Oh my! Is Christmas over?

No I'm not dead, just lazy! Heehee! The holidays went by in a whirlwind of paper, ribbons, bows, traveling, colored lights(LOVE THE LIGHTS!), and best of all time spent with the FAM! :)

I'll include a few pics....of ANDY....any surprises there?? Although these were taken at CHRISTMAS and I haven't had the pleasure of receiving any pictures supposedly taken since then (hhrrmmmpph! hint hint to all CARRIERE readers)!!

SO let's see I MISSED my bloggy anniversary!!! I made it a year!! WOOHOO!!!! Not with the "POST-A-DAY" that it was supposed to be but I always tend to change the rules of everything! :) SO Happy Anniversary to Ginnydreamin' blogspot!

ALSO missed were several VIP BIRTHDAYS: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MY SO!!!


AND HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MILTIE!!!!!! Love & hugs to both! :)

I'll have to get busy actually blogging again since I seem to have been on a hiatus recently! :)

ON to the pics....


B & Andy :)


How could I forget the AWESOME TIGER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! GEAUX TIGERS!!! We may have a little tiger fan already!


Our littlest Santa!! What a cutie!! :)

It's a BLOGGY Christmas Tour!

Merry Christmas!! And WELCOME to the bloggy tour of Christmas in my home! Big THANKS go out to BooMama for hosting this event! You should check out her blog---it is HILARIOUS ya'll --& I'm NOT kiddin'!! AND since my spectacular computer skills currently prevent me from figuring out Mr. Linky---> you can find BooMama at http://boomama.net

Ok, ok back to the tour at hand! Grab a glass of eggnog, some delicious cheeseball and let's be on with the tour!! [Recipes included at the end of the tour]


Right this way ladies! & gentlemen if any are among us :)


The Christmas tree


Stockings hung by the chimney with care


In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be here


My favorite Christmas greens


The little tree all in clear and white


Happy Holiday greetings atop the bookcase :)


The back door welcome!


Christmas just isn't Christmas without a favorite junkstore find on a junk hunt with Dad (the kissing Santa & Mrs. Claus) & an object made at a wonderful friend's house when we were just little girls (the stocking)



Ginny's Spiked Kicked-up-a-notch Easy Eggnog

1 carton of eggnog from store of choice
Dilute in beautiful glass pitcher with 1/3 milk (skim, 1%, 2%...they all work)
Ok...just so I'm clear 1/3 of the pitcher = milk & 2/3 of pitcher = eggnog...it's JUST too thick right out of the carton....I even do half and half sometimes ;)
3 - 6 (maybe 8) shots of Southern Comfort depending on just how spiked you want it
1/3 to 1/2 cup Splenda depending on how sweet you want it ;)

Mix all together in gorgeous pitcher. Pour into your most festive Christmas glass! Top with freshly grated (or from the seasoning rack) nutmeg. ENJOY!!

Connie's Cheeseball---FABULOUS!!
(makes 2 small or 1 large cheeseball)

2 8 oz. blocks cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bacon bits
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 cup Miracle Whip or mayo of choice
1 cup pecans, chopped (reserve at least 1/3 to roll ball in)

Combine all ingredients. Divide into 2 if desired. Shape into ball using cellophane wrap. Refridgerate to harden. Roll in chopped pecans prior to serving. Serve with crackers or toasted french bread rounds. YUMMY!!!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY!! I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN NEXT YEAR!! TAKE CARE! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Getting ready for the holidays....

Trying to keep the energy going to take down fall and TRIM the house for Christmas!!! GOOD TIMES!!! If one goes out they all go out....!!??!##$*&&**!!!!




Betsy in a rare moment innocently resting under the tree she has tried to tear down more than 10 times in the first few hours of it being upright!!!




Odie has some objections to his Christmas outfit that I couldn't resist!




He doesn't really cooperate with picture taking in the costume either!!




He finally gives up the battle for just a few seconds!! HEEHEEHEE It was pretty funny.....I know, I know.....it could be deemed abusive to the dog to dress him in ridiculous things just for silly pictures!! :D

Happy Birthday Brandy!! :)

We had to say goodbye to the whole gang on a stormy day! But we managed to grab a few moments to celebrate B's birthday at a local tex-mex eatery!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY B!!!! Hope you found a few more moments to celebrate once you were safely home!!

Here are a few more pictures from the weekend:



Odie was very interested in Andy!




Opposite sides of the chair ;)



Odie isn't so sure about this! (forgive the blurry photo)




Andy is in SENSORY mode! He feels everything! It is so sweet to watch! Did I mention Mom broke her arm? Here is her little grandson checking out the green cast!



And here is Andy passing judgement on my floors!! :) Thank goodness I got to mop that spot! heehee SENSORY EXPLORER AT WORK!!





A FUN new book from Beth that ANDY LOVED!!!!!




Cold cutie all bundled up to go out in the storm!

Friday fun with Andy!!

There is a story that goes with these pictures :)!!!

My globe trotting father reportedly debated about what in the world to bring the baby from Italy! (note: he should NEVER EVER worry b/c he has an innate sense with gift giving)

Apparently there was a little monkey that wanted very much to visit the U.S.A. He was hanging off of a shelf when he saw the tall red bearded man come into the shop. Being a mischievous monkey (something like my beloved Curious George) he managed to climb onto the tall man's shoulder whispering his wish to traverse the ocean for America! Voila' ....the monkey's wish would come true!! After snuggling into the tightly packed suitcase of the man he now knew as Poppy, the little monkey was introduced to another red bearded man, his wife & a little redheaded boy! The stories of the monkey's homeland were rich with culture and ADVENTURE! The afternoon of listening and looking lead the redheaded family to dub the little monkey ---ROBERTO!!! It is said that Roberto and Redheaded Andy live to this day happily as BFF's forever!!

REALLY IT IS ALL TRUE! I have the pictures to prove it :) See below:


Andy & his BFF Roberto!



Andy LOVES Roberto!!


SO CUTE!! :)

Turkey Day Weekend!

I was blessed to have my family come to Houston for the Thanksgiving holidays! I miss them all and it was truly wonderful to have them in the new home! I keep the belief that my house SMILES when it is full!

We had fun watching the now quadriped Andy (LOOK OUT WORLD!!), cooking, chatting, eating, etc. We had a wonderful visit with a close friend of the family who was kidnapped by us all for an extra night! It was terrific to catch up and enjoy good times together again! Thanks go out for making the trip down to my Austin Aunt! :)

I'll be brief here so to get on with the Andy pics ;):


On all 4's & soon to be crawling!



My first Thanksgiving table with lots of Dad's help & creativity ;)



Did anyone else feel like this after dinner?

Where is this year going? ACK!!

I hardly know where time flies and why it is in such a hurry these days!!??!!?? I have been the worst blogger ever! I will try to remedy that as the holiday season (one of my FAVE times of the year) approaches ever so quickly!!!!

I will backdate a few posts to catch those up who peruse my blog!!!! I have some WONDERFUL ANDY PICS from my recent trip home :) that make an aunt *BEAM*!!!! :)

Speaking of aunts......I am missing two! ;) Are you girls out there? I MUST find a moment to call and make sure you are both doing well! So this is my shout out to my Texas and Arkansas "aunts" in bloggy fashion!! HUGS & LOVE from Houston!! :)