wordless wednesday :: to do list

the smoke alarm didn't even go off once!

Our Christmas present to Mom, Aunt Donna Sue, and Kacey

was for us all to go to a brownie workshop

at Viking Cooking School.

So Saturday, we met up in Greenwood at Viking.

I thought a lot about an activity we could all do together.

Painting class was successful and

seeing Jersey Boys at the Orpheum was successful.

And I think this was too.

We had a lot of fun spending the morning together. We learned a few tips,

made some yummy brownies,

and didn't catch anything on fire. I didn't even burn the caramel sauce!

I could get use to someone putting all the ingredients out

and then washing all my dishes!

Nobody even cared that we got flour everywhere.

Carly almost got left out

because the website said that participants had to be 16.

I called to verify and was told again that the classes were designed for adults.

Kenny talked me into taking her anyway.

So glad I did. She had a great time and we would have missed her!

There were fancy names for all of them but basically we made

peanut butter cheesecake brownies, a raspberry blondie,

chocolate, chocolate brownie pops, and

an espresso mini brownie with caramel.

Fun times!

2012 = week2

{Caroline #13 and Carly #31}

.

This week was all about basketball.

MamMam and G'daddy came for the weekend

and were able to catch 2 ballgames.

Carly had a really good game on Saturday

and was even the high scorer!

(that was a first!)

We were also able to catch

2 of Caroline's games this week.

{{Grateful}} 2012 word

I started my gratitude journal on the 1st.

I'm looking forward to changing the way I approach the day.

Starting the day LOOKING for things that I am thankful for.

.

There are plenty of things that I can find to complain about.

Plenty of things that I can think

"that's not fair" or "I wish that ....."

But, if I change my outlook to

"I am thankful for ...."

maybe there won't be as much room for those other thoughts!

.

Happy 2012!

2012 = week 1

We started our 2012 in Hattiesburg.

We watched Mississippi State win their bowl game.

We ate Chinese on New Year's Eve,

and then made a traditional New Year's Day meal.

Kenny chose black-eyed peas, Carly chose mac n' cheese,

and I chose pork chops.

I tried to choose cabbage but no one fell for it.

wordless wednesday :: cake pop

christmas in Silver City

This was the first time in eleven years that we were not at home Christmas Eve,

but with us spread out on opposite ends of the state, we decided this worked best.

.

Carly opened her 3 Christmas Eve presents -

book, nativity scene piece (sitting camel), and pajamas.

She declared to everyone, any chance she got,

that she knew what was in that 3 present bundle.

I told her after 11 Christmas's that she should know!

Santa came as usual, bearing lots of goodies wrapped in "santa" paper.

Santa didn't forget Sofie and even added Cheerio treats for Buck.

Santa brought cowboy boots along with

new purple crocs, a tennis outfit, books, an alarm clock,

iTunes gift cards, word game books,

and graphic coloring books with markers.

.

Carly asked for make-up, and Santa came through.

He brought some moisturizer, concealer with sponges,

lip gloss, nail polish, and tweezers.

.

Santa loves surprises and

this year he brought Carly an email address.

I don't know how long the thrill will last but

so far it is the hit of the holidays.

We had family present opening on Christmas afternoon.

Can you tell we love wrapping paper?

Kacey won the prize for the largest boxes.

I love those two! Aunt Kacey and Uncle Rocky gave Carly 2 pieces of Vera Bradley to match her duffel. She got a small duffel and a "makeup" bag (also on the wish list). MamMam and G'daddy gave Carly a new Northface coat (on her list), cake decorating supplies, and MamMam painted her this super cute study board.

.

. Aunt Donna Sue and Unc gave Carly some shopping money. She has already spent a little (miracles do happen) on some much needed clothes!

.

Late afternoon, we got to do stockings! We love stockings, can you tell?

.

I was going to say, "me with the 2 most spoiled of the group", but I think we all are!

.

countdown: the final days

Day 15: new Christmas puzzle

I'm beginning to wonder if the puzzle should just be a gift to myself.

I enjoyed it a lot more than Carly did.

.

Day 16: an art activity for Clarksdale

Carly got these wooden ornaments

for her and JC to color and hang on Nonna's tree.

Day 17: a container of nail polish remover pads

The Saturdays when we are out of town

are hard to accomplish activities.

.

Day 18: Make gift tags

Each year Carly makes gift tags

to put on her presents to grandparents, aunts and uncles

(typically the photo calendars that we make in which she is the star).

This year she made button trees on hanging tags.

They turned out super cute and nothing like I was imagining.

(the traditional one in the foreground is the one I made)

Day 19: decorate a gingerbread house

Last year, after Christmas, I must have been feeling very industrious

when I bought this gingerbread VILLAGE on clearance!

I think we will go back to a traditional house next year

even though Carly said she had fun.

.

Day 20: tennis clinic with friends

Carly and some friends went to Tunica foran indoor tennis clinic.

It ended up being 2 days which was great.

Carly was glad to get on the court even though she was sore afterwards.

It had been a while since she played.

Day 21: making Christmas sweets

Carly chose and made

gingerbread cookies, oreo balls, and white trash.

I made chocolate toffee.

.

Day 22: a Christmas doodle book for the trip

It was a hit,

maybe more with me and MamMam,

but it was fun.

I packed it up in the Christmas stuff for more drawing next year.

.

Day 23: Cooking with MamMam

They made a Hershey Pie.

I would add the recipe here, but I don't have it.

Something about 26 marshmallows.

We will just call it a family secret.

Day 24: a pair of cute striped fuzzy socks

.

Day 25: card game

The last box is always a game to add to our collection.

This year Carly got Phase 10.

We haven't gotten to play much yet,

but I'm looking forward to keeping a running game going!

wordless wednesday :: stick of dynamite

wise family christmas