Happy New Year!

December Photo Album

Not many photos for my December photo album.  It's been such a busy month that I haven't taken all that many pictures.

Got these beautiful pomegranets at Sam's.  They tasted as good as they looked!

An extremely low light photo of an ornament on our Christmas tree.

Ornaments on Sis's tree.

St. Louis, MO ornament.

Happy New Year to you all!

Cupcakes and the Princess

Shortly before Christmas we were graced by a visit from the wee Fairy Princess and her ladies in waiting (that would be her Grandma K and Mama H).  She is always so incredibly good when she visits that we decided to do something that would be fun for her too.

Himself whipped up a batch of homemade chocolate cupcakes and I got a supply of frostings and sprinkles.

The wee Princess loved it.  She is a champion sprinkler and frosting tester.

We all worked away at decorating the cupcakes.  We put a cookie sheet down for the Princess's work area.  That kept the frosting, sprinkles, and crumbs contained...mostly.  LOL

And Princess tested more frosting.

I tried swirling two of the frostings together.  It didn't work so good!

Still testing...

And here's our end product that she took home to her daddy.  Plus all the laughter that went along.

Fun times!

Gotta Tell You About: Tommy's Old Fashioned Jerky and Smokies

While on my Christmas shopping excursion, we stopped by a shop in Clarksville we hadn't yet visited.  Tommy's Jerky and Smokies ( http://www.tommysjerkyclarksville.com/ ) was on our list to stop by but we hadn't made time until now.  But since Big J is a fan of jerky I thought perhaps this would be a good Christmas gift for him.

As soon as I walked in, I knew I had hit the shopping jackpot!

One side of the store was lined with all sorts of jerky in different flavors and heat levels.

The other was lined with 'smokies' (beef or pork sticks).

The flavors ranged from mild to HOT.

And you can sample every single one of them!  (This cherry maple is our favorite.)

There is also a cold case with brats and sausages.  

Need something to go with the jerky?  There is even more to see in the store...

Salsa, jellies, spices...

Deep fried peanuts...

And for the really strong of heart and stomach... jalapeno chips.  Oh my goodness!

There is a selection of cute Western themed gifts.

Do you have a man who is impossible to shop for?  How about a "Man Can" candle?  They come in all sorts of manly scents like the above 'campfire' (which smelled wonderful!) to gun powder, cigar, and dirt.

Perfect for a man cave!

Tommy's Jerky and Smokies is at 1788 Wilma Rudolph Blvd (caddy corner from the Co-Op), and is open 7 days a week from 11am to 7pm (except Sunday they close at 5pm).

Under The Christmas Tree

We're back from our Christmas trip to MO.  It's always so much fun to watch the babies (OK... kids) with their new toys.  This year Sis and Big J bought each a large item for a main present and used the accessories for smaller gifts.  Brilliant!

They were thrilled with the doll house and train table.

That should keep those little hands busy for a long while!

(She's sporting her first 'pump knot'.  She ran into a light pole when she was running around not paying attention to big metal things in front of her.)

I think our budding decorator with be rearranging furniture endlessly.

Then it was time to open presents from Auntie and Unca...

Little Bird got her first 'credit card'... one of those Visa gift card things.  The grand thing about it is that it can be used at any store.  We weren't sure what to get her and she loves to shop.  She was thrilled.  

Little Hoss wanted Legos so we got him the Duplo block variety.  The storage container is SO cute!

All too soon... for them... it was over.

Then it was time to PLAY!

May Your Christmas Be Blessed

Sweet Potato Surprise

Nope, my sweet potato surprise isn't a new Thanksgiving recipe.

Remember this spring I planted ornamental sweet potatoes in my front planters?

Well, I had quite a surprise when I pulled out the old vines while cleaning up the front porch...

There were sweet potatoes growing... and some where pretty big!  Wow.  I guess I thought that the ornamentals wouldn't grow the tubers.

From what I've read, the ornamentals are not very tasty and most sites suggested storing them to grow slips from next year.

Sounds like a plan to me!

Last Minute Christmas Gifts and Crafts

Are you busy with Christmas fun?  We certainly are and loving every minute!

This last week we attended the Christmas luncheon for my Homemakers group.  It was held at a local restaurant that opens for special events.

 

The best part of the meal was the Derby Pie for dessert!

Then we headed over to the Ag Extension office to see the displays for the 100th Year Celebration.

There were ideas for last minute Christmas gifts...

And funny ideas for Christmas party gag gifts.

In my books... chocolate is NEVER a gag gift!  LOL

Laughing over the gift ideas.

And there were some cute craft ideas too.

LOVE this Christmas ornament wreath!  This would be great to get started with ornaments bought at after Christmas sales.

And this would be a good craft for the kids to do as presents.

Corks can be bought too, if needed.  And you could use up snippets of leftover fabric for the wings.

Only FIVE more days until Christmas!