Tackle It Tuesday

After another morning of homemade breakfast

It was a day of errands...

This morning a wonderful man called.
It was the produce fellow that I have befriended.
He called to tell us that he had some scraps for the chickens.
I had Dash come along for some alone time with him.
We stopped at Wal-mart for some pine shavings for the coop.
I had remembered a gift card I had with a few dollars on it.
We walked out of the store spending only .44 cents...

We went over to the bank and I started my envelope system for saving.
We are doing the Dave Ramsey thing.
After the withdraws I was thrilled to see
that at years end we met our half way goal to the tree months of income emergency savings.
Saying no, pays off!
We went over and Dash and I met the fellow holding the lettuce scraps for us.
Two large boxes enough to feed the chickens all week!

We came home only spending .44 cents and the tasks done.

After a lunch of various left overs of everyone's preferences...

We took all the boxes of give away to the "Good Will". Dash stayed with the Daddy Man, and then Dove hopped into the car with me.
It was nice to have some alone time with her. She is growing up so fast.

I followed Mr U too one auto center (that had closed down and was vacant) then to another.
We were off to go tend to the Recall notice (FREE REPAIR)on the truck.
When we dropped it off the fellow asked if we might like the truck washed
He did it for FREE!
We left it there for an hour or so.

We then went to Wal-mart on that side of town (I had followed in the car).
With the two coupons we got in the mail at $40. each we found the converter boxes for $49.00
each including the remotes! Out the door with over $108.. in goods for $27.77 (taxes!) : {
Now we have the converter boxes in hand and ready for the switch come February .

P.S. don't wait until the last minute folks they were few on the shelf.

So when we went to get the truck we were hit with some news...
The truck might need some work to the tune of $500.!
We will get another opinion to make sure it is on the up and up.
Steering arms are shot.

We followed each other home and then I took off with the kids to a book store that they had been given gift card too.
Thank you Uncle.
They made the purchases as I did my best to let them take their time.

Home by 6 p.m. and starving a menu change was in the works.
A quick prayer and a faster image place in my mind.
It was awesome!
Turkey on multi-grain with mayo. and home grown lettuce and canned cranberry sauce! WOW!
Plates were clean! A large mellon was also sliced up on the side.
We all wathed a movie on the computer and had a nice family night.

Enough erronds?
It felt nice to get out the weather was perfect!

Christmas Morning part 1 (2008)

Christmas Morning

My sister Elder 2x's made these for us.
This is Dash's stocking that his Grandmother made him.
It is so amazingly detailed and just beautiful. I am so grateful to her for these.

She made this for Dove when she was very little.
She made cute "Tellitubbie" one when she was itty bitty girl.

I always had an orange in my Christmas stocking no matter how poor we were.
It is my tradition to pass on to the children.
The Children awoke us sweetly on Christmas Morning.
They gave us a moment to dress and gleefully anticipated the party for Jesus!
We set the table.
Then the hunt began!
With a clue by clue race of giggly glee the went here and there.

Searching for Jesus.

Searching they longed to find him...

Of course reading was involved :)

Alas! the nest the closest thing to a manger.
Funny thing Daddy man hid the kids baby and I hid the real creche one. They were both out there and we each... did not know the other hid it.
I did it and he did it too.
They each had one to find

They seamed a little lost when they had Him in hand.
Like now what...?

They had a blast searching for him.
We all came in for the Party, by now they had been up a while patiently waiting.

While we ate Daddy Man read the story and Dove told the rest about The hunt that cause so many lives lost to save the baby Jesus.

They were ready for gift time and we joked with them...

Silly guys!

Dove showed us how her friend begs with her mom...
Funny!

begging to open presents Dash style tongue in cheek.
We were just all having fun being silly.
The pups got an apple in their stocking and out side they went so we could open in peace.

Dog bliss

Santa had wrapped in foil and it was a hit!

This was the very thing they each desired.

I think they were surprised that they received them.

Dash was pleased but the wires were crossed that he longed for a different one,
but boy did he rally.
"That's alright...I love it!"

It thrilled my heart when they each really loved the hats and gloves.

I found Daddy man a place to put his CD's in the car.
He listens to books on tape on his drive to work.
He down loads them and makes cd's .

I was stunned to get this camera.
Tonight we used it to skipe with my sister while we all got together with her grown son. We opened the gifts that had come late due to the storms in the Eastern United States.

At this point I had to go start cooking and the kids started the Lego sets.
Daddy Man Helped them.
It was a wonderful morning.
How nice it was to enjoy each other and to play with the kids more.

Christmas Morning Part 2

I hope to post the early morning but blogger is messing up right now.

Long over due, well by now you may have had a break from some of the images of children , gifts and dinners
Dash and Dove both received new hats and gloves, It was wonderful to see how pleased they were over something so simple. It is getting cold here so this is a nice comfort.
We have hopes of getting them to the snow by weeks end.
Dash does not like to leave the house and Dove gets car sick...
Travel is always a gamble and a hope and a prayer.

We gave each kid a little i pod (we found on line) to hear books and music of our choice :)
They each received a little hutch for the tree house rooms.
This was simple , but they both were grateful.

Dash gave his sis a little Sponge Bob kit to grow plantain.
She was thrill.
Little Dove got Daddy Man a new set of pen and pencil for his desk at work.

