Sometimes You Need

...a little treat! And today, for me, this was it!! I spied this at our local Wal-mart and thought, for $.75, I would give it a try. I like Dr. Pepper and I love chocolate--how could one possibly go wrong!! It has a really good taste, just like drinking a chocolate covered cherry (try to imagine). I'm not much of a diet soda drinker--just give me a regular Coca-Cola and I'm in heaven. I remember right after having given birth via C-section with our first born and asking our doctor if I could please have a Coca-Cola. He told me "no!" because it would make me sick--it was so disappointing. Oh, how I wanted one! But two days later my dear husband came into the hospital room and pulled out a Coca-Cola out of his winter coat pocket--aaahhh heaven--along with having a newborn son!! My that was a little over 10 years ago! I still love Coca-Cola, but love to try new products out on the market! This was one of them! Have a blessed day!!

A Little Bit of History

These are candle sets I purchased at our church craft and cookie sale--I had my eye on them because they would add a nice touch to our "rustic" looking decor (or old decor as some might call it), so when I heard where they came from, I went "sold." They are two separate pieces of wood that are carved at the top to make places for candles to sit down in them. The candles smell of pine, vanilla, and I believe some sort of berry, and they make our kitchen smell wonderful. Not to mention they are quite pretty during this wonderful season. And here is the really neat part...the wood bases are made from rails that were in our old church before it was gutted. We weren't members of our church very long before they decided to build a new church, so it is really nice to have a little bit of history of our old church. Blessings!!

The First Snowfall

...and boy is it ever pretty! There is something so magical about those first flakes! Our 8-year-old was outside by 7:45 a.m. making a snow angel and wanted me to take a picture of the angel. It's sad to think that looking out now, an hour later, that she is long gone!!


Our burning bushes will have no color one of these days as the cold sets in and the leaves will drop. This one has some last remaining color and some of the snow on it. It is cold and windy here, compared to the 70 degree "heat wave" earlier in the week. I'm actually glad--love the cold and love the snow, as long as I'm dressed for it. Have a great Thanksgiving and be thankful for all that God has offered to us. There are many on the planet who are much less fortunate. Have a blessed weekend!!

Getting Back to Normal

...if there is such a thing! I feel like I haven't been following a consistent routine in blogging lately. At church last week, we had a cookie and craft sale which I co-chaired. We had cookies everywhere!! The picture above is some of the many wonderful goodies we had for sale. We managed to sell lots of homemade cookies, candies, and bars, and wonderful homemade jelly and crafts. Now that life is returning to normal, I am hoping to post on a more consistent basis. The weather has been wonderful here lately--almost too hot for this time of year. Am looking for a little cold snap to settle in. Have a blessed day!!

Of Boys and Bikes

Our younger son was just thrilled when dad put on these lights on the spokes of the bicycle tires. Now, every time he hits a bump, they light up. I must admit, it's kinda' cool!! Our younger son is an avid bicycle rider. In fact, about an hour ago, I was outside pulling his pant leg out of the chain--he was stuck. Now he's going to need a new pair of pants because the material ripped. We ended up getting him a new bicycle about a month ago, because his other bicycle tire was ruined, and it would cost too much to replace it. When I see our son on his bicycle, it really takes me back to my childhood and brings back those great memories of riding bikes. Blessings, Paula

Gumdrop Cookies

I've been experimenting with different types of cookies for the past few months to take to our craft and cookie sale at church. Today, I pulled one from Gooseberry Patch's Christmas in the Country. I must say these are really good, and am thinking about taking several dozen of them. Here's the recipe.

Spiced Gumdrop Cookies (I used the Brach's Spice Drops)

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup shortening
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup gumdrops, chopped
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

First, I should say that I didn't use any nuts. Mix together the sugar, the brown sugar, shortening, beaten eggs, and vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients. Add the gumdrops and nuts (if you wish). Mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for a little under 15 minutes. Watch carefully toward the end to make sure they don't get too brown. This made about 3-1/2 dozen cookies for me. Enjoy!!

Holiday Morning French Toast

Even though it's not quite the holidays, there are foods that I just want to start making now. This was one of the recipes I wanted to try. It is from the Gooseberry Patch Christmas in the Country cookbook.

Holiday Morning French Toast

1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon cinnamon, divided
3-4 granny smith apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup raisins
1 loaf French of Italian bread, sliced 1-inch thick
8 to 9 eggs
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Combine the brown sugar, butter, and one teaspoon cinnamon in a lightly greased deep 9 x 13 baking pan. Add the apples and raisins (I omitted the raisins); toss to coat well and spread the apple mixture in the bottom of the pan. Arrange slices of bread on top (I used good 'ole Texas Toast); set aside. Blend together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and the rest of the cinnamon until well mixed. Pour mixture over the bread, making sure all the bread is covered. Cover and refrigerate 4-24 hours (I made before bedtime and left in refrigerator overnight.). Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

It was really good on a cold morning like this morning. After slicing and putting on a serving plate, I drizzled with warm maple syrup. Enjoy!!

Just Remember....

...not only are chocolate donuts for eating, but they are also very wonderful when your son writes a message such as "I love you" on the donut. What a wonderful way to start the day. Have a blessed day!!

November Already!!!

This is a picture of our mum garden. They just bloomed and bloomed this year. I think it's because of all the wonderful rainshowers we received. I can't believe October is over. This week was just really busy and there's been little time for much of anything. I'm hoping things will slow down a bit after mid-month. Am looking forward to, believe it or not, doing a deep cleaning of my home prior to December--would also like to start decorating for Christmas. Our older son will have a birthday party next weekend with family coming to celebrate!! He will be in the double digits!! There are several blogs needing to be caught up on. I hope everyone has a great weekend--I apologize for the lack of posting! Blessings, Paula