New Year's Eve

We are having company for

New Year's dinner tomorrow

so I spent this morning cleaning my house

but come the afternoon

I got in the mood to

feather my nest a bit

Hubby calls it playing house

Well maybe there is some playing

involved but never the less

I enjoy it and it's never ending fun!!

Remember the vintage ironing board

from my last post

well I changed up the decor a little

I'm not through playing.....

Once I take the Christmas Tree down

I may move this into the living room

I'll know when I find the right spot!!!!

We've just finished a wonderful dinner

Salmon

Roasted asparagus

Smoked Gouda Mashed Potato's

Crusty Bread

Yum Yum

Later tonight we are planning on making these...

and seeing in the New Year in our rockers

on the front porch hopefully watching some fireworks

Hope your New Year's Eve is safe and fun

whatever you do!!!!!

Every Little Birdie says -

See you on the New Year!!



A Movie & an Ironing Board

Yesterday was my last day with the grandson

I had promised him lunch and a movie

(The Hobbit)

Before the movie I took him

downtown to Fossati's Deli for lunch

Fossati's Delicatessen is the oldest deli in Texas, and one of the oldest restaurants in the United States. Located in Victoria, Texas, Fossati's was opened in 1882 by

Italian immigrant Fraschio ("Frank") Napoleon Fossati.

After lunch and a little history lesson

we headed out......

BUT WAIT

.....since we were in the downtown area

and all my favorite flea markets are in that area.......

I decided it was time to introduce my 14 year old

grandson to the "flea market world"

He found it some what interesting

and I found a treasure I couldn't live without

a vintage ironing board



I love the red metal

but not so much the ugly cover

so first thing I did was cover it with pretty linens

Ok, this looked better

But then I peeked under the old cover
and pad and look what I found....

A beautiful wood board!!!!

as you can see the under pad was rotted

and falling apart and it was nailed to the end

of the board so it took me a while to get it off

But finally......

Wow, how cool is this????

and it only cost me $5.00

For now I have it in my bedroom

I added pictures of my grandparents

and a pair of my baby shoes

I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with it

maybe keep it, maybe sell it in my next booth

or I could even use it for display in my booth

Decisions.....Decisions

I also picked up two vintage aprons

at the flea market

Aren't they cute

They will definitely go in my next booth

which will be in March at Goliad Market Days

Every Little Birdie says-

Lunch & a movie, grandson was happy

a little flea market shopping, Nana was happy

it all worked together for a wonderful last day

with my very sweet grandson!! 

After Christmas Shopping

My 14 year old grandson is

staying with us for a few days

after Christmas

I promised to take him to the

Victoria Mall yesterday

to spend some of

his Christmas cash

The mall is not my "cup of tea"

when it comes to shopping.......

but look what I found in an eclectic

shop that carried new and "OLD" things

This cute little drawer

painted blue with a glass knob

Right up my alley

and here's the best part........

everything in this shop was marked 75% off!!!!

Cute drawer.....$3.24

and

this pretty silver tray

love the detail on this piece

drum roll please.........$2.24!!

and last but not least

This great old bucket

filled with baby's breath

I added the dried roses and flowers

at the grand price of $6.48

Amazing to find these things at

the Victoria Mall

Oh, and grandson found

a pair of Van shoes

that were right up his alley

A fun day spent with grandson....

After Christmas shopping

checked off my list.....

and some great deals on a few

 lovely old treasures

Every Little Birdie says-

Hope you found some bargains too

at the after Christmas sales!!

Nana's Tradition

One of my traditions with the grands

is the annual "Gingerbread Party"

It started when they were very young

and even now as teenagers they

still love their annual party

Supplies were gathered

Aprons were tied on

dough was made

let the party begin.....

They each have their own cookie sheet

for their gingerbread creations

of course they couldn't share one...

you wouldn't want to get your

masterpiece mixed up with your sister's

"Nana, check mine out!!"

messes are made

that's part of the fun!!

Another very important part

of this party is the

gifts they get to open

I have wonderful memories

of "Gingerbread Parties"

past and present

Such sweet times with Nana and her Grands

Nana's Gingerbread Cookies

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 cup butter, softened

3 T. molasses

2 T milk, or more if dough is too stiff

1 egg

3 1/4 cup Flour

2 t. soda

2 t. cinnamon

1 1/2 t. ginger

1/2 t. salt

Add wet mixture into dry and form into a dough ball

Use plenty of flour on your work surface

roll out or pat out dough and cut with your

favorite cookie cutters

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes

Let cool on baking rack

Every Little Birdie says-

What are some of your favorite traditions???

Hope your Christmas is Merry

and your New Year is Bright

linking up at

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/12/time-travel-thursday-129-talented-time.html

Christmas Glow

My daughter and her family arrived

Saturday and we are enjoying

the glow of Christmas

The screened porch is
a beautiful place

to be this time of year

Doesn't it look magical

We also spent some time

outside around a nice fire
drinking my son-in-law's
famous egg nog

It was a sweet family time

Hope your Christmas Weekend

is all a glow

Every Little Birdie says-

See you Christmas Day

with a review of our family

time together

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from South Texas

I normally do a Christmas letter to my friends and family

but this year my circle of friends has widened

to include my blog friends all over the world

So I'm doing a Christmas BLOG!!

This was our first full year in our new home in South Texas

and a full year it was......

We loved having many of you visit this year

Lot's of fun was had on the screened porch!!!!

We hope more of you will visit in 2013!!!!

Here's a look at 2012.....

Avery, my granddaughter reading in the hammock

during her summer visit

My long, tall, handsome Texan

( grandson, Trace )

We were lucky enough to have lots of visits
from the "Grands"

and enjoyed every minute

of our time with them

Lots of time spent at the coast

Captain Papa

aka Hubby

Lots of beach time

Me and friend Carol with our puppies at Port A

My niece Kim and her kids enjoyed a trip to the beach on their visit

Me, Tyler and Maci wading at Port Lavaca Beach

So many wonderful times on the porch

games on the porch

NCH Girl's Weekend

Spring Break on the porch

Card games on the porch are
 even fun when the weather turns cool

left to right - Avery, niece Katy, Poor Loser Trace, daughter Jenn and Son Justin

There's even been a few concerts on the porch

Hubby and Janie (our musicians)

and of course there were the fun shopping trips to Goliad

The highlight of our year

was the wedding of my niece, Katy

and her handsome husband John

held deep in the hill country of Texas

After roaming all over the world Katy was finally

lassoed by John and is now tied down in Austin, Texas

And we couldn't be happier for both of them!!!!

It was a great time for our family

Jennifer, Jason, Katy the Bride, and Justin
My kids and the bride



Me & Mom



Granddaughter Avery handing out programs

Hubby playing wedding music

parents of the bride

my sister Tricia and brother-in-law Hank



and their beautiful Grandchildren

It has been an incredible year and we feel

truly blessed.  We love where we are,

we have a beautiful, healthy family,

Dan & I will celebrate

39 wonderful years of marriage

next year, life is good. 

Although there has been terrible tragic events through out the country

and the world this year, we know

that God is in control

and loves each of us.  

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  

Romans 5:8

Hoping you have the gift of

Christ in your life this Christmas. 

May each and everyone of you have

a Very Merry Christmas 

and a blessed New Year 

Every Little Birdie says-

I'll be returning to the blog world
shortly after Christmas

Until then have a Merry Christmas!