Another Saturday.....

I'm sitting in the recliner, looking at my Christmas tree (yes, obviously it's still up) thinking, I should take you down, but you are oh so pretty and I'm going to miss seeing you.  I should be doing laundry, and cleaning house, since I am ashamed to admit I have not touched since Christmas pretty much.  Hey, the road trip to Memphis last weekend took up some of my time, don't judge lol.  

It was a long night, DH had a horrible flare up of gout and let's just say between his foot and the fever, I've seen more open eye than shut eye.  We had prayer here, but I called Momma & Dad about 12:30 for some back up. His fever has been so high during the night I was afraid to sleep.  He is on the couch resting comfortably and sleeping like a log.  I know this because I set off the fire alarm (don't ask) and I could hear him snoring over it.  It's a shame our fireplace is gas because he definitely could supply some logs this morning. 

It smells wonderful in the house where I made buttermilk biscuits and homemade fried apples.  (No, I didn't burn either of them to set the alarm off.)  It's still snowing here.  It snowed off and on all day yesterday but around 9 last night the roads started getting bad.  It's beautiful outside now.  I took some pictures.  Still have no clue how to get them on my new laptop.  I can blog, facebook, and add music to my IPhone that is my talents on it.  Yeah, I should probably learn.

I'm thinking today is going to be another lazy Saturday.  Maybe I'll breakdown and learn to load pictures on this?  I will keep you posted.  Maybe I can post some pictures later. 

    

Memphis & New Years

With the year we've had DH and I we decided to treat ourself to a weekend getaway in Memphis for New Years.  We hadn't been since we went to see the adoption agency 2 years ago.

There is too much to tell on this weekend, so I will give you the highlights.  If you follow me on facebook you will see we "ate" are way through Tennessee.

After work on Thursday we drove 3hrs and had supper with some great friends of ours in Bowling Green

They are such a great couple!!  Love them to pieces!
(sorry Tammy I had to steal/borrow this pic :p )

Tammy & Danny

The next morning we were on way.  We wanted to stop at Mason TN to have BBQ at our favorite place

Bozo's Hot Pit BBQ .  This is where part of the movie "Walk the Line" was filmed.  The part where Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash were in the "diner" is the actually Bozo's.  Hard Rock Cafe bought them out a year or more ago, but I am pleased to say has not taken over and changed things, the original is the same, same people working there. 

DH's cousin and I are texting while we are eating, he says I HAVE to try Gus's Famous Chicken while we are in Memphis.  I said ok, the original location is right up from Bozo's.  So after we literally stuffed ourselves until we couldn't breathe, we went up the street and got fried chicken.  By far the best you could ever stick in your mouth.  

On to Memphis we went.  We ended up eating the chicken for breakfast the next morning.  It was as good cold as it was hot.  After arriving in Memphis we checked in and rested up.  New Years Eve we went down to Beale St to Mr. Handy's Blues Hall it was an experience since it is one of the oldest clubs left.

We also had Miss Polly's Chicken & Waffles the next morning.  The guy outside was the best. 

Later in the day after going to the Peabody to see the duck march we headed on out to Nashville.  If you have never been to the Peabody, Grand Hotel of the South, you NEED to go while in Memphis.

The duck march it's self is worth the stop.

(Of course we had to go into Bass Pro for DH)

In Nashville we took it easy.  We went down to Broadway to of course, EAT but it was closed, for the exception of all the honky tonks.  At which point I told DH I was way too old to even be down there on a Saturday night.  On the way back we looked for a couple of BBQ joints, everything was closed because it was New Years Day, except, which was less than half a mile from our hotel, 

Neely's Memphis BBQ, you might have seen this lovely couple on the Food Network?

Whew, we had to roll back to our room after that one.  I was never so glad to see home last night.

Of course my body did NOT like seeing the scales this morning. 

Unbelievably I only gained 4lbs.  So I wasn't too upset considering what ALL we ate.

It's a new year, I have plenty of time to lose that 4lbs.

Oh, I forgot to mention desserts.

We had lemon icebox pie at Bozo's

Pecan Pie at Gus's Famous Chicken

Peach Cobbler at Neely's

And

If you have never experienced Sheridan's (we became great fans while living in Kansas City)

you have to try their seasonal concretes.  Lucky for me it was "Candy Cane Pot Hole"

If you're not hungry, you sure are missing a good opportunity!! 

Hope everyone had a Safe & Happy New Year and may your New Year Be Prosperous!!

