Merriest Christmas

Okay, once again it is that time of year where we are all scrambling to buy those last minute gifts, bake our goodies, wrap our presents, and even a few (who will remain nameless, LOL) that still are decorating the house and yard. It can be a very stressful time. Agree?
I am trying so hard to be organized, in fact, I had a list in early November of things to accomplish on a weekly basis...Then, as the season grew nearer, my list turned into daily tasks, all of which I vowed to complete. Did I do it? Who thinks they know the answer to this question? (Did you accomplish all of your Holiday items in advance this year?)
Or are you like me.....YES, I didn't stick to that list. I really fell off my schedule and now I am like flying around trying to get everything done. AND I still have a few small gifts to buy as well.... WHY, WHY, WHY?

Well, whether you are that organized gal, or the absolutely frazzled, crazy running around gal... I want to wish you all the best this Holiday season and may you and your loved ones share a memorable time together. Remember that those days go by so fast, so sit back and try to relax and enjoy!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year blogging friends.....




All photos courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

The tradition of putting a Christmas tree up has been around for years. And as a young child, I always looked forward to the time when my mom and dad and I would decorate. And for several years we even had a tree decorating party with all of our family, friends and neighbors. Oh such fun!

To join around the tree with lights, ornaments, tinsel, candy.... Whatever it is that you choose to decorate that all special symbol of Christmas and tradition. It's a time to be merry and festive that's for sure!

How many of you have a family tradition that focuses on your Christmas tree? Do you go out and buy a real tree every year that smells like pine but sheds all those little needles throughout your house, LOL? Or do you use the same artificial tree (some now have lights already on it, Oh how I love thee!!!)?

The most important part of the tree, at leased for me, is the decoration. The possibilities are endless, but it does say a lot about who you are and what type of home you have right? Some people use friendly colored lights with ornaments their children have made and drape it with tinsel and popcorn strung on string. Others prefer to have a very classic tree with white lights, glass ornaments and silver beading. Both beautiful but VERY different!

(Courtesy of Elfhelp.com)

Whatever style you choose, make yours a special tradition. Go all out and make a day of it. Take the kids tree shopping and let them help bring it home. Make hot chocolate and turn on that Christmas music. Sing carols while you decorate and buy a new ornament or use one your child has made and talk about memories of Christmas past as you put em back on the tree every year!

This is the time of year for celebrating, for making new memories but remembering the old as well!

I know we all get wrapped up in the gift shopping, the Holiday parties, the wrapping, the cooking and that is fine, but take that extra day to really do something special and relax with the family.

I have to say that my mom ALWAYS made decorating the tree special and now I do it for my son as well. He cannot wait to take out all the ornaments and help put them up!

(Funny true story inserted here)

Last year I would come into the living room (where our tree is up now) and I couldn't help notice that ALL the decorations on the tree had been moved around. This happened several times and after I checked my eyes or possibly thought I was going crazy, LOL, I realized that my son was doing it the whole time. He just loves the ornaments and I guess feels so excited about decorating that he re-decorates every day!

Oh, the joys of motherhood! :)

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
Thy candles shine so brightly
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
Thy candles shine so brightly."

"Each bough does hold it's tiny light
It makes each toy to sparkle bright
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
Thy candles shine so brightly!"

All I Want For Christmas

I hope all of you had a fantastic Thanksgiving and were able to be with friends, family, and loved ones. My Thanksgiving was quiet, but that is what I really needed this year. Just a few family members and my son to fill my day with peace, love and GOOD food!

I have decided to make a list of what I would love for Christmas, just in case Santa is reading my blog!!! LOL

Okay, here it is...
I would love to have two working bathrooms.
I would love to have new insulation so this house wasn't always so cold.
I would love to have a car that actually works when you need it.
I would love to have storage from IKEA so I can put all those boxes away.
I would love to have new steps up to the house that are not falling apart.
I would love to have a brand new bedding set for my bed...now that it's just me in it!!! :)
Oh and I want to win the Lotto...one of those HUGE jackpots! (But I guess you have to play to win right? LOL JK)

But what I really want the most is for my son to grow up happy, cared for, healthy, and strong and know that his mommy loves him more than anything in this world. I want my mom to be happy and comfortable and get paid back for all the wonderful things she does for everyone BUT herself! She deserves the world and more!