Dash was so proud of his idea....
He figured out a way to give Daddy Man a new car!

The Children exchanged gifts with glee.

Dove loved her new gloves too.

We were able to get them each their hearts desire in a Lego set each.
They and Daddy Man spent the morning assembling them while I worked on the meal. Daddy should have been TWO...For he was back and forth like a ping pong ball. Worn by the end of it.

We Loved our new tradition of starting the day with a Birthday party and reading the scriptures.
We forgot to do Communion, I still do not want the week to end without it.
Dash requested it.

"Santa and Mrs Clause " cleared the cup and plate.
They were just too full~

Turkey and all came together well...

The desert table was full. MILove made wonderful Peach and Lemon pies,
BILove came with wonderful quality cookies from a bakery.

Taters cooked and meal was getting ready.

I walked away from the cooking to enjoy the kids.
They were so excited and loaded with sugar that they were a bit zany.
Happy zany! Beautiful glee, imperfectly behaved wonderfully
delightful children! They had been running full bore from dawn. They waited until after the birthday party , the scavenger hunt for the baby Jesus, the scriptures being read, and the story being told and retold in their own sweet little words.
Then...After all that... we opened our gifts.
They did not ask, beg or pout once!
They were not voracious.
They were patient and thoughtful.
Each person was watched while they opened a gift.
We each celebrated with each other.
The appreciation and gratitude were evident
even when their faces let loose a bit of disappointment
they still were grateful!
To Me that character says volumes.

MILove saw to it that Doves desires came true and she got her pet.
The kids also got some "spy" gear a head lamp and a pen set that is a walkie/talkie.
Their uncle gave them some gift cards to the book store.

The kids gave the Grandparents and their Uncle (Beloveds brother) a nice framed picture of them.

Dash was happy that they liked them.

Even Grandpa gave a smile at the gift.

Grandpa gave a wind up flashlight to each child.
Beloved's other brother and his wife sent gifts along with the Grandparents.

Grandmother had asked for very detailed, specific request of what the kids longed for ...
As much as I would of loved the place of giving Dash his gift ,I decided to defer the privilege to his grandparents.
Dash desired a "real" study Bible.
With his name on it.
Grandfather wrote a dear letter to him and Dash read it silently.
Dash must have been very moved because he was silent for many moments.

He silently opened his Bible.
Touched it and then carefully put it into the box.

Dove got her desire in a stuffed pet.
He also received a game.

I got back into the kitchen to work on the meal.
Dash and Dove opened the stockings and found many treasures of treats and a orange (my tradition from childhood). There was also a base ball (Tball).

Well the meal came together and at the last moment my neiphew arrived.
I served, and all ate well.
The kids and the boys went for a drive.
The grandparents and I stayed here.
For Christmas a gift of jewelry for my nephews girlfriend was completed by me making matching earrings.

The folks and the Uncle were invited for desert over to the other brothers home.
We were not. Stung a little.

We all came in and enjoyed our little family.
The children calmed down to a movie.
My Mr and I watched some hulu t.v. in his office.
We had left overs and just rested a bit.
We spent the evening washing dishes and clearing up the foods and such.

I love my little family.
I love our traditions both new and old.
All of the wonderful days hence we have had time together and being home with love surrounding each of us.
Movie with friends and play dates.
A home filled with the laughter of children,
and the warmth of two adults that love each other.
I have so enjoyed my darling being here.
We were so tired of a full year of 10 hour days and home cooked meals.
This is living at its top!
Laying down our lives and then gaining more then either one of us could of ever imagined.

The boxes came today from my Dear Sister who made sure there would be lots of gifts under the tree. That was so thoughtful of her. They are now on the counter. My neiphew has a box with some for us in it. We have a box with some for him in it.
She made sure we would all come together.
Now how thoughtful is that!
Her son will come and we will all get to celebrate again perhaps tomorrow.

Love
Love, is kind.
Love is patient.
Love is long suffering.
Love suffers all things, forgives all things.

Love
gave His life for us all.

Menu Plan Monday

Hello...
Christmas Dinner Left Overs...

Creativity is wonderful out there on all the nice Menu's.
Here are two that ways we used our left overs...
Yesterday Morning
Sausage (using the left over gravy and left over sausage from the stuffing
and home made biscuits (cream of tarter key to fluffiness).
Eggs and Orange juice.

Today for our late lunch we had
Potato/Corn Chowder

fine diced onion 3 tbl in hot e.v.o.l. olive oil until tinder.

Tofu (firm) in blinder with some chicken broth and frozen corn kernels.
puree until smooth yet fine chunky bits of corn are left.

Add that to a big soup pot.
Parsley flake and powder
Thyme would have been nice but I ran out of it...
go figure:)
so I used Herbs de France'
Then I added to it 3 cups of left over mashed potatoes.
one very finely diced carrot
celery salt
sea salt
dash cayenne

Unleavened salted crackers

We even had a play date today the children cleaned the bowel (all of them!)

I am due to make some home made tomato sauce for pasta this week..

Some home made bread.

Homemade yogurt (I will give it a first try).

Had every intention of doing it today , but...

I fell down hard on both knees.

The dogs bone was in the hall and I stepped on it the rug slipped and down hard I went.

The door bell was a ringin' and a good friend came in to see me humbly on the floor.

Daddy man was here as are the kids. I am alright but have my leg up resting.