Really..Christmas Adam already...

So looking forward to Christmas Eve tomorrow (that is if we don't blow away tonight...such strong winds). I have to work, but I'm not letting it bother me...just as long as I get off in time to go to candle light church service all is well...actually the few of us girls that will be there decided to make it festive and wear ugly Christmas sweaters and accessories...

Our stockings are hung...

Our tree is decorated and finally our presents have arrived and are wrapped...

What a wonderful, stress free, but busy Holiday season this has been...I hate I haven't posted more, but we have gone 90 to nothing...just this past weekend I helped with Breakfast with Santa at the Ronald McDonald House, hit the cute gift shops with Arden, celebrated Gavin's 3rd birthday at the farm, watched the Dallas/Saints game at a neighborhood Christmas party, went to church, Ray and I finally did our shopping, made a nice dinner and baked 8 dozen cookies (4 dozen were red velvet...delicious)....and I enjoyed every minute of it...I always look forward to getting home from work, but this time of the year I especially enjoy getting home so I can get the mail...I love Christmas cards...this year I posted them all on the pantry closet and have enjoyed looking at them every day.

Last night, mom and dad hosted the Jett's (Logan's parents) and the Jone's (Caleb's parents) for a Christmas dinner...too bad Ray's parents live too far away to come for dinner (plus they are still iced in). It was so nice and delicious...I was talking and didn't get any pictures...but I leave you with our orange Tennessee tinsel tree...

and my favorite Holly tree and my metal wall decor (that I got from Silver Star Hardware in Salt Lake City)

Today, I went to Ray's Christmas work lunch...I've never got to go before...with Hallmark this was a super busy day and then last year you might remember I wasn't allowed to leave work, but this year I went and had a blast. I've met the guys Ray works with several times, but it is always nice to visit with them...Ray's worked there almost 10 years, so it has been fun to watch every ones kids grow up...they really are like a big family. Happy Christmas Adam (a friend of mine said they were going to a Christmas Adam party - I looked at her very puzzled and she said...Brooke, you know Adam came before Eve!

Convection...

December 16, 2009
is my new best friend. We've lived here going on 5 years and I've never really used the convection feature on the oven until this month...I just made 4 dozen of my mom's famous M&M Cookies in 39 minutes from start to finish. I had no idea the value of convection until this week.
And no...I am not eating these sweets...they are going to Iraq to one of the 241 people who work for my company that have taken leave to serve our Country!

Set your DVR's before you leave for work tomorrow...I watched the best Hallmark Christmas movie tonight as I wrapped the very few Christmas presents I've bought (or that have delivered...haven't been to a mall yet!)...Mrs. Miracle...it says it shows again on Thursday at 2 pm/1 pm Central. If you miss it, I'm sure it will be on again.

Flight...

December 15, 2009

If you haven't been...go. I had heard some not so great reviews when they first opened, so didn't rush out to try it. Tonight, We celebrated our 'UT AXO's that live in Memphis' Christmas party and had a great night. I had the special...look close as that is stone crabs (yes in Memphis, I had stone crabs...I was so happy!) on top of a bone in beef tenderloin as well as a delicious salad and a flight of wine. Absolutely delicious, we were all so glad Kembree chose this for our dinner. It is a little pricey (especially if you get stone crab), but it was well worth it.

Stop with the sweets...

December 14, 2009

I can't stop eating sweets...yes, I know Molly is getting married in 9 months and I have to fit in a bridesmaid dress and no I don't want to buy all new clothes after Christmas (well I do, but I want smaller ones, not bigger ones)...But I really do like Christmas (and Christmas sweets)!

Yesterday was Emily's cookie exchange. Dad and I went early to help her get ready...Lily loves her Papa...they are playing tractors as Lily thinks about eating her breakfast! Everyone had a lot of fun and the cookie recipes were great. Plus, people were sweet to give me their left over cookies to sell at our bake sale at work today...all the money went to St. Jude.

Emily changed up her decor this year...beautiful cotton tree.

WINNER, WINNER...

December 12, 2009

Mom and I went to visit Grandma today...as I was pumping the gas, mom went to get a lottery ticket. She said she got me one and we share if I win $15K, I kinda giggled as I've never won more than $5 on a scratch ticket. I started scratching and the 1st number matched, the second number matched and I was saying...mom is this one of those fake tickets you give us in our stockings sometimes. She said no, so I kept scratching and every number on the card matched...I made her turn around and go back to the gas station, because I still didn't believe it...the lady put it in the machine and real loud is said...WINNER, WINNER. That's right...$40 richer.

Since it was cold and wet and Grandma wasn't feeling very well, we spent most of the day in her room. We did walk around and look at all the decorations...it is decorated so nice for Christmas.