I would like my son to appreciate that we WILL have food on the table and that their are many many others who have nothing.
I want all the soldiers serving this country to know that we appreciate them and all of their families who miss them so much during the Holidays!
And I want all of you to have the "Best" Holiday ever!!! Spend it with family, with friends, with neighbors and co-workers, just enjoy every minute. And don't forget the reason we celebrate Christmas....


Life is so short, it changes so quickly. And after going thru what I have the last month or so I have come to realize that more so than before. I guess you have to live it to understand it!

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, Today is a Gift...That's why it's called the Present!"


Oh and remember if you need anything at all for the Holidays and have a tight budget...AVON is for you. I'm a Rep and would be glad to have you head on over to my website and check out all the really great Holiday bargains!!!
www(dot)youravon(dot)com/ddavid-patrick

or click HERE to go there now!

Have a great day blogging buddies....and enjoy decorating for Christmas!!!
Danielle

It's A Beautiful Day....

Hi everyone. I must say that the response I got from so many was overwhelming and I cannot "thank you" all enough for the lovely messages you left me!!!

It really is amazing that people who hardly know you at all can offer their advice or support in such a kind and caring way! (Really when I think back, it was all of you who left me the kindest thoughts that got me through that 1st, 2nd, or 3rd day when I just needed to read that I CAN make it!)

And on a happy note...I AM feeling a wee bit better! Yay! It's nice to be able to say that. And one of the reasons is that I have decided to be an AVON rep...can you believe it? Yes, me...LOL

AVON is a great company, they provide you with all the tools necessary to basically start your own business for very little money. And being a new single mom in my situation, that looks pretty darn good!

Also, they ARE advocates for women, breast cancer and domestic violence....not bad!

It's a comfort to know that I am working with all kinds of women, and we all have a chance to make this business grow as big as we want it too!

So, in these tough times when many of us are feeling the pinch of the economy, I would like to let you know that AVON has some of the best and most reasonable prices around. (And come on...I don't know about all of you, but I NEED my make up, and my lotion, and my perfume, and my.....LOL)
Please take a moment if you will and click on my website to check out some of the products AVON has to offer. And the Holiday items are available now as well! :)

YOUR AVON REPRESENTATIVE

Thank you all again for your support! Divorce is never an easy thing to go through and It's wonderful family and friends that really will pull you into a new life! I know now that it is going to be a tough climb with many obstacles, but I CAN do it!

And someday my son will realize how much his mommy loves him and that even though he came from a divorced home, it certainly isn't a broken one!!! :)

Love You ALL....
Danielle

(BTW...I will put an AVON link up on my blog so when you get the urge to shop you can always find me!!!)

I Never Thought This Day Would Come...

Well folks, I wish I had better happier news to report. I always enjoy sharing uplifting thoughts or ideas with you, but today is not so bright or happy, at leased not for me.
I recently found out my husband had decided to move on and as of now we are starting the process of divorce. Needless to say I was a bit surprised, but more so saddened, hurt, and a bit terrified. (Was everything wine and roses? NO. But I did expect some participation in counseling or therapy, something to show that you still want things to work! That your family was important enough to try.)

I'm just at a point of shock really. I wanted to ask any of you reading this for a word of advice, support, or maybe just wanted to get it off my chest somewhat as well. I am raising a son as a single parent, running a household on my own, and well...I am in desperate need of a job. (I figure a part time one is a good place to start seeing I have been out of the work force for oh, six years now! I'm not even sure where to go or what to look for....Yikes!)

Ya know, to be totally honest I never thought I would be writing this kind of news. When I married it was for better or worse, sickness and health, and even richer or poorer...and Lord knows I've seen the poorer much more during these years!!! I've been cheated out of my family life, of sharing time with a man I loved so much, and the dreams we once had together.

