Yesterday we braved the cold and strung the lights on the house. The sun was shining but oh boy, the wind was ruthless. We bundled up (yes even Chloe Bear) and got to work. An hour later we were finished and happy. We even added the Christmas Star this year and it turned out perfect! I tried to take a good photo of our finished product but no such luck. I’ll try again tonight.
May you all enjoy the Season of Advent!
Here is a snap of our finished product:
Today was so much fun! Mom and I met at JC Penney at 3:45 and shopped our hearts out all over town until noon. My back, feet and eyes were aching but I was happy, happy! This year had to be my best roundup yet. I was able to get everything on my list and more. So with a full trunk and money left in the wallet I came home a happy shopper.
We missed Bridgette this year but she did her own damage down in Idaho Falls. And we had two fun friends join us for their first Black Friday– Crissie and Lindz both came to Penneys to experience Black Friday at its earliest. Not sure if they will repeat next year, but it was fun to see their faces on one of my favorite days.
Happy shopping everyone!
I love Thanksgiving. Cooking, baking, family, stories, laughs and lots and lots of eating. Oh how wonderful it is.
While the food is always a highlight, my favorite is getting to spend time with my family. Every year we host a brunch and my family joins us. I love that my Grandma and Papa, Grandma Budell and my parents always make it each year. I love to cook for them and catch up on what is going on in their worlds. I always say I am going to make it over to their homes more often and then the days, weeks just slip away from me. So Thanksgiving is always a special day when I know I will get time with all of them. And what a morning it was!
Luckily Mom came over and helped me the night before. I was beat and would never have finished it all if it weren’t for her. Thanks Mom! This year I tried all new recipes and lived on the edge by not testing them before hand. I am happy to report that they were all delicious and everyone loved them! Below are links to the tasty treats.
Maple Sausage Casserole by Cordon Pink
Soul Sweet Taters by The Pioneer Woman
Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce by The Pioneer Woman
Winter Fruit Salad by Smitten Kitchen
Pumpkin Bread
We ate, we laughed and we ate again. Yay for the holidays!
After brunch we cruised over to Payette for Round 2. My MIL always has amazing food and she did not disappoint this year. I am still craving the green bean casserole and scolded hubby when he came home today empty handed without any leftovers of it. It is that good. As was the turkey, ham, desserts, and on and on and on. I am hungry again just from typing this.
I am grateful for my incredible family every day of my life. Thanksgiving just gives me an excuse to be gushy without everyone thinking I am a total sap. I love you all.
PS: I had a little helper stop by Thanksgiving Eve to help me too. Isn’t he the cutest?
My dear Grandma Rene turned 81 and we all got together for pie and presents to celebrate.
Our prayers were answered earlier this month and Grandma is feeling much better. She was looking and feeling great on her birthday and we can’t ask for more than that!
Cheers to her having the best year yet! Love you Grandma!
Well I can’t say that Idaho brought home a win. But…we did score twice against those Broncos and I’ll take what I can. It was a trip going back up to Moscow with my parents and hubby. So much is new and different. New buildings, new stores, new apartments. But some things never change…it was deja vu seeing some of the kids run around and tailgate — although it made me feel a wee bit old.
Here are a few pics. Look how great my parents look in Black & Gold!
Tomorrow, Trev and I head up to Moscow with my parents for the last University of Idaho vs Boise State University game. While I try to always be an optimist, I also know that a Vandal win would be a pure miracle. So, with that said, we are headed up to cheer our arses off and have a good ole time in our old stomping grounds.
We haven’t been to Moscow together since we were wee little ones at the ripe age of 20. It will be fun to check out campus and see what has changed. I can’t wait to swing by the A-phi house and see what they are up to. Do you think they still have someone on phone duty now that everyone has a cell phone?
Photos to come! Go Vandals!
Well I FINALLY finished The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It took me over 2 months. For some reason, I was not pulled into this book until about 2/3 of the way through. The last third of the book is incredible and I didn’t want to put it down. Chalk it up to me being cranky or not focused, who knows, but this book only earned an B+ from me. While that is still good, I was surprised I didn’t like this book more based on how everyone is a raving fan.
The characters are very interesting and the story itself was thrilling. It just took awhile for the baseline to be setup and for the action to start.
I have picked up the second book in the series and plan to start it this week. I am hoping that it is a much quicker read and proves to be more engaging from the get-go.
Today I said goodbye too early to a sorority sister. Renae Simmonsen passed away last week and her memorial service was today. Hundreds of people turned out to remember her and the life she lived. Although I wasn’t close with Renae, every memory I have of her is one with a large smile across her face and pure love pouring out from her. She loved life and made sure those around felt the same.
I am proud to have called her an Alpha Phi sister. I pray her family is comforted by knowing how many people Renae touched in her brief 29 years. Rest in peace Renae- AOE.
