Christmas 2017 In My Sitting Room

This Christmas was quiet...just me and the Pups. 

I got my Cinnamon Rolls baked and handed out to neighbors and friends.

The Pups and I watched movies after everything was cleaned up and we all enjoyed a few treats.

My Son, Stephen and his wife, Lindsey [above, getting their Christmas tree this year] sent me an on-line Gift Certificate for PetCo.  I ordered the pups some food and some treats...and they arrived yesterday.  I didn't have much food when they returned last week and knew I needed to order it, but didn't want to have to spend much money, with the shortage of money I currently have...or don't have, really.  

The PuppyKids Are Back Home With Me

Late Thursday afternoon, after speaking to the Mrs. of the couple who took my Pups almost 3 weeks ago, a friend and I went to their house for a visit.  A visit that I hoped would end with me bringing my Pups back home.  3 weeks ago, when the Pups initially stayed with this couple, we knew there would be a trial period of about 3 weeks, in case either of us saw a need to have the pups come back to live with me.

All of the PuppyKids, after baths and grooming...

Left to Right:  Angel, Rosie & Jasper

My friend and I arrived and the couple welcomed us, as did my Pups!  I said we needed to sit down because I was there to talk to them.  I said I felt that in talking to them, that they may have taken on too much with 3 small dogs.  They asked if I wanted to take them back home.

My Annual Christmas Week Baking Tradition

CINNAMON ROLLS

Not just any Cinnamon Rolls either...Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls!!  They are the BEST and if you make the entire recipe, it makes lots of little round crinkled aluminum pans full...of yummy ooey, gooeyness!  And the recipe is so easy.  You can even make the dough and store in the refrigerator for 3 days, in advance of when you want to bake the rolls.  The rolls roll out easier and they turn out prettier too.

Alright, so how many of you would really care just how PRETTY these yummy cinnamon rolls look when they come out of the oven?  I do, because I'm that way.  I used to make and decorate cakes, including wedding cakes that served 500 people!  I had to care how those turned out and now I'm no different when it comes to always wanting baked and cooked goodies to look pretty too.

My House Is Decorated For Christmas

Thank goodness I decided to do the little Christmas Decorating I did on Thanksgiving Day.  That was a good day.  I enjoyed Thanksgiving with my 3 Pups.  They followed me around the house and watched me as I decorated and hung items on the walls.  They were so much fun that day.  If I hadn't decorated on that day, I don't think I would have gotten it done at all...with everything that's been going on in my life.  [read past posts to find out, if you missed anything]

Now for the photos of my home decorated for Christmas.  I didn't do anything like I did in years past, but it's enough for me.  Enjoy.  And have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Busy, Busy, Busy

BUSY...that's what I've been!!

My PuppyKids are with their new Family, yes, they were adopted on Saturday and immediately stayed with them.  They are doing very well.  Getting settled in their new routine and even have another furry sister...A CAT!  They're all getting along just fine.  I'm so happy these kind people, friends and clients of my massage therapist...decided to keep the little family together.  Thanks to all of you for your support and prayers through this difficult journey I've been on and am still going through. 

Since it seems today was going to be the best day this week to take care of a task I thought up yesterday, I figured I'd better tackle it.  It has to do with my Courtyard Wall.  Here's a photo.

My PuppyKids

I remember when I made this collage and turned it into a large photo on the wall in my home.  It was shortly after the last of my Pups came to live with me.  That was in 2013...and her name was Angel.  She arrived  just 3 weeks after my precious Pup, Benny died of a neurological incident.  He'd been with me for only a short 4 1/2 years, but saw me through the worst Bell's Palsy attack ever!  He helped heal me.  In between and before Angel & Benny, was Rosie...born on Valentine's Day 2010.  And the first Pup that came into my life was Jasper and that was when he was 9 months old in 2009.

My Kitchen - The Old & The New - Make-over

It's been a while since my last post...although I have started a few balls rolling, I still don't have any definitive answers as to what I will end up doing...with my home.  You can read the post where I talked about Things Never Staying the Same HERE. 

