{Christmas 2011}

Christmas morning was quite fun. We spent the night at my parents on Christmas Eve. Jennifer and I slept out in the den. I was on the love seat and she was in one of the chairs---yeah...we didn't get a lot of sleep. Now, THAT would have been a great picture, but so sorry for you that I didn't get one of those!!

 Joshua had a bit of a theme this Christmas---it was a Wes Welker Christmas. He got this jersey from Aunt Jen and a fathead from my parents--so Wes---or flat Wes as I like to call him, lives in Joshua's room now. Very cool!!

 

 This is Shannon's husband, Bill. He has a tradition of putting on every article of clothing he receives on Christmas morning---without removing any of them---seriously---it's hysterical. This cracked me up---it's crazy Bill---he's the fun uncle---do you have an uncle like that?

 Hannah had a Tom's Christmas---she received THREE pair of Tom's shoes for Christmas---so we gave away three pair of Tom's as well---I love that about this company.

I was able to get Joshua an XBOX console with Kinect with my American Express points. This was such a blessing---I have had my Amex card for YEARS and have never used my points, so I had a ton of them and was able to get Joshua a Christmas gift I never could have bought him! He was TOTALLY surprised---

The immediate hug---SO sweet---yep, I was bawlin'---

so much fun to give something special!

I have no pictures of our lunch or anything else from that day---we all had a lovely day though---
I HAVE had other things happen since Christmas that I hope to share with you, but this is it for now. Thanks again for visiting!!

{Christmas Eve 2011}

Christmas--yes, it's February 13th and I'm just now posting about Christmas--


Caitlin and Carson spent Christmas and the following week in Rocky Mount with Carson's family, so we celebrated Christmas with them on Christmas Eve. We had a Nelson favorite---Tacoritos-- for dinner.  David's family used to eat these at a restaurant they frequented when they lived in Colorado and Barbara asked to have the recipe. It has become an "always" food when the family gets together. I've included the recipe below with my own little twist.

This will be a post full of pictures of THIS sweet girl---so sorry in advance. 

Shannon and Bill gave Eve this wonderful Pottery Barn chair---she looks

SO cute in it, don't ya think?

My parents gave Carson this pistol--this was one of our favorite memories from the holiday! My Dad had owned this for years, but had only fired it once or twice. He wanted to give it to Carson,  but was worried it may be loaded or something----so he took it up into his attic and fired it---just to see what would happen. IT WENT OFF---IN HIS ATTIC!!! When he told us this, we all just cracked up. 

Josh never wants to smile in pictures anymore---but I LOVE this photo---

a captured moment!

When Joshua and I went to the Panther's game in October, he bought this shirt for Eve--neither of her parents care a bit about the Panthers, but her Uncle Josh does, so she can wear it for him!

Shannon and her family were here for Christmas this year---and my sister Jennifer, too.

My nephew, Nathan with Eve.

 My mom with Eve

My daddy with Eve

Caitlin wanted a macro lens for her camera----which is just like my camera, so it would fit if I ever needed it......very nice!

Babies make things so much fun---what a joy to have Eve around this year---she brought joy into what could have been a hard season. It was truly beautiful. I'm so glad we were able to spend this time with them---

Here are the Tacoritos and the recipe(s). Mmmmmmmm, cheeeesy!

Nelson Family Tacoritos

meat mixture:

1 lb. ground beef (or you could use turkey)

1 T. chili powder

1/2 t. garlic powder

salt & pepper to taste

1 chopped onion

(I don't measure the spices---but these are the measurements from the original recipe)

sauce mixture:

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 can water

1/2 t. oregano, sage, cumin each

2 - 4 T. chopped chili or jalapenos

filling:

shredded lettuce

grated cheese

diced tomatoes

refried beans

Burrito sized flour tortillas

Brown onion and meat with spices until meat is tender. Simmer 30 minutes.

While the meat is simmering, mix soup, water and spices in a sauce pan. Simmer until meat is finished. Place a layer of beans & 1/2 c. meat mixture in the center of a flour tortilla. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and a bit of sauce. Close tortilla and place seam down in a casserole dish. Pour sauce over tacoritos and bake on 350 for 15-20 minutes. Top with remaining grated cheese and bake until melted.

