Treasures of the Season: Part 4

On the weekend before Christmas, we made our second annual trip to Santa's Wonderland to see the lights.  It was such a treat for me to have ALMOST the whole family there for the trip.  We were only missing Jim and Matt.  I won't bore you with a lot of commentary...I'll just let you enjoy the pictures!

Maddux, Davin and Brooke with their light-up swords.
This was worth the price of admission!

We even got to see a REAL reindeer before he headed back to the North Pole to help Santa with the flight around the world.
52 points!  Jim says it looks like his horns are attached to a Great Dane!

My babies!
I couldn't convince them to get a picture made with Santa...but they did agree to one in front of the Texas flag in lights.

Brooke had her picture made with Marshal Frost.

We ate LOTS of kettle corn!

We went on a hayride to see the lights.

We went on a pony ride.
Look at that smile on Davin's face.

Maddux kept yelling out, "Yee haw"!

And Brooke waved to the crowd like a true Rodeo Queen.

We then went to pet the animals.

Or kiss them, as the case may be.

Then we stopped for a funnel cake the size of your head!

And warmed up with some hot chocolate or hot cider...whichever you prefer.

And then it was time to head home.

And God bless us all...each and every one!

Hope you enjoyed my walk down memory lane. Thanks for letting me share the things I treasured this holiday season!

Treasures of the Season: Part 3

Each December brings with it an opportunity for Jim and I to co-host a party with these two amazing people for our amazing employees!

Alison & Porter Bentley

We have the best time visiting.

Jim, Zheng, Shirley and Jonathon

And apparently, so do they.

Meagan, Derrick, Heather, Billy, Our Waiter, Chris, Dona & Trey

<>We have some fun by drawing for door prizes.

Ricardo, Ezequiel & Aida

Five Years!!!  Way to go, Jesse!

And we celebrate those who have stuck with us through the years!

But mostly, we just have a whole lot of fun!!

Treasures of the Season: Part 2

Thanksgiving is a special time for our family.    We travel back 'home' to southeast Arkansas to hunt and visit with my family.  We are not all able to make the trip anymore (this year we were missing Bri and Matt), but we try.  Since the majority of both of my parent's families are in the area, we generally get to see most everyone in one visit. 

Thanksgiving Day is hosted by my sister, Rosa, and my brother-in-law, Steve, at their cabin in the woods.  (Kelli pointed out the other day that their cabin looks eerily similar to the Santa pictures cabin!)

My Little Sister, Rosa: Hostess Extraordinaire

Rosa usually prepares most of the meats, including her delicious stuffed chickens which you have to be first in line to get some days!

The Jenkins Clan: 2011

This is Arlee & Lurlene Jenkins' crew...minus at least fifteen people!  We are a mob of chaos to try and get in a single photo.  Even in this one, we couldn't convince Maddux to get off of Uncle Steve's tractor for even one shot.

Uncle Bobby, Ray, Brandon, Glen & Will discussing the morning duck hunt.

We catch up with one another...

Time to eat! 
Mrs. Bertha, Steve, Brian, Jana, Shelly, Taylor and Derrick

...and we eat!  Boy, do we eat!!!   This is just the meat and side dishes.   In case you missed it, the dessert table is seen in the picture above with the boys talking. 

The Bolins and the Goodes

It is one of my favorite times of year because I get to be with those I love!

Standing: Derrick, Meagan, Will, Brian & Kelli
Seated: Fonda & Jim
Front Step: Davin, Brooke & Maddux

Treasures of the Season: Part 1

The tree was decorated.

The stockings were hung.

The fire was lit.

All was ready for the family to gather and celebrate.

Meagan, Derrick and Davin.

Kelli, Matt, Brooke and Maddux

Bri, Josh and Blue

Brian

William

Jim and I

Hoping you and yours had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a Happy New Year too!

From Our Family To Yours...

Merry Christmas!!!

Let's Go Razorbacks!

Today is 'The Battle For The Golden Boot"! 

Arkansas Versus LSU

We will be fighting it out deep in Death Valley...but I BELIEVE!!!

Woo Pig, Soiee!