Right now, though, I want to share some photos from 2 years ago...Christmas 2016 in my Kitchen, Sitting Room {dining room} and Exterior of my home.  Then I will show you lots of photos of the way it looks NOW, since the Make-Over!

My Home Office...Make-Over 2017

Before I show you my Office as it looks now, Fall 2017, I thought I'd share a photo and the link to my post about my Office...

Office Fall 2016

See all the Pink?  The "pretties" and lace curtains...even some French items?

Announcement

Thursday night, my son, Stephen called me from Wisconsin to give me some wonderful news.  He and his wife, Lindsey - well, here, let me show you their photo announcement from Facebook.

Their Caption:

Expecting our little pumpkin March 2018 

I couldn'tdn't be happier for both of them!  I can't believe I'm finally a

Let the Shopping Begin - Ty Wilson Art

I am always on the look-out for GREAT artwork...that's not too expensive.  [My tastes change!]  And I was reminded this morning of an artist whose work I hung in an apartment in the late 80's, which I did in the contemporary style I love so much.  Yes, I still LOVE contemporary and I still love TY WILSON'S artwork [read ABOUT TY Below]!  I remember walking into a Saxon's Paint store in Milwaukee in the late 80's and finding his beautiful artwork!  So, upon finding his website this morning, I decided to post about him and his artwork.  Here are a couple of pieces I used to have...

Salami & Cheese Pie

Yesterday, I tried a new recipe, one I'd made several changes to...and it was so good and so easy to make.  Here it is.  Enjoy!

Salami & Cheese Pie

Box of 2 Pillsbury Pie Dough Rounds

8 ounces hard salami [ask at Deli to cut on #10, for ez perfect dice]

1/2 small onion, minced

1Tablespoon Dijon Mustard 

4 cups shredded cheese [2c Mozzarella, 1c Cheddar & 1c Monterey Jack]

3 Tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

3 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 350°.  Cut pie crust to fit and lightly press into a 9x13" pan.  Prick and bake for about 8 minutes, until barely browned.

Cut the sliced salami into ez cubes [you only need to cut one direction].  Mix in a large bowl, the salami, onion, cheeses and eggs.  

Spread 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard over the entire crust and then pour on the salami mixture, pressing down lightly to firm it.

Bake until golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. 

NOTE:  This was REALLY delicious the first day, fresh from the oven.  I didn't care for left-overs re-heated in the microwave.    

I Believe Humor Is Good for Us

Humor can be very useful when:

When you are stressed...

Or you're in the middle of a disagreement...

When your clothes don't fit this week and they did last week...

When after you've lost weight, the Doctors keep telling you, lose more...

When there are too many things going on in your life...

When you reach for the Angus Ground Sirloin you purchased yesterday and it's GREY.

Ok, those are just a few times that something humorous could help.

So...if you're experiencing something that requires a bit of humor, hope this does the trick.

Happy Birthday Stephen!

Time flies by...it really does.  I don't know about "time really flies as you get older", I've not had that feeling.  Most of the time days go by quickly.  My son, Stephen and his wife live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...and I haven't seen them in quite a few years [?5?]  Haven't been back to Wisconsin and now that I'm on my own, I don't think I want to travel 5 1/2 hours from Michigan to Wisconsin, through Chicago, with 3 dogs.  And I can't/won't board them.

But...today is his Birthday.  I find it hard to believe that I have a son his age...but I do.  He is 47 today!  Happy Birthday son!  I love you and miss you guys.  Maybe you could plan a trip to see me?!  I'd love that.  Have a nice dinner tonight as you celebrate, oops...that's right you said you don't celebrate birthdays, at least not your own.

MOM

Today Marks Two Years

Two Years, yes, it's been two years today, since my husband moved out of our "forever" home.  I remember that day well and all the conversations I had with God - both that day and every day since.  I asked Him to help me forgive, to put me back together again, because, let's face it, I was falling apart.  Apart, not just from my husband leaving me, but health-wise, emotionally, spiritually and every way imaginable.

