sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching...

It seems the cold-flu bug is making its way through the ranks. I had some of it over the weekend. I'm feeling better today but decided to stay out of work. I didn't want anyone to catch this junk before Christmas. My poor brother is a different story. He has the stomach virus. I dropped off 3 bottles of Diet 7-UP at his front door, made sure he was ok (through the front glass door) then took off. Nobody wants that mess!!!! Hope you are feeling better soon!

A week from today is Christmas! Can you believe it? Where has this year gone? My family will celebrate the holiday on Sunday, Christmas Eve. It's our year to open gifts one day early. Next year, we will have Christmas on the day it is supposed to fall. It rotates every year with the Gentles and the Bradfords (sister-in-laws fam).

Speaking of in-laws, my sister-in-law, Sarah, had a good turn out for her cookie swap last weekend. This was the 4th annual gala. I have attended each and every one. I must say I think this one had the most people. It was a lot of fun.

I've decided to start posting some recipes on my blog site. I love to try new dishes. Mostly, I'm always looking for delicious sugar-free or low carb menu ideas.
However, for those of you who can eat sweets, I will try to post regular desert recipes as well. This one is loaded with sugars and sweets but I thought anyone looking for an easy and delicious cookie idea might try this one out. I made it for the cookie swap! Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Reese Cup Cookies

2 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 cup Crisco butter flavor sticks
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chips
1 cup Peanut Butter Chips
2 + cups chopped Reese cups

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in bowl. Beat butter, sugars and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy/ Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. stir in morsels and peanut butter cups. Drop by tablespoon fulls on lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan. Cool.
Makes 4 dozen.

Its all in a days work...

This photo was taken at the WAFF-48 Can-A-Thon food drive last month. I'm doing a live interview with Salvation Army Director David Singletary. His PR guy took the photo. Notice I'm in short sleeves. It was very warm that day! Normally, its freezing cold and rainy.

On a footnote, Morgan County won again this year with a can collection totalling over 100,000.

Finally, some down time after a busy week...

Wow! This has been a long sad week. It all started Saturday night with a telephone call that a friend of mine (see previous post) had died. I was getting ready for the WAFF-48 Christmas Party. Obviously after all that, I didn't go. It took several days for funeral arrangements to be finalized. He was bured Thursday at the city cemetery. I understand the sheriff and chief investigator gave a moving euology. I decided not to go. I would rather remember Justin the way he was. I truly feel sorry for his family and for his best friend David. Be sure to keep them in your prayers.

It sure has been cold! That wind makes my fur blow to the left! (my cats always hated that) I miss the warm weather, long days and green grass.

Mom came up Monday. We had a really good time. We ate breakfast at Cracker Barrell then went shopping. After a long day of spending money, we came back to Decatur and ate supper at Bob Gibson's BBQ. Yum!

Tomorrow, I'm taking Brad, John and Mary Beth to Sci-Quest in Huntsville for the WAFF-48 Kids Christmas Party. I sure hope they have a good time. Santa is supposed to make an appearance. I wonder if I should whisper what I want in this ear. Mom says I have to get that present on my own! hahahahahaha!

I got my cookies baked tonight for my sister-in-laws cookie swap sunday. i made a chocolate chip peanut butter cup cookie. Turned out beautifully.

The only person I have left to buy for on my list this year is my stinkin brother! I say that because his wish list consited of Sharpie markers and sugar free butterscotch. That is not the Chris I'm used to buying for. Don't worry! I think I've come up with a groovy little idea.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Saying goodbye...

Saturday, my friend Justin Camp died in his sleep. His wife came in to wake him up for work and found him dead in the bed. An autopsy shows he had a heart attack. Justin was 29 years old and the father of 2 small boys. He was a deputy with the Limestone County Sheriff's Department.

The end of another week...

Well my friends the weekend is finally here! This time of year though it seems like everyone is busy. Tomorrow night is the WAFF-48 Christmas party, which I plan to attend. Sunday I need to clean house. Monday my mom is coming up and we are going Christmas shopping! I'm excited. Our first stop will be Cracker Barrell. YUM!

Next week promises to be just as busy. Saturday, I'm taking my niece and nephews to the WAFF-48 *Kids* Christmas party. That should be fun! Sunday is my sister-in-law's annual cookie swap. I've got to find a day this week to bake my 60 cookies. Oh yeah, did I mention I will be working too? Busy! Busy! Busy!

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. Mother had a very delicious lunch prepared. We all dove in on one particular dish...grape salad! That suited my taste better than anything. I'm not much for all that heavy food that weighs you down and makes you feel bad all day. Fruit is wonderful and it doesn't leave you feeling sick. My Pickle makes the best grape salad!

My animals are all doing well. Momma Kitty and Gray don't like this change in weather. They like it when its warm...just like there mommy!

Hope all is well! Have a safe weekend everyone!