Baby It's Cold Outside...

December 11, 2009

I think it was 16 degrees this morning...Burrr, but no snow. I love cold weather and oh how I enjoyed the snow the year I lived in Salt Lake (mind you I walked everywhere). I love snowmen (but not quite as much as my mom does!)...today's 'Christmas All Around the House' features my kitchen window...Ray gave me my Mitford snowman the year I lived in Salt Lake. I love them.

Lily loves snowmen too...this weekend Logan and Lily were dancing to the old Hallmark snowmen mom found...

Ugly Sweaters and Uncle Eddie

December 10, 2009

Tuesday night, I went with some friends to the Majestic Grille for a Griswold's Family Christmas Dinner. As we ate a traditional Christmas dinner, we watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation on the large screen. They had a contest for the Tackiest Christmas Sweater and for the Best Christmas Vacations Character Costume. I thought all of our sweaters were good, but we didn't win...ha! I wore this sweater in 1993 and my mom still had it!

Season of Giving...

December 9, 2009
We are so fortunate and I'm so thankful to be able to give back...I'm proud my employer gives so much to Memphis; gives to so many events/organizations...one of which is the Salvation Army Angel Tree. This year we sponsored 250 Angels. My team got 7 year old Lenard a bike, coat, spider man figures, basketball, football, etc. We got 67 year old Miles a frying pan, flat screen TV, towels and washcloths. This is just the bikes on one side of the building...happy tears in my eyes just thinking about it.



I wish I would have taken pictures at the Jr League toy sale this weekend...we all donate one new $25 toy...happy tears again.
Today was the WMCTV food drive for the Memphis Food Bank...I went a little before noon and was the only car in the line...I hope they meet their goal...I wanted to go buy every can good off of the shelves at Kroger, but instead I went back to work to prepare for a 2 pm strategy kick off...so I can keep my job and be able to give.

Love this time of the year...

December 7, 2009
From now until Christmas, I'm going to post my favorite 'Christmas' spots in our house...
Brooke & Ray's Sweet Shop...or should I say Ray's Sweet Shop...I keep hearing the tops come off and the candy come out! Picked these up at TJ Maxx this year...I found the concept in a magazine and lucked upon the glasses.


Picked out our tree yesterday...I'm focusing on the season and not the stresses...kinda why I didn't have any Holiday parties this year...none the less, we walked in (Ray even remembered his gloves this year), went to the 9 ft section and I looked for 1 minute and said, I want that one. Ray about fell in the floor...really you sure you don't want to go to three other stores, want me to hold up 20 trees? Um No...not this year. So we paid and put it in my dad's truck (that we borrowed so we didn't have to stuff it in the Honda's trunk this year). It has some spots, but I LOVE it. I'm going to put the lights on.

Welcome...

December 6, 2009

to the family, Logan! We are so excited for you and Molly! The proposal was a great idea and I'm so happy to have been a part of it! Let the wedding planning begin...

It's the most Wonderful...

Time of the Year...Look at what was in our mailbox today...I can't wait to get in bed and start shopping. I'm trying to buy local this year, but I love looking at catalogs!

Happy Birthday...

to Emily! We love you and hope you have a great day. Looking forward to your Birthday dinner!

Full of Thanks...

I have so much to be Thankful for and I pray that I express my Thankfulness everyday; in everything I do...

"And whatever you do, in word and deed, do in the name of Christ Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3.17

As we're driving the state of Tennessee (so thankful for Ray and his love for driving at night in the mountains...ha!), I've been thinking what makes Thanksgiving...Thanksgiving to me. Hands down...Family and Pumpkin Roll. As a child we always had to leave in the middle of the Macy's parade to go to my Great Grandmothers in Bells...at the time I didn't look forward to it, but now what I would give to go back. We would get home just in time to have Grandma Mullen's delicious Thanksgiving dinner...oh I miss her mac n cheese, dressing and gravy. For the past 6 years, we've been spending Thanksgiving at Ray's grandparents...new/different, but good traditions....Michigan Rummy here we come! Enjoy what makes Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving to you!

Worth the 2 hour drive...

November 23, 2009

to Greenwood, MS...I've taken classes in Memphis, but hands down Greenwood is so much better...did you know that is where the Viking appliance factory is located? Em and I both enjoyed ourselves. Mary Helen was our instructor for both the Steakhouse class and the Holiday's Sweets Class. I really liked the Steakhouse class the best...10 people, all the wine you want...plus we learned to cook a great dinner and bananas foster (my new favorite dessert). I'm so excited I could go on for hours, but I will leave you with a few pictures instead (most of my pics are from Saturday morning, I was too into Friday night to take pics). Now, Greenwood is not the best city, but the street with the Alluvian and cooking school is quaint with a great variety of shops. I can't wait to go back...

