Shirley's World: 2009

Sunday, December 27, 2009

A Winter Evening.

I thought I'd just write a little post since it's a couple days after Christmas. It's nice and toasty in my house and it has started to snow nice big flakes outside. However, it's night time and I can't take a picture of it. But here is my snowman by the fireplace. I've had this since I had my shoppe. It was handmade by some of the girls that had things in the shoppe. This whole guy goes down into that bottom box for storage till the next winter. The nice thing about snowmen decorations is that you can keep them out all winter; you don't have to put them away after Christmas!

My card from my daughter. She always signs it from all her animals and our horses.

Then I got some yummy things too!!! I haven't busted into the Godiva yet!

My sister got me the bird feeder. Mine is on it's last legs; about to rot off it's hook! This one holds a lot!!! The little red cage is for peanuts.

On Christmas morning, Rocky and I opened our presents together.

I guess he liked that one! I get all his toys at Goodwill!! (Shhhh) But 50 cents to $1.00 sure beats $6.00-14.00 for dog toys at the pet store!!!

Hmmmmm, wonder if this one bites!!!!!!!!!

Mine!!!!!!!!!!

Guess I'll go peak out and see how much it has snowed so far.

Have a good one.

Shirley

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas everyone. Hope you all feel the magic of the season and are with the people you love.

Oops, . . . . No, No, Rocky!!

Peace,

Shirley

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Chicken Soup with a Starter

Thank you Debbie for hosting Crock Pot Wednesdays. See all the wonderful slow cooker recipes on her blog at: http://diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com/

Chicken Soup with a Starter

This is the one I used for the seasonings but I think any soup starter would work.

1 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. (Cute package!)

Cut chicken into little cubes.

Add 2 cups of sliced carrots and 1 cup each of chopped onions and celery.

Put the chicken and veggies in the crock pot first. Mix the seasoning with the water and pour over chicken and vegetables.

Everything's in the crock pot (except the noodles) and it's ready to cook on low for 8 hours. I have one big suggestion for this soup. It is very strong in the herb department so if your crock pot will hold it, I'd put at least another cup of water in there. It calls for 5 cups of water but I'd put 6!

(It seems everything I make is green!!!! : ))

A Christmas place setting just for me : ))

My Christmas tea pot. And the Christmas card my sister sent me.

All ready for dinner.

Add a cup of your favorite noodles the last 10-15 minutes. I didn't believe they'd cook in that length of time but they did!

Eight hours later it's all done and ready to enjoy with some good buttered rolls.

Nothing like hot chicken soup on a cold wintery night.

Have a happy Wednesday. Hope all your shopping is done!

Shirley

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Rocky in the Snow Mosaic

Thanks to Mary at Little Red House who hosts this "party". You can see all the participating people's mosaics at http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Rocky doesn't really like snow (or rain) falling on his head. (Maybe that's why he runs so fast.) However, I don't think he'd let me put a hat on him!!! : )) His coat is made by the same company that makes horse blankets.

He's such a handsome boy!!!

Shirley

From Fall To WInter

I'm joining in on Metamorphosis Monday to show just a couple little changes. Thank you Michael for hosting this meme. You can visit her blog to see a list of all the participants. http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Today I'm showing my little shelf in the family room go from summer/fall to winter/Christmas. Since I don't have a mantel on my fireplace yet, I have to decorate this little shelf.

I'm not over decorating this year as I'm not having "the party" but I made my shelf look a little Christmassy.

Now I always liked this picture. Number one, because I love sheep pictures and number two is because this is how I picture myself (in my imagination!). Of course I don't have a farm!

Now to the dining room (which is still without a table). My light fixture in the fall . . . . .

And my light fixture for Christmas.

Notice I've emptied out my etagere getting ready for the kitchen/dining room re-do!

Merry Christmas everyone.

Shirley

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Our Horses

Merry Christmas from Preacher! This was taken a few years ago but see, even horses have to put up with those antlers!!!

An Arab's Tippy Ears.

Thank you Pam for taking this beautiful photo of Satire. See how fuzzy; he has his winter coat now. Satire has this beautiful marking, a heart on it's side, on his head.

Me running Echo at the barn. It is cold but he is beautiful!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone. I'll be at the barn again. : ))

Shirley

Friday, December 18, 2009

And That's For SURE!!

Shirley

The Christmas Rush

Here's the card my sister made for me to send out. So I'm giving it to all you blogger followers and visitors out there. Have a very Merry Christmas.

I have been so busy with getting last minute shopping done, mailing cards to people I got from that I didn't send to. (You know how that goes. I was cutting down on the number of cards I send but then you get them and feel bad so you send more out!!) The days I don't babysit or have something urgent to do, I'm at the barn. I love to be with the horses but in this cold weather, running with the horses makes you get very sleepy once you come home and sit down in the warm house! I barely stayed awake for a movie I had rented! I guess all this is to explain why I haven't been blogging as much. I've discovered you have to be organized to join and have something ready for all these "parties" every week! (You also have to be quite organized to use coupons, I've discovered!) I'd like to just blog like today, but then I don't suppose anyone will find me! Maybe my followers would?? . . . . . Hello if you did : ))

Shirley

Monday, December 14, 2009

Handmade Cards

This Tuesday I am showing off some more of my sister Sue's handmade cards. I'm going to link in with two blogs! I normally don't do that but I just found "Get Your Craft On" at http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/

All things on her blog are VERY crafty and there are tons of great ideas!

Now the second link will be with Tam at http://www.thegypsyscorner.com/ Join with her to see all the other participants.

Here are a few more examples of my sister's handmade cards. She must sit in her craft room (which is like a store, let me tell you!) for hours. I have made some cards and it takes me hours for just one card! And woe be unto anyone I send it to that throws it away!!!!!!!!!

I like this one with the polka-dots. Even the base paper card is embossed with dots.

This one is so pretty I think, with the ribbon "tying" the bouquet of flowers.

A glimpse back to summer! Cute.

Her favorite colors and time of year is fall so she has lots of them.

This is it for now but I will show you some more in the weeks to come. I hope she sends me a photo of her craft room!

Have a good Tuesday everyone. I'm going to a lunch out with the girls tomorrow!

Shirley

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Mary, Did You Know?

Stay a minute and listen to the music.

Have a blessed Christmas.

Shirley

Ava's Blue Dress and Poor Rocky

I'm joining in on "Blue Monday" at Smiling Sally's. You can see her blog and all the other participants here: http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

This is my Grand daughter, Ava in her little blue dress. I took this last week when I was baby sitting. She looked so cute and was glad to pose. She'll be 3 in a couple months.