Great friends and a very special new Santa...

I've told you before about the wonderful boss I had for my first seven years at my current employer.  He and his lovely wife have become very special friends to me and my entire family. 

Although he is out of town, his wife asked me to stop by yesterday to pick up a few gifts they had for me.  They will be spending the holidays with their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter in Indiana.

Joy knows I collect and love Santas and this is the one I got yesterday.

Do you see all the bird houses, nests, and birds?   There is even a little raccoon.

Look at the little stack of logs near the raccoon.

 

Santa's eyes even look real and look at his fluffy soft beard.

Birds and bird houses are everywhere.

His coat and the fur is as soft as velvet.  I will always treasure this Santa.

Keep in mind, I don't even work for Tom anymore.  I keep telling them they don't have to do this anymore and they just grin.  They also always take us out to dinner at one of the fabulous restaurants in Greenville.  We weren't able to find a date between us for December so we're going in January.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

See what a little cedar trim will look like...

My son Rick has finished his face lift at his brother Chris' house.  He now has beautiful stained cedar shutters and a pergola and timbers over his garage door.

Each one of the corbels is hand made.

   

When we put new Hardiplank siding on our house, I may have to have this done too.
 

I think Chris is going to paint his garage door and front door to coordinate with the new stain.

 

Sorry the sun was in my eyes when took this picture so it's a little off kilter.  Kind of like me.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Pinehurst Pinecones...

Today I finally finished spray painting the pinecones I got from Pinehurst, NC gold.

They add just that little bit of sparkle I needed in a few places.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Merry Christmas...

I know many of you are planning your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinners.  As my gift to all of you here is my favorite recipe to serve with ham.

Baked Pineapple Stuffing

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 can (1 lb. 4oz.) crushed pineapple (drained)
5 slices white bread, cubed

Cream butter and sugar.  Beat in eggs one at a time.  Stir in pineapple.  Fold in bread cubes.  Turn into greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Great with ham!

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Happy 7th Birthday Nicholas...

We have been taking Nicholas to Texas Roadhouse for dinner on his birthday for about the last 4 years.  He loves that they sing, clap their hands and yell "YEEHAW" when they bring his cake.  This year he tried to act like he was embarrassed but I think he kind of liked it. 

They couldn't get us all at one table but they did put Chris, Elizabeth, Carson and Lauren right beside us.  Lauren's eyes are very brown, not red.

The birthday boy is just to the right.

  

Rick, Noelle and Chloe looking over the menu.

Carson will be five in January and I heard him say as we were leaving, he wanted to have his birthday party here too.  Get out your moldy money Papa.

Papa had to help him open his giant Walleye pillow from Cabela's for his bedroom.  We also got him a new regulation basketball.

 Rick wishes he could catch fish this big.

Chloe bought Nicholas more Tony Hawk gear.

He had a delicious carrot cake with ice cream.  Papa looks like he's about ready for a nap.

His favorite gift of all was a Super Mario Brothers Nintendo DS from his Mom and Dad.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen