Christmas Cookies!!!

One of my favorite recipes I made last year was red velvet cookies from a cake mix!  Nothing says Christmas like red velvet mmmm!  It also happens to be my husband's favorite (when he chooses to eat a sweet...)

This recipe is super easy & super delicious!

Last year I made a recipe with white chocolate chips.  This year I opted to change it up a bit and bring the classic cream cheese frosting back.  Eat up!

Here's the recipe: 

1 red velvet cake mix 

2eggs 

1/3 cup of oil 

1/2 stick of softened butter 

1/4 cup of white sugar 

Add ingredients together stir until thickened dough. Then place dough into balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes on 350 and let cool. 

Add your cream cheese icing to the top of each cookie OR make cookie sandwiches!

The BIG Move: Late Week 15 Update

Yesterday brought....POWER!

With power came....HEAT!

Now I'm just waiting on my sheet rock people to come back and finish.  I'm getting agitated because tomorrow I have HELP primering and the sheet rockers aren't showing up.  Can we say uncool?

Yes we can.

Cold Thoughts

Monday was a cold day in NC.

I was working around the house.  With no power that means I didn't have heat.  Inside it was 41 degrees.  I had a on long johns and my regular clothes and a nice warm coat.  I had determination and drive...work hard, ignore the cold and it will pay off.

Later in the day it began to rain.  Doesn't it seem like rain makes things colder?

I started thinking as I scraped the walls of the house.

I am so blessed.

I had on warm clothes.  Though they were dirty they were warm - no holes to let the chill in.

I had on an appropriate coat for a thirty something degree day.  The wind could hit me but not my core.

I had a home.  Though its not livable right now it is mine and we will be back in it.

I had a meal to eat.  While I was working I became quite hungry.  I knew I could go over to my mom's and get one of my snacks and get back to work.  I didn't have to worry about food.

I had a shower awaiting me after I was finished.  I could wipe off the grime and warm up in the water.

I had a bed to sleep in.  Not a cot or sleeping bag or makeshift recycled system.  A real bed with blankets in a climate controlled home.

I had and have drive and determination to keep working hard and without rest to get back the normalcy I lost.  I haven't lost my faith.

I am so blessed.  My cards could have fell any way possible on the table but all in all I was dealt a great hand.  The bad stuff that has happened hasn't been anything compared to those who live on streets and in structures that aren't safe.  The bad stuff isn't a drop in the bucket compared to families hiding that they don't have heat and single parents who are turned away from an overflow shelter. I haven't lost knowing that I am not alone - ever.  I haven't fell into the dark hole of forgetting that as long as I keep my faith and give my burdens to the One who tells me to I'll always be okay.  We weren't meant to live life in the cold.  We were meant to bring the warmth of light to those who need it most.

I am so incredibly blessed.  I am so incredibly aware.  And if you're reading this....I pray you feel the warmth and light I'm trying to pass along to you.

What's Up Wednesday?

Painting.

But that's beside the point!!!

Let's get festive.

I made a list of bad gifts to give this year...enjoy!  Share!

Order here...

1.  Yeah that's head pillows alright.

Bark Bark!

2.  What?  You don't already own this???

If you're into this...

3.  Well I guess its recycling?

These are hose!!!!

4.  Trending now:  leggings and patterned stockings!

Could be a good idea!

5.  Someone may be offended!

Checking in on the Bucket List!

So far....

1.  Get in our house!  We are getting there!  Hopefully 12.20 is the date!

2.  Bake into the night while listening to Delilah  The kids and I did some baking (minus the tunes) on 12.5!  

3.  Take the kids to see Christmas lights

4.  OD on Hallmark Christmas Movies  Nightly, ok!

5.  Have a crafting day with the kids

6.  Get our tree up!

7.  Decorate the outside of the house for the holidays

8.  Adopt a name off the Angel Tree  DONE!  Turned in!  I hope a special 11 year old girl enjoys her goodies!

9.  Take the kids to see Santa  Thank you Walmart for having Santa (he was awesome) and for the free pictures you did in stores on 12.6!

