The Elf on the Shelf...

Oh my, we are into the Christmas Tradtion, "The Elf on the Shelf"... Layton is just precious.  I love a child's imagination!

The synopsis of this tradition is:

"The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition™ is an activity the entire family will enjoy. Based on the tradition Carol Aebersold began with her family in the 1970s, this cleverly rhymed children's book explains that Santa knows who is naughty and/or nice because he sends a scout elf to every home. During the holiday season, the elf watches children by day and reports to Santa each night. When children awake, the elf has returned from the North Pole and can be found hiding in a different location. This activity allows The Elf on the Shelf to become a delightful hide-and-seek game."

Lauren called me tonight, Layton is looking on the Ipad to see pics of the elf, which we named "Chippey" from the movie.  I had to send him a pic of "Chippey", which you see above!  He sooooo believes!

A boy and his dog...

If you are on Facebook, I know you already see alot of my pics...but my blog is my diary!

I love this pic that Layton's daddy sent me.  This little boy loves this dog... "Aida"

We Believe in Santa :)...

This looks easy, right?  It took an hour to get to this point... I needed to run to the mall, and guess what?  Santa was only 30 minutes from starting his  picture taking.  Layton was so excited until the moment Santa arrived.  Once he saw him he was not sitting in his lap.  But, he did not want to go home.  So, we started out way back, then we inched up in line to the gate, then to steps away from Santa.  Poor Layton, he kept his fingers in his mouth and was actually nervous, I think..... but, he would not go home.  Then, all of a sudden it was our turn, Santa held out his hands and Layton sat on his knee.  You can see in the first 2 pics that he was tearing at his shrit..... forced smile, "cheese", "cheese", he kept saying! 

Then, Santa, held Layton's hands and placed them in his lap, there comes that big smile, just like his momma!  Lauren, I know you are so glad I am the one doing this!  Lauren did not care for sitting in Santa's lap either!

Layton was so proud!  We ate lunch and as we headed out, Santa saw him, and said "bye buddy, see ya later", OMG, the look on Layton's face was priceless.

He is getting so big..... I don't have many more days like this!  Perfect Day,

Another Perfect Day from God!

Holiday Happy...

Some things just make me happy, and soaps around the house are on of them!  I love Bath and Body Works hand soaps.  I made a special trip to the mall (which is not my favorite thing) today with Layton.  He is into the soaps also!  6 for $20, and I had a 20% coupon... yea, love this!  It is just the small things y'all, presentation...

Cake Balls...okay I did it!

Okay, so I finally tried to make cake balls.  Lauren told me that she cried the first time she made them, she was so frustrated.  As much as we bake, I could not imagine them being very hard to do...so the fun began.


Cake Balls

Bake a cake according to directions on the BOX :)  Any flavor you desire.
While the cake is warm, fold in, one can of bought icing... Any flavor you desire.
I used the Funfetti cake mix and icing. 
After mixing, refrigerate 2 hours.
Roll in small balls.  Freeze at least 6 hours.
Remove from freezer, melt white chocolate in the microwave according to directions on package.
Dip each ball in the mixture, let dry on parchment or wax paper and decorate as desired.

Wah lah, here they are!  :)  I am not sure I really know how to dip these lil' stubborn things, but I will learn...

Peacock Blue...

This is an old pic of the family room, with valances and blinds...

I am in Love with Peacock Blue.  I went to Pier 1 Imports and purchased
these curtains, took down the valances and blinds, and wah lah...
Not the best pics but it gives you the idea of a "change"... :)

Date Loaf Candy...

I love to bake this time of year...you may see more sweets posted!

Date Loaf Candy is a family Tradition

1 cup white sugar

2 cups brown sugar

1 stick butter

1 cup evaporated milk,

Combine in saucepan, cook over medium heat till candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees.  Don't let the thermometer skare you, this is so easy!

Remove from heat and add 1 cup chopped pecans, and 1 cup of chopped dates.  ( I use the Dole dates, already chopped, resealable bag).