I ♥ Shopping - Comforter Sets

via

Southern Cornbread Salad

Jiffy Corn"y" Cornbread

2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix

1 cup sour cream

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup melted butter or margarine

1 teaspoon salt.

16 oz. can creamed corn (or if you can find FROZEN creamed corn, it's even better)

1 cup grated sharp Cheddar, optional

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

God Loves Us This Much

1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 

3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 

4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. 

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 

10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 

11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,and he will divide the spoils with the strong,because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Boston Cream Crepe Cake

This is one of my favorite "go too" dessert recipes of all time.  Yes, it can be a bit time consuming making all those crepes, but the trick is to have 2 or even 3 pans going at the same time.

Boston Cream Crepe Cake

 Ingredients (12 Servings)

 Crepes

Today I Will See My Husband

For the first time since April 3, 2015.

He's rented a car and should be leaving about the time I post this.  It's dark outside and quite foggy and he said it's foggy down there too.  He also hasn't driven the highways from there to here in a couple of years and there have been LOTS of changes.  I pray he has a safe trip.  We have planned to be at the Secretary of State office so he can sign over the house and car to me only.  He doesn't want anyone but me to have it if something happens to him.  Even after being gone this long, he still thinks about me and cares for me.

When we're done at the Secretary of State, we will be making a few other stops and possibly have lunch somewhere...we'll see.

He wants to cash in his cremation arrangements at the mortuary.  He feels he doesn't want to transfer it...and he decided he wanted to use the money to make a payment to our attorney...for our divorce.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, please.

Remembering Benny...

Today, Benny would have been EIGHT years old.  Due to a sudden neurological attack, he passed away at only 4 1/2 yrs of age.  This is a post I shared a couple of years ago.

Beautiful Music

The other day, my son sent me a link to a musician's video.  He said he caught the name out of the corner of his eye and it looked so much like mine...and he liked the music, too.  So do I...and I decided to share it with you today.  I hope you enjoy it too.

His name is Tim Janis [mine is Jan Tanis]. 

I am featuring his newest music video, just released this morning, on my sidebar.  

Here is his YouTube page.  You will find all of his works there.

One of the Pups Got Into Trouble...

All of my Pups have slept in crates and travelled in crates, too.  They actually run to their bed at night after our last trip outside.  They are eager to get into their beds.  Over the years, I'd attempted to get them to sleep with me in bed...but they weren't having any part of that.

Quite a number of years ago, I changed from the black metal crates and went to a soft-side crate.  It certainly had to be more comfortable for the Pups...being soft.  They didn't skip a beat when I made the change either.  

This was in the listing for the sof-krate...This indoor/outdoor soft-crate sets up in seconds is easy to carry and goes anywhere you go. It is a stylish lightweight washable durable and well ventilated spring/summer pet house. It has top front and side entry doors constructed with extra strong steel frame heavy duty zippers with door lock ventilated mesh panels and durable water resistant base.

Out of all 4 of my Pups none of them ever chewed something they shouldn't, so I didn't worry about the fabric or even the mesh panels [or screens].  My Pups would get anxious when I'd get out of the car to get the mail and things like that...and they would scratch at the mesh screen, but outside of a "snag", that's all they ever did to the crate.

Well, imagine my SHOCK when I walked into the closet where they sleep and went to uncover their crates, they each have one, and found Angel, my youngest, with her head hanging out of the screen!  When I tried to get her head back inside the crate, that's when I found out how tightly she was wedged in there.  I had no idea how long she was wedged in there, but I was scared.  I grabbed a pair of wire cutters and was able to clip the opening a bit bigger and push her head into the crate.  I quickly unzipped the door and got her out.  You could tell by the way her hair around her neck was flattened that she'd been in there for a whle.  My goodness, she could have died.  She could have hung herself in there.  The way she had her head stuck, she was unable to sit decently and couldn't  lay down.  I was never so happy to see that she was OK.  I immediately cut up all of the soft side crates - had them for quite a while and threw them out in the garbage.  I cut them, so no one who may see them, would take them and possibly have a dog die in them.  We've now gone back to black metal cages.

