First Snow

Wishing you all a warm and cozy day!

~~~^j^~~~
~~~Thanks be to God~~~

Picture Puzzle Day

Do you have time to play today? If you do please take some time to rest here and put together the puzzle. I'm offering you some quiet space in which you can play and not be expected to do anything but enjoy your time here. There are no calculations to be done here or any serious concerns to be addressed. No bookkeeping or bills to pay. Just stay and play! And when you're finished with mine, wander over to the side bar and enjoy the Winter Berries.

Backyard Spring

Please join the fun and offer us one of your pictures so we can play along. Please leave a comment and then link us to your Picture Puzzle Day. Thank you!!!!!

Sisters In Faith

I do so enjoy surprises. I had one offered me by Tracy at Catholic Mom in Minnesota. The Sisters In Faith Award is a beautiful surprise and one which I will be proud to pass along. As a recipient of this award you are asked to pass it to those who reflect the spirit of this award. This difficult part choosing the recipient. Well, there are those who I would choose but have already been chosen. Those chosen are the ones that touch my life daily, lift me up and often carry me forward and so I begin.

The instructions are as follows:
1. To pass this award on to sisters who have been blogging with me from almost the beginning.

2. Include at least one new Sister In Faith.

Those who have touched my life for lo these nearly three years are:

1. Lisa at Are We There Yet?

2. Bia at La Dolce Vita: the sweet life with three sons

3. Marcy at Blessings Each Day

4. Pia at Beyond the Horizon

5. Bernie at On My Own

6. Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings

Two New Blog Friends:

1. Queenmothermamaw

2. Eileen at Umma's World

~~~^j^~~~
For everyone and everything
I truly say,
"Thanks be to God!!"

I would also recommend stopping by my sidebar and doing today's puzzle. It was fun and really a lovely scene. I truly wish you all God's blessing today and everyday!

Once in a Blue Moon..

I have to go back to work today after being off for 10 days...But before I go back to the real world of people, places and things that have impact on my life, I thought I would share with you some highlights of the last few days. It will be hard to go back, but I also look forward to seeing friends I work with to share their Holiday tales. They are always so grand!

Aunt Rhonda turns 60 on 12/31/2009. What a grand time we had!!

My camera is on the "fritz" so in order to get the "Blue Moon" had to prove it wasn't just another "spot" on a negative.

Previewing the work of an up-and-coming artist, Neil Ackerman. Good JOB!!!

The real winter, with frigid temperatures and gloomy skies.

But it brings us all back to the Manger to which I say,
"Thanks be to God!!!

Saturday Evening Post Fest...

I accepted the invitation by Dorothy at Musings at 86 and went to the Saturday Evening Post Blog Fest. It was great fun. And there is a lot of great blog posts to be read from the last year. Mine was listed in the 80's but don't let that deter you!!! I know each and everyone of you who read this will have a post that should be added to the list!!! JUMP on BOARD!!! It was great fun!!!


Thought I'd add one of my favorite Norman Rockwell pictures. It's from an old calendar, 2007. Click on the picture to enlarge and enjoy Mr. Rockwell's handiwork.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

My best wishes for a Happy, Holy, and Healthy New Year to all. God Bless you abundantly this New Year!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks Be to God!

Snippets of 2009

Memories 2009

These are just a few snippets of 2009, a very good year! Wishing all the very Happiest of New Years in 2010. Our year was full of family and friends, weddings and births. God has been good to us.

Please join in the fun and share some of your picture memories of the last year. Offer us your link through Mr. Linky so we can all share with you these Snippets of 2009.

~~~^j^~~~
And in all things,
Thanks be to God!

For you that asked, Yes, indeed this can be done with Picasa.

Once Upon a Recipe

I can think of no better way to send out the old and bring in the new than with a really scrumptious chocolate cake. Not just any chocolate cake but a BLACK MAGIC CAKE. For a number of years this recipe was on the box of Hershey's Cocoa. One day, I can't tell you why, I decided to write it down for fear the new box would not have the recipe and I would have thrown out the old. Hence, out with the old and in with the new (a very bad analogy!)

This cake has been a staple in our house for nearly 35 years. I started making it when we lived in Oklahoma and so it continues. Please enjoy!

Black Magic Cake

1 3/4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong coffee (or 2 teaspoon instant coffee in 1 cup hot water)
1 cup butter or sour milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1t teaspoon vanilla

Combined flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large mixing bowl. Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, or sour mild, oil, and vanilla. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into greased 13"x9" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

~sour milk= 1 tablespoon vinegar +milk=1 cup

Cake batter will be watery!!! I have never iced this cake. It is so rich. To decorate, when cool, I dust with powered sugar. It can be served with whipped topping or ice cream.

Enjoy ringing in the New Year. Then start the diet next week. Please as always share one of your favorite stories and the recipe that goes with it. Just attach it to Mr. Linky.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Collage Experiment

My experiment in making a collage. I have seen so many wonderful ones I thought I would give it a try! This is the experiment. Maybe before the end of the year I will have more snippets!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

The Simple Women's Daybook

This was a grand weekend. We got to have two of the grandkids for the night while Mom and Dad went to their After Christmas Party. Then there was the quiet of a wonderful Sunday with just quiet and relaxation. It's hard to beat that! After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

~~Outside my window...it is dark and very COLD!!

~~I am thinking...how much fun it will be to surprise Rhonda for her birthday.

~~I am thankful for...family and friends who support and encourage me.

~~From the kitchen...leftover turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and gravy.

~~I am wearing...red and white striped nightgown

~~I am creating...a lap afghan (knitting from one of Mom's patterns)

~~I am going...to Mass and pray for the Holy Innocents.

~~I am reading...Ringing in Murder by Kate Kingsbury (A Christmas Mystery)

~~I am hoping...the weather continues to be kind to us.

~~I am hearing...mostly quiet. It's 5:00 a.m. and I'm the only one up. Duchess is snoring at my feet.

~~Around the house...Christmas lights still brighten the darkness and the glow of the manger continues.

~~One of my favorite things...is watching old movies. I might just have a Charlie Chan Marathon. All are welcome!

~~A few plans for the rest of the week: 1) Finally working on the pictures taken on vacation this summer and putting them into a book. 2) Make sure the laundry is done. 3) Pack for visit to St. Louis and the celebration of Rhonda's 60th birthday. 4) Starting the New Year with no resolutions.

~~Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The Keller Chirstmas Tree, 2009