Thanksgiving in Pictures

I think I jinxed myself when I said I wanted to get a lot of good pics this Thanksgiving. Everytime I'd pull out the camera I'd get distracted with something else & put it down.

To begin I want to show (off) the lovely (& tasty) apple pies I made Wed. I usually make 2 just in case 1 doesn't come out nice.

I also baked 9 dozen of my slighty famous (in my own mind anyway) chocolate chip cookies. This should last long enough to keep Joe happy until I start my Christmas baking.

My sister Chet & I. Don't mind my apron I didn't want to get dirty while I cooked.

Marissa all dolled up in her new favorite outfit. She loves the skirt! I love the girl!

Gianna the budding photographer (she need lessons badly)

My father-in-law brought me these pretty flowers

The bird came out AWESOME!! Nice & golden brown & MOIST!! YUMMMMMM!

The dessert spread (sorry camera didn't want to flash)Chestnuts--Thanksgiving tradition Apple Pie
Gotta have some chocolate in there right?

Mini Caramel Apples (will post recipe soon)
Cheesecake (forgot to make the strawberries to spoon on top) Assort cookies (only the chocolate chip are mine. the rest are my sisters & aunt's)
My sister Chet brought this CHOCOLATE cornucopia filled with cookies. The kids attacked it!!Marissa & Nikki playing games slowly getting into "jammie time".Gianna was quick to get in her jammies & play games. My sister Marie, Tyler, & Chet
Me, Chet & Marie. Can't tell you how many pics the girls took of us together before we got one we were all happy with.

The guys? Yep they were there. Nope they didn't get any pics--they were in "turkey comas".

Thankful

Today I am Thankful for....

my husband
my girls
my health
my family's health
my sisters
my mom
my nieces
my nephews
my family
my friends
my house
my camera
my memories
my blog
my coffee
my treadmill

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Remember....

Gobble till you Wobble!!

Thanksgiving Song

Two Days Til Thanksgiving....

I'm in the process of cleaning the house for Thanksgiving. I was taken down Saturday thanks to a nasty head cold, but happily I've been feeling better. I started cleaning Sunday but really I'd call it de-cluttering the house.

The piles of crap we accumulate in this house is amazing!

Really my "cleaning" didn't actually start until Monday. I procrastinate about cleaning. So that's why it's Tuesday & I'm still working on it, but I'm happy to say I'm done except for the powder room...unless you count upstairs!!

I'm not even counting that part of the house!!

There are about 4 baskets of laundry piled HIGH waiting to be put away. Crossing my fingers it'll get done but not gonna stress over it either.

Tomorrow I'll be making desserts. Yummy Apple Pies, Cheesecake, chocolate covered pretzels, possibly even mini caramel apples (if I can figure out if they'll keep overnight). The pretzels will look like this but I'll probably talk the girls into sorting the m&m's into fall colors (if I can't remember to just buy a bag of the autumn ones--not holding my breath!)

Hopefully on Thanksgiving I'll remember to take pics of the spread. Each year I forget to take pics of the food. I'm getting a little better, so maybe this year I'll get it right. This was last year's bird. The pic does not do it justice! I slathered it with butter & turkey rub & then bake it in Reynold's oven bags according to the directions & it comes out moist & juicy & ummmm ummmm good! Oh yeah & it cuts the cooking time too--love that extra sleep!!

Here's Joe carving the bad boy. Got a 20+ pounder this year. I was going for something like 17lbs but my only choices were 20 or 12lbs. It was free thanks to the promotion so what do I care? It'll get eaten.Last year we changed tradition a bit. I've made Gingerbread houses with the girls for a couple of years now at some point during December, but last year I got the kit early & had the kids decorate/play in between dinner & dessert. They had so much FUN!! I've got to run out tomorrow & get a kit at Michael's.

Word of advice--Save yourself a headache & get the pre-assembled kit!!Here are my sisters Marie & Chet & me messin around after trying to wrestle the kids for a group pic, which didn't go according to plan.As for tomorrow....let the baking begin!

Wedding Layout

Trying to be a better blogger since I've been slacking lately (thankyouverymuch Facebook). Had this in my done pile & wanted to share.

This is my older sister Marie & her hubby Danny. They secretly got married in Antigua while I was 7 months pregnant with Marissa. To this day I give them a guilt trip for not letting me know!! I was so excited when they got engaged & I wanted to help her plan her wedding & all the fun stuff that goes with weddings (showers, bachlorette parties)...I was robbed of the fun!!

Any-whoo!! She had her dream wedding on the beach & they have 2 beautiful kids. 1 of which is my god-daughter & the other is the son I will never have. Love them!!

It's 8x8 size with lots of KI Memories & Cuttlebug embossing folders--can't seem to make a LO lately without the Cuttlebug!

100 Things about me

Got this from Mary's Blog & decided to play.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland Does Disney World count???
8. Held a praying mantis
9. Climbed a mountain
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48.Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies --Does selling Marissa's count????
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check --I was a kid
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Play along!