Getting ready to make homemade marshmallows...

Hmmm...I need to tell Santa I need this bendable measuring cup...

Look at the bananas foster...on fire...

While Em was icing our Gingerbread scones...I was tasting our delicious White Chocolate Hot Cocoa.

In the middle of our sweets class they served us this delicious pot pie

Lily was all smiles to see her momma...

What's good...

Lily knows...sonic cherry limeades! I took a much needed vacation day and we're headed down to Greenwood...as an early birthday present to Emily, we are going to cooking school...wish us luck!

The Sights and Sounds

Of Memphis continues...with the Dixon and Central BBQ! I really think the kids and parents at the Ronald McDonald House enjoyed themselves last night...I know I did!

No need...

To start the oven if you live near The Fresh Market! These mini pumpkin cupcakes make an excellent fall dessert and the perfect morning tailgate snack. Go Vols (beat the Rebels)!
Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

Here you go...

Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

Downtown Dining...

November 11, 2009

If you are in the Memphis area...check out 2009 Downtown Dining. We have some awesome restaurants downtown and what a great way to enjoy them with 3 courses for $20.09. Stephanie and I enjoyed Itta Bena Monday night. Yum! I'll save you a call...Felicia's is booked all week.

Tonight, I went to dinner with mom and dad at Fresh Slices...they have a special...2 flat iron steaks (that were awesome), 2 baked potatos, 2 salads and 2 drinks for $17.99...now that is a delicious dining deal. Happy Eating!

Because of all the request I am getting...I just might take a picture of my new hair cut this weekend...that is if I can get Ray to go the the Ole Miss/TN game and we win!

I took 50 pictures...

November 9, 2009

of Lil and Em on Sunday and I love them all...most of them are just of Lil playing, but I took a few of them together in the cotton...here are just a few of my favorites...

Longing to be on the tractor with Daddy...

Helping pick up leaves...

Momma and Daughter...

What's that noise?

Lily already has her power shopping walk down!

4th time...

November 8, 2009
that I have tried to post today...seems when I try to add a picture everything freezes...so recap...
Friday night we had the best time at Barkitecture (a benefit for Memphis Area Golden Retriever Rescue & Weimaraner Rescue). We went with our friends Jennifer & Scott (who have a Golden and foster them often) and Kembree & Tony (who love dogs and helping a good cause)...they had a great silent auction and professional designed dog houses that were auctioned off. Last night I made some new recipes...that deserve a post on their own. Delicious! Today Ray had to go to the office, so I decided to go visit Em and Lil. It was a beautiful day, so we spent most of it outside...Lily loved looking for the tractors. Really enjoyed the weekend, except for my trip to get my hair cut...I wanted a change, but didn't want this big of one...it is much shorter than I wanted...the shortest it has ever been...I just hope it grows fast!

Friends and Football

November 4, 2009
After my review on Friday, we drove to a cabin (way past Knoxville...sorry girls) to spend the weekend with some college friends and their families. We had the best time hanging out at the cabin catching up...On Saturday morning, we headed to Knoxville to tailgate before the TN/SC game. The rain stopped around noon just as we pulled into our tailgate spot, but by kick off at 7:45...it was coming down pretty hard. However, rain could not stop the great time we had together.
Adeline and Kate taking a bath before bedtime...

Sweet Evie enjoying all the action...

Mike pumps us up with his version of Rocky Top (love it)...

Kate (and her Momma Allison) enjoys her first tailgate...

The Girls...Check out Kate as the cute Chicken for Halloween...Adeline and Evie were pumpkins! The 'little' girls seemed to all three love the tailgate...they were all so good and fun to be around!

Frogg and Chris admire the scenery...

Look at Evie trying to get Maria's beer...from the look of her face, I don't think she will be a beer drinker Sarah!

Special game for the Linder's...Dan is a SC grad...sorry for your lose Dan (wink)!

Ray in his orange...

It's great to be....

A Tennessee Vol...despite the rain and cold weather...when the players ran out in their black uniforms...the crowd exploded and with 3 interceptions in the 1st quarter...the crowd never stopped! It was GREAT!

Almost there...

October 29, 2009
I've really had a busy week...I have a line review at work tomorrow, need I say more...but I also had the best time at the Ronald McDonald House on Monday night...everyone enjoyed the dinner and the kids liked the Halloween Magic show...on Tuesday night I volunteered with the vendor set up at Merry Marketplace...I hate I will not get to shop this year. I really wanted to go to the Gala tonight, but with the review, I decided I better pass. You must go and stop by Baubles Up (my Aunt Marca's booth) to purchase a jewelry organizer. I love mine...it makes it so easy to find the perfect necklace/bracelet to match your outfit as you are running out the door!