Our St Charles MO trip

Hi everyone. Yeah I am still around. I know it's been awhile. We have been so busy decorating and getting ready for Christmas, it's been a little overwhelming but I am so enjoying it. My DH and I did manage to arrange a weekend away. Today I want to share some pictures of our trip to St Charles Missouri. This is the most quaint little town with so much character. I think this is going to have to be a tradition every year from now on. It just really gets you in the Christmas spirit. There is a Christmas festival that starts November 27Th and ends December 26Th, complete with storybook characters and Santa's from around the world. There is also an ice skating rink. I didn't get pics of that, of course, being the cold blooded person I am, there was no way you were going to get me out there on that ice.To read about this Christmas traditions festival, just go to this linkhttp://www.stcharleschristmas.com/index.html.
Here are pictures of some of the historic buildings. They were all decked out with fresh greenery and beautiful decorations. The streets and sidewalks were all brick. Here are the carolers. They walked along the street and sang.(sorry for the blurry pictures. It was a little cold and I couldn't stop shaking long enough to get a good picture)

Sometimes they would stand underneath one of the buildings awnings and sing.

This is the Christmas angel.

This tree was huge. The ornaments were as bis as basketballs. The building to the right is a restaurant. We ate lunch there one day.We were seated in the top section and could look down on all the beautiful scenery. I wanted to get pictures of the parade and it was going on when we were eating. Oh well, maybe next year.

This is the sugarplum fairy. She was one of the more popular characters. She would take people off of the street and dance. She really had the personality for this character.

Here is one of the Santa's. I believe this is Father Christmas.

If you want to read and get the history of some of these characters, just go to this linkhttp://www.stcharleschristmas.com/christmashistory.htm

I just realized that I didn't really get many pics. I hope you enjoyed what I did get and maybe I will get more next year.
Well I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season. It will be here before you know it. I will try and get pictures posted of my Christmas decorations soon.

Until Next Time,

Happy Thanksgiving

Just wanted to pop in and tell all my blogging friends to have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day with your family and friends. I am thankful for so much. From my healthy family to my blogging buds. I have been so blessed to have what I have. A wonderful husband and kids and a loving family. Caring and thoughtful friends. That's really all that is important in life.
Tomorrow all the fall decor comes down until next year and Christmas things come out. Yeah, I absolutely love this time of year. There is nothing like the feeling of Christmas. There is a chance of snow flurries today. No accumulation but just the site of snow gets me in the spirit of the season.
Take the time today to hug your kids and family. It really is special to have them close. You never know what next year will bring.

New recipe and craft project

Good Friday morning to all my blog friends. I want to share a couple of things with you this morning. First is my craft projects I have been working on. I purchased these wool ornaments pattern over at http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/. I think they turned out so cute for my first try with wool and learning all the new stitches.

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The second part of my post is a recipe that my sister shared with me and it is so delicious. I linked it so you can print it out.http://sites.google.com/site/goodeatsorg/cajun-pasta-chicken

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I hope the past couple of weeks has been good to all my friends out there. I know the flu is going around here and everywhere else, really bad. I have been fortunate enough to have dodged it so far(knock on wood). The boys have had it but nothing serious just coughs, sore throats and low fevers. I leave the hand sanitizer and lysol right on the counter handy. I spray and sanitize constantly.

Hopefully I will be able to stay healthy.

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That's it for today. Better go so I can get my list of things accomplished.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

Until next time,

Mexican Veggie Bake

Good Friday morning everyone. The week weather wise not so good. It has been raining, gosh I can't even remember when it started but I know it's still raining. Suppose to until Sunday. I have been finding myself being a home body this week. Don't feel much like going anywhere when it's rainy and cold. I guess that's good though, I have been getting some things done that needed to get done.
This weeks recipe is something I tried for the first time this week. I found it in the Gooseberry Patch "Speedy Suppers" cookbook. I have used alot of recipes from this book. This one is yummy and I served it with tacos.

