Home By the Creekside

Bah humbug is what I fill around Christmas. I hate the commercialism of it all. I hate buying presents and seeing my bank account dwindle till it is at 0. I just wish for one year I could just enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. Oh and don't forget, it is cold, no sunshine, and sometimes I feel just feel plain lonely. Anyways, a ray of sunshine entered my classroom last Thursday. It brightened my day and week. I have never been on the receiving end of the 12 days of Christmas. I thought I would blog about this. Last Thursday, the secretary brought in a box with 12 little presents inside. One to be opened each day before I go home on break. It was done by a student in my class. I have my thoughts about who the student is that did it but I am not sure.  I guess I will find out on the 12th day of Christmas.  

Before: December 6, 1996 ...So young and in love and thinner . After: December 2009..Still in love, old, a little senile...and fatter . I know it is a crazy picture. If any of you know me, I can be little on the weird side. This pic was taken by our resident photographer,our son. We will have been married for 13 years this Sunday. What are we going to celebrate? Uhh...nothing as usual. Maybe dinner next week.. Highlights of our marriage: 2 kids                                                            7 moves 4 rentals                          ...

This is what $7.00 brought us on Friday night. Fantasy Lights at the Bay at Willard Bay north of Ogden with 33 temps and a heater inside our car.  Good thing I packed our coats and mittens. We were in a horse drawn wagon and I was too chicken to take a picture of the wagon with horses because they were alittle skittish that night. So here is a picture of one of the lights. Ya..I dont remember what that was. Guess what she wanted for Christmas? No clue she kept whispering in his ear and looking at us. I think she was saying "everything" or "a candy cane". She had a good time. What did B ask for? He did not know. He wanted to see if he was the "real" Santa. So Santa had B look at his hands to see if they were real. Then he did not know what he wanted either. $7.00 dollars brought us a horse wagon ride, drive thru the park, and Santa with NO lines. Worth it for me!

Hey Mom! Look at my turkey. Not burned! Oh ya! Here is our Thanksgiving turkey. It was really good and moist. The leftover turkey sandwiches on a roll are yummy! Here is our partially set table. I used only finest china that I have. I actually remembered that I bought the chargers a couple years and and I actually used them. (the gold monster plates under the china for you men that are clueless). AFTER DINNER and PIE, we decorate for Christmas. The annual decorating their own tree event!! This is our little tradition. When we were married, we had a couple ornaments and some of the decorations from our wedding reception trees to put on our tree. Every year the kids pick out an ornament or two to put on their trees on the main floor. Then when they get married, they can take their ornaments with them.

While I wait to put the turkey in, I am so thankful for many things in my life. 1. For being a mom and wife--I love being a mom. Even though they came to me from a different source. I am thankful that they were sent to me. Sometimes it is hard being a mom to these unique and special children. But I love them. 2. For my family--I love  mom, dad, brother, sis in law, and nephew. Even though they live in Arizona and come up once or twice a year. I love them and wished they lived closer. 3. For my church--I love the LDS church. It is who I am and what I follow. It is my way of life and I love living it. 4. For my health--Thankful that I have not had any problems besides my hearing. 5. For my job--I like that I can provide for my family and help other children succeed. I like that I can stand in front of students all day and move whenever I want. I like that I can be creative. 6. For my home--My little heaven on Earth. I like that I can be who I want here and relax...

Thanksgiving is two days away. We are going with the basics this year. Turkey--I love my turkey. I found an awesome recipe a couple years ago and it brings guaranteed moistness. You can find it here .  Yummy! Mashed Potatoes and Gravy--Not from the box. I boil the taters. The mash them up with milk, butter, and pepper. Gravy...well if it works homemade style if not I have packet on hand which I end up using because it is easy to do. Stuffing--I usually buy the seasoned Mrs. Cubbison's and then put clams and mushrooms in it. Sounds gross. It is actually good...But this year we are just having a box of stove top stuffing..Yup! Green Beans--These ARE the best green beans EVER! Just ask my sis in law Erica.  Don't use fresh either. 2 (15 ounce) cans green beans 1 cube beef bouillon cube (I actually use a teaspon of chicken bouillon) 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon butter 1 pinch garlic pepper seasoning Drain the green bean...

Before During Photo Op before playing in the snow. What a bunch of angels! And they are mine! I know it is Sunday but I could not let this pass them by. We left church earlier. I dont know why I am still fascinated by sitting by the window and just watching the snow fall. After the storm passed, the kiddies were so eager to go outside and play. They had a good time. B is almost big enough to start shoveling. He was helping me go back and forth. It is amazing how 3-4 inches can pile up. Husband was whining about shoveling the snow and that he hates the snow now (what a wuss but that is another story)) so I did most of the driveway. I love the snow and I dont mind the shoveling.