Where do I go from here and how do I begin to pick up the pieces? That is what I have been thinking about for the last 2 weeks. It takes a lot out of someone. The gal I once knew that liked to sneak a cookie or two at night has been avoiding food like the plague. The woman that waited for her husband to come home after work has been turned into someone who stands around and looks at the door...

Does it get any easier? Lord I hope so.

Thank you all for listening.....
Danielle

Some Halloween Fun and other stuff....

My son went to a local city Halloween/Autumn gathering on Saturday and had the most fun. For $10 he got to paint a pumpkin, go on a hayride, eat cider and doughnuts, trick or treat, and just be a crazy kid! His favorite was the face painting and he chose to be a tiger.....ROAR!!! :)

And in other news...this is the hubby and adorable kitty lounging after a hard day of ah, hmmmm....I'm not sure what they did! LOL

I just had to take this pic...look at that leg stretched WAY out. My kitty really thinks she is queen of the castle! :)

Costume FUN...How PURRfect!

Well, here we are at that time of year again...Halloween! My son is six years old now but really ever since he was three years old, he has decided on his own costume. First it was a Fireman, then a Doctor, and last year he chose a Race Car Driver. And this year, for whatever reason...he wants to be a cat. And not just a cat, but a Brown Cat. I have no idea why, but it is his choice. (My mom seems to have a problem with this and I'm not sure why? Any thoughts?) I think it's cute...He's a quiet, kind, light-hearted, smart and fun little boy! And if he wants to be a Brown Cat...well, that is fine with me!

Do you all let your children choose their own costume for Halloween?

Well, whether you do or not, here are some cute costume ideas for ya.

The cutest little Ladybug. Just buy a black sweatsuit, shoes, headband or hat and then do a little gluing and sewing and...voila, done!

My personal favorite this year is the LEGO boy/girl. This one is just amazing and original. Just get a box and and matching clothes and you have a a pretty cute one folks!!! What's your favorite color?

I think any little girl would LOVE to be a butterfly. Isn't this costume precious? And the best part is you could do this one for a baby, toddler, or little girl.

Okay...this has to be the most creative one yet. My son LOVES cars and he would go bonkers for this one. How cool? There isn't much to it, but hey...I'm not complaining! LOL

How funny is this costume? I got such a kick out of it...I had to post it. The Sushi Roll...LOL. Now this one would get some laughs and turn some heads I'm sure! :)

Well, no matter what your kids decide...it's all about having FUN and being SAFE right?

Well, I'm off to make a cat costume myself. Anyone have any ideas for the cutest kitty on the block? It's simple, but there has to be a way to make it original. Hmmm, I'm thinking "CATS" on Broadway....lots of fur and a painted face....LOL (Naw, just some whiskers, ears, a tail...anything else?)

Meooooow!!! :)

(BTW...You can go to www.familyfun.go.com for more costume fun and directions for all the costumes seen above. They have some fabulous ideas! Enjoy.)

Autumn Decor and Dinner

Being Autumn now, I wanted to share one of my favorite recipe's that just screams "warm and comfy"! This is such a great treat for the whole family and you can serve it with a salad, homemade salsa and chips or guacamole, and margaritas...OLE'.

Enjoy....
Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
Ingredients:
1 small red onion, halved
1 1/2 pounds tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1 to 2 serrano chile peppers, stemmed and seeded
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Kosher salt
Pinch of sugar
8 corn tortillas
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and/or Monterey Jack cheese
1/3 cup fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese


Directions
Preheat the broiler. Slice half of the onion into thin rings and set aside. Place the other onion half, tomatillos and serranos on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil until the vegetables are soft and slightly brown, 7 to 10 minutes, turning as needed. Transfer the vegetables and any liquid to a blender, add the broth and puree. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the sugar.
Meanwhile, stack the tortillas, wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave just until warm and soft, 1 minute; keep covered. Toss the chicken with 2 cups shredded cheese in a bowl. Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture down the middle of each tortilla. Add a few cilantro leaves and roll up. Place the enchiladas side by side in a lightly oiled 9-by-13-inch baking dish and brush with the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Broil until crisp and golden, 3 minutes.
Pour the tomatillo sauce over the enchiladas and top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with the onion rings, queso fresco and any remaining cilantro.
Per serving: Calories 626; Fat 32 g (Saturated 13 g); Cholesterol 98 mg;
Sodium 1,056 mg; Carbohydrate 46 g; Fiber 6 g; Protein 47 g
Photograph by Antonis Achilleos, and courtesy of Food Network Magazine.

