I'm Feeling Lucky! LOL

I won again!  This is just too good to be true and I am so very grateful. 

This time I won a giveaway from Vintage Patina - she had a great Newspaper Stamp Giveaway as a thank you to her followers and blogger friends.  Today was one of the more painful days for me - can't wait until the doctor burns the nerve in my back so I can stand up straight and not limp.  Then came the email from Mary that I won her wonderful giveaway and my day got brighter.

This is the stamp I chose: 

It was really a hard choice!  Both stamps (she had two to choose from) were ones anyone would want for their collection, whether or not they are a stamper (I'm just getting started but love unique vintage items).  To top it off, this was the very first time I had seen a stamp such as this.  It will definitely have a place of honor in my collection.

Mary, thank you so very much!  And followers, if you really want to check out a great blog, run on over to Vintage Patina and have a visit.

Smiles~

I WON - YIPPEEEE - HAPPY DANCE

Sorry, I'm just a tad excited.  Heidi, over at Fairy Footprints in the Sand just emailed me that I had won her giveaway.  Look: 

Isn't it sooooo neat!  A domino necklace.  I can't wait until it comes in!  Happy Dance........  :)

Smiles~

Party Time Deaux - WOW

Guess I better not wait as I see people have already started to visit me!  So here we got!

I believe my mother-in-law gave me this.  He currently resides in my spare bedroom all year round.  

My teddy, one of my favorite Christmas ornaments outside the nativity scene I mentioned in a previous post.

He sits on a little trunk in my hallway.  Isn't he cute?

Please ignore the junk in the background!  I "dressed up" my inside workroom last night with some estate/garage sale finds.  This is a sprig with a pinecone - plastic but I like it.  Better looking in person as my photo skills are HORRIBLE.

 

This little guy hangs on my bulletin board on my door to my work room.  I found him at an estate sale earlier this year.  He's made of wood and soooo cute!  Think I paid all of twenty-five cents.

I bought this Santa at Michael's on Black Friday as a gift, then decided to keep him.  He's hanging in my workroom next to the pine cone ornament.

I love this ornament.  Got it at a St. Jude's garage sale.  Think it's early 80's but not sure.  Anyway, it looks great!

My mini Christmas trees that stay on my entertainment center all year long. Found at Hobby Lobby (the green one) and Dollar General (the gold one).

My workroom door all dressed up for the holidays!
LOL - So, I'm lazy - pain does that to a person!


Okay, as promised, here is a WONDERFUL EASY divinity recipe.  I usually make these at Christmas.

Divinity in a Microwave

2 cups sugar
1/8 t. salt
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup karo
2 egg whites
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts

Combine sugar, salt, water, in 8-cup glass measure.
Microwave on high, uncovered 3 minutes.  Stir-microwave on high uncovered 8-10 minutes or until a small amount dropped in very cold water forms a hard ball (260).  Beat egg whites in large bowl until stiff--pour over hot syrup in thin stream on high speed-add vanilla continuing until mixture holds its shape and starts to lose its gloss (about 5 minutes); fold in nuts-spoon onto wax paper-approx. 50 pieces

See, now isn't that sooo easy!

Let me just say, Remember the REAL meaning of Christmas this holiday season.  The Christ Child.  Thank you dear God for sending him to us so we may be saved from our sins and join you in heaven one day.  Amen.

Enjoy!

SMILES!

IT'S PARTY TIME!

Sorry about that guys, hit enter by mistake!

Okay, today, Bella Dreams is hosting a Christmas Blog Party.  As I have been having chronic pain problems, I haven't gotten a lot posted, but I did take a few pictures of ornaments and Christmas items that I have strewed around the house.  I'll be back later with some pictures, but first........

I have a prized Christmas nativity scene.  My paternal grandmother made it back in the 40's or 50's I think.  She used to let my brother and I set it out and play with the camels reins.  Ma (that's what we called her) was a pretty uptight woman, but that was the one time she relaxed and it's a treasured memory.  Just thinking about it gives me a nice feeling.  I also have some of her really old Christmas ornaments.  They are so thin and fragile, I'm afraid to even take them out of the box.  They haven't been touched in a couple of years, but I really need to find a display case and put them in there - they are way too pretty to hide.

So, I'll be back later with pictures, AND I have an easy Divinity recipe to share.  The other day, as part of a cookie recipe swap, I posted an easy praline recipe, so check that one out too.

Until later.

Smiles~

Christmas Cookie Party

Etsy Cottage Style is having a Christmas Cookie Exchange Part.  All you have to do is click on the below picture that's in my sidebar (just like the one below) to join in the fun (and get some really great recipes)!  I couldn't figure out how to add the link to my picture inside this post - my HTML skills are non-existent!

So.....Here's mine.  Being close to New Orleans, I just had to do this one.  I make them almost every year for Christmas:

PRALINES A L ‘ORLEANS

4 Qt. Microwave safe glass mixing bowl, aluminum foil

Microwave Time: 13 minutes

30 large or 60 small pralines

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup whipping cream

1 pound light brown sugar

2 cups pecan halves 2 tablespoons margarine, room temperature

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix whipping cream and brwon sugar together in a 4 quart microwave safe glass bowl.

2. Microwave on HIGH (100%) 13 minutes Candy should be about 234-240 F (NOITE:  This was written BEFORE the invention of 1000+ watt microwave ovens so adjust time accordingly)

3. Quickly add margarine and pecans, stirring to mix.

4. Drop candy by teaspoon onto a sheet of foil and allow to cool

Now eat until you have a sugar high!  These are really very, very good

SMILES~

I WON I WON

YIPEEE.  I'm on cloud nine this morning.  I won TWICE in Jill's (Gypsy Brocante) VBF giveaway.  Not only did I win a great surprise package - can hardly wait to see what it is - but I also won some of her awesome hand stamped muslin ribbon. 

If you've never checked out her Etsy stores, you've got to.  She is such a talented artist AND she also has an Etsy store selling some cool vintage items.  Below are her three stores and they are linked to the Etsy pages.

Gypsy Brocante, Vintageology, and Gypsy Flea Market

There are lots of giveaways from other blogs going on, so just check out my sidebar from time to time.  Fiona and Twig just announced one click here along with Vintiquities Workshop click here. 

Okay, better run and get back to work.  I just wanted to send out a big THANK YOU to Jill. 

Smiles!

Another VBF Is Here! Also, SOB, the last

I was only a participant of Vintage Black Friday for a short time, but I LOVED it.  I wasn't going to post, but I'm feeling better today, and actually did some shopping.  If what I saw in North Louisiana today (still visiting Mom) is an indication of how well the economy is recovering, it must be doing a great job! Long lines, full parking lots, lots of buyers.  GREAT deals!  I hit Michael's hard and early today.  Got lots of great stuff.

Anyhow, I'll leave you with some Vintage images of Black Friday! LOL

An old black Argus camera - really cool looking, especially in person.

This is sitting on my parents' front porch!  An old player piano.

(ps.  it's for sale!!!!!)

The label on the inside of the lid.

My maternal great-grandmother and great-grandfather and two great uncles.  He was 20 years older than her!

Two of my great-uncles and that is my maternal grandmother in the middle.  Born in in 1911.

I thought this was a fitting end to VBF.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Smiles!