Yummy Broccoli/Cheesy Soup

I am not much of a cook, in fact this is the first time I've even attempted this soup. And if I do say so myself, it was Y U M M Y!

Here's the recipe:

2 cans of Cream of Chicken soup
1 can of water
1 stick of butter
8 ounces carnation milk

heat in crock pot until creamy, then add:

2 Boxes Broccoli (cooked)
8 ounces of velveeta cheese

Heat about 45 min until creamy. Careful not to let it burn!

I am sure most of you cooks have made this many times, or something similar. But for me this is exciting stuff!

From Scrap to Strap!

Fabric scraps + Pinterest = New Camera Strap

Jessie brought over some fabric scraps for us to make a camera strap she saw on Pinterest. Don't look to closely, it's the first and not perfect, but it's a great way to liven up your camera!

If you need a tutorial, check out this blog.

One down two to go! Merry Christmas!

Gifts of Ghosts for Christmas?

I never liked ghost hunting. I never believed in any of it....But my Tanner does. Once after watching Ghost Hunters, he passed by our basement door and looked down the dark halls and said...COME OUT, SHOW YOURSELF!

I didn't go much for that. I did tell him to stop talking to the ghosts, we were home alone. If he's gonna call out the ghostlings I want it to be a full house. 

Which brings me to the point of this ghostly post. Our neighbors Heith and Shannon also  believe there are ghosts out there. Health has access to a special camera so the three of them decided to go "ghost hunting" a few weeks ago...in our old barn. I had a wonderful plan to sneaking down to the barn to make certain they would "see" or "hear" a ghost. Wow, such a good idea...but I didn't do it. Not enough time to work out my ghostly plan.

I ran across this book out shopping the other day and thought how perfect for our neighbors

Merry Christmas Heith and Shannon, and don't be too scared!

Tennessee Ghosts 

Little bit of Christmas

Pics are not very good, but here are a few Christmas ideas for you.
Maybe some will work in your home as well!

Lights in a jar

Lights on a mirror

Lights on a tree, no surprise there

Wish I knew how to take great photos

Mr Owly was a gift from Jes last year

Mr Jack was a gift from Jes this year

Driftwood from the river and wooden birds, just add a little greenery

I bought this little wooden bird at a yard sale I believe

Mr Bluebird also came from a thrift store

Use place card to hold your photos!

Simple table with bright Fiesta

Just grab your pieces and mix colors!

Nothing fancy here

FHA oranges in a wooden bowl. 

Maybe they will be gone by New Years!

J & J & J Christmas Photos

Greetings from Pear Tree!

Believe it or not I have never ordered photo Christmas cards...until now.

Even though the pics didn't turn out great, the idea of what I was trying to capture was.

It's Jack and Tanner playing with his Nativity set. He loves it, with the Wise Man being his tasty choice for now. Guess all the Nativity characters will have little teeth marks in them by New Years!

You can't really see in one of the photo's but Jack has the camel in his mouth and is reaching for baby Jesus. Sweet baby, both of them. Well all three counting Tanner!

Now back to Pear Tree Greeting! It is only 12 days til Christmas and I ordered the cards late Sunday evening, and....they arrived today! Wow that was fast! The cards have a nice matte finish and are great quality. I am very pleased and would highly recommend them.  Great prices too!  But...they do not offer a digital copy (sad face) and I wanted to share them with you. I know this is old school, really old school, but I might try and take a pic of the card for ya. (No laughing or making fun of me now!)

Merry Christmas!

Elf on the Shelf

Guess I'm a sucker for fads.

I first heard of the "Elf" a few years ago from Bella's mom. And, I guess thanks to Pinterest, the little Elf has made it's way into my Jessie's house.

The story behind the Elf is interesting. About how a regular Mom made up the game for her children and the rest is history.  Now there is an interactive website, which is making the little fellow really popular.

Jack's Elfy isn't named yet, Jessie is going to let him do that when he is older. He has brown hair and blue eyes. I didn't even know you could choose eye color! (I would have chosen brown for sure, but Jess said the blue is fine) When I purchased Elfy yesterday, there was only one left anyway.

