Welcome to the First Annual Christmas in July Party!

I am so excited about this party - Christmas is such a wonderful time because of the get-togethers, decorations and just the spirit of Joy!! Some of you are ahead of me and I don't want to keep you waiting so I will put up Mr. Linky now and add my post after dinner (it's still early here). Thank you to all who are participating or gathering ideas. I feel very fortunate to have such creative, graceful and dynamic bloggers stop by my little Internet corner.

This little guy is one of my collection - he has such a sweet face. I started collecting snowmen about 10 years ago without really knowing that I was collecting until one Christmas I looked at my mantel and said "Hey - I have a lot of snowmen!" I can't wait to see your holiday homes and traditions!Updated - 9:00pm - wouldn't you know it - computer is giving me fits - so I have to keep shutting down and starting over! I have already peeked at Jo's' and Robin's Posts. These two ladies are very creative and have beautiful Holiday homes! I thought I had many more photos than I actually do, but I think I'll manage. First I would like to show you the rest of that wooden Santa from this morning. He sits next to one of my favorite trees - the wine tree.

The base of this tree is sitting in a wine glass surrounded by corks. The tree was $1.00 with lights and the glass was a gift. The corks come with the bottles.

The ornaments were made by Momma. They are actually wine charms that get used about 3 times throughout the season. It is such fun tree! The topper is a wine bottle ornament that Momma gave me - isn't it the cutest!?This is the Thanksgiving Table- yep you read that right - Thanksgiving. We have about 16-20 people every year. I start decorating on the Veteran's Day weekend so that our family can enjoy the holiday spirit at Thanksgiving. It is the only time that we all get together at our house during the season, as we go to the In-laws for Christmas morning. It's sort of a joke now - it's called Christmas-giving. I really enjoy it because there is no expectation of presents - it's just the family together in a joyfully decorated home! It gets everyone in the spirit!
PC has been in-charge of deep frying the turkey for the past three years. It works out really well because before deep frying I use to slow cook the bird for about 20 hours. So now my oven is free and the bird is just as juicy.
This is Momma's prize Manger scene - she collects them. It is so beautiful gilded and bejeweled and has the most precious baby Jesus.
The library becomes the Angel room at this time f year. I have been collecting angels since I was a child of about 9 years old. Most of these were gifts including the ornaments on the tree. The photos of the collections are from 2 different years, I change things up a little each year. You have seen this before - but I just love it. I also love how the columns look all wrapped up like a pretty package.
We weren't really expecting the snow storm that we received this year, so I sprayed the french doors to the scrap room to ensure that we had a white Christmas. This tree sat was part of my grammas decorations - I was so thrilled the day Momma gave it to me for my home!This year we had a white Christmas. There were 5 teenagers snowed in with us for 4 days. Thank goodness we had gone grocery shopping the day before. If you look at the entertainment center -I have the Mervyn's (sniff, sniff) village displayed. I have been adding 1 piece a year for about 10 years. NOW I have to start a new village.You can see most of the snowmen collection - I really like snowmen! See the teenagers? They are exhausted from playing in the snow. The blankets draped on the couch were made for each of the kiddos by PC's momma for their first christmas.My laundry room holds my childhood raggedy Ann & Andy. And can you see Santa's clothesline?What you see here is Momma preparing for the bake-a-thon that is about to happen in our home. We have hosted a cookie exchange for the last two years. The first year about 12 women showed up and we had a blast. This year people were asking me for invitations be cause they missed last year and wanted to make sure they were still invited. I use THE expert advice of Robin over at Robin's Web. She has everything that you would ever want to know about hosting an exchange on her site. Momma and I put a lot of hard work into creating a relaxing get-ready for the holiday atmosphere. We host this on the first Sunday of December in the afternoon. This year our theme was gingerbread men. So we put together a recipe booklet for everyone ( we made 30!) with he theme throughout. I wish we had a picture of the invitations - tooo cute. Momma did most of the work this year because I got really bust at work - I don't know what I would have done without her. This year's theme is Snowmen.
While I was away for a conference (the weekend of!) Baby Girl and Momma baked a lot of cookies. This was Baby Girl's first baking project - she did great! She had to roll and slice 8 dozen cookies and then she made another batch of a different kind! But Momma had to tell her a few times to stop texting.