Serve with guacamole and sour cream. 

Lately, I've been changing the meat to this recipe below. I make this recipe and use it in several recipes. It's a great starter to all things Tex-Mex.

Crockpot Spicy Beef (or Chicken)

2 lb. Boneless Beef Chuck (or chicken)

1/4 c. Salsa verde

2 cloves minced garlic

1 bunch chopped cilantro

1 medium onion, chopped

1-2 fresh jalapenos, seeded & chopped

2 t. chili powder

1/2 t. cumin

1/2 t. salt

Place the meat in the crockpot. Mix all other ingredients together. Pour the mixture over the meat and toss until well coated. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4 hours.

I always have extra meat, so I'll make tacos one night---or put it in the freezer for another meal in the future.

 YES---the kids STILL get pajamas on Christmas Eve---this is the only gift they get to open.

And then, the obligatory picture with Santa's cookies---and yes, we give him a bottled Coke---we are THOSE people. I think he must be tired of milk by the time he gets down South....and he likely needs the caffeine.

 

AND, of course, the silly picture---I love that my 20 year old isn't too old for this!

 

Thanks for checking in--I have another post in the que---I'm just going crazy! ;D Have a great day!!

{Extravagant Love}

I am amazed today to be loved by SO many---how blessed am I? I walked into my classroom today---the day before the big Christmas program that so many of you know about---even if it's not mine. You've sat through "the Christmas program"--whether it was your mother's "cantata" at church growing up, the big Christmas pageant, the Children's choir program, the December PTA meeting---and musical program to try to lure the parents there so they can vote on various agenda items, the band, orchestra, choir concerts. You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about! BUT, for me---it's "MY" program! I'm the crazy teacher in the gym without a microphone screaming out instructions to 225 of the most beautiful children you'll ever see! YEP---today was THAT day. ANYWAY (the rambling, the rambling) I walked into my classroom and saw a bag in my chair from the Verizon store---seriously. So I opened an iPhone 4 box with a giftcard that said, "K-- Word reached the North Pole that your phone was out of order! Take this to my elves at Verizon and get a new one! From: Santa " WHAT? There was a giftcard to the Verizon store---

I just stood there and began to cry---it's 7:31 and the make up is BLOWN! (and no, I wasn't wearing the waterproof mascara---you'd think I have learned by now...) anyway, I couldn't even believe it. I had wanted an iPhone when my phone began acting up and then I realized---hellooooooo, it's CHRISTMAS and you have way too much to spend your money on right now. I had two different people GIVE me their old Blackberry's and I just gave up the iPhone thing---really, I was TOTALLY over it---so I was just blown away at this extravagant gift---it's not that this money is a Lexus or anything, but it's money that people--someone--just GAVE to me....to love me---just because.  It's not a NEED---I HAD that need met by two kind hearted souls who gave me an old phone.

When I mentioned it to a friend---in disbelief, she just said, "you are loved"---more tears. I had a parent at school bring me dinner tonight because she knew it was a crazy week and thought it would bless me. Another colleague at school called me today while I was in rehearsal and said she was picking up a Chick-Fil-a giftcard for me to use for dinner tomorrow night so I wouldn't have to mess with it. All of this happened TODAY---within a 10 hour span of time.

It was crazy---and, as I have a tendency to do, I began to ponder this today. Each time I was met with an outpouring of love I was SO HUMBLED that someone would go out of their way for me---seriously. I'm a  pretty independent person. I can get a phone, I can make a meal--or TWO---but the LORD kept reminding me today how loved I was---and that it's a GOOD thing to let others show their love to me in tangible ways. I work with the most amazing group of women. I'm SO grateful for their support and love--that in itself is a gift. I couldn't do this job without them. I could NEVER pull off a program without them. They always amaze me---I'm so thankful for them---especially this year. When your heart is tenderized---by God or man---you can either become bitter or more tender. I want to end up more tender. I don't want to become jaded and angry by my circumstances---I think the LORD is just using his sweet servants here on this earth to remind me to let the situation make me more tender.