Razorbacks!!!

Happy Birthday To My Thanksgiving Baby

She wasn't born on Thanksgiving...but her birthday has landed on it for the fourth time now.  We will be gathering with family to celebrate the blessings that the Lord has poured out on us this past year.  And we will say an extra 'Thank you' for her.

We love you, Kelli!  Hope your birthday is a blessing!

Mom & Dad

Things That Make Me Smile

In no particular order...just photos that make me smile.

Brooke in her new dance wear that Pappaw and Nonna got her for her birthday.  I love seeing her poses!

A bird sitting on the mailbox outside my doctor's office after my last visit.

Looks good enough for a Spring postcard, huh?

The 'Texas Smile' Cactus

I don't know if you can see it very well or not, but in the middle of this prickly pear someone painted a blue smiley face.  Earlier this year the road was closed for some bridge work and when we were able to travel this way again, there was the smile.  And it still makes me smile every day when I pass it!

Our dogs, Allie and Hoss, sunning with me on a beautiful autumn afternoon.  If we had known that Hoss was going to come along eventually, we probably would have named them Salt and Pepper...because they are never apart!

Hope you were encouraged to smile today too!

Easiest Rolls EVER!

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago...when I didn't work in an office most days but stayed home with my children...I loved to bake.  But, as much as loved it...I just couldn't do bread...or rolls.  Still can't!  My husband will tell you that I have a missing bread gene.  I burn the frozen garlic toast.  My 'homemade' biscuits are inedible unless they come from the Pillsbury Doughboy!  

But, these Refrigerator Spoon Rolls are Foolproof!  I tell you, anyone can make them!  I have had this recipe for so long that I have no idea where it originated.   The texture of the rolls is closer to a sourdough consistency than a yeast roll...but they are delcious smothered in butter or just all by themselves!

Refrigerator Spoon Rolls



2 packages of dry yeast

2 cups of warm water

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/2 cup cooking oil

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups self-rising flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water.

It will look like this.

Add all other ingredients and stir until well mixed.

The finished dough.

Place in an airtight container and store in refrigerator until ready to bake. 

As needed, spoon into greased muffin tin, filling halfway.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Dough may be kept in the refrigerator for up to one week.  Don't use too small of a container as dough will continue to grow a little after mixing. 

I need to take a picture of the finished product.  I keep forgetting.  I would rather eat them than photograph them! 

Hope you and yours are enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

Wonderful Wednesdays

A "shout out" to my Wednesday Bible Study Group.  We began in July with Cindi Wood's study, Frazzled Female and decided to keep going through the fall with Victoriously Frazzled.  We ended our studies this past Wednesday with lunch at Texas Land & Cattle where we laughed and talked of how our lives have changed since we started this journey just four short months ago.   We spoke of our 'one thing' that we wanted to take from this time together...and then we made plans to return after the holidays.

Vivian, Brenda, Jenifer and Fonda

We haven't decided what the next study will be...but I, for one, can hardly wait!

Guess Who Came For A Visit?

Look who rode home with me last Friday!

Maddux with his chocolate milkshake face.

Brooke posing with her cherry slush.

Their Daddy was taking their Mommy out for her birthday.  It isn't until the 24th, but she will be in Arkansas with us while he has to stay home and work.  So, the kiddoes came out to visit Nonna and Pappaw for the night.

The first thing on their 'to do' list was to go with Pappaw...

...to see the new calf.  We have discovered that he is a bull and his name is Jed.  (I will let Brianne tell you why his name is Jed.)

The kids were enthralled with all the cows.  Until they got too close that is!

Next on the list was to ride the four wheelers.

Maddux still hasn't quite gotten the hang of the 4-wheeler with the pedal.

...but look at the smile on Brooke's face! 
This was her first time to ride by herself and she was absolutely beaming!

Maddux decided to hang out on the Ranger while Brooke was riding.

And then Brooke wanted a picture with Pib.

And all of that happened in the first fifteen minutes after we arrived.  Needless to say, when their Mommy picked them up the next day...Nonna took a nap and still slept good on Saturday night!