Mexican Veggie Bake
1/2 c. green pepper, chopped
1/2 c. onion, chopped
1/2 c. celery, chopped
1/2 c. carrot, peeled and chopped
2 c. cooked rice, I used minute rice
16 oz. can refried beans
15 oz. can black beans, drained
1 c. salsa
12 oz package shredded cheddar
Saute veges in a lightly greased skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes or until tender. I just sprayed my pan with cooking spray. Remove to a large bowl; add remaining ingredients except cheese. Layer 1/2 the mixture in a 13x9 pan; sprinkle with 1/2 the cheese. Repeat layers, ending with cheese. Bake 350 degrees untl heated thru, about 15-20 minutes. Serves 6
That's it for today. I hope everyone has a nice day and weekend. Until next time,

And The Winner Is......

Jayne! and here is what she had to say...........

Just look at this bucket! It was overflowing. Thank you everybody for signing up for the giveaway and for all your kind comments on my home and on my blog. I appreciate each and everyone.

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Happy weekend everyone! The sun is shining but boy is it deceiving. I stepped out to take Kaci out and couldn't believe how cold it was, 30 degrees. Oh well at least the sun is shining which it hasn't done in a couple days. It was so funny when I got up this morning. I went into the bathroom and peaked thru the house and there was a bright light coming from the office room. I thought somebody left the top light on but nope it was just the sun coming thru the window,LOL. I forgot what it looked like!

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Our son is home for a couple days from college. It's always so good to see him. It seems like he has grown up so much. He walked in the last time he was home with this new haircut and it made him look so much older. It's amazing how it seems like they just grow up overnite.

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That's it for today. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather,well hopefully beautiful wherever you live, cuz the snow will be flying soon. Until next time,

Fall giveaway and New recipe

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let everyone know the deadline for signing up for the giveaway is today. So if you want your name in the pot, just leave me a message.
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I also want to share a new recipe that I just tried this week. It came from the GP cookbook "Speedy Suppers". It's another one dish meal. The less work and clean up the better, in my opinion. Kielbasa and Peppers
2 T. olive oil
2 lbs. kielbasa, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 red,green and yellow pepper, sliced into strips
1 onion, halved and sliced
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat; add kielbasa. Saute for 3 minutes; add vegetables. Cook until kielbasa is golden brown and vegetables are tender, about 8-10 minutes. Serves 4-6.
I serve this with white rice and a lettuce salad. Would be good over noodles also. So simple and very good.

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I hope life is treating everyone well. It's been rainy and cold here for the past two days. I see some of you have already gotten snow. They are calling for snow flurries here Sunday night, YUCK! Maybe if we get snow early, we will have an early spring. We can only hope.. That's it for today. I will let everyone no who won the giveaway soon. So stay tuned. Until next time,

My fall giveaway and APP featured home

As some of you know, I have been chosen as the featured home for October at

http://aprimitiveplace.org/index.html. I can't even express how honored I feel

to have Kristine and all the support from the girls over there. They have truly been best friends to me over this past year and I can't thank them enough for all of their support and encouragement.

So in honor of this and the wonderful fall season, I want to give back. I am having my very first giveaway. I wish you could all win. Maybe when I win the lottery,LOL! But for now I am going to have to stick to a few things.

So do you want to know what you might win...........................

oh, I think I will wait to let you know.................

ummmmm no really do you want to know?........

nope not til the end....

OH OK, i give in....here it is

one of my Gatherings jars

Two Yankee votives and glass candle holder

and last but not least an Autumn plate with stand

So if you are interested in winning this grouping just shoot me an email or leave me a message on this post and I will be glad to enter you in my drawing.If you want to be entered twice be one of my followers and if you post this on your blog, I will enter you three times,YIPPEE!

Do all of this before October 15th and you might be a winner!

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That's it for today. Hope everyone is enjoying this cool fall weather.

Until next time,