One of the things I love about one of my dearest friends is how very tender her heart is. Repeatedly over the last year, I have watched her HURT for someone that many of us would judge. She's not "just a cryer"!!! Her HEART is tender---she's felt real pain and I think the LORD has made her more tender---not harder. Please God, let me become tender-hearted like this sweet sister. I turned to her today and just told her of this gift and she just smiled that knowing smile and said, "I KNOW"---I later had to describe this to her as an "Extravagant gift"--because that's just what it is to me. I don't need this phone---I don't need a meal, I don't need TWO MEALS! These are extravagant gifts of love to me. I looked up the word extravagant and here's what it says:

ex·trav·a·gant

adjective

1. spending much more than is necessary or wise; wasteful: an extravagant shopper.

2. excessively high: extravagant expenses; extravagant prices.

3. exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions.

4. going beyond what is deserved or justifiable: extravagant praise.

5. Obsolete . wandering beyond bounds.

ummmm, yes, yes, and yes---on all accounts today! Extravagant love---it was shown to me today---I can't help but think of the most extravagant gift ever given---that Jesus Christ---the God of the universe would "put skin on" and come down to this earth to live among us--the wretched people that we are....to DIE. That GOD the Father would SEND his son to do such a thing---EXTRAVAGANT gifts---life changing gifts. I hope I can show my son---and my students this extravagant love this Advent season and point them to the One True Gift--Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift~

{Merry Christmas 2010}

Yes, I'm very aware that Christmas day is over---but we had SNOW in Raleigh that actually started on Christmas day, and we've been a bit busy today playing in the snow! I don't have any pictures of Christmas day on my computer yet, but here are a few of our adventures out in the snow today! One of my favorite things to wake up to is a beautiful snow scene---this snow is heavy and wet, so it makes beautiful pictures.....the trees are loaded with it!

The front yard after the snow stopped falling~

The backyard from the deck~

 

 

 

 A few pictures of Joshua playing....nothing like a kid in the snow!!!

 

 

nailing Mom with a snowball~

....after rolling down the hill in the backyard~

....after the snow, a cup of cocoa---served in a beautiful Crate and Barrel bowl~

I hadn't taken pictures of some of my decorations, so I took some today! I love having time to enjoy my home.

I always go out shopping on December 26th, but I stayed home today and truly enjoyed some down time. I hope your family has enjoyed a quiet day with each other. Now to read a few chapters of Harry Potter 5 with Joshua---that's the best!

{More Tags}

Here are a couple of the first tags I made with Holiday Button Bits~I have several things to show you this week if I can just get some good lighting---it's been really overcast and my house isn't the best for natural light on the brightest of days! This will be short because Joshua and I are headed to have a fun day at the Life and Science Museum in Durham in awhile---it will be a great time together---we are out of school this whole week! YIPPEE!

I used the holly image for these tags (obviously!)--that is one of the reasons I bought this set--I just loved this image. I stamped the leaves on Ripe Avocado cardstock with the same ink and then cut them out. I also stamped the image on the tag---on the one above, I ran it through my Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots embossing folder---I love the polka dots! I put the leaves on with some SU! dimensionals. I like that these aren't too high---that's why I use them so much. The buttons on these tags are Scarlet Jewel. I ran out of small Pure Poppy ones when I made my Christmas cards, so I need to order another bag. I still have some big ones, but they are TOO big for this project---yes, I'm rambling---THUS the blog name!

I haven't added the ribbon on these because I like to know exactly where I'm going to attach them first---sometimes I'll use actual ribbon, sometimes I'll use twine--so, that's why you are just seeing the tags here!

On this one, I used the threading water punch to create the border along the bottom of the tag---this tag was simple, simple to create and could easily be mass produced--trust me, I know about mass production---I'll show you some of that later in the season!

On the wedding front---we found Caitlin's dress last Saturday---it's SO beautiful and looks amazing on her---that's just the way it should be, right? I have hired a wedding consultant to help keep me together! I hope to be finished with the initial planning by the end of the year---if you have any great ideas for wedding favors, let me know! I'd love to make something classy! I have done some of my Christmas shopping, so I feel better about December--I'm almost finished for Joshua and Caitlin---I still have much to do, but I hope to knock it out this week! Enjoy your week---I hope you are with family or dear friends--

Holiday Button Bits Tags: (all supplies PTI unless noted)
Stamps: Holiday Button Bits
Paper: Kraft, Rustic Cream, Ripe Avocado
Ink: Ripe Avocado
Accessories: Scarlet Jewel Vintage buttons, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dot Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Dimensionals foam tape (SU!), Mini Glue dots, threading water punch (Fiskars)

