Christmas brunch and such

We had a fun day in Watertown  beginning with a Christmas brunch

followed by a little gift opening

 Most people may sing Christmas carols or play games after they open gifts but we have epic battles and shoot at one another!

After the battle there was some serious decorating and cookie eating

 

And even some time for outdoor play!

Stay tuned, there's much more Christmas fun to follow in the next few days!

crowded

Just when I thought we were all out of parking spaces here on the Ponderosa today

another vehicle arrives!

 

The Ponderosa was the place to be today!

Tuesday on the ponderosa

On the Ponderosa today. . .

Tiles for the bottom of our shower are being sealed

Gifts were tagged.

Our minister delivered a fruit basket to us.  It was from the youth group. We think it is because we are old! 

Decisions about porch posts were made. 

And I decorated my fruit bowl for Christmas. 

I guess it's a good thing we got some extra fruit!

good sunday

Church, subway for lunch, community theater  in the afternoon and chicken and dressing for supper equals a good way to spend Sunday.

 

(I cheated on this one and used canned chicken)

Chicken & Dressing Casserole
3-4 chicken breasts (2 lbs.)
1 14-oz can chicken broth
1 small onion, finely diced
6 tablespoon butter
1/2 pan of cornbread* (6 servings), crumbled
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning (plus more to taste if desired)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3 boiled eggs, peeled and diced (optional)

Slowly cook chicken breasts in broth over medium-low heat in a covered pot until cooked through. Don’t boil them to death or they’ll turn out hard and rubbery. Remove chicken and allow to cool then shred with two forks or dice into bite-sized pieces; cover and set aside. Measure out two cups of chicken stock and set aside.

Meanwhile, sauté celery and onion in butter until onion is translucent.

Combine reserved 2 cups chicken stock, cream of chicken soup, salt, poultry seasoning, pepper and garlic and stir well.

In a large mixing bowl combine cornbread, chicken, sautéed veggies (with butter), chicken stock mixture and boiled eggs and mix well. Spoon mixture into a greased baking dish and cook, uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until nicely browned on top. Remove from oven and let rest 15-20 minutes before serving.

junk removal

 

On this unusually warm December day we have worked hard removing the junk that had gathered around the shed. It no longer looks like a barbecue pit when you drive up!

a perfect day

It was a perfect day for a Christmas parade and a visit with Santa and a magic show and some shopping at the Christmas Market in Byrdstown!

Just a perfect day!

christmas lunch and concert

We enjoyed a Christmas feast with our senior friends at First Christian Church today. 

My favorite part of any feast is always the dessert table and today's did not disappoint.

After lunch we had music from the Cross Brothers Band.  Peanut got in on the act performing his trademark song, Big Eyed Rabbit!  We always have a great time with this fun group of people.

December 2

For the last few days the Bradford pear trees have been brightening the rainy days with color. I think they have been trying to make up for the lackluster fall we had. 

We made a trip to lowes for tile today. This is my effort to replicate the pattern on the wall and try to figure out which sizes to choose. Tile is heavy!  It took 3 people to help us push our carts full of tile and other flooring to the checkout line!

getting back on track

Well, I let October go by and then I let November go by and no posts.  My Aunt Linda gently reminded me that she checks my blog every night before she goes to bed, so I am going to try and do better.  Plus the building is winding down, almost everything has been chosen and there are less trips to building supply centers!  We've still been doing lots of exciting things but our home base is totally unorganized with all the construction so I spend extra time looking for things! Here's some highlights from October.
We started out the month with our annual family photos.  This year we went to the Obey River Campground with Jennifer Potter and had perfect weather for our photos. 

We had a baby shower for Little Evie Mae who will be born on Thursday, Dec. 3rd.

Peanut had a birthday and we celebrated by taking a train ride in the Big South Fork with our friends from church and Tracie and Parker.

We had a fun Halloween lunch with the Seniors at First Christian Church

Even though we did not get to see them this year, all the grands enjoyed Halloween despite the rainy conditions that week-end.

 In November, we continued to spend time and money choosing building supplies!

 We celebrated Parker's 9th birthday with a Star Wars party.

We celebrated Thanksgiving in my new kitchen and with Dr. Joe in Knoxville and at Brooks and Brynn's school.