Wordless Wednesday

(google images)

Wordless is Wednesday is back.......need I say more, really?

Love this song.....

As I stood at this kitchen sink this morning washing up the punch bowl I watched the snow fall as softly as I felt the tears running down my cheek.  I was thinking of a text I received from a dear friend this morning telling of how lonely her and her husband's Christmas had seemed with no children or grandkids in their home.  I felt the loneliness for her.  This year the house has felt so empty.  I thought maybe it was just being in the new house and not quite feeling like it's "our home" instead of living in someone else's house.  Yesterday my home was full of family and comfort food but there was no comfort.  I felt like the lyrics from "Pretty Papper"

"In the distance of the ringing of laughter, and in the midst of the laughter  he cries."

 
Last night after coming back from Christmas at Momma & Dad's I sat here snuggled on the couch with DH enjoying the lights of the Christmas tree finding myself wondering if we will ever hear the pitter patter of little feet in our house during Christmas.  Someone peeking under the tree to see what is theirs.  Asking when we are going to read the story about Baby Jesus.  When they won't be able to sleep for the excitement of the next morning.  Will there ever be that excitement and laughter in our home.  In the midst of this I realized I have never felt more alone during Christmas.  There was family, food and love, but and emptiness that is indescribable.
My precious cousin who also had multiple miscarriages and loss once told me, "Maria, just think your babies are complete perfection in Heaven with Jesus and will be waiting when you get there."  I don't know how many times that kind word has kept me.  Sometimes the human side of me is much more selfish and more days than not I want them here with me.  Especially today when I should hear them laughing and playing.  Begging to go out in the snow and play with Daddy & me while it's falling.  
Today I will enjoy the day with Dave and the beauty of the day.  I will be praying for all the other couples who are feeling the same grief as we are today and that their homes will be full of giggles and pitter patter soon.

Merry Christmas

I'm so glad to see you!!!

I thought you would never arrive Mr. Christmas.  I decorated my tree thinking you would show up.  That didn't work so I decorated outside.  I still didn't see you.  I attempted to wrap some presents the other night.  Still you were a no show.  Oh THANK YOU Christmas mood for finally showing up at my house!!  Even if you did start nudging me out of the bed at 5:30am this morning.  Did you forget it's a Saturday??  Now after we finish our wonderful "Christmastime" coffee from Starbucks we will be on our way.  I know you want to get crackin!!

I did make chocolate fudge, peanut butter fudge, no bakes, and a batch of peppermint bark Thursday night.
The chocolate fudge is oh so good!!!  Thanks to this little lady right  here who gave me the recipe.  Thank you Miss Kerry.  This year I have my normal list of things to make for Christmas, fudge, oreo truffles, sugar cookies, refrigerator cookies, m&m cookies, no bakes, potato candy, thin mint cookies, coconut balls, old fashion apple stack cake, red velvet cake just a few of the family favorites.  Then I realized I have NONE of my recipes because I lost them all in the flood.  Of course DH says, "Baby, you never use a recipe what is the big deal?"  He's right, I rarely use a recipe but I do try to write down how I do it.  With a Southerner cooking and baking are a little different.  There are no real recipes it's a "dash" of this, a "handful" of this, lol.  I know, I know.
So I'm winging it by "memory" which has really started to fail me here at the young age of 34.
Did I mention I'm going to try my hand at "Dishpan Cookies"? Yeah, I know, sounds ummmm.......interesting, yes?  Well Miss Christy got my curiosity up with this one.

We have had about a total of 8 inches of snow this week.  (I will have DH go out and get some pictures today to post)  I love the snow.  I know some people don't, but who wouldn't love a white Christmas?  I can't remember the last time we had a BIG white fluffy Christmas here in Eastern Kentucky.  I am looking forward to that.  We are suppose to be getting another big hit sometime next week.
Christmas Eve dinner is going to be here at the new house this year.  I am pretty excited about that other than I don't want to do the normal turkey and dressing, like we do at Thanksgiving.  We usually add a ham but still.      
DH is pushing for beef brisket.  I am still thinking a nice prime rib.  I still have a couple of days.
The only things I know for sure on the menu is, 7 layer salad, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls and all the candies, cookies and desserts listed above.

Ms Fitzgerald is serenading me this morning.  "Baby It's Cold Outside". My coffee cup is almost empty.  I need to get busy wrapping and baking.  What are your plans for Christmas?  Any suggestions on Christmas Eve dinner?

Merry Christmas from My house to Yours!!
May God truly Bless You this Season and Always.