{Gift Tags}

Last year I made most of my gift tags for my Christmas gifts and I LOVED it---I have always loved making packages pretty, but it's much more fun when I get to MAKE something to go on them with my "schtuff"---:) Schtuff, did I just type "schtuff"? YES, it's 4:30 in the morning so I may be a bit punchy~after waking up at 3:55 and laying there for 35 minutes, I realized that I WASN'T going to be able to go back to sleep, s0 I got up to talk to "you people"---those who exist only in my mind!!!

ANYWAY--back to the tags---I made these pretty large---I'll have to make some smaller, too, but I enjoyed making these first--I started with some Aqua Mist paper---ever since I got Papertrey's new Pigment ink stamp pad in Aqua Mist, I use this color all the time!

It coordinates perfectly with the Christmas paper Rustic Snowflakes. Anyway, I used that paper and the 2008 Holiday Tags' snowflake. I went simple on these tags, so I didn't bling up the snowflake---even though I thought of all sorts of ways to do that---stickles, rhinestones, embossing---just stamp and go this time.


I tied some twill with a button and stamped the "TO-FROM" from the same tag set. I will tie some more twill or twine when I attach it to the package, I'm just not sure how I want to use it, so I haven't put that on yet---
The other sentiment is from Holiday Button Bits. That set is proving to be so fun---I'm really enjoying it---more on that later---well, I had better do something more productive---like laundry! I hope you enjoy your day---and I hope you are still asleep!


Simple Christmas Tags: (all supplies PTI, unless noted)
Stamps: 2008 Holiday Tags, Holiday Button Bits
Paper: Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy, White cardstock, Rustic Snowflakes patterned paper
Ink: Pure Poppy, Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: 1" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch (eksuccess), Aqua Mist twill, Vintage buttons in Aqua Mist and Pure Poppy, Rustic Twine

{A Christmas Thank You}

I love this sentiment----every year I send thank you notes to all of my students who give me gifts---when I saw this sentiment in the Signature Christmas set by Dawn McVey I was so excited---not that I don't have numerous "thank you" sentiments, but I just loved that this was specific to Christmas! I have been working hard on my Christmas gifts this year--but I just don't want show any of them yet---thus the lack of posts---I'm playing with my stamps as much as possible, so you'll see some of it soon, I hope!

When I came up with this idea, I knew I'd be able to share it---I ended up with 15 cards in just a little while! I'll still need to make some more, but I'll make another design--I just got on a roll with this one and made a bunch!

The tree is from the Tree Trimming Trio. There are three wonderful trees in this set---I just went with this simple tree for this card. There are "holes" in the tree where I stamped the star ornaments in various colors. Then I added the epoxy dome stickers to give them some dimension. I think these add so much! That's the only embellishment I put on this card---look Mom, no ribbon or buttons! I made the outline with a cheap roller ball pen and ruler---simple, simple. Here are a few of the color combos I used:

Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Ocean Tides

Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise

New Leaf, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise

Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet

Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today--Hannah's Fall Theatre Production was last night, so I'll have some pictures to share soon---it was a fun night! The wedding date has been set and it's May 15th. I'm POSITIVE this won't be the last time you hear about that! There's so much to share---so much to do! Life is crazy~

Christmas Thank You: (all supplies PTI unless noted)
Stamps: Tree Trimming Trio, Signature Christmas
Paper: Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet, Rustic Cream cardstock
Ink: Memento Black (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, New Leaf, Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Summer Sunrise, Raspberry Fizz (I went crazy with the ink!)
Accessories: Page Pebbles (epoxy dome stickers)

{Merry Christmas!!}

WOW!!! It's finally here! Where did December go? I had so many lovely ideas to share with all of you---ok, the three of you, but I just couldn't find the time to get it on here. SO, I'll likely share some of our Christmas memories over the next few days when I have time to relax and rest.....and blog.

