definitely not cat and mouse! Tom and Jerry recipe

6 eggs, separated and room temperature*


2 1/4 cups superfine sugar, divided**

Salt to taste (just a small pinch)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup powdered milk

Boiling water

Rum, brandy, or whiskey (your choice)

Nutmeg



* I know that they say you shouldn't use raw eggs anymore! We do and have for many, many years. Just be sure and purchase very fresh or pasteurized eggs to use for this wonderful drink.



** If you can't find superfine sugar (also called Baker's sugar), use regular granulated sugar. I like to use the superfine sugar because it dissolves easier.





Preparation:



We usually tripe the recipe for our family.



In a small bowl, beat egg yolks until thick; set aside.



In a large bowl of your electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/2 cup superfine or granulated sugar slowly into the egg whites.



Fold the beaten egg yolks into the egg whites.



Add remaining 1 3/4 cups superfine or granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract.



Slowly and gradually fold in the powdered milk.



Store, covered, in the refrigerator, and use as needed. Will keep up to one (1) week in the refrigerator. Mixture will probably separate in the refrigerator. No problem - just stir and use. The drink will still turn out frothy and delicious.



Serves many.







How To Make Tom and Jerry Drinks:



Make each individual serving in a large cup or mug:



Place 1 to 3 heaping tablespoons of prepared Tom and Jerry batter into each cup (amount depends on size of cup and to your taste preference).



Add boiling water to fill cups to 3/4 full.



Add 1 ounce of either rum, brandy, or whiskey to each cup (use the amount of liquor you desire - for children, leave the liquor out).



Stir until well blended



Sprinkle with nutmeg



Serve and enjoy!







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Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas are the festive days beginning Christmas Day (25 December). This period is also known as Christmastide and Twelvetide. The Twelfth Night of Christmas is always on the evening of 5 January, but the Twelfth Day can either precede or follow the Twelfth Night according to which Christian tradition is followed.[1] Twelfth Night is followed by the Feast of the Epiphany on 6 January. In some traditions, the first day of Epiphany (6 January) and the twelfth day of Christmas overlap.[2]




Over the centuries, differing churches and sects of Christianity have changed the actual traditions, time frame and their interpretations. St. Stephen's Day (or Boxing Day), for example, is 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. Boxing Day, the first weekday after Christmas, is observed as a legal holiday in parts of the Commonwealth of Nations; Boxing Day was traditionally marked by the giving of Christmas boxes to service workers (such as postal workers and tradespeople) in the United Kingdom. 28 December is Childermas or the Feast of the Innocents. Currently, the twelve days and nights are celebrated in widely varying ways around the world. For example, some give gifts only on Christmas Day, some only on Twelfth Night, and some each of the twelve nights.

Her Choice at Christmas

This is one of my new ornaments I bought for "my" tree. Everything on this tree is white, silver, cream or sparkly. I decided to do this tree a couple of years ago as I've always loved having two trees and I love glittery ornaments but the kids ornaments were really taking up so much space on the family one. I also bought four silver ornaments each a little differet representing each of my chidlren. I have done that every years since Lauren came back into my life! So, I love my very own tree and I'm enjoying sitting in my chocolate room with my new antique sewing table and my newly painted white cabinet. Yay! My house is finally the way I want it. I love all the new paint and texture on the kitchen walls. I even looked up a tutorial on how to recover a chair. I've had my green chair for 14 years and I've always wanted to have it recovered but I just never did it. I looked at it closely and decided I can do this. I took all the pieces off of it after taking about a million upholstery staples. I saved the pieces to use as the pattern for the new fabric. I haven't decided what fabric to use. I'm excited though that I'm learning how to do this!

