Ruth - I just added that recipe to my mailbox. It's very similar to one I make as well of that site...um...this one: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cabbage...ew/detail.aspx. Ahhhh...mine had celery and picante in it as well. You just gave me an idea!!

Chickade - I'm with you, sometime it's easier to just lurk. Definately can stay on P2 forever...I think P3 gets you in more trouble!

I'm relaxing for a few minutes on the couch, before I start the day. We have church this am, and this evening our bible study is coming over for a Christmas party, so a LOT of cleaning is in order! The bday sleepover was a success, I was beyond thrilled everyone slept thru the night. The girl that stayed as A LOT OF ENERGY!!! WHEW!!

Have a great day!

Good morning Chickies It's mighty cold out there. Guess it's that time of year.

Ruth - Apparently when we were kids we drove to Gananoque. I don't remember a thing about it but my Mom still talks about it Hope you have nice driving weather for your day and something warming waiting for you at home after the dinner.

Chickadee - I do the drive by posts lots of mornings. You can always just wave as you run by
I suspect most maintainers here never really move off of Phase 2. I stick to 1.5 most of the time, even after several years. This is all about learning what works for you and then sticking with it.

Jenne - fun wedding?

Schmoodle - Stuff like that makes me glad I don't have neighbors close enough to notice. Hope this morning starts quieter.

Chel - I am missing something about this whole elf thing. Please take pity on me and explain!

Debbie - I made a huge batch of applesauce with the usual cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and a smidge of cloves. Really hit the spot. However I went searching and found a bean gingerbread recipe that's I'm trying today

Karen - Hope you made it through the day without too much damage

Yesterday I hauled the Christmas bins out of storage for the first time in several years. I finally broke down and listed the large village on freecycle. I collected fanatically for several years but I just don't have the space or motivation to take it out anymore. I'm very excited that someone who lost all their stuff in the August floods is going to take it. Can't think of a better place for my treasures to go! I did have fun sorting out all the special ornaments I bought DD when she was young and the ornaments I picked up for DW and my first trees. Those I will keep.

Today it's cleaning, baking and maybe some shopping. Found another perfect job and am pulling together a letter for it. Just 15 hours/wk doing something I would love would fit nicely with my contract and move me in the direction I want to go. Not going to get my hopes up though, it's a crazy job market out there.

Okay, time for more coffee. Hope your day has something fun and something festive and just enough time to relax and enjoy it all.

Good morning. I'm enjoying my coffee with a splash of chocolate mint coconut milk in it this morning, and it's quite tasty.

Your plans for the day sound pleasant, Ruth, and hang on to that willpower! Wish I could be there for the dress rehearsal tonight!

Chickadeee, yes, you can stay on Phase 2 forever, and that's what I'm doing. Life happens, and it's meant for us to enjoy, with moderation. As long as I know I can jump right back on the wagon, I'm very happy to follow this plan for the rest of my life.

Moderation will be the key for me this afternoon for the cookie exchange at my SIL's. Gina is also providing lunch, but she's also very health-conscious, so I should be OK. I know the wine will be flowing, though. I just have to keep in mind that I'll have a 45 minute drive home afterwards.

Hopefully, while I'm gone this afternoon, Jake will have all the gifts wrapped and under the tree. Wishful thinking? Maybe.

Cyndi! I'm glad your treasured village is going to a good home. Let us know how the bean gingerbread turned out.

Hey all,
Woke with a headache this morning, which I detest - my sinuses sometimes give me real problems, seems especially so after drinking white wine the night before. Most people have problems with red, I have problems with white.

Yesterday was an odd day for me emotionally. My son had a birthday party to attend and we picked up some of his friends on the way. The friends had hosted a gingerbread party right before we picked them up. We had not been invited. I asked myself, why am I doing this mom a favor when she didn't even invite my kid to her party???? Then we all went on to the birthday party, which was a karate party. My son does not like karate so he elected to sit out (which I told him was fine) but he did want to break the board at the end. The sensei told him he couldn't break the board in front of all the other kids like everyone else because he hadn't participated. He said he would have to break the board alone after everyone had cake. I thought this was very punative. I didn't say anything to my friend who was hosting, but I was not the only one who thought it was f**ked up so I am sure she will hear about it.

(sigh) today is another day. Church this morning, which will be the Xmas pageant, and then I have a church group after. This afternoon we're going to buy some booze for friends for Xmas gifts and then out to dinner. Hope everyone has a great day!

Hi

I've been up trying to get my printer to work...no luck I think I will go back to bed because I can. Just got word that another relative will show up the day after my Sis so I'd better enjoy relaxing while I can. I'm at call for work today so the phone is bedside.

Have a great day everyone!

Happy Sunday! I refused to go to the flea market with Jeff this morning. It's 31 degrees. brrrr!

Cyndi, The Elf is a marketing success that I wish I would have invented! $32 for the elf! I noticed on facebook that my SIL's two kids had elves show up this weekend, too. I can do that math... Anyway, the Elf has a direct line to Santa. He reports naughty or nice. He does 'mischief' in the house at night. He has to return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. It's some fun Christmas magic.

Mathilda, I'm not interested in my son being punished at a birthday party either. Crazy!

Chickadeee, Personals aren't required. I like hearing what you are up to and seeing your pretty pictures.

Cottage, Chocolate mint coffee sounds yummy! My Christmas tradition is buying eggnog for my coffee. It is too good, but I've refrained this year... Have you seen the calories/sugar in it???

Debbie, I'm sending Auston over so I can go back to bed, too.

Ruth and Twynn, I would love that soup, but the men in my life would complain about the cabbage.

Auston and I have to get dressed and run to town. He has to get his dad a Christmas present. Since Alabama is in the National Championship game, we think he needs a Bama jersey. Last night, he was playing with his new Android tablet and said, "I need headphones." I love it when he gives me ideas!

My Bunko Christmas party is this afternoon in a neighborhood south of Birmingham. I think I'm leaving early and going shopping at a REAL store OUT of Blount County! There may be too many options!

Good morning!

Our house guests leaves soon; we are all picked up after last night's party; I'm ready to get back to routine today. Except I think I'll take another day off cardio to heal my calf more.

I dropped my camera today and broke it so will need to research new ones I hate doing that. Also, time to get cracking on holiday shopping and sending out cards.

Have a great day, all.

Afternoon all,

Yes, the wedding was ok -not too much fun as I was still under the weather (and even more so as I got really sick when I got home. Wonder if it was from the single pastry I had?) but I went into shock reality when NONE OF MY FANCY CLOTHES FIT! All three dresses that I own don't fit. I wore a sweater and skirt but had to hike the skirt to under my b00bs in order for it to "fit"!!!

I am now down to really big work pants and 2 work shirts. I've got nothing else. Hopefully, I can buy some clothes next week if I get some Christmas gifts in the mail.

Karen - what kind of camera are you looking at? Point and shoot?
Cyndi - fingers crossed for you too!

Off for more coffee. Was up until 6a with that stomach issue so it's really my morning right now. TTYL

Absolutely! That's the entirety of my skills. I forgot all about this today and think I might be best to table it until after the holiday, hoping for a deal. But I did order lots of stocking stuffers online and priced tons of books that my son wants. Will order those tomorrow.