Check it out here if you need to be "Elf-educated!

Christmas Photo Shoot

Check out Jessie, Jason and baby Jack's Christmas card from Shutterfly (over there-to the right!)
Can't wait to get one of these in the mail!
I ordered Christmas photo cards for the first time ever... bet you'll never guess whose going
to be on them!

That camel doesn't stand a chance!

NYC

I hope Debbie is enjoying her trip to NYC. She said it's very festive with Christmas music playing everywhere! Oh how exciting that must be!

But she said it is very cold, I think that's the only part I wouldn't like.

Maybe...someday.

Early this morning in NYC.
View from the apartment they are renting for 4 days.

Skating in the City

Debbie in New York!

I have never been to New York. Never even been close to going. But I think I'd like to. Especially after getting this tonight on my phone. She says the apartment they are renting for 4 nights is AMAZING!

Light for our carport

We are doing some updating to our house, and you know, one things leads to another. I ordered these lights today for our carport. Today the center light was taken down, new siding is going up and we will have two carport lights instead of just one. Wondering if this will help me not lose my car keys?
I doubt it...

Received almost 20 dollars off thanks to a coupon on YHL blog. Hoping they look as good in person as they do online!

The Hunger Games

I had heard of these books, but never even thought about reading them...until now.  Last week I bought "The Hunger Games" on the advice of my sister Marna. And today I went to our local library during lunch and checked out books 2 and 3.

I have read non-stop today.

Go ahead pick them up and get to reading before the movie debut in March 2012!

Book 1 

Book 2 (finished it today)

Book 3

Christmas Door

Jessie's front door looks beautiful this year thanks to "The Front Door." Hmmm...sounds strange, let me explain. 

Wreath: Handmade by "The Front Door". Check them out on facebook and pinterest. 

Lights: Left over from Jessie's outdoor wedding 6 years ago.

Greenery: Fresh from the yard.

= Lovely 

From Sweater to Legwarmer!

So glad Jessie finally got on board with Pinterest! She saw these yesterday and after a quick trip to Goodwill to purchase sweaters, made her first pair of legwarmers! Way to go Jessie! The pic doesn't show it but she had on a cream colored sweater dress! So cute. 

Just cut off the sleeve at the elbow, or longer is you want to. Pull them on under your boots or I guess you could also cuff them! I'll be looking for more cute colors

Ok out there, anyone can be a DIY-selfer! Get to craftin!

More Thrift Store finds

Found this Wooden Star at a local thrift store couple of years ago.
Almost passed on it, but so glad I didn't. It's simple and that's what makes it so beautiful.
 It is just old sticks of wood that somebody has put together with wire.
Thanks somebody

The perfect Christmas Star.

Thrift Store Surprises!

You just never know what you will find in a local thrift store!

Today I stopped in a local charity thrift store just to look around.  I decided to take a peek in a small room that only held a few items, and spotted an unusual but interesting looking sectional couch. I had never seen one like it, but since I lov'em I took a closer look. There was just something about it...

I think this thrift store used to house an old gas station, there are about 4 small rooms and you just have to wander around. I spotted a rusted but nice bird feeder for 1.50 and went to the register to pay. I just had to ask about the couch. The young couple behind the counter said it had been donated but they decided just to keep it. Then she told me that one night she was reading an antique newsletter and there was a picture and an article about a sectional just like the one sitting in that room! She said she even woke her husband to tell him about it! Mrs Thrift Store mentioned the designers name and that is was from the 60's. And it's not for sale.

For some reason, I guess because I think my house is too small, I do not own a sectional. My Mother did. And her house had only 5 rooms. I remember our couch well. It filled up the entire room...just like a sectional should.

Herman Miller sectional. I will come back to admire you and visit from time to time. And hopefully  someday, someone will put you in a room you can fill up. Just like my Mom did with hers.

This is exactly like the sectional seating I saw at the thrift store today.
 Except that the upholstery was a grey floral pattern and worn.
I had to sit on it and yes, I fell in love.
Herman Miller Donald Chadwick Modular Seating Couch.