This morning Rick and I went to Prince of Peace and loaded up all the fun baby/chidlren items from breakfast with santa. We delivered them to Her Choice which is a counseling place for crisis pregnancies. It is a wonderful place that has been around since 2003. They deal with woman from all races, ages and socioeconomic back grounds. I would love to volunteer there, maybe I could make a difference in someone's life. That was me at one time and with support and prayer and guidance from caring people, everything worked out fine. The person who helped us get the items into the building asked Rick and I to pray as there was a woman at the center 14 weeks pregnant considering termination. We prayed as we left the parking lot. I want her to know that being pregnant isn't the end of the world for her. It is really a short time and there are so many people who would love to be the parents of her child if she chose adoption. That was my prayer for her. That she would feel that in her heart that she could carry her child to term.

Tonight, we are going to dinner with friends! Teresa came today and my house is so very clean. I just did my cheesy Biggest loser work out which is perfect for days like today. I didn't make it to spin this morning and I just didn't feel like running or doing the elliptical, so Bob Harper it was!

HOly MOly!

Goodness, I'm on break! Seriously, this first semester has flown by. It always does. Football season always makes fall go fast. The babies in the baby room are starting to walk and they're even starting to talk. It always amazes me that when we start right after labor day, their still babies but once the holidays roll around, they're little people. (I know babies are people, but you know what I mean) We ended the playschool semester with another successful breakfast with santa. It's always fun seeing the families outside of our usual mornings. After breakfast with santa all of us girls got together for lunch. We sure are a fun group and I love all of my coworkers! I feel truly blessed to work with such neat girls! We exchanged gifts and laughed and laughed and laughed at each other's stories. Always a good time! I've been a little stressed with trying to finish all the playschool ornamnets. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to do them and I love being able to give back to the playschool too. They're all done and they all turned out super cute! Also, in the mean time I've been redoing the kitchen,dining room and family room as well as moving furniture around from the living room and we are getting a bid to do the builtins for the basement! I'm so happy with the way the kitchen and family room have turned out. I don't recommend redoing during Christmas but it's all done and I love it! I ordered burlap curtains so I will change the brown curtains out from the family room, put them in the dining room and hang the burlap with a ruffle curtains in their place. When I have time, I am going to make pillows for the sofa and I have promised myself that I will learn how to recover my 15.00 yard sale chair that I bought 14 years ago. It has moved and moved and moved with us and I will get it done one of these days!

This paragraph brings me to Tim Tebow. He's been in the news a lot recently and I've only caught a glimpse of the headlines, I'm not even sure what team he plays for, I think the Broncos. I don't really follow the NFL as grown men playing football doesn't really appeal to me. Living in SEC country, Tebow has been a household name for years. I remember him when he was a senior in highschool playing for Nice, Florida. I believe Nice played Hoover for the first game of the season over 6 years ago and it was the first episode of Two A Days on Mtv. It was so hot that day, Kate was in 6th grade. We didn't go to the game but Rick and I watched it on tv. The commentators for the game talked a good bit about Tebow that day I remember them talking about his family and that he was home schooled for years. I don't think I remember a time when Tebow wasn't giving praise to God and donning the eye black stuff with scripture on it. I love it. He is true to himself and true to his beliefs and in a world where football players are jailed for murder, rape, drugs, dog fighting, Tim Tebow is a breath of fresh air! I love that my boys have him as a role model. I don't understand why anyone would have an issue with him. It's really beyond me. I truly believe that God has given him the gift of athletism so he can be an example of a successful Christian. Maybe with all the mocking and such, maybe that is just modern day persecution. I don't know but I do know that if I had to pick a role model for my boys, you better believe I'd pick Tim Tebow over who was the guy who was convited of dog fighting? MIchael Vick,thats it.

Yes Virgina there is a light at the end of the tunnel

Thursday, the last day of the semester for me. I cannot believe this first semester has gone so fast. My two's have really grown and I've so enjoyed them. Our time together in Decemeber is so short. We've done some wonderful Christmas crafts, one's I believe their parents will cherish year to year. Each year I buy a Christmas book, one because I love children's books and two because I love Christmas books that are for children. I have my collection of Christmas books in a basket on the table and I love seeing the kids go through them and pick one out to "read".  I'm not a huge santa fan but I do have several books that have santa in them. When I talk about Christmas to my two's I really talk about baby Jesus and his family. They are so eager to learn about this time of year.