10.  Have a date night with my hubby

11.  Have a date with friends

12.  Mail my Christmas cards

13.  The Nutcracker!

14.  Attend Christmas Eve Communion

15.  Surprise some people with treats

16.  Watch The Muppet's A Christmas Carol

17.  Take pictures of it all  I'm doing my best!

Dear Santa: Little Man's List

My Little Man is two this Christmas and to be honest he's not into gifts.  I guess it would be naughty to leave him out huh?  Just kidding!  When they are little I say don't go all out because they don't want anything and they just really enjoy the season (kinda like we're all supposed to do).

I made a small list to share to maybe just maybe help you out as you shop for that little fella on your list.

We have hit Character Love.  Little Man is all about Thomas - pronounced Hamas.  He gets excited with he sees Mickey Mouse.  We shriek when Melmo (Elmo) comes on.  Then there is Super Why --- when that show comes on he's silent.  Same goes for Daniel Tiger.

Yeah, I'm down with my little kid PBS lingo.  What about it?

This year I'm focusing in on more books and movies for the Little Man.  Pictured above are Mickey Mouse Club House DVD, Super Why Activity Book (mainly coloring, fine motor skills here we come), Thomas slippers (much needed for winter and he'll go cray for Hamas on his feet).

I just remembered something...isn't Hamas a middle eastern group of terrorists?  Oh uncool.

The muck boots are a must since our yard will be red clay for a few months and also since winter may bring some less than lovely southern warm weather!

Clothing wise, we're good until spring.  A few pieces here and there wouldn't be so bad though!  The Mickey Mouse shirt is classic.  The Thomas Conductor Hat is adorable and he'd go crazy over it.  Then there's a new pair of kicks.  I prefer Stride Rite shoes for my kids.  Simply put the shoes last and they are worth the price.  A really good gift idea is to give a Stride Rite gift card!  I don't know a parent who would think that was a bad idea.

And that is my short and sweet list for Little Man and all the Little Men on your list.  Hope it helps!

The BIG Move: What We're Looking At 15th Week

(Begin singing Come Monday by Jimmy Buffet)

It is Monday and it is cold!!!

I was hoping to tell you the sheetrock and ceilings were being completed this morning but I cannot tell you that.  The guys aren't working there this morning.  If you know how sheet rockers roll then you know they have their own style of a work day.  I have hope they may show up before the day is over.  Yes, I'm used to sheet rockers.

Even though the weather man says we're going to get some wet stuff I am also hoping that tomorrow I can post about how wonderful it is to have electricity.  God will and the creek don't rise we'll have power this evening.  

Should the sheet rockers finish today at some point....I'll be primering tonight!

So that's Monday...

(Ok, now sing Tuesday's Gone With The Wind by Lynard Skynard)

Tomorrow is Tuesday and if my dear sheet rockers don't return today they'll be in there tomorrow jamming out to the greatest hits of the 70's (no joke).  That will push my painting back a day.  Well no not me because I've got a killer determination and I'll be primering by evening.  Aint no lie....if I have power and I have a sheet rocker that says he's finished....you best bet I'll be up to my eyeballs in primer and paint.

To recap:  Tuesday brings completed sheetrock that wasn't completed on Monday - I'm primering and painting.  

(Ok because I don't know a Wednesday song sing Jingle Bells)

The next day is Wednesday and I will fo' sho' be primering and or painting.  Let me extend the invite to you to join me.  Seriously.  Just slide me an email and we'll get your very own roller ready.  Thursday should be a twin of Wednesday.

(Now switch that annoying high school girl's Friday song, you know Its Friday, Friday, Friday....)

This is the final day of painting.  It better be done by the time college kids start pre-drinking for the club.  (In case you forgot that's like 10PM ok it was in the early part of the first decade of this whole 2000 gig.)

So to put this in perspective:

If this week can go as I have it in my noggin' then next week we can get the floor down and get to movin' movin'.  (There's a song there)

We got this.

If you really want to help me paint...hit me up.