was high-tech...video games). Here's a glimpse into our day...
My dad is a woodworker (well, he's a farmer, but his hobby is woodworking). Over the last couple of years, he's made the grandkids and the rest of us something special each Christmas (more on my gift in a later post). This year he made barns...big barns for the nephews big tractors! He made one for each family - two in all.
See, a small boy can fit into it!
While the three guys above have to share their barn, this one gets his all to himself...he's ecstatic!
There's even a hayloft that can fit two small boys and a tractor!
The barns were a hit but this guy has to wait to take his home because his new house on the farm is still being built so it'll stay in Grandma's living room for a few more weeks.
Gifts were unwrapped...
Necks were hugged (this was before they tried to play with the other's toys, then necks were punched!).
Gifts that Aunt MeeMee thought were going to be a hit (like Master Yoda) were opened and cast off...oh well, the bat mobile was a hit!
Aunt Barbara's garage sale find ($5 for the tool bench and a box of tools!) was a HUGE HIT!
JJ got a Glow Worm...her daddy's favorite childhood toy (rumor has it that his is still around somewhere).
JJ's first Christmas was lots of fun. She just sat and watched her crazy cousins run wild. I know she was thinking..."Wait until next year!"
Can you believe this coat? Yes, the baby is in there...just look between the hat and the coat and you'll see her eyes!
Cousins taking a break from the action...
At the end of the day it was time for a mini-photo shoot of JJ in the barn. A Pillow Pet, John Deere tractor and we are ready...
Now, she can't QUITE sit up on her own. So Papaw was standing by to catch her when she started to fall...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's!
These photos have been sitting open in Photoshop for five or six days. Every time I sat down to work on them, I got distracted...by Storage Wars or iCarly or Gilmore Girls.
I am lucky to have two wonderful parents, three fun sisters (along with three great brothers-in-law), four wild and crazy nephews and one ADORABLE (soon to be two) niece. We don't wait for holidays to spend time together but Christmas is always a fun afternoon of opening gifts, gorging on yummy food and playing games (this year it was high-tech...video games). Here's a glimpse into our day...
My dad is a woodworker (well, he's a farmer, but his hobby is woodworking). Over the last couple of years, he's made the grandkids and the rest of us something special each Christmas (more on my gift in a later post). This year he made barns...big barns for the nephews big tractors! He made one for each family - two in all.
See, a small boy can fit into it!
While the three guys above have to share their barn, this one gets his all to himself...he's ecstatic!
There's even a hayloft that can fit two small boys and a tractor!
The barns were a hit but this guy has to wait to take his home because his new house on the farm is still being built so it'll stay in Grandma's living room for a few more weeks.
Gifts were unwrapped...
Necks were hugged (this was before they tried to play with the other's toys, then necks were punched!).
Gifts that Aunt MeeMee thought were going to be a hit (like Master Yoda) were opened and cast off...oh well, the bat mobile was a hit!
JJ got a Glow Worm...her daddy's favorite childhood toy (rumor has it that his is still around somewhere).
JJ's first Christmas was lots of fun. She just sat and watched her crazy cousins run wild. I know she was thinking..."Wait until next year!"
Can you believe this coat? Yes, the baby is in there...just look between the hat and the coat and you'll see her eyes!
Cousins taking a break from the action...
Mommy and JJ
At the end of the day it was time for a mini-photo shoot of JJ in the barn. A Pillow Pet, John Deere tractor and we are ready...
Then Aunt MeeMee had to have her do the cute photo pose that we've been practicing since she was just a couple of weeks old...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's!
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