Oh' The Joys Of Christmas...

Christmas Magic

I thought I would share some random photos from the Christmas holiday. We spent the day of Christmas Eve in Caltigrone, Italy. We had a nice stroll through the town and did a little last minute shopping in the pottery stores.

Very neat!


Lana enjoying her buggy ride around town!



So pretty!


Jayce helping me prepare the food by chopping veggies...


Christmas Day



Sleepy head Jayce! LOL!



Goodies in the stockings.



Lana enjoyed herself unwrapping the gifts!

Yes, I made those… Rosemary stems with mozzarella cheese and sundried tomatoes with Italian herbs and seasonings.

Lana giving our friend a hug after dinner.



Lana enjoyed one last surprise package from grandma before bed!

Yesterday


Jayce making smores... hehehe!

My little blue-eyed beauty!

Monday Memories

(Christmas, 1999)

Fashion Friday-'Tis The Season For....

UGG!

The chill of autumn and winter brings the need for warm and coziness provided by UGG! I’ve had this handbag for quite a few years and I still love it! Like most of their products, it’s made out of grade-A sheepskin which is dense and soft and the inside is lined with an ever so soft fleece. I actually love all that UGG has to offer…their boots, handbags, slippers, and gloves!! ♫♪ Tis the season to be jolly, ♪♫ Fa la la la la ♪♪,♫ la la la la.♫♪

Travel Tuesday- Foods Galore

Our Favorite Foods of Germany

I sparked this idea after I created our Thanksgiving menu and have since been preparing our Christmas menu. The holidays are such a creative way to explore new foods as well as prepare favorites such as, pecan pie, turkey, and stuffing that are always a staple for the holidays. I’ve been meaning to share this post for quite some time, but instead I have been enjoying my break from college and hanging around the house…

You may or may not share these same food ethos. But, I thought I would provide you with a general idea of some of our experiences that our taste buds have thoroughly enjoyed! I plan on posting other foods prepared from various regions of Europe we have visited and tasted as well.

Bon Appetite!

A true Chocolate German Cake.

Fish swathed in a crispy Lowenbrau Bier batter.

An overflowing plate of crackling roast pork belly, char-grilled kassler, chicken schnitzel and sausages (Yes, that is egg on top).

This twelve ounce well marbled rib-eye steak was seasoned with crushed peppercorns and seared to perfection.

Sauerkraut.

Salzstangen (hot soft German pretzel).

Oh, the choices!!

THE BEST chocolate croissant EVER!

Monday Memories

(Delana, Christmas 1981)

Monday Memories

(Jayce and his PaPa, 2007)

Christmas Is In The Air

Christmas Decoration Tour

I just wanted to share a few images of our “good times” as we decorated our home in spirit of the Christmas Season.

As you can see, the boys are putting the lights on the Christmas tree. We’ve had this tree for a very long time; it holds many special memories for us. In the past, we have had more than one tree displayed, but we just don’t have the space here. I'm looking forward to next year, when we are in our new home and able to put up more trees!

BJ and Jayce are placing the bulbs and other ornaments on the tree. During our travels abroad we have bought Christmas ornaments to reflect our memories. We also have many homemade decorations by Jayce! I can’t wait till Lana makes her decorations and they get added to the collection!

Our beautiful tree! Yes, I already wrapped the presents I bought (the boys still have to wrap some). I’m actually finished with my Christmas shopping. Well, let me rephrase that, I will probably continue shopping, but I’ve already purchased my favorite items for my family and friends!

These ginger bread dolls were given to us by the USO while traveling during a past holiday season. If you are ever interested in volunteering to honor the troops, or would like to send care packages to the families serving overseas or at war, contact your local USO. Those volunteers are so kind and do so much for the service members and their families. I am so thankful for their commitment to us.

Our stockings...

I just love these! They are so cute!

I have a more formal table cloth that I will use on Christmas dinner, but until then, I like to use this runner. Its fun and I love snowmen! In the past, I would use this runner on our kitchen table or breakfast bar. Love it!

My little project, it turned out nicely. Cute, huh?! I think so!

Fashion Friday-The Day After Thanksgiving

Black Friday

Thousands camp out in crowded lots
Hyped up sleep deprived all for the best spot
From Macey’s, Toys R Us, Kohl’s, and Wal-Mart
To Target, Best Buy, Sears, and Kmart
Arriving for store wide savings and discounts
They wrap around corners and tension mounts
Beginner’s are there expecting crowds and fun
While pro’s with know-how come to get things done
As the clock tolls the hour, the gun shot sounds
Doors open wide to the holiday battlegrounds
Mayhem erupts and the frenzy begins
For hot ticket holiday items to win
At out of hand stores the police regulate
For when someone is trampled no one hesitates
An employee is hit in the ravenous race
While a guy makes it through with a slash on his face
People are pushing, shoving, and slapping
Yanking or pulling, trampling and grabbing
Carts in arms are full of merchandise
Shelves and isles empty before your eyes
Hear screams and see fights, all wanting more
In every department, in every store
It’s an estrogen driven women’s domain
Where men remain silent and from fights abstain
They dubbed it black Friday not for all of the madness
But for red market stores who may have made less
And for families it’s all about the savings and gifts
All worth the chaos at the stores that they thrift

My friend’s daughter, Alicia, is the author of this poem. She is very talented!! I thought it would be fun to post it for Fashion Friday. Thank you Alicia, for allowing me to share with others!

Thanksgiving at The Keller's

Thanksgiving Dinner
Menu

Appetizers:
Fresh vegetable platter & dip * Broccoli florets, carrot sticks, English cucumbers, celery, and topping if off with cherry tomatoes.
Fresh fruit platter * Cantaloupe, kiwi, grapes, along with sliced apples.
French bread with fire and earth spread
Cheese log with salted crispies

Main course:
Oven roasted turkey
Savory cornbread stuffing & gravy
Sweet corn on the cob
Garlic herbed green beans
Homemade mashed potatoes
Deluxe twice baked potatoes
Dinner rolls

Desserts:
Supreme banana cream pie
Autumn spiced pumpkin pie
The Infamous Boston cream pie
Gourmet chocolate chip cookies

Beverages:
Refreshing ice water
Sherbet cream punch
Sparking soda * Cherry coke cola, coke cola, fanta, cherry limeade, and vanilla cream soda.
Gambino Alcante wine

Enjoy your meal!

The above menu was created by Jayce for our dinner. We wish everyone the most grateful holiday!

Monday Memories- Thanksgiving at Jackson's

A few years ago, while living in Pensacola, we had Thanksgiving at Jackson’s restaurant, and enjoyed a traditional southern turkey dinner away from home. I know it’s not the typical Thanksgiving, but occasionally we like to spice things up and do things differently! It was a very appetizing meal to say the least. The restaurant is superb in every way…. Be sure to check it out thru the link above..

The entrance.

My handsome chap's!

Going inside...

Now, we’ll start with me at the dinner table…

And Jayce...

Last, BJ enjoying his meal...

One of my favorite photo's of the three of us! BEAUTIFUL!


Here we are going home.. To indulge in desserts of all sorts!

Love And Hope Thursday

Praying Hands

This photo was taken in 2005 during my visit home for my mom’s surgery. It is the Praying Hands Monument that is located at the entrance into the Oral Roberts University. It’s simply beautiful.

Two Years Ago Today