Little Bunny Layout

This LO has been sitting on my desk for awhile now. I've just been getting lazy on posting.

This is my niece Nicolette for Easter--sorta obvious no? It was her 1st Easter (2002), she's now 7. Man that blows my mind on how fast time flies!

I used some old paper & LOTS of stickles! I think I went a little overboard on the stickles but I was having fun & didn't realized it until it was too late. Whatever--it's DONE!

TWILIGHT!!

O M G!!

Saw the movie tonight!

Felt like crap thanks to a sinus infection but I loved the movie!! It does follow the book closely with only a few variations but nothing major to change the story line. Some things didn't go with how I pictured it in my head but that's my opinion & I knew that it wouldn't match how it came across my head.

My real problem??

The theater was jam-packed with loads of hormonal teenaged girls. Walking into the theater was mind deafing! They were just LOUD! Joe & I were some of the few adults there & we maturly sat there....and mocked the kids. Joe was wondering if I would blow my top & tell them all to just shut up! And let me tell you, I was this close!

We got to the theater about 30 mins ahead of time (luckily) & it was packed. When the movie finally started all the kids screamed their heads off! You'd think Rob Pattinson had just strolled naked in the theater or something. Then when Emmett & Jasper show up they scream again for each guy. Finally Edward shows up on screen they all freak out! They did this again when they first kissed. They were all getting on my nerves!! They also screamed at the end of the movie AND as they rolled the credits. Sooooo annoying! Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

After the movie was over, Joe & I went to the diner for a quick bite to eat & I filled him in on a lot of details. He liked the movie & the special effects--duh! He's a guy!! But after filling him in on the details I think he liked the whole love story--the big mush! LOVE him!!

He's my Edward!

So if you read the book, go see the movie. Heck even if you haven't read the book go see the movie!!

You'll be DaZzLeD!!

Random Catch-up

Let's see....where to start? I guess I'll start with today & see where it goes

Woke up at 5am to see Joe off on his trip. He's going to Orlando for a trade show--Lucky him! Was at odds on whether to stay up or go back to sleep. Did lay back down for about 20 mins but was afraid I'd sleep through the alarm. Not that I would ever do something like that -- just sayin'!!

Took the girls to school. Went back to Marissa's school for "class observation" & she was happy that I made it. It was 20 mins of getting a taste of what your kid does in school. When the time was up, her teacher rang a bell & the kids all responded like mice to cheese!

Think I need to get myself a bell....

From there I went & treated myself to breakfast from Dunkin Donuts. Figured I'd earned it, being up since 5am & all. Sadly not the best cup of coffe I've had. Dammit!

Ate my breakfast while distracting myself on Facebook, waiting for Joe's plane to land. That is such a time waster----and I love it! Been spending way too much time on there! But I've managed to get back in touch with people I haven't heard from in ages!! Seriously, like friends from elementry school! AMAZING! I'm just amazed that they remember me! It's been a long, long time.

Seriously been re-living the past thanks to Facebook. Even dug around & got some old pics...

Found this going through my mom's albums a while back. From sometime in the 80's. Not sure how old I was but I'm pretty sure I was playing "dress up". Yeah we didn't have any fancy princess gowns like my girls do. And I thought it was so cool having that blue bag, because I always liked pink & blue together. Sadly I think my mom dropped me on my head as a baby.

Big jump forward to the 8th grade. Yeah that's me rockin' that big hair in the blue top. I'm partially responsible for the hole in the ozone.Here I am for 8th grade graduation. For some reason we all dressed up like it was the prom or something. Just for the record my hair wasn't that high--there's a shadow.

The 8th grade, Class of '88.... I'm in the back row...still keep in touch with a couple people here & found more recently.

Think that's all for now. I feel the need to purge some of the girls' toys (crap) before they come home...it's that time of year!

I love this song...

Birthday Girl

Today is my friend Patrizia's birthday. We've known each other since 7th grade. We've seen each other through boyfriends, weddings, & babies. This is us at her wedding, she looked absolutely beautiful! She's a WONDERFUL friend! Love her!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATRIZIA!!

My Dad

Today marks 14 years that my dad's been gone. He died from lung cancer, years after he quit smoking.

He was everything to his 4 daughters. We were all Daddy's girls. This pic is of him holding me & my sister Marie before the twins were born so I might have been about 3 or 4 (in the fabulous plaid ensemble). He always liked to show how strong he was & carry us both at the same time.

Some of his regrets was that he'd never see us finish growing up & get married. Never get to see his grandchildren...He would've been the BEST grandpa!!

I miss you Daddy!

Think Pink!

Yes another LO for the 8x8 album! Yes it's another baby LO! Are you getting tired & want me to bring back the Disney album?? LOL!

This is my friend Diane's little girl Haley. Diane & I were best friends from middle school through high school. It seems sort of odd that we're both married & have little girls.

