Christmas 2011

We celebrated Christmas at Grandad's house with family and good friends.

The Foxes, The Mitchells, Delloreen, Lincoln and Zarina joined us for lunch in the "sun room", with much joy, laughter and good food.

The icing on the cake, however, was when Grandad decided he was strong enough, and with a little help, came and joined everyone for lunch!

The little cousins had a lot of fun running about and playing "dress up" with Grandad's hats, and so what else could the rest of us do but whip out our cameras!

Here's the most decent one... at least one where you can see all 4 little faces!

Dinner was left-overs at Oldham Lane,

after which, we stopped by to visit with Grandad, and surprise the little boy with a gift that Santa had left over there...

Then it was on home to unwrap the rest of the gifts under the tree,

after which the little boy exclaimed, "MORE presents, Mummy!"

:P

Merry Christmas, Y'all :)

Holiday Happenings

1. The Lights of Abilene


We have driven around town a few times to see the Christmas Lights in various places, and we've even caught sight of what we think is a Christmas Peacock!

2. Breakfast with Santa


Hillcrest had its annual Breakfast with Santa a couple of weeks ago, and this time, the little boy WANTED to go to the various craft tables to see what was going on and participate. ( Instead of just wanting to run all over the place like a wild child - which he eventually DID get to do when the adults were cleaning up ) He was quite excited that Santa would be there, but when he actually laid eyes on "Santa", and was asked if he would sit on Santa's lap for a photo, well, he sort of went, "I don't know about this..."

3. Christmas Party at Ladies' Bible Class


Every year, the ladies' bible class has a little Christmas brunch, and this year we had it at Grandad's place, after bible class. The little boy joined us at the head of the table, and approved of the fare. :P

4. A Christmas Concert


A couple of nights ago, we went by to see the Flying J Wranglers at the Paramount theater. It was the first time the little boy had gone to a theater to see a concert/live show, I believe, and the blurry photos of him are because he wouldn't stop dancing and clapping long enough for me to take a good "non-flash" pic of him. :)

Trimming the Tree

This year David got a Noble Fir for our home.

The little boy is more aware of all things Christmas-time and was very excited to help trim the tree. ( Or is it to dress the tree? )

The Food Diary

is going on hiatus.

It was a lot of fun when I started out, but because of several different reasons, it's going to be a little more difficult to try to keep it up.

I hope that at some point, I will be reviving the food diary, but for now, it's going on the back burner for a bit.

Food Diary Nov 27 - Dec 10

The Week Before

The highlight of last week as well as this week was when Grandad came and joined everyone else in the dining room for Letti Thursday.

Last Week

Because of the shorter days and like that, as well as overcast skies, I'm losing good light from my kitchen window. Bleh. And I don't have any fancy lighting equipment and all like that, but oh well. :)

7th Annual Feast of Sharing

H.E.B has had an annual Christmas feast here in town since 2005. I couldn't believe it either, but yes, we were at the first one.

This year, we had Anastasia and Cindy with us as well...





The Foxes, whom we eat with, at Rosa's for Taco Tuesdays, were already there when we arrived.




The little boy surprised us all by sitting down like a big boy to have his dinner. It helped that Anastasia was there to be his little companion as well.




After dinner, we went back to the big multipurpose room where there were activities for kids, and the little boy's eyes turned huge whenever he caught sight of another one of them inflatable santas or snowmen.. or polar bears!




This photo was not staged, but when I noticed how it came out, I just HAD to smile.




Merry Christmas, Y'all.

Spending Time with Grandad

Grandad is not feeling too well these days, and so we've been over to Grandad's a whole lot more.. :)

The little boy loves to be around Grandad, and him being there obviously lifts Grandad's spirits, so I'd say we have quite a winning combination right there. :)

Grandad's "Eye Hat" has officially been claimed. :P Oh, and we glued the missing one back on. :P

Like, Really?

Come on, Lowe's. Surely you can do better than this.

However, having said that, you didn't do THIS or THIS reverse psychology thing, or even THIS .

Annual Christmas Parade

We try not to miss the parade when it comes around each year.. and especially now that the little boy has some idea about Christmas and parades. :)

It was a pretty night, and quite chilly

We went to Taco Tuesday for dinner before going downtown for the parade, and so we missed the Handbell Choir, but managed to catch just about everything else.




Then we went indoors into the Civic Center for the Christmas Concert and Lighting of the Tree




The Little boy walked down to the aisle and started conducting the orchestra at some point. :P

Gah

I really do NOT "Like" it when websites keep changing their user interfaces when I have gotten comfortable with how things work and where things are on the sites..

I know that with some time, I'll get used to, and even start to appreciate and like the changes, but for now I'm just gonna be a grouch about it.

And that's You and YOU ( and all things you own ) I'm talking about. :P

The First Snow of the Season

When I opened the door this morning to show Jaxon the snow that had fallen in the night, his eyes opened really wide and he shouted with glee..

"It's Winter Time, Mommy!!!"

Food Diary Nov 13- Nov 26

Yes, now it takes me a couple of weeks to update the food diary. *sigh*

Week before

Lemon Pepper Salmon, Emperor Chicken, Rotini Bolognese, Cantonese Stir Fried Veges, Broccoli Cheesy Rice, Crusted Tilapia, Crab cakes and Crawfish Cakes.
( among other things )






Last Week

Sunday

Fried Vermicelli with franks & Chicken with Asparagus in Hoisin Sauce




Monday

Fried Rice and Five Spice Potatoes with Ground Turkey




Tuesday





Wednesday

Chicken with Mushroom Gravy, Sweet Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli





Thursday

Thanksgiving at Grandad's





Friday

Stir Fried Ramen and Chicken with Napa Cabbage




Saturday

Baby Bak Choy with Shrimp and Chicken Thighs in Tomato Bisque