And now some inspiring Autumn Tablescape ideas...I don't know about you all, but I love decorating for each new Season or Holiday. It just inspires my creativity and my family loves the change as well. Even if it is just a different or new type of fresh flower and vase on your table, it will still bring you joy and happiness....and boy, we could all use some of that these days right? :)

Happy Decorating.....

(Pictures are from Pottery Barn.com)

Have a Wonderful Day... Danielle

Today's Gonna Be A Good Day!!!

Hi everyone...It has certainly been awhile since I've posted and to welcome you all back I posted a video that I think will wake you up, make you jump up and dance...all while putting a smile on your face! (Remember that when you click, it will start music so be prepared if you have your speakers blasting, and it is PG as well for those that have kids...LOL)

I guarantee you will LOVE this just as much as I did...so sit back, enjoy and it's GOOD to be back to posting! Today's Gonna Be A Good Day!!! (I will be visiting you all soon too. Yay!)


Click here for your FABULOUS and FUN Video...


Good things to you and yours...
Danielle

WordLess Wednesday..."Summer Break"

Hey Everyone...This is a picture I took at the Northport, MI Marina about five years ago. Isn't it beautiful? It's a quaint little town, with gorgeous homes on Lake Michigan and a tiny downtown with shops and country stores and great food. (If your familiar with this area, you know it is just a few minutes away from Traverse City and wine country....so fun and the most beautiful sight seeing ever!)

I'm using this picture for Wordless Wednesday because we have been on sort of a vacation over here the last few weeks. Things have changed quite a bit and I haven't been able to be on to post or visit my most favorite blogs either.

Just wanted to let you all know the situation and that I will be back on real real soon. I miss you all and hope to catch up on all your wonderful posts soon enough.... :)

Have a Wonderful Day....
Danielle

Honorable Mention...and some GREAT news!!!

Here are my two favorite people (about two years ago)...the ones that mean the most to me in my life, my Mom and my Son. My Mother was the first one after my husband and I to see my son when he was born. In fact, she would have been with me in the delivery but I had a C-Section and it wasn't allowed. (Really she was too scared to come in and watch the surgery as well.)

Anyway, I have been thinking a lot about life these days and how important it is to hold those you love as close to you as possible. I just think that life passes us by so quickly. (I mean look at how fast our children grow right before our eyes...I remember when he was a baby and it seems like yesterday!)

So...Today I HONOR them, my Mother and my Son, and I thank them for bringing so much joy and comfort to my life. There is no greater gift than LOVE!

If you want to participate in Friday Photo Flashback, head on over to Alicia @ More Than Words and link up. Its so much fun. Come on, you know you want to right? :)

And on a very happy note, I am so thrilled to tell you that my husband was called back by GM yesterday. He will start on Monday again after being layed off for more than 7 months!!! We are just beside ourselves with joy...and even though we know that this could be only for 1 week, 1 month, or until their plant closes in December, it will help us financially and make us feel like a normal family again. (At leased for a little while!)
Thank you God! :)

Here's to a "Beautiful" day...
Danielle

A BIG Thank You

Its so funny how things work for me these days. I can have just a horrible day but somehow, someway, I will get on the computer and read some of my favorite blogs and they all just have a way of cheering me up! You all have a way of cheering me up! Yes you do!

And I thank you for that. And I thank you for stopping by my blog to read my posts. Whether they be about some fabulous finds, a recipe, pics of my son, or just anything...my blogger buddies are surely going to give me some comment love...Yay, cause I just LOVE the comments! (Who doesn't right?)

Well, WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS....how true! I have some ladies to thank for some beautiful awards. These are no ordinary bloggers either, they are amazing, fun, creative and kind....and really are the reason I started a blog myself.
So thank you to these fine fine ladies for giving me these thoughtful and sweet awards! I appreciate it more than you will ever now!!!