I mixed the dough for these little guys and got a few rolled out but poor momma got stuck with the rest. But she did wait for me to come home to decorate them. They tasted as good as they looked! It was a chewy gingerbread recipe (I'll post it tomorrow for foodie Friday).This was the table for the first year we did the exchange this was our table. I was thrilled! You can see my Santa Collection in the china hutch.We give a prize to he most festively dressed and it is stiff competition for those serious about getting the prize!The second year was unbelievable! SOOOO many cookies. It really is a fun thing to do, we serve appetizers and desert, wine, eggnog and Hot apple cider. I strongly suggest this tradition!

Thanks for stopping by or joining the part today. Hopefully you can take away some inspiration for the upcoming holiday, after all it is only 167 days and 22 hours away! TaTa for now!

Mr. Linky was being weird so we have to use the comment linky...sorry.

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Thrifty Thursday - Christmas in July!

Today I am participating in Leigh's Thrifty Thursday. She hosts this fun day over at Bloggeritaville. Be sure to check out all the great buys these bloggers have found and many have transformed. Also keep Leigh in your prayers, as her family is going through a rough patch.

My Thrifty find is but a ploy to remind you about tomorrow's party! Please join me for the 1st Christmas in July Party! This darling little Santa is wood and stands about 18 inches tall. I had just finished decorating this corner and thought "it needs something". So off to the Salvation Army I went..and there he was for $1.50! I display Santa's in my dining hutch and this little shelf is in the dining nook. Perfect! Okay - off to visit some blogs. Mr. Linky will be available around 9:00 eastern time - I'm soooo excited!

I will give away 2 prizes to randomly selected individual (my first give away!). I will announce the winners on Sunday Morning. The guidelines are listed below - let's have some bloggy fun.

Here are some suggestions (we don't do rules here)to participate:
1. Post photos of one or more of your favorite decorated rooms or vignettes (give us a tour).
2. Post any get togethers you may have (I host a cookie exchange) with the deets so others may "borrow"the idea this holiday.
3. Post any recipe that you serve only during the holiday or give as gifts.
4. Post any creative craft that can be used as a present for teachers, co-workers, etc.
5. Post any traditions that you have - I LOVE traditions.
6. Post any tablescapes (idea bloglifted from Between Naps on The Porch) that you have created for the holidays.
7. Don't forget the most important part of christmas - family - post any photos that you have of your family enjoying all of your hard work , love and creativity.
Remember the more photos the better! Be sure to tell all your blog friends about this event so everyone can participate. Be sure to grab the Christmas in July button at the top of the post and display it in your post on July 10th. Just leave me a comment by Thursday July 9th 9:00 Pacific Standard Time and I will include you on my post.

I forgot something...Collections - do you have pictures of special collections?

Outdoor Wednesday - Balloon Glow

Once again I am participating in A Souuthern Daydreamer's Outdoor Wednesday. I love this blog day - all of the posts are so beautiful. My Outdoor adventure today is about man-made beauty. While PC and I were in Ohio, we went to Coney Island Amusement Park with Momma on July 3rd. The park hosted a "Balloon Glow" and then fireworks. It was a visually spectacular day. I had so much fun running from balloon to balloon as they were inflating each one. I laid on the ground, stood on tip-toes and even used PC's panoramic stitching feature! We have been to a few balloon launches when the children were tiny, but by the time the balloons were inflated and launched, it was daylight. Don't get me wrong, seeing all the balloons take flight is magical, but this was just as magical. However, the balloons do not take flight after a "glow", the pilots simply have the "glow" for the beauty. We loved it! Let me share: First they started inflating what we thought "might" be 4 or 5 balloons. Then they just appeared from behind the trees and multiplied into 15 balloons! It was so fun to watch these giants grow from the ground in a matter of an hour. Watching all the hard work by so many people who knew that they weren't taking flight was humbling. To take pleasure in simply lighting a fire.... And then they got their "Glow" on. There was a marching band playing music most of the day and now they were orchestrating the movement of lights from balloon to balloon. Spectacular! On our way of walking out of the park, the carousel was glowing too, isn't it darling?

