Jingle All The Way....only as a 21 month old can!

One last thing.....

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I have a few Christmassy things up. I will add some more decor and photos when I return from my week with mom and dad. We have been doing some cookie baking!






















Stop by Rhoda's for some more decorations on her holiday house tour!

Heavenly Pineapple Cake

As promised, I am sharing the recipe for the pineapple cake Sherri shared with me.

Of course, not being a photographer by nature, I never did take a picture of the finished cake. It did look lovely and I did remember to get a picture of one of the last pieces of the cake. The cake recieved rave reviews and I will be making this one again. Sherri told me you can also use coconut in place of the pineapple.

Heavenly Pineapple Cake

1 box (2 layer size) cake mix

Icing:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar
1-(8 oz) container sour cream
1 medium (15.25 ounce) canned crushed pineapple in its juice (strained with juice reserved)
1- (3 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 -(16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed (I used real whipped cream, whipping 16oz heavy cream with 2 Tbsp. sugar and 2 tsp. vanilla)


Directions:

1. Prepare two layers of yellow cake according to package instructions. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, cut each layer horizontally in half to form a total of 4 thin layers.
2. Beat softened cream cheese with sugar in a mixer until smooth and very creamy. Add sour cream and beat well Then add strained crushed pineapple until thoroughly mixed. Add the pudding mix and blend well. Last, incorporate the whipped topping.
3. Spread the reserved pineapple juice on the cake layers before spreading the icing. Frost the top of one layer, then place a second layer on top. Repeat until all four layers are stacked then frost top and sides of cake. Keep refrigerated.



Recipe as taken from the Winston Salem Journal food editor Michael Hastings.

Charlie's Soap

I first heard about Charlie's Soap when I lived in PA. I learned about it on a blog. (Not sure which one.) The blog gave the link and the author said that she orders the soap as it is so great, economical, gentle on sensitive skin,fragrance free,and all around wonderful.

Sounded good but I am not really into doing mail order for my laundry detergent. I then realized that the town where this soap is made is about 10 miles from my new home. I found it for sale in the local grocery and tried it. One little bag lasted forever.

Then I met Sherri. She could work for the company she is so knowledgeable. I learned all about the history of the company as well as the great things this product will do. She even shared another bag of soap and a bottle of liquid.

Have you ever heard of Charlie's Soap? It is recommended for folks with sensitive skin and for those with dirty clothes. I'm sold on it!

This product also speaks to the American spirit as it began with an idea and $200 to meet a need for a cleaner in the textile mills. It has come a long way since its inception in 1976!

Happy Friday!

As far back as I can remember my mother has always greeted me with a "Happy Friday". It started as a child when I would get home from school. When I was first married and working she would call to wish me a "Happy Friday." We don't talk every Friday anymore. (After all, Friday is her BINGO night!) I do think of her always on Fridays and have wished my own children and my husband "Happy Fridays" for years. So when I was asked by one of my husband's co-workers to bake the pinepple upside down cake they all love for a meeting today, I could not help but add the "Happy Friday" greeting to it.

Of course, hubby deserves his own special cake. Only because it is Friday!

And now I am going to bake a cake for tonight's get together with some other women who have recently relocated here with their husbands. I am going to make a cake that my new friend Sherri shared with me. It involves pineapple too! I will take a picture and share the recipe with you later.

It is a Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend!

5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Kids Do

Sorry for not posting lately. Life is busy-even being at home. Blogging is something I just have not taken time for. I wanted to share this clip with you. I am teaching an intro to early childhood ed class and this is a clip used in the class. I thought that it would be worth sharing. I watch it and wish I had taken a different approach in a lot of things with my boys- they did own pocket knives and did get some of these experiences but not all of them. My brother had these experiences. My mother was wise (still is!). She let him have these experiences. As the older, safety conscious sister I always thought she was nuts but now I realize how wise she really was!!

They grow up so fast

I just can't believe that Milo is already driving.... His cousin Norah, born 2 weeks later is growing too.....

And the oldest, Hannah has taken over all her dad's yard work!


Aren't children great???

Thank you

Selfless Service Is Our Nation’s Strength.

Ronald Reagan

The willingness of our citizens to give freely and unselfishly of themselves, even their lives, in defense of our democratic principles, gives this great Nation continued strength and vitality.

Ronald Reagan

So you think this furniture is great...just wait!

Yesterday we took my sister in law to Furnitureland South. We weren't buying anything but it is one of those places that you have to see to believe and a great place to bring folks from out of town as we live so close to the "Furniture Capitol." I've walked through these buildings before and am always struck by the price tags. Frugal me goes into sticker shock when I imagine what some folks will spend and at how some folks have the resources to spend that much.

Yesterday as we walked through those many room displays, each more elegant than the last, I was struck by something else. I started thinking about this life and how temporary it is. There is an eternity and I am thankful to know that God has a place for me there. If I thought the rooms on display in this manmade building were awesome I can scarcely imagine what those many mansions look like that God is preparing for us!!

As much as I enjoy pretty things, cozy homes and decorating, they will never compare to the joy and true happiness found through Christ. Amazing how He reminded me of this truth while walking through this place!

Shoeboxes

We picked up 4 shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child at church on Sunday. We decided to do two for little boys and two for little girls. We went to Walmart on our way home on Sunday to get a start on the boxes. Today I had fun shopping at Dollar Tree for extra little things to include (of course I found some treasures for me too). My eyes were bigger than the box! I had to leave some things out or perhaps pick up a few more boxes.

This is such a worthwhile ministry. If you are looking for a way to brighten a child's life this Christmas, I heartily recommend it! Here is a video clip with more information.

Treasure Hunting

It was DARK when we started our usual Saturday morning yard sale jaunt...really DARK. The first stop was just a mile from our house and I could not believe my eyes- a stand alone garage FILLED with stuff- good stuff. I was overwhelmed just looking. I did not know where to start. We did leave with a few things. The seller promised that he would open the doors to his collection anytime I see him or his wife sitting on the porch. I told him I would be back. And I will.

I have always wanted a wicker plant stand and found one in that garage

As well as this cute little rocker

And this little chair

Joe got this tin sign that he hung above his golf clubs in the garage

It was actually raining lightly most of the morning and the other nine yard sales we went to were all duds- I should have spent more time at the first one. I guess not total duds- Joe found a whole set of irons (golf clubs) that he says are great! We then went to the Red Collection. I have heard about it and we have not had a chance to go until today. We will be back. We both fell in love with the same picture. She followed us home.

I don't do much decorating for Halloween but do bring out this black cat that I have had since childhood.

I have treats ready- now to see how many neighborhood children we will get.