What a blessed time of year this is---it's always been my favorite time. Here's the Christmas card I sent this year---and no, none of you have gotten it yet because I just mailed them yesterday.....I won't go into details, but I just finally decided, "I MADE them and I will send them even if they are late"---so, they are late! I used PaperTrey Ink's Silent Night--I LOVE that beautiful flourish. I embossed the white cardstock with one of my square nestabilities dies. Then I just stamped the star in Ripe Avocado. I really liked the other star that is in the set, but I would have had to cut them out by hand and I just couldn't do it. I used this star and punched it out with my large star punch from Stampin' Up! I used the red ink until I ran out of ribbon, then I changed to Ocean Tides for the flourish. This card 

was really simple to do---and when you are making 80, simple is GOOD!

Here's a picture of my three babies with Santa's goodies last night! Yes, I know my 17 & 19 year olds have on matching pjs----I just COULDN'T resist! We always give one gift to open on Christmas Eve and it's always PJ's (to the great disappointment of my 7 year old this year, but, it's Christmas, and I don't want to talk about that!) Anyway, I was at Target and saw these satin pajamas and really liked them. I had two different patterns, but I just decided I'd get them matching ones like I always used to---and they just grinned and put them on! What great kids I have---wearing matching pjs just for mama at Christmas (OK, they just did it because they knew I'd whine if they didn't, but either way, it's DONE! And I have pictures forever!)

So, we got up this morning and to if Santa did in fact come to see us. Joshua is quite worried that he's on the naughty list....I really don't know why---I don't have to talk that way to him to get him to behave, but I think watching Elf last night just did him in! Anyway, what a lovely morning we will have around here! We will read the Christmas story from Luke 2---Joshua has actually memorized verses 8-20, so he wants to quote it for us---what a blessing to hear a child quote scripture.

I will leave you with Luke's account of Jesus' birth---Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! Enjoy your day with your family---and thanks for stopping by!

Luke 2:1-20

The Birth of Jesus Christ

 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,who was with child.  And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 

 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

ETA: I posted my last post by accident, but it still shows up on Google Reader---if that's how you read it, I apologize---just ignore it and read this one. This one has pictures and has been read through----the other was a VERY rough draft!

I LOVED making my last holiday planner---you can see it here. So I decided that I needed to make a few more---I haven't had much stamping time the last few days, so I was thrilled when I was able to finish this tonight.

If I had been able to just sit down and make this planner without any interruptions, I could have finished it very quickly---but that's not how my life usually works! SO, I worked on it for 30 minutes at a time---a few times! The worst part for me is deciding colors/stamps, etc---I already knew what I was going to make, but I needed to make it look like "Mama"! I thought this angel stamp from Heavenly Heralds (retired SU!) would be perfect for her. I originally wanted to use gold, but I really liked this "Glee" from the Figgy Pudding line by Basic Grey, so I went with Silver. (Speaking of Basic Grey---have you seen the Wassail papers? They are beautiful online---I haven't seen them in the store, but I do think this would be considered a need---don't you think?)

I stamped the angel with silver Colorbox pigment ink and then embossed it with Silver powder. Then I cut it out using a plain square nestabilities die and layered it with a scalloped square. I stamped Holiday Planner---still not straight, but better this time. I used the Upper Formal set from My Sentiments Exactly. I stamped the verse from the same SU! set and embossed it the same as before.






I made these lists for mom and personalized them for her with the Simple Alphabet from Papertrey Ink. I really didn't think I needed that set, but everytime I turned around I saw someone using it, so I decided to try it---I like it. It took me a couple times to get the letters straight, but after awhile you get the hang of it.

Again, I got this idea from Michelle Wooderson's blog. She made a really cute one and has all the measurements and everything if you need them. Anyway, that's mama's planner. I'm going to do at least one more for a friend, so I'll show you that one someday when I'm done!

Thanks for checking in! Hugs~
Kathleen

Angel Planner Stuff:
Stamps: Heavenly Heralds, (SU!), Formal Upper (My Sentiments Exactly), Rustic Branches ("for"), Simple Alphabet (PTI),
Paper: Bravo Burgandy (SU!), Vintage Cream (PTI), Patterned Paper-Figgy Pudding, Basic Grey,
Ink: Bravo Burgandy. Colorbox Silver Pigment Ink,
Accessories: Heat Embossing Tool, Embossing Powder, Silver Sheer Metallic Ribbon (PTI), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provocraft), 3-D glue dots (Zots), cropadile