6 years

Today is 6 years since Bobby passed away. I still think about him every day. I miss him always. I loved him so much and I'm sure as much as any woman has ever loved a man.

I imagine I always will.

If you plan on going out tonight, be careful of drunk drivers, shooters, people being careless. Don't drink, be a parent first, and get home safely.

I'm glad to be saying goodbye to 2008. It was hard for a lot of people. I was blessed in 2008, despite the economy. God took care of me this year, like every year. I didn't go hungry, the kids had a good Christmas, I was warm enough in the winter, I had a safe running car, I was cool in the summer, all my needs were met, and my family members were all safe.

I pray for 2009 and for the changes taking place. For Madison, who has yet to be born, for David, who's leaving for the Army. I know it will be hard on Heather. For Katie, who's daycare is up in the air. I know that in all things though, God works them out, so I have to trust in him.

Cat Hunting

Heather went to the movies today, so Katie and I went cat hunting again. She's a world class cat hunter and likes to go at least once everytime she comes to visit.

She spotted one under a truck and sprang into action
She goes anywhere to catch a cat. She got stuck under here and I had to pull her out. If I had let her, she would have crawled all the way under.

ah ha! Eye to eye with her prey

He's in the bushes. She's telling grandma on him.

Trying to explain things to kitty

With a quick jump, he was over the fence

Watching him leave.

She went on the slide afterwards. She really does have a pattern of things she likes to do when visiting grandma.

She got up and slid down all by herself and that made her happy.

Chalkboard

Katie got a new chalkboard for Christmas. We haven't had time to set it up yet. She was playing with it the other night while I was babysitting her. She decided she liked eating the chalk much more than drawing with it.

drawing a bit Putting on "lipstick"

Dusting it off
Chalk lips. She looks just like her grandpa Bobby in this picture. I missed him so much this Christmas

Bath time!

Katie Loves her Wubbzy

Katie got her Wubbzy Blanket for Christmas and she loves it. She was so excited. She got one of her rails taken down too, so now she's a big girl. She's messy in the picture but I love her expression.

She rolled around and around on it.
She loves Wubbzy!

Pretending to sleep

She was so excited!

It's A Wonderful Life Ending

I watched this for Christmas. Great movie.

Christmas 2008

Desiree's Camera on the left. Heather's on the right. These were their big gifts this year. They've been wanting nice cameras for so long.

Katie was so adorable yesterday in her little dress. She looked so sweet. Heather bought it at Gottchalks. She would have just as soon got a balloon for Christmas. She had no interest. She likes her coloring books best, so far. I think it's too overwhelming for small kids. Heather is at home trying to get all her things together for her. She took so many pictures with her camera, but in the midst of everything going on, I didn't take any pictures.

The house had a dozen balloons floating around. Katie, David and Hannah had fun playing with them.

Katie was woken up and her cheeks were flushed from laying on them.
You can see who ended up with all the balloons.

I tried to get her to look into the camera just once, but there was too much going on and she just wouldn't cooperate.

Here she is, like a little lady.

She loves this little musical toy box. I found it at a yard sale for $5. It plays music. She loves turning it off and on. She also enjoys trying to pull them off.

Desiree did hers and Heather's hair. She was watching Wow Wow Wubbzy here.

Still trying to get a picture of Katie. Nothing was working.

Heather loved her camera. I gave it to her before everyone got there so that she could take pictures of the kids opening their gifts. I have a picture of her seeing it for the first time and her eyes are bugged out. She'd be mad if I posted it. She was really happy to get it.

Waiting for everyone to come. Desiree getting her camera.

Christmas was so much fun. Katie got her Wubbzy stuff, Hannah got her Yo Gabba Gabba, and David got lots of clothes mostly, and some toys. Hannah loved her Yo Gabba Gabba doll and was dancing around like crazy. We were laughing so much, watching her dance. She was shaking her tiny little legs and hands so fast.

Afterwards, they got on the roller coaster. The loved it. They kept taking turns and Hannah kept complaining that she wasn't getting her turn. David, once again, monopolized it, and Katie, who was afraid at first, loved walking up and down the track.

The aftermath

Merry Christmas!

Almost ready for Christmas

I stayed home from work today and cleaned and cooked for Christmas.

Luke 2:8-14 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.

Merry Christmas!

Dessert table. Only one dessert. LOL
The living room. Katie loves that rockin' Santa. Do you see that I have a pillow fetish?
The snow village. My newest addition this year was Super Wal-Mart. I didn't put all of them up this year. It's too much work, but I wanted to do a little for Katie. She loves the village. The swing set up front has been hot glued back together. That seems to be her favorite piece.

I made traditional Thanksgiving Day food, really. Turkey, yams, stuffing, asparagas (yum), mashed potatoes, broccoli, and rolls. My mom is bringing a ham. Mary is supposed to bring the drinks.

Sweet potatoes are my favorite. I still have to add the marshmallows. I like them browned and crispy. I made them the way my mom does. Pineapple, orange juice concentrate, brown sugar, cinnamon.....except I added a few pecans.

The rolls are self-rising. They came out really light and fluffy.

This was my first time making a turkey. I didn't like pulling out the giblits or stuffing his little feet inside the skin. Made me kind of sick. One of the reasons I don't eat meat is because I used to watch my mom cut up poultry and it made me sick. I haven't gotten over that yet. Because it's my first time making a turkey, I did it in the bag. I thought it would be the safest way. I don't eat it so I have no idea if it will be good, but I hope it is. This is what I dread making most.

I am worried about you birdie. Please don't be dry or bloody.

(a couple years ago my brother brought a bloody turkey for Thanksgiving. yikes)

I forgot to add butter to my stuffing initially. I cooked it half way and plan to do the rest after the turkey, but noticed it was umm...dry. What in the world. Then I realized I didn't add any butter. Duh. It is good though. I basically followed the way my mom makes that too, but just didn't add as much sage. Hers is usually green. People always ask "WHY IS IT GREEN?"

These are cheese hashbrowns with sour cream and cream of chicken soup. Got the recipe from wowpinkroses

Glazed carrots.

The bird. It looks done. I don't know if it is. hmm...

I stuffed it with an apple. Hope that it has a good flavor.

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread

I'm making pumpkin bread right now from a recipe I found online.

It smells so good I can hardly stand it.

I love pumpkin bread. mmmmmmmm...all the spices.

I have to wrap it up in seran wrap for Christmas.

I hope it tastes as good as it smells.



SUBMITTED BY: Laurie Bennett
This is a great old Maine recipe, moist and spicy. The bread actually tastes even better the day after it is baked. Great for holiday gift giving!"

RECIPE RATING: ***** (5 out of 5 stars)

Read Reviews (2,330)
Review/Rate This Recipe

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PREP TIME 15 Min
COOK TIME 50 Min
READY IN 1 Hr 5 Min
Original recipe yield 3 - 7x3 inch loaf pans

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger


DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.