So, if any of you have soft side crates, be very careful.  I know I will NEVER, EVER have a soft-side in my house and around my Pups again.

I ♥ Shopping - Fireplaces

It's that time of year...the time when I want to start deep-cleaning my home for spring and rearranging furniture, moving artwork around and creating a new and comfortable space.  This year, I have to decide whether I want to convert my Den into a Guest Room...or if I want to get those 2 new Recliners for my Keeping Room [yes, I have one, off my Hearth Kitchen]...it used to be my Dining Room!  Then there's one other thing...It's adding a fireplace to my Keeping Room.  No, I'm not going to do brick and mortar, wood burning or even a gas fireplace.  That would be too great an expense and alot of trouble.  I'd be happy with an Electric Fireplace.  You know they're not like they used to be umpteen years ago.  They look so realistic...and with a "crackler" that you can purchase, you get the sound of a burning fireplace.

I ♥ Shopping - Lights Part 2

Alot of things are changing around my home.  Little by little, I have completed several projects...which I will begin showing soon.  The last one I completed was New Lights & Ceiling Fans installed in my home.  Tha was a few weeks ago and just in case you missed that post, you can read that post here.

After installing the new chandelier [above] over my Kitchen island, I decided it wasn't going to work...so I began looking for a new one.  It didn't work because it looked way more rustic than in the photo.  Also the tea-stain glass shades are more yellow than tea-stain - something I didn't like at all.  I also had to find out when/if/how much it would cost to have my electrician come back to install the new one.  Then I would have to get a Return authorization, to send it back to where I purchased it.

I did have fun looking again for a chandelier.  I knew I wanted bigger - both taller and wider - even just a little bit.  I knew I didn't want yellow shades.  I knew I definitely still wanted Bronze.  I spent several hours one night scouring lighting sites and finally found the perfect light.  It arrived today.  I opened it up and realized I had to put the light together.  It has alot of extra parts that make it so beautiful...so I got busy.  To say I love the new chandelier is putting it mildly.  The shades are so much prettier and bigger...and the new chandelier is an uplit one, unlike the previous one.

Here is the brand new Chandelier - it will be installed sometime next week.

Royal Bronze Coricelli 6 Light Single Tier Chandelier with Glass Shades

What a beauty!!  It even has 6 lights!  I can't wait for installation day!

So, did you ever purchase something and after you've installed/painted/worked on it for a while...decided you had the wrong thing and had to re-purchase something else and send the other back?  I don't do that often, but this was definitely a must.  And I'm so glad I did it.

Have a great weekend!!

Update...On Flooring

Remember my New Vinyl Flooring with all of the mini-speed bumps?  What a problem - in every room that the new vinyl was installed.  I notified the company who installed it and a couple of reps have been out with one of the owners of the store.  But I've been left waiting for answers.

If you missed my post about this, you can see it here.

As I compiled that post last Thursday, I prayed that I would get an answer...soon.  I'd been waiting 2 weeks for one.  And nothing.

But Friday, in the afternoon, I got a call from someone whose voice I didn't recognize.  That's because it was the OWNER, the man who started the company some 50 years ago.  He said he'd left a message for the Regional laminate rep and expects him to get back to him by mid-weed this week.  They will schedule a time that he, the owner and one other person from the store will come to my house to cut apart my vinyl in my Laundry Room, to see exactly what the problem is.  YEAH!  I know things move slowly, but things are moving along.  

The owner apologized for the mishap with the vinyl and he made made a promise that I shouldn't worry, he will see to it that I'm happy with my new flooring.  He said he's NEVER left a customer unhappy and he wasn't going to start now.  We had a nice conversation...and I can't wait to meet him.

Now...I choose to believe that God answered my prayer.  I don't know HOW He did that, but He did.  Do you think He used my post from Thursday?  Could they have somehow read it?  Or heard about it?  I don't know.  All I do know is that God works in mysterious ways and I'm so happy about it!!!

