This absolutely gorgeous Christmas lap quilt is a surprise gift from the gals at Mentoring Moms made by Susan Davies, mother-in-law of Karen Davies a mentored mom. I feel so special! This is one of the most beautiful quilts I have ever seen, and I am now the proud owner. I just had to share with you all how honored I feel. Need I say more?
I also received an anonymous gift, a huge box of Christmas Day goodies, sour cream coffee cake, Artisan Bread, Cheese, Olives, Sausage, and more! I am so blessed! Thanks to all you wonderful angels who have been so hard at work.
jueves, 24 de diciembre de 2009
martes, 22 de diciembre de 2009
Simply Perspective!
Ed Note: This Christmas season may or may not be as lavish as others for your clan. But this short story really helps us see, our many blessings are not material. I hope you will be blessed. The story was forwarded to me by a friend without any credit given.
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how “poor” people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad. I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.” The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?
Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don’t have.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends, family and many material blessings!
Hug your children, appreciate your spouse, love your family. Merry Christmas!
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how “poor” people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad. I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.” The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?
Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don’t have.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends, family and many material blessings!
Hug your children, appreciate your spouse, love your family. Merry Christmas!
lunes, 21 de diciembre de 2009
Holiday Open House for Neighbors
Ed Note: My 2nd Annual Neighborhood Open House was held yesterday afternoon. The following vingette is written from my daughter Laura, a 20-something's point of view. Enjoy!
12 guests arriving. 11 coats a'hanging. 10 dripping boots. 9 plates of cookies. 8 people eating. 7 cups a'sitting. 6 ladies chatting. 5 children screaming. 4 degrees outside. 3 broken ornaments. 2 spilled drinks. 1 Christmas party!
Yesterday was my mom's Christmas party for her neighbors. Since my husband and I are visiting from Tennessee, we were lucky enough to be invited along with the neighbors. And because my husband and I had been visiting friends 70 miles away, we arrived just in time for the party, and were lucky enough to escape the prep work.
My poor mother! Thankfully, she was lucky enough to have the help of a creative neighbor, who enjoys putting together parties.
My mom is always brilliant when it comes to serving food and put together a lovely mix of appetizers and snacks. She filled our tummies with pinwheels, brushettas, veggie and fruit platters, and topped it off with apple cider and wine. Neighbors also contributed with a delicious array of cookies. There are 11 months to diet from one month of Christmas for a reason!
The special part about her Christmas party was that it was made up of mostly neighbors. What a blessing to live in a place where you know your neighbors well enough to have a party with them. I think that we all lament the social isolation in neighborhood communities, but few of us have made an effort to reach out.
Of course, it takes time. My mom has lived in this community for seven years and this was her second neighborhood Christmas party. (The first one was before my dad passed away in December of 2007.) I appreciate that she was willing to step out and bring everyone together!
Some of the appetizers recipes follow in the next blog entry below. I hope that you can enjoy making some of these recipes, and perhaps even enjoy them with your neighbors. Merry Christmas!
Ed Final Note: Several neighbors mentioned that since we were having such a good time visiting together, we should do this more often! The success of the party was not the food, but building relationships with friends and neighbors. Memories created. Goal achieved.
12 guests arriving. 11 coats a'hanging. 10 dripping boots. 9 plates of cookies. 8 people eating. 7 cups a'sitting. 6 ladies chatting. 5 children screaming. 4 degrees outside. 3 broken ornaments. 2 spilled drinks. 1 Christmas party!
Yesterday was my mom's Christmas party for her neighbors. Since my husband and I are visiting from Tennessee, we were lucky enough to be invited along with the neighbors. And because my husband and I had been visiting friends 70 miles away, we arrived just in time for the party, and were lucky enough to escape the prep work.
My poor mother! Thankfully, she was lucky enough to have the help of a creative neighbor, who enjoys putting together parties.
My mom is always brilliant when it comes to serving food and put together a lovely mix of appetizers and snacks. She filled our tummies with pinwheels, brushettas, veggie and fruit platters, and topped it off with apple cider and wine. Neighbors also contributed with a delicious array of cookies. There are 11 months to diet from one month of Christmas for a reason!
