Guess What!

Why, you might ask, does Rhonda have a YMCA sign and music on her blog today?

1) Having a love of all things vintage, she found a picture of this lovely old sign and had to show it to us.....

2) She is off touring the country side and wants to show us the sights...

3)The holiday strain has finally gotten to her and she is off her rocker....

Stay tuned to find out;)

Something's Sizzlin

Have you ever eaten at Chili's and ordered their Fajitas? Don't you just love how they are served...sizzlin' and steaming...can't you hear them now....can't you just smell them....can't you just taste them right now???

Well, I had myself a fajita craving last night, luckily I had everything I needed to make them myself~Chop up some chicken breast, red peppers and onion, sprinkle with Fajita Seasoning and Cumin~Cook all together with some EVOO~Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Top with whatever Fajita Fixins you desire~

And Voila'...dinner is served~ In less time than it would have taken me to drive in to town:)

And for desert.....these delicious tangerines I picked up at the Whole Food's Market the other day~

Although hideously ugly, they are seedless, practically peel themselves and taste as sweet as Candy!!!!

So, even though they did not arrive at the table with as much fan fare as a Chili's Fajita platter.....they were might tasty and allowed me to wrap up dinner in no time.

Perspective is Everything

Despite my Grinchy, Bah Humbug moment yesterday, I decided to take sweet Robin's advice and have fun shopping ~ Before I left home, I put on my comfy shoes and a smile and decided that it is what I make it....so I grabbed my camera and was set for adventure:)

We went to the second largest Mall in the Southeast. The Christmas decor is quite impressive.The first order of business was a stop to see Santa~my Dear Son had to check on the progress at the workshop:)

"See Mom, Christmas shopping is COOL!"

OK, well maybe I over did it on the photo opps.....

The main thing is we had fun and got most of it done. I even found a treat for me....a large, soft, black leather bag that is big enough to carry the kitchen sink and my camera....it was on sale for 50% off and another 15% taken off at the register.....when it was all said and done, I got a $75 bag for right at 30 bucks....sweet:)

After our shopping merriment there was only one thing left to do.....no not a brownie sundae.....a nice snugly nap with Tigger.

Today's the Day

Well it is time to get it done. Time to brave the boisterous, demanding crowds and shop, shop, shop....actually I am hoping that by going out on a Tuesday morning, I can avoid much of said crowd.

I have armed myself with 3 cups of coffee, so the energy is flowing and the purpose is focused! I'm on a mission people!

Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love to shop~as my dear husband can testify:) But I am a wander aimlessly, drifter type shopper, I like to browse and discover little wonders and treasures....which is why I enjoy thrifting so much. Having a list of things I have to locate and purchase makes me CRAZY!!! Throw in bright blinking lights, loud music, throngs of people and jolly ole elves at every corner ringing bells and asking for donations and I transform into a Raving Lunatic!!!

Hummm....the Grinch theme song just started to play in my head...."Your a mean one, Mr. Grinch...." Seriously, I adore Christmas, but Christmas shopping is a whole other animal.

OK, enough of that, on to a completely different subject.....

I have just recently met Wyanne Thompson, a very talented artist. She and her family live on Amelia Island, a beautiful place where my family and I go every June.

She is celebrating the Grand Opening of her gallery with a "Reserve Art Event" on December 7th. You can stop by and congratulate and encourage her by clicking here.

Please pop in and have a look around. Tell her you came by way of the FarmHouse.

Enjoy your day!

Deck the Tree

The Tree is up. Yes, I know it is blurry:) I think it shows the colors better. My husband and I both prefer the look of white lights, but when you have a young child, it is all about color!

Remember the bird nest....this little lady moved right in:)

I thought I would show you some of my favorite ornaments~

My son's First Christmas ornament~it has pages inside where I recorded first Christmas events. This ornament is so dainty and delicate. It makes the most gentle tinkling sound. The first Christmas my husband and I were married, his Mimi gave us a box of ornaments she had made for us....some felt, some crocheted....each and everyone a priceless treasure.

After all the tree decking, we needed sustenance!!! Brownie Sundae to the rescue!

My little helper gives it the BIG thumbs up:)

Great Expectations

And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21

A Sign of Good Luck!

My house sitting assignment is over and I am ready to dive head first into the Christmas season. I am one of those people who waits until after Thanksgiving to decorate and think Christmas. I know I am in the minority here so please girls forgive me, but it drives me crazy to walk into a store before Halloween and see Christmas items......

Not that I am a huge fan of Halloween, but I am a huge fan of Thanksgiving and I think it gets short changed. True it is not the cash cow that Christmas has become but to me it has the most unassuming nature of all the holidays....it is purely about gratitude with no expectations of "What do I get in return?"

OK, after having said that and hopefully not alienating myself from any of you I have grown to love:)....I am all about Christmas from now 'til DECEMBER 25th.

I had to show you what I found on our annual Tree hunt.....

Yes.....a bird's nest in our Christmas Tree. As soon as I saw it I knew this was the tree. I will leave nature's decoration exactly where it is~maybe give it a new inhabitant. I believe there is an old saying about gaining good luck if you find a nest in your tree~wouldn't that be a nice gift?