Category Archives: Blog Carnival

Christmas Tree Treasures ~ 2007

Welcome to Christmas Tree Treasures hosted by Morning Glory at her blog Seeds From My Garden.

This angel is our Christmas tree topper that we’ve used for several years now.

We put the lights on the tree first, then come the red glass ornaments (a few dozen) When they are all placed we add all of our one of a kind that we’ve collected over the years. This was last years tree. This years is not up yet! We plan to get a shorter fatter one this year…

This was our very first ornament that was given to us as a Wedding Gift. We were married December 6, 1974.

 

The top three ornaments in this collage are the first ornaments for each of our children. 1979 was Josh’s , 1981 was Dan’s and 1986 was Katie’s. The second row in the middle was a very primitive baby Jesus in a 1/2 walnut shell that one of my kids made and I’m sorry to say I don’t know which one.  The camel and Winnie the Pooh are from Josh’s baby stash. The little girls on the bottom right are from Dear’s mother and are a lot older than most of our other ornaments.

 

These are the handmade ornaments my 3 kids made that make me smile whenever I see them. Katie made the angel, Josh made the star and Dan made the reindeer below.

These photo ornaments are all from the same year.  Josh with the baseball theme, Katie with the Angel theme, and Dan with the Soccer theme.

This is one of my favorite wooden ornaments.

 

 

I’m a huge Beatrix Potter fan and I was thrilled to find these Christmas ornaments. Hunca Munca and the Amiable Guinea Pig.

My heritage is Russian and these ornaments were gifts from my brother Leonard.

I added this Russian ornament to the tree last year.

My Christmas tree skirt is usually a Christmas tablecloth that I drape around the trunk of the tree.

Thank you Morning Glory for hosting Christmas Tree Treasures. To see more click here.

I’ve also linked to Katabug who is hosting Fun Monday Show me your  Christmas Ornaments version.

Photobucket has blacked out all my photos I was storing on their site and they are holding them hostage. I am working on updating my more than 4000 posts.

Soup-Tacular…because it’s cold, y’all

 

It's A Soup-Tacular!

I’m joining BooMama and others in the bloggy world for Soup-Tacular. If you’d like to see more soup recipes click here and enjoy the carnival…

I found this wonderful recipe in the Better Home and Gardens Hometown Cooking February 2000 edition. I tweaked a couple things.

Mexican Corn Soup (prep: 15 min. Cooking: 10 min.)

1 – 16 ounce pkg. frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
1 – Cup chicken broth (I used the whole can of chicken broth and just 1 cup of milk instead of two so I wouldn’t have a half a can of broth left.
2 – Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 – 4-1/2 ounce can diced green chili peppers
1 – clove garlic, minced
1 – Tablespoon snipped fresh oregano or l tsp. dried oregano, crushed
1/4 – tsp. salt
1/4 – tsp. ground black pepper
2 – cups milk (I used one cup see chicken broth above)
1 – cup chopped, cooked chicken
1 – cup chopped tomatoes (I used a can of diced tomatoes w/jalapeno, med/hot)
1 – cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (4 oz.)
cilantro as garnish if you like it

[The soup is great with the full can of broth and tomatoes. I do not like half cans left over. ]

In a blender container combine half of the corn and the chicken broth. Cover; blend until nearly smooth.

In a large saucepan, combine corn puree, remaining corn, butter, chili peppers, garlic, dried oregano (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in milk, chicken, tomatoes, and fresh oregano (if using); heat through. remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired (this is where I substitute cilantro instead)

Enjoy

If you’d like my mother’s recipe for a great pot of Russian Borsch click here.

Friday’s Feast ~ #12

Appetizer
What was the last game you purchased?

Mexican Train Dominoes ~ We have had many a roaring game around the kitchen table with this great game in Seattle, Orange County, and Dallas Texas. Fun times with friends and cousins and aunts and uncles.

Soup
Name something in which you don’t believe.

I have never believed in Santa Claus. There were years I wished there was a Santa Claus. We do incorporate a fun version of Santa in our festivities and always say that Santa filled the stockings wink wink…

Salad
If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?

I would choose Ina Garten from Barefoot Contessa to be my boss. Then maybe I could learn some great cooking skills from her and maybe even be at a meal she prepares for her employees…

Main Course
What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?

That it’s not a good idea to get all worked up at your kids sporting events. I wish I could take back some of the things I said and some of the things I made a fool of myself over…

Dessert
Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.

Oh it would be a room with bookcases filled with good books, overstuffed chairs with ottomans to sit in and a wonderful fireplace or gas stove with the stereo softly playing my favorite cd’s.

For more Friday Feasts click here.

WFMW ~ Last Minute Meal with What’s in the Pantry!

 

Here it is folks the easiest meal in the world that my kids have loved for years! They are adults now and they still like it. It’s pretty boring but you can spice it up a bit if you like by adding a little onion or garlic or more mushrooms. BUT we’re talking about what kids will eat (I think) and this is one they seem to eat without complaint.

Throw the noodles in salted water that is boiling. Cook them to al dente. In a bowl mix the tuna (I use one can of albacore and one can of the regular cheap tuna) and the cream of mushroom soup add garlic or onion powder if you want and add a little milk. When the noodles are ready drain the water then throw the tuna liquidy stuff in and heat through. That’s it. I don’t even throw it into the oven. When the kids were little we always had a can of Green Giant corn niblets with it!

