THIS IS MY YARD!!!!

I'm not a huge winter fan, but this past week has been absolutely fabulous!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

This past weekend I FINALLY pulled out some Christmas decor and spruced up the house just a bit. It doesn't seem like it should be Christmas time already and I'm having a hard time getting prepared!!


Today we had quite a bit of snowfall...

While the snow fell, I hunkered down inside and got serious about some baking!

I found the recipe for these cookies here. They looked delicious, so I had to give them a try.

I'm not really sure what this is, but it has lots of caramel, chocolate and white chocolate. Looks edible!!

I'm looking forward to the kids coming home from college this weekend and we're going to do some serious shopping...yes, I'm THAT far behind!!

Two New Reviews

Aaahhhh! I have not been keeping up with this blog as I would like...

Since I started working this summer I cannot seem to accomplish as much as I would like, go figure! However, I have been doing a TON of reading (hmmm...my new job is at the library). I have read nearly 50 books in the past 5 months. I received two books from Waterbrook Multnomah to review.

More Than A Match by Michael and Amy Smalley is an excellent read for any couple considering marriage. The Smalleys use many illustrations and stories from their own experiences. They are very straight forward and the reading is enjoyable. Beginning with 5 keys to compatibility, the authors move through several pertinent topics such as what to look for in a guy/girl, how to handle a relationship that is not working out, and a lot of time is spent addressing the physical relationship. There is also a section on divorce risk factors. At the end of each chapter, questions are given that provide a good review of what has been written. Because of their candor and easy style of writing, I believe that this book would be very appealing to young couples and I highly recommend it! If you know of an engaged or dating couple, perhaps you'd like to consider this for a Christmas gift!

The second book is 99 Ways to stretch Your Home Budget by Cheri Gillard. This is a handy book to have! Just as the title suggests, Gillard lists 99 money stretching ideas. Idea #1 is as simple as meal planning. Each idea comes with a paragraph or two of explanation ending with how much money could be saved per week/year. I must say though, that I didn't come across any major "aha" ideas. These were pretty much your standard budget stretching ideas. However, I plan on checking back with the book from time to time just as a reminder and to make sure that I'm keeping my budget in check! Waterbrook Multnomah offers a lot more "99 Ways" books. You can check out all of their books here.

Scavenger Hunt

Today I am playing along with http://www.apreacherswife.com/. She is having a Scavenger Hunt for women whose husbands are in the ministry, to help us get to know others. The idea is to read through the answers and be able to answer questions about other ministry wives. The first two to answer the questions correctly will win a copy of The Pioneer Woman's cookbook!! If you are not familiar with her, I suggest you take a peek at her sight and be prepared to stay for a loooong time. (Hint: you might want to start by looking at these apple dumplings. They are simply to die for! Just so you know, I stole this picture from her site and I hope that I haven't done something very illegal!!So here goes...

1. First Name: Cathy

2. State and Country of Residence: Wisconsin, USA

3. Husband's Ministry Title: Pastor

4. Length of time in Current Ministry Location: 17 years

5. Children: Girl, 23; Girl, 21; Boy 18

6. Number of unique homes in which you've lived during your marriage: We have lived in 11 homes in the 25 years of our marriage. But by far the most unique would have to be the apartment we lived in for a short time when beginning seminary. The hardwood floors were painted yellow and white stripes and the appliances were painted bright blue. :)

7. Cook Sunday lunch or eat out? We have a light lunch every Sunday at our church. This is done on a rotation basis, so I only have to bring food about every 6 weeks!!

8. Typically on time for Sunday School or not? Always on time!

9. Favorite TV show: Survivor and Chopped (the Food Network)

10. Something you watch/like/do that you would never tell the church people: Well, since some of them read this blog...I find this an unfair question. ;) (There's a clue in this answer as to one person I'm referring to...let's see if she catches it!! Ha!!

11. Most annoying church-related pet peeve: People who are not willing to serve (although we do not have too many of those.)

12. One thing you need to throw away but can't bring yourself to do it: Lots of paper accumulation from 17 years of homeschooling.

13. The one food you can not live without: Coffee

14. Parsonage or have your own home: Own home

15. Freak when the doorbell rings or always ready for a visitor? It's usually a half-freakish event!!

Favorites!!!

Whenever I am on vacation and I find myself checking out the "tourist-trap shops," I always gravitate toward the mugs. I'm not really sure why, but there is just something about sitting down in the morning with a great cup of coffee with a mug from a favorite place. Each one has been carefully chosen...not only does it have to look right, it has to "feel" right, too. These are a few of my favorites!!