A Dog's New Years Resolution

"I will not chase the stick unless I actually see it leave his hand." ~Anonymous

Photo Google Images

A Low Country Tradition

Photo...Google Images

New Years Day...... A good idea.

A South Carolina Low Country Shrimp Boil. Whether your from the South or any other part of the world for that matter, you'll enjoy this southern dish.

I love the whole concept of serving this for certain holidays, New Years being a favorite time. This is preferably served informal.....needing lots of napkins.

A shrimp boil is a one-pot meal, usually cooked outside in big pots. Those of you up North will love this.....just clear away the snow and use an outdoor cooker. Here's how:

Note: Use your own judgement in determining portions per person
l/2 lb Keilbasa (or other spicy, smoked sausage) per person

l/2 pound Raw shrimp in shell per person

2 Lemons

Cayenne pepper

Cloves

Garlic

Bay leaves

Old Bay Seasoning

Black pepper

Tabasco

Optional:

2 small onions per person

l carrot cut in 4th per person

l-2 crabs per person

Boil water in a large kettle on stove or outdoor cooker. Season water with salt and your choice of above flavorings along with the juice of two lemons or 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Add potatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Add carrots, sausage and onions. Bring back to a boil. When potatoes and carrots are almost tender, add corn and crabs. Bring to a boil, then add shrimp. Cook a few minutes until shrimp are just done-they will be pink in color. Drain and pour into a basket or onto platters. Have cocktail sauce and Dijon mustard at hand. Serve with large pitchers of iced tea. Enjoy! Happy New Year! Dee Dee

The Year 2010...A New Chapter

I bought a gift for myself.....for inspiration. Two days before Christmas I found myself in Barnes & Noble's bookstore, looking for last minute gifts.....those "just a little something extra" kind of gifts. I'm not the only one in the family that likes to draw and play around with watercolor paints, so I bought two, 2010 Calendars "Watercolor" Lesson-A-Day. Weekday sketches-to paint and Weekend Examples-For Inspiration.

The calendar was a hit with the family member and, I am quite pleased with my purchase as well. I'm encouraged and excited about the year 2010, thinking positive about all my New Year's resolutions. I have the usual ones, right there in first place....eat healthy, exercise and be careful with my diet. It's okay to think about that, but life offers much more in the way of pleasure, and this year there is more and there is better. This year I have a "happy focus," first and foremost. I have decided, that now is the time to pursue, with all that is within me, my love of drawing and watercolors. I've done my homework, and I realize to be good at anything, one has to manage time wisely, and this I promise myself to do.

I am in the beginning stages(Every artist was first an amateur."~Ralph Waldo Emerson)....learning about colors and application. So far, so good.....my family members are all so encouraging, and sweetly complimentary. No criticism thus far, for they are all most kind.

Listen carefully to first criticisms made of your work. Note just what it is about your work that critics don't like-then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping. ~Jean Cocteau

Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do.~Edgar Degas

Mr Degas, I'm still in the "having lots of fun, seemingly so easy stage." Perhaps one day, it will become difficult.....and then I, will have become a "painter."

So for the coming year I am optimistic and excited about this new chapter in my life. I'll draw a lot, arranging all that I see in some sort of patterns on all sorts of papers and materials. I will play and play and play with lovely colors. Already, the year 2010 is appealing not only to my artistic senses, but to my artistic emotions. Blessings......Dee Dee

Cooler Weather...... Plants in the Garden.....

During winter months, the leaves of the Snow Bushes turn a gorgeous salmon colored pink. Winter white Roses.....

Beautiful potted white Roses to lounge beside.....

We've just had the Palms trimmed...they continue to grow taller and taller....

We were out in the garden early this morning. The sun was shining bright and a cool breeze was blowing.....we are having absolutely gorgeous weather. I can't say the garden is any prettier during the winter months, it's just that it is a different pretty. The snow bushes take on a gorgeous pink color, the Hibiscus continue to bloom as long as we have no freezing temps, and all the plants seem to be sighing with relief from the long hot temperatures of the summer. I couldn't help but notice the white Roses, that continue to impress me most of all. I clip the blooms often, placing them in vases all over the house. They are so lovely and stay pretty for at least two weeks..... I cannot believe how beautiful they are. As you can see, finding their beauty irresistible, I continue to photograph them. Blessings...... Dee Dee click on photos

Discovery

Antique silver ladle and serving set..... Antique silver cheese knives.....

Antique silver napkin ring set.....

I suppose were all doing it, poking around on the internet, looking for after Christmas sales at our favorite stores. This morning, while visiting Pottery Barn, I discovered some pretty things...."right up my alley" as the old saying goes. The ad very clearly describes "vintage silverware that's been passed down for generations inspired." I'm really giving these some serious thought.

Blessings today..... Dee Dee

For The New Year......Think On This

We will open the book.

It's pages are blank.

We are going to put

words on them ourselves.

The book is called Opportunity

and it's first chapter is

New Years Day.~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Think On This.....

Life is opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfil it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

~Mother Teresa

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him....

A Savior has been born....He is Christ the Lord......