Most of the playschool ornaments are finished. I have to redo one because I did the handprint upside down and Jude's looks like a turkey with antlers. I have to do two more tomorrow at the breakfast with santa and then I'm done! What a great experience it has been organizing and doing all the ornaments. I love that the children will have this keepsake from their time at Adventure Ark! I was also very happy to be able to give back to the playschool.

Kate and Jack are in the throws of exams. I know they'll do fine and I know they're ready for a break. We are all ready for some time to just chill.

Half Way Through Advent...Have I MIssed It?

Dear Jesus,




It's halfway through Advent and I'm not sure what happened. I really wanted to make this a reflective and calm season, preparing for your birth and pondering how you came into this world in such a stunningly humble way. But it's so busy and I'm distracted and sometimes even short-tempered with those I love the most. Where are you in THAT?



I am discouraged and wish I could start over. But as I sit here in the rare moment of silence, I contemplate your birth. In a bed of straw, with the smell of manure everywhere. It's a mess in that stable ... and come to think of it, my life is a little messy, too. I suddenly see that it is not just into the mess of the stable but into my mess that you enter the world. You came into a humble place and that humility is often where I live my life - feeling guilty or distracted and wishing I were a better person. But if I stop thinking of myself and focus on you, I realize that there you are, waiting to love me, even though I have so many unfulfilled good intentions about prayer, so many desires of how to change this fleeting Advent season.



I can begin Advent today and make this season deeper by making room in my heart for you. I can take just a moment before I get out of bed in the morning and feel the empty place in my life I so often fill with my busy-ness. It is there I need you the most. Come, Lord Jesus. Come into that dark and lonely spot in my heart. You know what my needs are more than I do. Let me feel your love. If I only carry that thought with me each day, it will prepare me for Christmas.



Thank you, Jesus. It's not too late. You are waiting to enter my life today, where ever I let you in. Help me to open my heart in these remaining days.

From Creighton University...

PIcs to go with the previous post....

Vintage burlap sacks used as valences! I'm loving this!! And, our fallen angel. In our haste to get our tree back up this morning we left the house and didn't realize we'd left our angel upside down all day. :( sad...

Crash!

Woke up to our very cute and overly decorated real Christmas tree on the floor this morning. Ugh! The cat must have knocked it over. I was really more worried about Owen peeing on it than I was about Smokey knocking it over. I thought we were over that with him...I guess not. So, I stood in my family room at 6am with my head in my hands. Rick got it cleaned up and Kate helped too while I took the dogs out. We lost a couple of ornaments but I thought that if this is the worst thing that happens today then I'll take it.

I sewed the casing for the burlap valences last night. I love the way they look on the french doors. These suckers are definitely vintage and they really bring about a very warm primitive feeling in the kitchen. I'm very ready to finish all pottery orders so I can enjoy my house!! Come Friday, I'll be done working and done with orders. That will give me a good week to enjoy! Yay!!

Do you ever feel like this?

I know I totally feel like this all the time but when the guy who is selling the steaks out of the back of his truck is ringing my door bell I have to answer! I am so not buying steaks, I'm not, I"m really not going to do it but then of course, I always end up buying the steaks even though in my real life, the one where I buy meat at the store, I only buy organic grass fed beef. I think that there is no way on God's green earth that I would want to be out selling meat so I feel bad and buy it from the guy. I really do best when I can just peek and see who is at the door and if they don't see me and I don't want any then I will not answer. I can't turn down the sweet boy scout selling pop corn or the soccer player needing funds for his travel soccer team and he is selling children's books. I love children's books!

6th grade dance and 7th grade too?!