The special part about her Christmas party was that it was made up of mostly neighbors. What a blessing to live in a place where you know your neighbors well enough to have a party with them. I think that we all lament the social isolation in neighborhood communities, but few of us have made an effort to reach out.
Of course, it takes time. My mom has lived in this community for seven years and this was her second neighborhood Christmas party. (The first one was before my dad passed away in December of 2007.) I appreciate that she was willing to step out and bring everyone together!
Some of the appetizers recipes follow in the next blog entry below. I hope that you can enjoy making some of these recipes, and perhaps even enjoy them with your neighbors. Merry Christmas!
Ed Final Note: Several neighbors mentioned that since we were having such a good time visiting together, we should do this more often! The success of the party was not the food, but building relationships with friends and neighbors. Memories created. Goal achieved.
miércoles, 9 de diciembre de 2009
Appetizing Appetizers
Mentoring Moms created an Open House Buffet in about 45 minutes last week. Here is the fruit tray:
The BLT Bruschetta recipe below is a simple gourmet delight, very delicious, you must try it!
BLT Bruschetta
5 Slices Maple flavored Bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ C. finely chopped seeded tomato
½ C. finely chopped leaf lettuce
½ C. prepared pesto, divided
½ C. shredded Mozzerella, optional
2 Tbsp minced fresh basil
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 10 ½ oz loaf French Bread, sliced thin
3 Tbsp Olive oil
Brush French Bread with olive oil and toast by baking at 400° F 9-10 minutes – watch closely- until golden brown. Mix crumbled bacon with finely chopped tomato. Spread pesto mixture on each slice.
Sprinkle with a little Mozzerella. Heat until cheese is melted and garnish with chopped lettuce and basil.
PinWheels
The red and green ingredients make these colorful and tasty for the Christmas holidays.
2 packages of cream cheese (8 oz.) softened,
1 package ranch salad dressing mix (dry mix)
1/2 cup minced sweet red pepper
1/2 cup minced celery
1/4 cup minced green onions
1/4 cup minced black olives (optional)
3-4 flour tortillas (10 inch)
In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese and dressing mix until
smooth. Add the red peppers, celery, onion, and olives; mix well.
Spread about 3/4 cup on each tortilla. Roll up tightly; wrap in
plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Slice into 1/2 inch
pieces. Yield: 15-20 servings (double or triple as needed) Make
ahead!
My neighborhood Open House will be Sunday, December 20, 2009. Remember to focus on the guests and relationships.
I hope you have a great time with your holiday get-togethers and a beautiful spread of food with minimal effort.
The BLT Bruschetta recipe below is a simple gourmet delight, very delicious, you must try it!
BLT Bruschetta
5 Slices Maple flavored Bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ C. finely chopped seeded tomato
½ C. finely chopped leaf lettuce
½ C. prepared pesto, divided
½ C. shredded Mozzerella, optional
2 Tbsp minced fresh basil
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 10 ½ oz loaf French Bread, sliced thin
3 Tbsp Olive oil
Brush French Bread with olive oil and toast by baking at 400° F 9-10 minutes – watch closely- until golden brown. Mix crumbled bacon with finely chopped tomato. Spread pesto mixture on each slice.
Sprinkle with a little Mozzerella. Heat until cheese is melted and garnish with chopped lettuce and basil.
PinWheels
The red and green ingredients make these colorful and tasty for the Christmas holidays.
2 packages of cream cheese (8 oz.) softened,
1 package ranch salad dressing mix (dry mix)
1/2 cup minced sweet red pepper
1/2 cup minced celery
1/4 cup minced green onions
1/4 cup minced black olives (optional)
3-4 flour tortillas (10 inch)
In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese and dressing mix until
smooth. Add the red peppers, celery, onion, and olives; mix well.
Spread about 3/4 cup on each tortilla. Roll up tightly; wrap in
plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Slice into 1/2 inch
pieces. Yield: 15-20 servings (double or triple as needed) Make
ahead!
My neighborhood Open House will be Sunday, December 20, 2009. Remember to focus on the guests and relationships.
I hope you have a great time with your holiday get-togethers and a beautiful spread of food with minimal effort.
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)