Were has the time gone??

See little Haley?? She's now 8 1/2!! She's not that little anymore!!

Were has the time gone??

Sorry just feeling a little old right now!

Bundle of Joy

1999. That was a good year. I got married that year. I also became an aunt to a little boy--finally. He was the 1st boy in our family of all girls. He was named after my Dad who he never got to meet.

Remember Michael?? Here he is all teeny tiny....


Used some old SEI paper & my trusty Cuttlebug embossing folders Swiss Dots & the Decorative Squares for the strip of squares down the side.

High School Times

I like that this album switches themes on me & keeps it sort of "fresh". This is my sister Chet when she graduated from high school. I kept with the school colors which was maroon & white--what is it with schools & maroon??

She is now about to turn 30!! Which I just have to throw in there since she tormented me when I turned 30 about getting OLD.

Yeah? Well look who's old now sister!!!

LOL!! Sorry I just had to!! LOVE her!!!

Also hoping that this might get her in the mood to scrap with me since she said she was but hasn't yet--are you feeling guilty Chet?? (she reads the blog now & then)
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Here's another pic of my sister Chet. See there IS variety! This is her Senior Prom. She looked beautiful!

Used Making Memories paper from a wedding kit I got at Target. Really liked how the starry effect came out & I got to use up some of these brads that have sat in my stash forever! And have you noticed all the Cuttlebug embossing on a lot of the LO's?? I've got to say buying that machine was money well spent!!

This Dude...

Yes more of the 8x8 album! This time it's not about my neice Destiny, & it's not a wedding LO. This time it's a school pic AND it's about a boy--something I don't normally scrap!!

This little dude is Matthew. I know Matt from working with his mom Carolee. She's one of my best friends & we had the best times working together while we harrassed people to pay their bills (we worked in credit & collections--it was ok to harrass them!)

Still using more of the old stash, hoping to someday be rid of it all, but for now happy that I'm finally using it.

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I can't even begin to tell you how fast this LO came together!! This is the same little guy from the top LO, Matthew with his dog. Gotta love those quick & easy photo cards at Christmas!!

I'm all about quick & easy & this card was. The thing that took the longest was the little tag. I finally used those cute little $1 Studio G stamps that I got from M's & added some Stickles. Stickles are just so fun to play with---another favorite toy!

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I made this LO in about 10 mins before Grey's last week. I was happy about 3 things, 1.-It was time for Grey's. 2.- It came together really fast, 3.- I used some old paper!!


Again another Christmas card from Carolee & her son Matt. She had taken him & her neice out to pick a Christmas tree & they started goofing around. They came up with the idea of having it look like the tree was falling down on Matt. Leave it to Carolee to come up with a different Christmas card. Love her!!

Something Different

Since the last few LO's I've posted have all just been my neice I figured it was time for something different. How about Wedding LO's?? Everybody loves weddings right? I know I do.

This is a pic of my cousin Maria (we have lots of Maria's in my family) & her husband Rob. They are now married over 10 years & have 2 adorable girls.

I didn't make it a traditional looking wedding LO since I figured all the wedding pics in this album would then look alike. I ended up going with the autum background for the colors since she was married in October.

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This is my friend Connie's wedding to John. They are married over 10 years & have 3 beautiful kids.

Kept the design the same mostly & again went with her wedding colors. Love using the stamps on these, as well as using some older stash. Hoping to use up a lot of older stuff on this album!
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This LO is of my friend's Jack & Gina's wedding. Some 10+ years ago they were married after being sweethearts in high school, & now they have 2 cute little kids.

Still using the same basic design which is just making it simpler to create. Totally loving the "getting it done" feeling!!

Birthday Man!

Today is my favorite B-I-L Danny's birthday. We'll be headed there for cake & coffee later on. But for now I'll keep it simple & say.....

HAPPY 42nd BIRTHDAY DANNY!!!

Nonna's House

Since the kids had no school yesterday & today, my sister & I planned to take the kids to visit my mom. My mom, always one to lay on the "mother's guilt trip" made sure we were coming to visit. I let her know I'd be there sometime around noon, wouldn't you know it, at exactly 12pm my phone rang wondering when I'd be leaving. LOL! You don't think she was excited do you?

So here are all 6 of the grandkids. They were all wound up from being together & were just LOUD!

These two are the oldest, Michael & Destiny. The younger kids pretty much adore them. I showed them my blog & they have it saved to their PSP games (I have lots to learn about kids "toys"). So HI!! to them both--I told them I'd post their pics here.

Here are Nikki & Tyler. They weren't really in the mood for pics & had to get the popsicles included. I called them a couple of "suckers".

Of course here are my 2. Both happily munching the treats my mom got for them.Not long after this pic was taken we had to leave. There's nothing like having a kid coming off a sugar high & freaking out. No details, don't feel like reliving the torture. Tomorrow will be better--right??