Stir, stir, stir, I wait till it thickens just a tad, then I use a cookie scoop and spoon onto big trays lined with parchment paper.  Let cool, and then transfer to a cookie tin.  This candy is devine, even more devine with coffee!  Oh my, I must go grab a piece.

Turkey Humor...

I would love to see my family's face if I did this! :) 

Big Plans...

D L Moody,
"If God is your partner, make BIG plans."

I heard this quote today after reading Proverbs 16:3, one of my favorite verses.
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
   and your plans will succeed."

I pondered on this today as I received news in my business that I was not the "chosen" Realtor.  Yes, I had sought after this client, but I also knew, that I had prayed for God's will in this situation.  As I read the email today, I was at peace.  God truly is my partner, how can I fail?  So, once again, in reading the Bible this morning, about committing all to God, and then listening and retaining what I hear  preached, I was totally "okay".  We have to remember, do our best, and leave the rest to God.  Hey, he is bigger, he is better, He is God.  From the beginning, what beginning?  we cannot comprehend, the "beginning", but HE  was, and will always be.  I think I am getting off the subject, but I was listening to James MacDonald this week talking about how vast the universe is, quoting what scientist believe, concering size, galaxies, vastNESS...if that is a word?  I woke up yesterday morning thinking about the  EARTH, just dangling out in space, I am just a DOT (.), yet, God ordained me from the "beginning".  There we are again, the "beginning".  If you go there in your mind, how can you not believe there is a GOD?  I bet when D L Moody, said, make BIG plans, could he have possibly been thinking about how BIG our God is, how BIG our universe is? How nothing is impossible with God? Hmmm, just sayin'.......

Deep thoughts, more deep thoughts, I am still pondering tonight...

903 Joel Drive, Tyler, TX 75703...

New Listing...
903 Joel Drive, Tyler, TX 75703  MLS # 10016479  $139,900
Click below for the virtual tour !

 http://vu.realbiz360.com/Listing-880689.html

Pecan Pie Mini Muffins...

This pic courtesy of the internet, I forgot to take one...

My mother's friend Eugenia made these mini muffins, oh my, they taste just like pecan pie.  Talk about portion control, :)

Pecan Pie Mini Muffins

Combine 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 t baking powder, and 1/4 t salt.  Stir together 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 large eggs lightly beaten and 1 t vanilla.

Add to dry ingredients. Stir till moistened.

Spray mini muffin pans with "Baker's Joy + Flour".  Fill 1/2-2/3 full. 

Bake at 350 until toothpick comes out clean.

(A Southern Living Recipe)

Surely Says...Texas Real Estate Update...

For those of you who do not receive my monthly real estate postcard, here are the stats
on  November 2011  card.
Single Family Residential MLS Home Stats
2011 YTD SOLD Stats
$0-$100K          323     22%
$100-$200K      753     52%
$200-$300K      236     16%
$300-$500K      116      8%
$500K +             27       2%

10  Month Current Supply of Properties on the market.
Avg Price Sold           $172,041
Median Price Sold     $144,500

Keeping you informed!

Easy Gingerbread cookies...

In medium bowl, pour one Gingerbread mix, 2 T melted butter and 1/4 cup hot water.
Stir till moistened.
Preheat oven to 350.  I roll 1/2 t dough in a ball and roll in sugar.  I can fit around 60 cookies on a
large cookie sheet.  I then slightly flatten with a glass dipped in sugar (do so, so slightly)...
Bake for around 8 minutes.

I eat a handful of  these cookies everytime I pass  them.  I love ginger!
Enjoy!

Cake in a Jar...

Bake Red Velvet Cupcakes, Cool on rack.

I bought 1/2 pint jars...

Cut each cupcake in half...

Put bottom half of cupcake in each jar...

Pipe icing on top of cupcake...

Put top of cupcake on icing, mash down slightly...

Pipe icing on top and sprnkle or decorate to your liking...

Side view... screw on  lids...

Tie ribbon around each jar, insert plastic spoon...

Another view...

And another ...

Single view...

I printed labels for Lisa's 50th Birthday Party...

These are so cute and so yummy!
I first saw these on Pinterest!