Ten on Tuesday--Resolutions

Happy Tuesday!  If you're like me, you’re headed back to work today.  It's an easy week though….just 3 days!

I have learned through the years that I'm not good with resolutions.  I decided some time ago that this works better as lifestyle changes.  Sometimes they stick sometimes they don't.  Either way, I like the idea of setting some goals and making a list of some habits I'd like to get rid of in the next year.  Out with the old and in with the new, I say!

Here's a list of 5 Things I would like to get rid of this year:

• ·         My addiction to bread.
• ·         Stop feeding my feelings.
• ·         My unfinished bathroom….it is next on the list to be completed!
• ·         My addiction to sugar.
• ·         The clutter in my house!

Here's a list of 5 Things I would like to implement this year:

• ·       Find out what kind of exercise I really enjoy and do it.
• ·         Eat a salad every day.
• ·         Drink at least 64 ounces of water every day.
• ·         Walk a mile (or more) every day.
• ·         Live Simply!

What are you thinking about for the new year?  Do you make resolutions?

Have a great day, y'all!

xoxo,

Laurie

Miscellaneous Thoughts for a Monday

Happy Day After Christmas!  What a whirlwind weekend.  Glad I had today to recuperate and clean the house. We had so much fun with our family this week.  Seeing the kids get excited and tear through gifts is the so much fun.

My favorite gift was an antique table that my great aunt left me when she passed.  I know you're thinking, What???  Well, it's a pie crust table and some of the great fretwork on it had broken off the top.  It's been sitting in the basement for a while.  I had it at my condo before we got married and made it work.  Well, I am big on a homemade Christmas.  I am not so much into the retail part of the holiday.  Don't get me wrong, I spent 4 days straight at Target on my lunch hour buying for the kids.  You know, because homemade doesn't make you the favorite aunt.

Anyway, Hubs restored and refinished the table for me. Since he's a woodworker by trade, I never noticed what he was working on in his shop in the basement.  I also didn't notice he started working on my drop-leaf secretary, too.  By far, the best gifts I could ask for were things that I really wanted to complete my living room.  He's the best!

How was your holiday?

Happy Monday Y'all!
xoxo,
Laurie

Tis the Season

My cousin, Brian and me, probably 1973

Good morning and Merry Christmas, friends!

Hubs and I are at it early this morning.  Heading for two last minute gifts and then off to see his mom.  The best Christmas present we've had so far is that she's moved from the rehab facility at the hospital to an off-site rehab center.  She's really working hard to speak again and she's eating more and more on her own--even feeding herself when the spoon is pre-filled for her.  Her progress the last 4 weeks has been amazing.  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.  Please keep them coming because they are working!

I'm looking forward to dinner with my family tonight.  All the wild kids, the good food and lots of laughs.  I'm baking a vanilla pound cake (flavor requested by by nut-allergy nephew) for tonight and we'll serve it up with Edi's Peppermint ice cream.  I grabbed the last two cartons at the store yesterday.  

I love our family traditions and look forward to them every year.  Due to my MIL being in the hospital recovering from a November 1 stroke, we celebrated Christmas Monday night with my in-laws.  It was low key and a lot of fun with the girls (9, 11 and 13).  They still have lots of excitement, but a ton of maturity.  Plus they got my dream gift....Rock Band!  I think I need to ask for a Wii first.  Yes, I know I'm old, but seriously, if you've every played you know it's so much fun!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!  I am thankful for my readers and friends I've made in the blogging world the last few years.  I appreciate you and love your blogs, too.  Sometimes, I can't get to reading, but I do try and know you do the same.  May you have a wonderful holiday full of friends, family and love.

xoxo,
Laurie

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL

Happy {Semi} Wordless Wednesday!

xoxo,
Laurie

Miscellaneous Thoughts for a Monday

What a whirlwind weekend!  Here are my thoughts for the Monday before Christmas:

• Just one more gift to buy for my nephew.
• Snow flurries in the mountains ushered in some long awaited cold weather in Banner Elk.
• Loved the cold weather this weekend, but not enough to get on the slopes with every snow maker blowing fresh snow.  Hubs still worked on Sunday, though.
• Really loved spending time shopping with my husband on Saturday in Blowing Rock.
• The Ralph Lauren outlet in Blowing Rock has some of the nicest people working there and it's not overly crowded like some outlets.  This shopper scored big!
• Love, love, love Black Cat Burritos in Boone.  Go there--You will not be disappointed.
• Found out about a new vineyard near Foscoe.  Grandfather Vineyards.  Can't wait to get by there and visit the Tatums and check out the vineyard.
• I'm ready for a week of eggnog, family, friends and laughter!
• Please keep praying for my mother-in-law.  As with most strokes, it's two steps forward, one step back.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Merry Christmas, y'all!

xoxo,

Laurie

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday

Hey, y'all!  I hope you have made your list and are checking it twice.  We're in the home stretch to Christmas.  It seems to be flying by.  Today, I'm all about my favorite holiday movies.  What movies have you watched already?

My favorite is White Christmas.

I have also watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas (with Jim Carey) and Elf.  I'm looking forward to the next week when I'll see all my other favorites and probably see White Christmas another 10 times.  Can't get enough of White Christmas!

Happy Wednesday, y'all!
xoxo,
Laurie

Fa La La La La Monday

Another weekend in the books.  I was really getting excited yesterday when I realized that I won't work a 5 day work week for at least the next 6 weeks. 4 1/2 days this week, 4 days next week, 3 days the next week, 3 1/2 days the next, 4 days the week after that and finally, 3 1/2 the week of MLK day.  It's like taking a vacation spread out over the course of a month.

By this time last year, we'd already had our first snow.  This year we've barely had any nights with freezing temperatures.  As ski bums, we sure were spoiled last year.  It's been a rough start to the ski season, but we'll keep trying!

This photo makes me realize that I haven't bothered to put wreaths on the windows.
Ooops!

Miscellaneous Thoughts about Christmas today:

• I love this time of year.  
• I love the smells and twinkles of the lights. 
• I love that my niece and nephews are so excited and they have genuine concern for their Elves and what they are telling Santa.  
• I love the music...not all of it, but Johnny Mathis and others.   
• There is magic in the air.

Happy Monday, y'all!

xoxo,
Laurie

Happy Friday

Happy Friday, Y'all!  Just 15 days until Christmas.  Can you believe it?  Time is flying by this month and I have shopping, crafting, and baking to do!  It's going to be a busy weekend, that's for sure.

I am in need of a new "sure shot" type digital camera.  Mine is 8 years old (almost 9, really).  Anyone have any suggestions?  It's needs to be small but take fabulous pictures.

Oh and before I forget (like I have forgotten), today is the LAST day to order key fobs!  Below are just a couple more designs.....or you may select from the designs on the original post HERE.

Have a fabulous weekend!
xoxo,
Laurie

Thankful Thursday

Good morning!  BRRRrrrr!  Our weather has finally made a drastic change.  We've had highs of 65 lately.  That sure doesn't feel like December.  It's finally beginning to feel like Christmas!

So glad the weekend is in sight!  Work has finally calmed down a bit and I think by Monday, we'll be almost back to normal.  As usual, December is rushing ahead to Christmas.  I can't believe it's less than 20 days away.  I am very excited, yet I still have a few gifts to pick up.

Today, I'm thankful that my mother-in-law, who suffered a stroke on November 1st, has eaten pureed food this week.  This is probably the biggest hurdle she's jumped since she became responsive.  My husband also believes she has responded to touch on her foot on her paralyzed side.  Though it was a difficult choice to send her over to the hospital specialty wing a good 30 - 45 minutes away, the success that she's having with therapy daily has made it all worth it.

I'm looking forward to my visit with her this afternoon.  Not to mention, we are all looking for a Christmas Miracle that will bring her home soon.