Then on to the fireworks - one of my favorite things!

You could "feel" these fireworks, as Momma said "from your toes to your nose." It was such a fun day. I am so happy that we went, because it rained all day on the 4th, so we only watched the neighborhood fireworks from my aunt's (use to be gramma's) front porch. That was just as nice too, as I sat and remembered my childhood and twirled a flag with my cousin. I was so thankful for being free to enjoy the day and my family, my only wish was for more time.

Thank you for stopping by, now I'm off to visit all the other bloggers OW adventures. TaTa for now!

Menu Plan Monday - I'm Back!

Hello All! I slept in my own bed last night and feel extremely rested this morning. Vacation is always nice, but coming home is better. PC and I had a great time on the family farm and then seeing Momma over in Ohio. We didn't get to see my whole family (there are a lot of them) but PC wants to start going every year to check out the farm. So I am already planning next year's trip - the 4th of July is definitely a great time to go but I want the kiddos with us next year. I took a lot of pics but PC has most of them in his point and shoot at work so I' ll have to post those later. As usual I am participating in I'm an Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday. However, today instead of just posting my menu on the side as I normally do, I wanted to share something out of one my vintage cookbooks. I have mentioned before that I love to read cookbooks like a novel, and The Modern Family Cookbook written by Meta Given happens to be a favorite.

It's a favorite for a few reasons: 1) It was first published in 1947. 2) Meta dispenses kitchen wisdom, not just recipes, so that as a cook, you never cook alone (this was before the Food Network). 3) My grandmother used this cookbook. The story behind this particular set is that I already had a few copies of Meta's books not knowing that my grandmother had these same books on her bookshelf. After she passed away I asked the family if I could have her cookbooks, they said yes and I brought them home (2000 miles away). As I unpacked these, I thought "these look so familiar" - but my grandmothers cookbooks had no covers so it was the content inside that looked familiar. She USED these books - there are smears and stains all over the pages. She did not write in her cookbooks like my other grandmother, but I can tell these were well used books. Anywhoo, the other versions I have are super cute with their pictures and graphics and one has an inscription that is adorable!

Meta gives writes several "Creeds" throughout her book, so today I want to share:

"The Meal Planner's Creed"

The health of my family is in my care; therefore- I will spare no effort in planning the right kinds of food in the right amounts.
Spending the food dollar for Maximum value is my job; therefore - I will choose from the variously priced foods to save money without sacrificing health.

My Family's enjoyment of food is my responsibility; therefore - I will increase their pleasure by planning for flavorful dishes, for attractive color, for appetizing combinations.

My family's health security, and pleasure depend on my skill in planning meals; therefore - I will treat my job with the respect that is due it.

Wow! Isn't that great! As usual, my plan is on the side bar with links to recipes. Thanks for stopping by and TaTa for now!

Foodie Friday and I'll miss y'all

I have so many ideas for posts but y'all keep me so busy with your carnivals, it's hard to know to slip one in. I'm not complaining, I love the carnivals and party's. So today over at Designs by Gollum it's Foodie Friday. I have to admit that at first I was intimidated by "Foodie Friday". I often question my ability as a cook, so to even think that I was worthy of posting with the "foodies" was...well..intimidating. Then Leigh over at Bloggeritaville encouraged me to post my potato salad and y'all liked it so...I guess I'm worthy. This week's entry for me is super easy but it brought me such joy that I started snapping pics and here you have it - My favorite Breakfast At The Moment.

