Christmas was a blast

Well we survived all the parties. We had a very large group here for dinner on Christmas with 5 more being added Christmas morning. I cooked two 20 lb turkeys both with stuffing, 10 lbs of sweet potatoes, 10 lbs of dilled carrots, I don't even know how much green beans, and used two large bags of celery to make my Mom's stuffed celery. All but a few carrots are gone. Not even a crumb left big enough for a mouse. I would have taken a picture but I didn't have time. My sisters in law handle the desserts and boy were they good. We had cheese cake, lemon pound cake, homemade cookies and candies. What a feast. Now it is back to walking. After this meal it will be an uphill battle.



My youngest son gave me a book for Christmas. The Huffington Post complete guide to Blogging.

I am hoping to get better at this and this book seems to answer most questions. Here's to the future.

The Partys over, two more to go!

Well the party for work is over and I believe a great time was had by all. I loved having all my work friends in my home. They are just a great group. I took many photos but this one kinda sums it up the best. Jello shots. Obviously we didn't even put a dent in the number but fun was had by all.

I am hoping to have some time to relax before the next gig but it doesn't look too hopeful since we are hosting again this weekend and Christmas Day. Tis the season.

As you can see from my favorite things list, I have a new coco mug. I just love it. It was given to me by one of my favorite people, my office mate. You have to be a special person to be able to put up with all my silliness all day and she does. Each day she and I laugh. Sometimes it is just laughs and sometimes it is out right tears rolling down our cheeks. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with her. Each day I have hot coco (usually at 3:00, my little pick me up.) J finds it funny and teases me and lets people know to get out of my way " 3:00 coco time, better move or she will run you down!" (Guess who has coco with me sometimes but she won't admit it.) Well today she puts this package on my desk and inside is my new favorite thing. I love it. It has a lid that looks like whipped cream and this cool little spoon. I already broke it in. (she gave it to me before 3:00! he he) Some days God just blesses you, sometimes it's with a great office mate and sometimes it's with a great new coco mug, and in my case it is both!

West Chester's old fashioned Christmas

Well here they are, just a little late. Wow what a night. It was so cold ( in the 20's). We had such a great time. The parade had everything from
Marching bands of course.
And old fashioned trucks Mini cars

The fire company was there

Along with their truck

It was very international also there were Scottsmen in kilts

and beautiful Chinese dancers with drums

But the fun began when the blow up figures arrived, like gingerbread boy.

(he reminded me of the younger brother in "The Christmas Story" try as he may he couldn't move the arms very well.

These are candy cane people. They must have been about 10 feet tall and they

had these tiny little legs.
Santa's elves were there.

They also had Clydedales there. They were beautiful.

There were also these fantastic bands. The Christmas music was wonderful.

And these two adorable clowns stopped for me so I could take their picture!

There was so much more to the parade but my camera gave out. The festivities went on all weekend. There were people in Victorian dress giving tours of the town. All of the stores were opened and of course Santa arrived by train and the children of the area got to ride on this old fashioned train that has been refurbished. They served hot coco and had a band that walked along inside the traincars signing Christmas carols. The train ride was just the right amount of time. It stopped at this old train station that has been converted into a Christmas shop. It was like being in The Polar Express. What a wonderful weekend.

Old Fashion Christmas

I live in West Chester Pa. This town is wonderful. Tonight I am going to the Old Fashion Christmas Parade. This parade brings the whole town together. There are bands and people walking around in Victorian clothing. It is something to see. I will post photos later. Have a great night.

Trip to Mushroom town

Well it has been busy. We have had company since last Wednesday and we really just now caught our breath. We had family in from Washington DC and my sister in law wanted to go see mushrooms. We live near what seems like the mushroom capital of the world. (not really but it is pretty close.) So we went to Kennett Square. What a wonderful little historic town. We found this great shop called The Mushroom Cap.

Inside was filled with great mushroom items. Of course I had to buy some.

I bought this great sauce that was a Chipole shallot chop sauce which I served with a pork tenderloin that night. I also picked up a party journal. You write inside information about parties you have or ones you attend.

My sister in law bought mushrooms. They were so fresh.

They had this great set up in the back with items you could sample. Yum, yum.

Afterward we went to the Kennett Inn and of course had Yuengling and my sister in law had a Portabella mushroom burger which was covered in mushrooms. She loved it. What a great time. Highly recommend it.

Christmas or Thanksgiving???

Getting ready for this party has been hectic but fun. We have two trees up and more decorating to go.

This tree is in the family room.

This one is in the front of the house in the living room. It is really starting to look festive. Now I am planning the meals for this weekend. My husband's sister is hosting thanksgiving but we are housing the out of town siblings. My brother in law and his wife are coming to stay with us and I just love spending time with them. We laugh and always have a great time. But is has been a while since they have been here and that means that all of my Husband's other siblings will be at our house most of the weekend. My Husband is one of eight. So starting tomorrow night we will have guest straight thru till Sunday. Busy Busy Busy. Food is a big part of these visits. We are having roast beef sandwiches, a german night, and a pasta night. Plus all the breakfast and lunches. We are going to tour Yuengling Brewery and then visit a German Meat Market. So if you are in PA and see a large group at the Brewery, that's us.

We need a Hideout

It has been so busy these past two weeks. I am trying to get ready for a Holiday party that I am hosting for work. Great people, lots of fun. But with Thanksgiving coming, everyone's mind is on turkeys. Especially my girlfriend Mel. She does my hair and when I went there a two Mondays ago, I found her out front in her yard with a cup. She was calling "Here girls, here girls and low and behold what comes over her roof but two huge wild turkeys. So tonight I go over and not only are the turkeys still there but now she has flying squirrels. Some people are just loved by animals. (P.S. I forgot to mention Mel doesn't eat Turkey, guess they knew a friend when they saw one.)

Getting started

This is my first post to this blog. I wanted to show some of the funny things that happen in my life. I work with a wonderful bunch of people and that helps. If you spend the day with people who complain, you find your self just complaining also. So I surround myself with people who love to laugh. My kids make me laugh and I feel very fortunate to know them. They are teenagers and both are very creative in their own ways. They love one another and we all enjoy being together. Sounds pretty boring huh? Well not even close. Just wait and see.