What are you thankful for?

Happy Lil' Friday, y'all!
xoxo,
Laurie

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday

Sometimes, it's like beating a dead horse.

Have you checked out my special sale yet?  You can access that blog post HERE.

Here are some of the designs and don't forget...you can monogram it!  $10 (plus $3 shipping).

Happy Hump Day, Y'all!

xoxo,

Laurie

Miscellaneous Thoughts for a Monday

Courtesy of Pinterest

Happy Monday, y'all!  I hope you had a fabulous weekend!  I enjoyed my weekend.  My nephew came and spent the night on Saturday night.  We had big fun and can't wait for the next time!  I just have a few thoughts for today:

• 20 days until Christmas--YAY!!
• Key Fob Sale now through Friday.  Check it out HERE.
• I'm excited about the employee sale this weekend!
• I am ready for my hip to heal (again) so I can get back to running.
• I have almost ALL of my bread baked for the holidays....time to deliver!
• Ready to start some crafts for the holidays.  I just have to see what I have available.

Enjoy your day!

xoxo,
Laurie

Christmas Special--A ONE TIME Opportunity

Yesterday, I was in my husband's wood shop and came across a bag of wooden balls.  Not just any old balls, but the ones I used to make monogrammed key fobs when my business was running full steam.  For those of you who don't know, I owned a company called Lulu and Daisy.  I built a brand and sold them in most states (including Alaska and Hawaii).  They retailed for $16 to $20.

Starting right now through Friday, December 9th, I am taking orders for one last time.  I will take orders until Friday, spend next weekend painting and mail them out.  I will not guarantee Christmas delivery, but I will do my best to get it mailed out on the 12th.

Here are the specifications:

• Key fobs only and only in the designs below (color requests accepted, but not special designs).  
• $13 ($10 for the key fob plus $3 shipping).  If you live near me, you can pick it up.
• Payment accepted via Paypal/cash/check due at the time of the placement of the order.  
• Email your order to lauriemt@earthlink.net  Include monogram, if desired.  Single initial or 3 letter monogram (first, LAST, middle).  Please let me know they method of payment in your email.
• Last Day to Order:  Friday, December 9th, 2011.
• 100 available. When they are gone, they're gone!

Here are the designs available:

 

Happy Sunday and Happy Shopping!
xoxo,
Laurie

Let's Eat, Y'all!

We all know that I rarely make Daphne's "Let's Eat" recipe swap.  I may not have many pictures, but I am asked for this recipe all the time.  So, I want to share it with you, in this, the holiday season.  It's an easy appetizer to take to any function.  Plus, this is my second swap in a row!  Whoo hoo!

Edi's Onion Dip
2 large sweet onions, rough chop
2 cups Mayonnaise (you can use 1 cup regular, 1 cup reduced fat)
2 cups of shredded Parmesan Cheese

Mix all three ingredients.  Place in casserole dish.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Serve with toast points, pita chips, wheat thins....whatever you have to "dip."  This is such a great dish that if you LOVE onions....it makes the best side dish to a big steak.

Happy Friday, y'all!
xoxo,
Laurie
PS--I posted this last week, but the link up was not listed until today.  Here's to Take 2!!

Thankful Thursday--Rabbit Rabbit

Happy Thursday, friends!  I'm so thankful it's Thursday.  This week has been a bear at work.  I can only hope that the week continues to calm down.  An almost 10 hour workday with no lunch break yesterday is something I am not used to!  Yet, I'm thankful to have a job and one that I love to boot.

I'm thankful for my husband

I'm thankful for my family

I'm thankful for a roof over my head and my artistic ability

I'm thankful it's December 1st--Rabbit Rabbit, y'all!

Let the Reindeer Games Begin!

I am thankful for so many things.  I love having a day where I can sit down and really put these thoughts to paper.  It serves as a reminder that no matter what is going on in my life, I have a lot of be thankful for today.

Have a wonderful day, y'all!

xoxo,

Laurie