We recently got a Super Target close to town and we were super excited about the ability to stop at the grocery store on the way home. And let's face it - who doesn't LOVE target? So I was in there doing some minor shopping and decided that the smell from the bakery just could not be ignored. Have you seen their bakery? Very impressive. So two Artisan French Bread Baguettes, a container of raspberries and a little Mozzarella Fresco later here we are:

You get the idea, slice the loaf, smear the cheese, plate it with some raspberries...heaven.

It sort of feels like I am in a cafe in Paris...ahhhh.

I have been mentioning a little trip PC and I are taking to the Midwest and we are leaving tomorrow. I will be taking plenty of photos and such but I have a feeling I will have very limited Internet time. So please don't forget about me over here, I 'll check in every now and then. I'll restart Friday Flashback when I return. Thanks for visiting and for any commenty love. TaTa for now!

Thrifty Thursday - My Scraproom Update and a Reminder

I am sort of late getting this post up this morning, but I'll go for it anyway. I didn't get to go Junque shopping like I had hoped yesterday. I ran into a bit of a snaffu with the rental car for our upcoming trip and had to work on that most of the day. Hey! what I figured out yesterday can be a Thrifty Thursday find too...The rental car PICK UP AT THE AIRPORT PRICE is $340.. more than picking it up 3 or 4 miles away! The cab ride is not going to cost us 340 bucks! So the next time you are traveling and are picking up a car - call ahead to see if you can find a "close" pick up place that is not in the airport. Back to my original thoughts for the day...On my first Thrifty Thursday with Leigh I shared my smashing SA finds, the table and chair and the little black planter. Well, I have them all in place, with a super thrifty extra find. These gems are all in my "Scraproom" but it is an all purpose playroom for me. So here are some pics:

This is looking in from the "gallery". LOL - do you see the one photo frame on the floor (not the wall) some gallery. You can see my SUPER thrifty find from here - the hutch.Why is it so SUPER of a find? Because it was Faaarreeee! My BFF JLo gave me this when she redecorated her living room - she bought it a yard sale for $50.00. I think it is super cute an she didn't really have to say goodbye (she liked it a lot but it didn't go with the Pottery Barn"ish" look) because she comes here to scrap. I was thinking about painting this white - White Spray Paint must be sucking me in - because I am more of a "paint it black" kind of gal.

The hutch is cute and handy - good storage with display options. Our stamps mostly fit on the shelves. And yep those are Frappucino bottles holding some stamps...some of my favorite containers and I don't remember who I got the idea from..it was probably Posie.

Moving around the room, this dresser is Momma's, she said I could use it, (does it need a coat of white paint? Do you hear her screaming NOOOO? I do), she got it at a yard sale for $40.00. Pretty darn cute for the price. Good storage and this is my "Wine Tasting" Friends display - I laugh every time I look at the photos. My cloche for the week - Leigh gave me the idea - also Momma's which I'm sure she payed $3 or less for at a yard sale.

And then the table, which is more of a desk, than a table. I think this needs a coat white (or black) paint also. This is where I visit all of your wonderful blogs. I still need to get some art work/ inspiration on this wall but I haven't figured it out yet.

This chair is really a "pretty" rose pattern underneath. Very Momma (her chair) not so much me. I want a leopard pillow to compliment it or a leopard slip cover with a red pillow. The lingerie chest behind the chair is Momma's also, another yard sale find (she always finds the good stuff).

The velvet strawberries sitting on top of the lingerie chest are the last project we did together before she headed out to Ohio. I have a step by step photo breakdown that I want to share one day. Aren't they adorable?

I have a few more photos of the room and closet that don't have much to do with Thrifty but part of the room and I always love seeing other blogger's craft rooms so here ya go.