First up is this wonderful award, Spread the Love, from two of my FAVORITE blogging friends, Mimi at Frump's Findings, and Bunny at The Paris House. Have you been to their blogs lately?
Mimi has the two most adorable children on the planet. She home schools and is just the cutest gal in the world, but most important, she is thoughtful and kind and really just a happy and uplifting person. If you want to smile...her blog is the place to be! Thank you Mimi.
Bunny has the most incredible and amazing home. She has beautiful gardens, fantastic taste in decorating, posts some of the most delicious recipes I have ever seen and besides all that...she is funny, adorable, and her home should be in "Better Homes and Gardens" EVERY week!!! I'm not joking gals...this lady is incredible, and she is one of the most thoughtful people I know. She has children as well and her little one is the cutest little guy...and you can tell by the pictures that he is so glad to have her as his Mommy!!!

It was by chance that I stumbled upon their blogs, and I have come to realize how lucky I am that I did. Thank you ladies.



Next up is this award, I *Heart* This Blog, from Tami at Diary of a Mad Woman. Tami is fun-loving and a free spirit. She has the most amazing sense of humor and sometimes I am laughing so hard at her posts that I have to take a minute before I comment. But most of all, she is inspiring! She has been thru some tough times with her health but I cannot think of anyone else that has more of a positive attitude about life and living and thanking God for all the good in her life. I'm a better person for knowing this fabulous lady...Thanks Tami.

First, I want to pass these awards back to these lovely ladies, of course. So take the one you don't have and display it proudly on your beautiful blogs.
I'd also like to give them to Carma at Carma Sez, Alicia at More Than Words, Dawn at Bee and Rose, Koralee at Blue Bird Notes, and Jen at Tutu's Bliss.

Thank you for inspiring me and making me laugh, you all are just great! :)

(If I didn't mention you above, it's probably because it is oh, about 1am now and I desperately NEED some sleep. SO please take them and display em on your blogs as well...all of you deserve an Award today!)

Have a great day....
Danielle

Flowers and Frogs and Bugs, Oh My!

We all enjoy the summer months of beautiful weather, flowers that bloom with gorgeous colors, days by a pool when it's 90 degrees out, and a glass of iced tea or lemonade. It's just a time to be with family and friends and enjoy the outdoors and what nature has to offer.

I know I love to hear the frogs by the lake, and the birds chirping in the early morning. To me it's quite refreshing to see and hear all of the wonderful and amazing things that God has put on this earth! And I'm not the only one!!! My son has become a little "nature lover" as well.

He loves to go to the park and walk on the paths to see the deer tracks, or the many bugs, frogs, and snakes that may cross his path. (For me, the snake part is not much fun...but he thinks they are just "the coolest!" LOL)

So, what do you think happens when he sees Mommy on the computer looking at some artwork of bees, bugs, and frogs??? He just flips out....and with the artwork from Samantha's Art Studio, I can understand why!

I just stumbled onto one of her sites by accident as we sometimes do, and I was so taken back by how life like her paintings were and I had to check em all out. Two of my absolute favorites are...."Busy Bees" and "Poppies."

What else can I say about two paintings that express nature in such a beautiful light? They are so full of color and so real....it's as if the flowers were right in a vase on my table! Not to mention that I absolutely LOVE bright and cheery items these days!!! They just make you feel good, don't they?

Not only does Samantha do beautiful prints, but she also has the cutest note cards with pics of flowers or frogs and bugs, it's your choice. She was so nice to send me two sets of note cards...one with the "busy bees" picture included above and one set of her "frogs!" (My son fell in love with the frogs! He was learning about them at the same time that these came in the mail and just had to take them into his class to show everyone.)

Here is a picture of the frog that my son fell in love with...pretty amazing right? His class thought so too!!! :) Samantha also does note cards with insects as well. Check out her blog for pictures of those and all kinds of other projects she is working on, past and present.

One last thing folks, I think you should see how Samantha puts some of her artwork to good use by beautifying the city she lives in and also calls attention to "pollination" and how important it is for our planet! She participated in "Hydrant Hysteria"... and was picked as one of 58 artists to paint their local fire hydrant. Her design is Pollinator Paradise, here it is on paper.....