This post is mostly about my baby boy! Last night was his first school dance. The boys and girls had dress up for this 90 min. affair and man did they look nice! My friend, Pam wanted to get the boys together for a little mingling and munchies and a couple of pictures before the dance. Good idea Pam! I saw some other pictures of kids and everyone looked so nice. One picture had kids looking like they were going to hc. Lots of time for that!! Joe is a social guy and Rick and I are so happy he has such a diverse group of friends. He really takes after Rick at least when Rick was in school. Rick knew everyone and everyone loved him. He was friends with the nerds, jocks, pot heads, brainiacs, all of them. I think Rick being able to like everyone equally has really helped him be so successful with being in management. Anyway, Joe had a wonderful time at the dance and then we picked him up and took him to Sidney's Christmas party in bluff park. Sidney is a 7th grade friend at Simmons and somehow Joe and Sidney have become friends. I told Joe that by the time he gets to HHS he will know everyone! I just want him to always be respectful. I forgot to put Joe's change of clothes bag in Rick's car and I knew Joe would be upset because he didn't want to wear khaki's to the other party so we ran into Kohls and bought a pair of jeans and then I squirted him with some men's cologne haha. Rick and I went to eat. After trying three of our usual locations and they were had an hour wait we decided to try the new bbq place. It was really good!! We picked Joe up and went home and went to bed. It was a good night. Kate went to the soocer tournament with Alex and Jack went out with friends. I still have decorating and shopping to do! I'm feeling the pressure of time.

I am so happy my sweet Jack decided to not pursue baseball after last year. The list is coming out about who has made the freshman team and it is just so sad to see the kids that aren't on it. I know it is good for kids to not make things sometimes but gosh, it can really hurt. I suppose the ones who truely want it will go on and continue with their dream and there is always that annoying few that have just been in the "in" group from the beginning but man, its tough. I have no doubt Jack Leventry will be making huge business deals on the golf course in 20 years!

first in awhile

Well this is our first Friday in about four months that we aren't donning our black and orange Hoover Bucs shakers and cow bells. Kind of sad I won't see my fav's on the 50 but it's okay. All good things must come to an end and it is Christmas and I have so much to do it isn't even funny. I've retired the Hoover cheer until next August. Last night was the BGIS and Bumpus choir performances. The event was held at the new Bumpus and the gym was jam packed with families. I don't think they thought that many people would come but come on it's Hoover. There are always a million people there. Mr. Rodas does a great job with the kids. He is so passionate about his job and I love that. Joe has really enjoyed being in the choir not so much for singing although he did sing but its been fun. Also, we are blessed to live in a city that still values Christmas. This is what the season is about. If Jesus had not been born, there would be no Christmas and I'm so tired of all the dumb politically correctness out there. Merry Christmas!! The program had Christmas trees and they sang of Mary and the saviour being born. Love love love!!! So proud to be in this community!

Kate said something about having to run to Maddie's yesterday because Maddie forgot to turn in her beauty walk ap and she is out of town so Kate went and got it for her and turned it in. I asked Kate if she is going to do beauty walk and she said, "mom its not my thing." So, I get to go to beauty walk and just enjoy! I love that my girl is not a pageant girl and her friends aren't either and I understand that its probably fun to dress up and be a part of it but its okay that Kate isn't. I love that she is herself and could really careless. Its always fun to see who'll win or gosh who'll make the cut for top 30..

I had to put my etsy shop on vacation because I have run out of time to do any more orders. I'm working on the last ones today and hoping to ship out by Wed. I have a lot to do around the house, finish painting the family room is top on the list and I really need to finish shopping! Our friend, Kale is coming to measure for the basement entertainment center thingy. I"m hoping the bid isn't too much! We'll see!!

cozy and warm!

Marriage is a place of life where the life force can come forth like a seed that is moving to fruition. It can go out and bless another life to come into the world, blessing your community and neighbors. A very powerful marriage blesses the world.




That is why you often find that the people doing great things have a marriage that is a foundation for what they are doing in the world. Behind this great person is often a really great person. If you want to meet the truly great person, go behind the first one to the one who is supporting in every way what the other is becoming in the world. It is a great position of service, and God knows who is doing that. The world does not necessarily know, but God knows.