Okay, thanks for visiting me today and if you haven't gotten over to Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday, you should -they have some great stuff over there. I just want to remind you about the Christmas in July Party - Just leave me a comment if you want to join in on the fun! Thanks and TaTa for now.

Outdoor Wednesday - Who let the dogs out?

It's Outdoor Wednesday over at A Southern Day Dreamer and I was up nice and Early to get some shots of the desert for you. Then I started thinking that Momma probably is missing the pups' faces so I thought "they're outside" and thus begins my little adventure for the morning. Lets' start with the sunrise. I have been to a few places around the world and I am here to testify that the California Sunrise and sunset produce some of amazing colors that you ever did see but I will let you be the judge.Then the sun is up, I have had my 1st cup of coffee and my favorite breakfast at the moment (Foodie Friday Post) and wonder out the back door to water Momma's garden. It's not at all in the shape that she left so if you hear a cyber gasp, you know who it is; but there is a little hitchhiker in here that I wanted her to see. NOTHING grows very well in our dirt on this property -it's rock hard clay. However, I have seen Pink Primroses grow out of the sidewalk so maybe this isn't too hard. Then I wondered out the side gate to talk to the neighbors horses. I snapped a few photos of some of the "projects" PC has hiding out back (you can't see these from the road). I think they are charming as all get out but I love old cars and trucks. Then "The girls" were begging for some camera time, so I started snapping away. The little brown bear is Bella, the little white coyote is CoCo and the Black lab is Abbey. They are so fun with their own personalities and antics. Bella is not just any little bear - she prances around like shes in the center ring. Abbey is just like any other lab - lovable to a fault - shes throws all of her weight on you until you rub her belly. Her favorite hobby has always been sitting or laying down - she's sort of lazy- but she will play catch for a minute or two. CoCo is one of the sweetest little dogs you'll never meet. We rescued her from the Grocery Store where the nice lady told me she was a Husky/Shepard mix (she looked just like a coca-cola polar bear pup). But as you can see she is not Husky/Shepard. We think she has coyote in her because she so skinny, has wiring hair and is aloof most of the time, but when she is in the mood she loves to be loved. She is also the fastest dog I have ever seen - she outruns the border collie down the road.
Back to the story, after I was snapping photos I decided to go out the big gate. Abbey just let herself out (very sneaky), looks at me and I say "get your butt back in here", she looks at Bella and they BOLTED out of the yard. I do not think you can see them in the first photo but it was like 5 seconds after they took off. So I had to go inside get my shoes on, get my sunglasses, the leashes and some water - because I did not know how long I would be gone. The strange thing is Coco is usually the leader of the pack and she stayed behind and started eating out of every body's bowl. So as I am walking out into the desert I took a few photos of my view. It does
grow on you after awhile - see the mountains? I love that house across the way -with the green roof -too cute.
As I am snapping photos and yelling "ABBBEEEEYYYY, BEEELLLLLAAA" they pop out of the exact opposite direction that I am walking. They are running home, of course to get Coco, not because I am yelling for them. So I take a shot of the house and you can see the little black and brown spots trying to beat me home so they can let Coco out of the gate (did I shut the gate?)

Yep I did and she is just waiting for me to open it up to bolt out with them - so I went to the other gate and put them away (leashes required). Then abbey headed straight for their pool and cooled off. I love that about labs - they just lay down in the water like a duck. Of course Coco and Bella just drank from it (eewwww) and Coco gave Abbey a kiss - like "don't leave me when you go on adventures - I wanna go too".

Then Abbey looks over at me - "you're not mad mama- right - I'm too cute for you to be mad - see I'll smile for the camera".

Sooo, that was my Outdoor Wednesday Adventure - be sure to check out all the other bloggers and their posts at A southern Daydreamer. Now I have to go thrift store shopping (such hard work) for Leigh's Bloggeritaville Thrifty Thursday carnival. Tata for now.