And here is the finished hydrant, so beautiful....

If you are interested in reading a bit more about this project, you can visit HERE to check it out. It's just an incredible accomplishment, go over and leave her some comment love!!!
Want a two card set of her note cards? Leave me a comment about which item at Samantha's Etsy Store is your favorite. I'll pick a winner on July 26th. Thanks.

Have an Amazing Day,
Danielle

Birthday "Tea" Time

This was the beautiful Birthday Tea party that my Cousin and God Daughters did for both my Mom and I...since we both share February Birthdays! (I'm just now getting it posted...hey, only 5 months ago, LOL)

It was so much fun and I have to say that everything was gorgeous. It was like we went to a fancy restaurant for tea and goodies. If you look at the table above (and the pics below) you can see where they had strawberries dipped in chocolate, homemade brownies, lovely caramel and truffle chocolates, and heart cupcakes. (And that was just dessert!) It was hard to decide what to try.... (I think I may have tried one of each...how could you say no right?)

Not only was the food amazing, but the table was set so beautifully as well. The tea cups, saucers, sugar bowl and creamer were all china. And they all were a flowered pattern but every one was slightly different. I'm not sure how much you can see in the next few pics but this is how the table was formally set when my Mom and I arrived.

It was one of the most wonderful Birthdays that I can remember. I felt so special and to be with my family and friends to enjoy that day was just the icing on the "cupcake".

Here is a picture of my two God Daughters that worked so hard to help their Mom with this fantastic party. They are so special and two of the most thoughtful girls I know. (I think they are pretty cute too!) See for yourself....

So next time you wanna have a small and intimate get together for your girlfriends or a family members Birthday, try this fantastic tea party idea. It was formal but fun and just perfect for a Sunday afternoon tea brunch!!! :)

And as Always...Thanks so much for visiting,

Danielle

Oh, What a Night!!!

I'm joining in for Friday Photo Flashback this week. It's a fun time to put up old photos and reminisce about the past...and the great memories that go along with em!!!

This pic was taken in May 1990.

Here I am with my best friend Kristi (I'm in purple, she's in gold) getting ready to head to the prom. That was such a fun day...got our hair and makeup done and the dresses well, we thought we were just the coolest to have such gorgeous dresses to wear out!!! LOL
Here's a pic of me dancing...(he wasn't even my date) and you can't even see my face, but I love this shot for some reason, maybe it's the black and white!
What a fun night!!!

Wanna join in on all the "Flashback Fun?" Head on over to Alicia @ More Than Words, you'll be so glad you did! :)

And as Always...Thanks for Visiting,
Danielle

Simple Scrappin'

Please come visit my newest blog...Brown Eyed Gal - Simple Scrappin. This is a new way for me to publish a record of all the hard work and time I have spent scrapbooking through the years! I'd love to have you join in with me if you scrapbook or craft as well!!!

Thank you so much for your support! :)
Danielle

God Bless America

Courtesy of Martha Stewart.com

When I think of the 4th of July...I can remember going to the fireworks on the Detroit River. Boy, That was a grand event to see in person...all those huge fireworks exploding right above my head....(I think I was all of maybe 8yrs old!!!)

But I also think of a small fireworks display put on by my friends dad every year. He did it in his backyard and if you got an invitation....boy, you just thought that was the absolute best! Those fireworks may have been in his backyard but they were just as "grand" and "special" as the ones on the Detroit River!

When I think of the 4th of July, I also think of the time my Mom and I went to Traverse City, Michigan. We stayed in a beautiful hotel, visited the casino, the wine country, the lighthouse, and sat out on our balcony for the most amazing fireworks display I have ever seen! (A memory I will never forget!)
I also think of good friends, great food, patriotic table settings or decorations and even perhaps a fun cocktail. Here are some 4th of July favorites from Martha Stewart.Com.

And Last, To the Brave Men and Women who have fought for our country from the beginning and to the ones that are STILL fighting for our freedom....THANK YOU!!!

God Bless America...

And as Always...Thanks for Visiting,
Danielle