New Flooring

Some of you may remember that I had installed Laminate Flooring within months of the date I moved into this home - which was 10 years ago.  [the first 3 pix are of my Kitchen and Laminate the way it looked 10 years ago]  There was vinyl installed when it was built, but due to improper installation, not being attached around the entire perimeter - especially by heat vents, the vinyl stretched and actually ballooned up off the floor when the heat was initially turned on in the house.  The stretching couldn't be taken care of...so I made a deal with them to issue me a credit [and I got what I thought was a very good amount] so I could buy and install the laminate.

I ♥ Shopping - Lights Part 1

 Welcome to Week #3 of ...

This past week, I began looking for a few new lights and ceiling fans for my house.  The outside of my house is Grey and since I live in a Manufactured Home, it has white skirting.  There are white shutters, white trim and white doors [doors may be painted a new color when the weather warms up].   The outside lights needed to be white, to match the other exterior colors.  And I want a light that didn't have a high top to it, so that it would be easier to change lightbulbs.  This is similar to what I already have and it is hung where the top is quite a bit above my door frame.

Tuesday Talk

Come join me for Tuesday Talk [once a month - during the last week of the month], where I will share something special with you, that I found during the week, that will start us Talking.   Use your imagination...and so will I.

These photo really Talked to me!  How about you?

He is always there, through thick or thin, good times and bad...waiting for you to turn to Him.  Why not do that very thing today.  Turn to Him and pour your ♥ out to Him.  He loves You!

I ♥ Shopping - Mugs

Welcome to I ♥ Shopping #2!

I've looked and looked for a Dog Paw Mug and finally found one that I really LOVED.  I've gotten mugs from Marie before...all of them [6 now] are beautiful.  She ships quickly too.

You can find Marie at her Etsy Shop...

My Snowflake Afghan - 5 Years in the Making

 About 5 years ago, I started crocheting the snowflakes for this Afghan.  I used Loops & Threads Dewdrop Yarn that has mohair and sequins in it.  I thought the sequins would really give the look of a frozen, sparkly snowflake...and it did.  Then I got Bell's Palsy and since my eye couldn't close or blink, I wasn't able to work with mohair yarn, because it would get in my eye.  So, I waited...and waited some more to get started - about a year. 

I ♥ Shopping - Candles Part 2

Finally...the sun is out!  I know it's been a while.  And I took a couple of photos of the Candles I raved about yesterday on my post.  I wanted you to see the different between the pretty candles in 

 Mary Romick's Soy Candles

Mr. Toads House of soy wax Candles

...Can't find them anymore...

See all the sparkly jewels?  These are just beautiful!

I ♥ Shopping - Candles Part 1

Candles - I love using them.  I love the scents and the ambiance of them...the beautiful light...the dancing flame.  Hmmmmmmmm...they make me swoon.  Then when you have candles with pretty labels, dotted with "sparkle"...oh my.  The beauty of it all.

You know me, when I decide I want something I do something about it, because

I ♥ Shopping!  

Tutorial - Snowflake Pillow

As I was beginning my very frosty day at a mere 4°, I found the following Do-It-Yourself post with a Tutorial, from Yvonne, who blogs at Stonegable.  I thought you'd all like to see it too!  It's a perfect little project.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Enjoy This Post from 2 Years Ago Today

No computer time for me today - so I thought I'd share this post.  I am still in LOVE with Animal Print.  Read it here

Are You Ready to be Dared

Late yesterday afternoon [Wednesday], I received a call from my Tile Man saying that he would be here early this morning.  With having to move everything off of my desk [because he's tiling the 2 - 5 foot walls behind my corner desk], labeling all the cords so I hook them up correctly, cleaning and I don't have a laptop computer...I was not able to post what I was going to write last night.  But, I'll be back on Friday.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

PLEASE stop by and see Stacey... 

Stacey at Poofing the Pillows

posted the yesterday and I loved her post so much I thought I'd share it.  She has DARED every reader of hers to DARE themselves this year!!

Click the LINK above to read her post.

And BTW, I couldn't agree with her more!!