Merry Christmas dear friends and family...Dee Dee

Christmas Eve...and Baking Goodies

"English Shortbread"....Christmas Eve favorite with a nice flavored coffee....

An old family favorite..."Kahlua Tarts""Chocolate Fudge" with pecans.....yum....

I love Christmas Eve and how all of a sudden things settle down nicely, and we can actually enjoy all of our efforts. Normally, my baking is completed before Christmas Eve.... but an outing with the grandchildren to the ice skating rink yesterday, took priority. Not to worry, all is right on schedule now, and tomorrows table will be laden with family traditional favorites. One more thing.... I have the Gingerbread dough chilling in the frig ....saving the most fun to make for last.
This year I just may put a little frosting on those boys....we'll just see how it goes.

Best Christmas wishes....... Dee Dee

Christmas Eve....

Photo....Google Images

Christmas Eve Eve....Ice Skating

Even here in Florida we manage to have winter sports. The mall was chock-a-block full of people, all in that last minute shopping mode. I am finished with all the buying and wrapping of packages, and ready for Christmas! An outing with family, watching my grandchildren learn to ice skate just seemed to top everything off for the perfect of all Christmases. Today I'm in the kitchen preparing all sorts of goodies.......all are family favorites. click on photo...
Blessings....Dee Dee

An Early Christmas Present

My friend Bonnie knows me very well. What do you give a person for Christmas, that is quite the fan of Jan Karon's writing? A Jan Karon book would be the best of choices......and so I was pleased with her thoughtful gift of "The Mitford Snowmen...A Christmas Story...by Jan Karon. "If you find the Mitford novels a feast, you'll find The Mitford Snowmen a delicious dessert."

This evening, I'll light a few candles, have a nice flavored coffee and enjoy Ms Karon's Christmas read. Blessings..... Dee Dee

Zowey's Winter Adventure

Zowey making "snow angels"......Zowey on the sliding board....

Pictured in my header today, is "Zowey," a Florida girl (doll), belonging to my granddaughter Lily. How did she get in such a predicament? Why is she setting in the cold wet snow? Where is her "snow cap?" Well, it seems, a while back, we had family from upstate New York visiting with us. Upon their leaving, and at Lily's insistence, Zowey would accompany them back to their home, in Cooperstown New York. Lily wanted Zowey to have an adventure. As you can see by the photos, Zowey got much more adventure, than she herself would have ever bargained for. Having lived in warm weather all her doll life, she was in for drastic changes. Zowey saw snow for the first time! She learned how to make "snow angels" and would play with children that would show her how to slide down snow covered boards. Life was completely different for her, and she found that these new members of her family were fun to be with. She soon became accustomed to the cold weather and really enjoyed all the winter sports. But, even with all the fun Zowey was having, at times, she was a little sad. She missed warm sunshiney days. Zowey missed Lily most of all, and her toy friends back in Florida. One day, Zowey heard a familiar voice....it was Lily's grandmother. Unbeknown to her, she would soon be on her way back to Florida. With grandmother, she would return back to Lily, back to Lily's room and back to the shelf where she set with all of her doll friends, waiting her turn at play......and back to WARM! I hope your all having yourself a very Merry Christmas season.....Dee Dee

Luke 2:40

And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon Him.... Blessings this Christmas season.... Dee Dee

Baby's lst Christmas

I visited a new Christmas Shoppe in the Mall today and of course, with little effort at all, found an ornament for the new grandbaby in our family. The simplicity of this little glass ball, made it's selection so perfect....no whistles and bells...nothing extravagant......just sweet....like our new baby.
Blessings..... Dee Dee

Snow In The Forecast

We have family living all up and down the east coast. For most of them, in the forecast....snow and very cold weather. It does sound wonderful to me....a white Christmas... and perfect for the visions I have in my mind. I'm thinking of you all gathered around the 'Pellet Stove".....close by the Christmas tree with colored lights, and your collection of manger scenes. Stay warm family....Blessings..... Dee Dee

Wrapping Christmas Gifts

With four little "Punkin Doodles" looking for presents under my tree on Christmas day, I have lots of gifts to wrap. The children notice very little about how the packages look....and in no time at all, they've torn the papers and ribbons away. I suppose my efforts in making the packages attractive, is mostly for my enjoyment. Blessings....Dee Dee

Finished In Time For Christmas.......

I bought this fabric a short time ago....good intentions to make a pad for the "Pac n' Play. The grandbaby is 3 months old now....not to worry....it is finished just in time for Christmas. I put in extra padding, so he will like the softness and be nice and cuddly. Hmmmm....got those creative juices going "full steam ahead" today.

Blessings......Dee Dee Click on photos for a closer look at fabric pattern...

Sewing Again....

Tis the season to eat chocolate....