 So this is such a beige meal you might want to add a nice green salad or green beans to make it look healthier! 🙂

You can also make a tuna melt with bread, tuna, and cheese. Serve it with a can of tomato soup!

Now here’s something for the adults to have after the kids finish the tuna noodle.

A PUMPKIN PIE MARTINI

3 oz. vanilla vodka, 1 oz. pumpkin puree, 1 oz. half and half, 1 T. brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. McCormick pumpkin spice

Shake all ingredients until well combined. Strain into prepared glass.  (wet rim of martini glass and dip it in brown sugar) pour combined liquid into glass.

Ok we tried this and it’s one stiff drink. I’d switch out the Vanilla Vodka for a Vanilla brandy and only use 1-1/2 oz.  Tasty it is but very strong… A nice shot of whip cream would be great too….

To see more last minute meals head over to Shannon’s at Rocks in My Dryer.

Photobucket has blacked out all my photos I was storing on their site and they are holding them hostage. I am working on updating my more than 4000 posts.

Friday Feast #11 ~

Appetizer
What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?

I really enjoy several rides at Disneyland. My favorites are Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and Pirates of the Carribean…

Soup
How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?

I generally try to ease the situation, change the subject. If I can leave the room I will. It depends on what kind of uncomfortable it is. If it too uncomfortable I would flee the situation…

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?

Oh probably a 5 and that depends on whether the discussion is heated or just an exchange of thoughts…

I do not like mean debates.

Main Course
Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?

No I did not, never have, and I won’t be getting one this year. Maybe next year….

Dessert
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?

I watch Survivor, Amazing Race, Bones, Numbers and Project Runway so ….5 hours. Oops then there’s Seahawks football and any Soccer game that’s televised at the right time so add 5 more hours. Up to 10 hours!

For more Friday Feasts click here.

Christmas Traditions ~ Luke 2:1-20 and Swedish Pancakes!

There are so many Christmas traditions that we have enjoyed over the years. Today I’ll share a couple that have stayed with us since Dear and I were married. His Mother started the rich tradition of reading Luke 2: 1-20 at the Christmas Eve celebrations before everyone tore into their gifts. Over the years we tried different ways to incorporate this rich tradition. We started including it on my side of the families gatherings, too. One year while all the cousins were still young I made a very elementary coloring book with all these verses for each child in each family to color and help them to memorize this passage. At our Christmas Eve celebration I brought  several rolls of quarters and each child that could recite any of the passage got a quarter for every verse they remembered! It was loads of fun. Recently my brother dared his nieces and nephews to recite these in Russian and to whoever could he’d give big bucks. Ha! One of my nephews met the challenge and my brother gave him $100 and my father was so pleased he kicked in an extra $50.

 

This is the booklet I made with a picture and one to two verses on each page. I’m sure anyone out there can make a more artistic coloring book with the help of a computer. I made this by hand before I had a computer. This is the cover of one of the stapled booklets that I think was my son Josh’s.

The other tradition that my immediate family enjoys is on Christmas morning after we see what’s inside our Christmas Stockings, Dear cooks up Swedish Pancakes for us all to enjoy. Here’s Dear on Christmas 2005 cooking them up!

 

Do you have a tradition to share with us? You still have time to post it and join in the fun. To read about other traditions or join in the fun head over to My Quiet Corner.

As of June 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos that I had stored there and are holding them hostage. Hopefully I can update my photos on all the posts they have ruined, over 4000 of them.

Thanksgiving Rhyme ~

Giving Thanks 

 

Thanksgiving
The year has turned its circle,
The seasons come and go.
The harvest all is gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain,
So open wide the doorway~
Thanksgiving comes again!
~Old Rhyme

I’m so looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. Dear and I will be traveling to Seattle a week from today to celebrate there with our children and close friends. I’m really thankful for this. Blessings on all your plans.

For Thanksgiving posts with recipes, plans, poems etc. head over to There’s No Place Like Home this week.

WFMW ~Holiday Shopping Carnival

Ok I’m gonna so cheat this week and use my Holiday Shopping Carnival post for WFMW! Enjoy the shopping tips.

 Chili at Don’t Try this at Home is hosting a Holiday Shopping Carnival. Below are my suggestions for some fun gifts with links to where you can purchase them. Enjoy my little shopping post!

I think every blogger who takes a lot of pictures for their blog with their digital camera needs this great Gorillapod flexible tri-pod! You can order it from Amazon.

Aren’t these napkin rings sweet and festive. You can order them from Sur la Table, one of my favorite kitchen stores.

How practical is this for anyone who drives. Gas prices are crazy and this gas gift card would be something anyone would like. You can get them at your favorite gasoline provider.

 

This one is so much fun. Look at this cake pan and look at the marvelous cake you can make with it! You can order this at Sur la Table under bakeware.

Anyone on your list who has enjoyed Jan Karon’s books will love her latest book if they don’t have it already. Order it from Amazon.

I hope these items will help get your mind working for some creative gift giving this Christmas.

I Timothy 6: 17-19 ~ “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with every thing to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

To see more WFMW around bloggy world click here.