- John Morton

Busy times

I have about two minutes to write so this will be fast. Once again its raining but that's okay because I have a lot of cute things planned in my two's room today. Vonnie and I were saying yesterday that whatever happened to it raining like one afternoon. It seems when it rains, it rains for like three days straight. At least we had a beautiful day last Friday for the Super 6 game. Joe had a dr. apt so he didn't go to school as I would have checked him out anyway at 1. The high school kids got out at 1 as to allow for enough time for them to get home, and then get to the game. I think all the schools should have followed the high school as so many families have kids at several schools but whatever, they didn't ask me. We headed over to Tuscaloosa around 2pm. We met up with friends from Prattville for an early dinner. After Newks we found an awesome parking place and walked over to the stadium where there were lots of people lining up for the Buc Walk or walk of champions. Everyone was so excited which is always fun to see. It was so crazy seeing the Kate's friends walk the walk as seniors. I know I say it all the time but weren't they just in 7th grade? After the Buc walk we still had a couple of hours so we walked down to Phils with friends and had some appetizers. We saw lots of Hoover people and actually it was such a nice evening that we were able to eat outside. As we were walking back to the stadium we saw lots of kids that have graduated going to the game. We had great seats on the 40 pretty close to the field. Rick always laughs at me and Angie as we cheer and try to figure out the plays and the game. I did have a slight mishap with my cowbell. I was ringing it in my left hand and something happened and it slipped out of my hand and flew two seats down. Thank goodness it landed in an empty seat on a blanket! Goodness!!  I would have felt terrible had it hit someone in the head. I didn't realize those suckers can be dangerous. So, as I was cheering as most people were doing because its a football game not a movie, I was thinking that there should be a section for people who want to sit and just watch the game. I am saying this in all seriousness. Seriously, if you do not want to be bothered by cheering fans then sit away from people. I totally get that people go to games and don't know the kids or whatever and don't really care either way, my dad does that all the time. But, for those people maybe don't sit in the middle of the cheering section where people clearly have shakers and cow bells. Anyway, just my opinion...whateva! Hoover lost by 1, but the guys played a great game, totally played their hearts out and Prattville survived Hoover. I'm sure Hoover wasn't favored to win as Prattville has a handful of D1 committments. We left there feeling so proud of our team, all of them, the players, coaches, cheerleaders, painted boys, kids, families who cheered, the band. everyone! Thats what its really all about. I was talking to my dad and he said had a good point. We expect a lot from our team. We really do believe that every year we'll be playing for the state title. Most schools don't do that. So true!

Ahh, now that football season is over, I can reclaim our Friday nights. Don't get me wrong, I love our fridays' with friends, food and football but when you go all the way to Christmas it gets expensive and I'm tired! I've also been redoing the house which has added some stress but its finally getting done and its looking great. I'm so excited. I'm calling the carpenter today to get a bid on doing an entertainment cabinet in the basement. That is something I've wanted for 5 years. We have this awesome space and we don't use it to its full potential. Rick just texted me and said we aren't tracking for Maui right now. You know, that is fine because we really don't have time for Hawaii in May. With graduation and family coming into town, I know I'll be doing projects right up until people get here. We've started planning sb'12. I think I'm going to have a huge group with me. I'm excited! Better keep up with my booty camp!

Ahh so here we are, the first day of December. I cannot believe it is already December! The sun is finally shining today, thank the Lord! So much is going on this week, Hoover Bucs are off to Bryant Denney to play in the super 6. We've been watching these seniors for years knowing they'd be there someday and now it is their turn. Go Bucs! As much as I love football season, it is time to be done. I'm tired and I haven't even played a game!! Before I know it, Joe will be getting ready for spring football at Bumpus. As I head into Advent, I'm remembering that this is a special time of year. Sometimes I get depressed thinking of everything I'm supposed to do during the holidays and then I think is it all necessary? Maybe I should be of the mind set, yes, its all necessary, all of it and just enjoy and have a great time. Giving glory to God at all times for all of it while doing all the necessary things!