I'm sewing again, and this time I'm making holiday themed children's pillowcases. I love the chocolate theme.....who wouldn't. Written sporadically over the cotton fabric, are the words "Tis the season to eat chocolate." The "Hello Kitty" fabric and the "Snowmen" are a soft flannel....so sweet and cozy. I had thought to wrap them up and give as Christmas gifts, but the weather turned cooler overnight, and I've decided these will be early gifts. Blessings.....Dee Dee

Winter White Roses

I really feel bad posting "White Winter Roses," but that's how things are here in Florida. I would much rather have snow for Christmas. However, sigh.....here I set watching my Roses blooming in gloriously and wonderfully warm sunshine. But, nevermind, the weather will cool eventually, and soon, I hope, ....and we will have winter after all......Hopefully by Christmas.... Blessings..... Dee Dee

The Polar Express

Invited aboard a train to the North Pole.....would you get on board? When I saw this movie for the first time, it was instantly my new favorite children's Christmas fantasy movie. "Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me....as it does for all who truly believe in Santa Claus."

Christmas Blessings.....Dee Dee click on pictures...

Miracles

Amaryllis...Source Google Images

MIRACLES~ Some skeptics say, "Oh, the miracles, I can't accept miracles." One may drop a brown seed in the black soil and up comes a green shoot. You let it grow and by and by you pull up its root and you find it red. You cut the red root and find it has a white heart. Can any one tell how this comes about ~ how brown cast into black results in green and then in red and white? Yet you eat your radish without troubling your mind over miracles. Men are not distressed by miracles in the dining room; they reserve them all for religion! ~Bryan

Good Smells and Christmas Memories

It happens to us all.....something that will trigger a Christmas memory. Mine...the smell of a freshly peeled Clementine. This evening, I'm remembering early childhood, Christmas mornings. There were five of us children, and our stockings were filled with nuts and candies.....lots of fruit...apples, oranges and sometimes "Clementines"......

Wishing you all good Christmas memories..... Dee Dee

Christmas Is About Little Angels Too.......

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

The word Amaryllis has Greek origin, meaning "splendor." Christmas red is the choice of color in the dining area, and for the past few days, we've watched with great anticipation, for the Amaryllis to do it's magic....and so it has.....

Blessings..... Dee Dee

Poinsettia

I'm going to use this idea......

Southern Living has come up with some beautiful ways to arrange Poinsettias. Typically I bring these traditional Christmas plants home in a container, and that is where they stay. They look really pretty....but now I know they can look even better. I love how bits of evergreen are added to a pink and white Poinsettia....just gorgeous. The other arrangements are amazing for the mantel or atop a bookcase. Thank you Southern Living.....

Blessings..... Dee Dee

Christmas Images

Adding color for Christmas, to an all white living room has been interesting. Not wanting to disturb the color palette no more than slightly, I selected pastels.... colors of pale teal, blues and pale pink. This room has a peaceful feeling to it, and I'm quite pleased at how it all came together. White candles in the windows, is a tradition that adds beautifully to the ambiance. This is a lovely reminder of Christmases past spent at the home of Mamma Z, my husband's grandmother. Ah, how she loved white candles for Christmas, and each year, I think of her as I place candles in my windows. I suppose by doing so, it somehow gives recognition to the matriarch of our family. Blessings..... Dee Dee click on photos...

"Pinkish Red Peace Lily"

This time of year, the flower shops are chocked full of bedding plants and interesting, and unusual plants for Christmas. I was looking for Poinsettias when a sea of pink caught my eye. I brought one of those pretty things home with me. A"Pinkish Red Peace Lily" is really making a lovely presentation in my family room. Believe it or not, it blends beautifully with stems of evergreens with red berries. I popped this beautiful plant into my confederate blue rustic bucket, and all I can say is it caused one big ole WOW!

Blessings.... Dee Dee

Think On This

My front door Christmas Wreath...

Fail not to call to mind, in the course of the twenty-fifth of this month, that the

"Divinest Heart" that ever walked the earth was born on that day, and then smile and enjoy yourselves for the rest of it; for mirth is also of Heaven's making. ~Leigh Hunt

Blessings..... Dee Dee

Andrea Bocelli and Decorating

There is no better way for getting one in the Christmas spirit, than watching Andrea Bocelli and David Foster in a Christmas special. Andrea Bocelli, wearing all white, surrounded by beautiful children...very nice. Andrea Bocelli singing Jingle Bells, perfect! Things are coming together with my decorating...slowly but surely.... I've a few more errands to run, and then the Christmas trees are going up.

Blessings..... Dee Dee

Candlelight.....and planning....

Today I made just a little effort in decorating for Christmas. I've been visiting some very pretty Blogs, located in Holland and the Netherlands. These girls have got some wonderful ideas for decorating with lovely bulbs being forced into bloom. They're using lots of white, galvanized rustic tin and delicate green ivy plants. Place this against white slip-covered furniture, and they really have that "Dutch Cottage" thing going on. Hmm....I like it so much, this is going to be the focus in my living room for Christmas, this year. I found a beautiful red Hyacinth today, but want a white one as well. I have a few more places to visit tomorrow, in order to pull this together. Look at my next few post, and hopefully be amazed at my efforts. Until then....I'm relaxing and enjoying the one bit of Christmas decor in place tonight.....Candlelight....

Blessings.....Dee Dee