Surprise!!

Thank you to Rebecca for designing my winter theme.  I love it.  I asked Rebecca to design me a winter theme that wasn't Christmas looking and I think she did a wonderful job.  The only problem is that I like it so much I won't want to change it after winter is over.  

The Christmas Cardinal

I picked up this adorable cardinal ornament (made from a light bulb) this weekend at a local craft show.  It had this amazing saying about the cardinal attached to it.....

Christened the Christmas bird for its spectacular red color, the cardinal has become a symbol of the beauty and warmth of the holiday season.  A glimpse of this brilliant bird brings cheer, hope and inspiration on a gray, wintry day.  As natures reminder for us to focus on our faith, the cardinals scarlet plumage represents the blood of Christ for the redemption of mankind.  

Christmas Card Exchange

Just a reminder... If you would like to join the Christmas Card Exchange you still have time.  I will keep it open through the weekend and I will email the list to all the participants on Monday.  If you need more info you can click on the link for the post in the sidebar.  Come on and join us... it will be fun!   Happy Holidays!!  

A Mullauer Tradition

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family! I hope you have a wonderful day.

In honor of Thanksgiving I've decided to share with you a Mullauer Family Tradition. Dutch (Holland) Rusk Custard Pie! I had never heard of Dutch Rusk (sometimes called Holland Rusk) until I married into the Mullauer Family. Dutch Rusk is a dry toast that is found in the grocery stores in the cracker isle. Not a lot of stores carry it but most of the larger stores do.

Crumble up one whole package of dusk rusk. Mix with one stick of butter and 1/2 cup of sugar. Reserve 1/2 cup of mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture into bottom of a pie pan including the sides to create a crust.

In a sauce pan mix 3 egg yokes, 2 cups of milk, 1 TBS of butter. 1/2 cup sugar, 2 TBS corn starch, and 1 tsp of vanilla. Stirring constantly bring to a boil until it starts to thicken then pour into the crust.

Beat 3 eggs whites with 2 TBS sugar until firm and spread over the top of the custard.

Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Dutch Rusk mixture over top. Bake at 300 to 325 degrees for 1 hour. Let cool for 1 hour. Best when served warm!

Thank You Shelley!!

I won the Zingerman's cranberry pecan bread give away from Shelley a few days ago and it was delivered today!  All I can say is "Yummy!!".  You were right Shelley... this bread is the greatest.  

I only heated up half of it so we could savor some tomorrow.  This would be a great Christmas gift idea, you just couldn't go wrong with it.  Thanks again Shelly!! 

Baja 1000

Craig made it home yesterday and hasn't stopped talking about the great time he had.  Here's a few photos to show you some of the Baja 1000 race.  This first photo shows the team's "Finisher" pin.  I've never heard of the Baja 1000 race before (I know, I'm married to someone in the racing industry!) but from what Craig has told me there are approximately some 400 vehicles that are in the race.  Only about 125 even finish the race so just finishing is a major goal and accomplishment.  Their team finished about 57th.    

These are the drivers at the finish line.

Celebrating at the finish line. 

This is the main driver "Kevin Walsh".

Here's is the buggy before the race.

This is only one of 2 photos Craig came home with of himself.  

And here's a scenery shot of the beach/ocean from the house that they stayed in.  Welcome home Honey... now you get to stay home a whole 2 weeks before you are off again.  Once we get through December Craig's busy travel season slows way down.   

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet

I'm a little early this year.  Usually I wait until Thanksgiving weekend to put out the Christmas decorations but I decided today was the day.  I put out everything except the tree.  I'm waiting for Craig to get home to do the tree because we always go and get a live tree together.  That will be next weekend.  These photos show my newest decorations this year.  My sister-in-law Amy gave this canoeing snowman family to me for my birthday this year.  It's us! The Mullauer snowman family! Isn't it the cutest.  I love it.    

And Jordan and I picked up these yesterday at T.J. Maxx.  T.J.'s is one of our favorite stores.

Happy decorating!!!   

Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow

Zoe accompanied me outside early this morning to help me feed the birds.  Unlike Seadra who cries at the back door wanting back in within a few minutes, Zoe loves the snow.  She wants to run and play and bury her face in it.  She usually lasts about 10 or 15 minutes before she gets really cold and wants to join Seadra in the house.  

We got a ton of snow Thursday night and Friday.  It won't last long as temps are suppose to be in the 40's at the beginning of the week.  But it has gotten us all excited about winter approaching.  As most of you know we do not complain about the snow at our house (although, I do really dislike driving to work in it).  Caleb already took one of the snowmobiles out in the back yard for a spin.  The trails do not open until Dec. 1st.  I can hardly wait for those late night and early morning rides out on the trails in the groomer.  

I got another phone call from Craig this morning.  The race has been going on for about 24 hours (I guess it lasts about 36 hours).  He was tired but still very excited about it all.  He was going to get a few hours of sleep and then get back out there for the end of the race.  I told him to take a lot of photos so I could see what Mexico looks like since I've never been there.  

Hope you all are enjoying the weekend!   

Be sure to visit Shelley

My friend Shelley from "Building a Log Cabin" is having a give away on her blog.  Head on over if you haven't already.  She's having a drawing for some yummy cranberry pecan bread...... 

Royal Copley

I thought that I would show you how my Royal Copley collection has grown (click photo to enlarge for better detail), and my new shelf to display them.  I had to buy a bigger shelf unit... imagine that.  I've managed to get some really neat pieces.  All but one I've gotten off of ebay.  I see them in the antique stores but they are much more expensive there than I can get them off of ebay for.  It's been a lot of fun!  

On another note... I heard from Craig today.  He's having a great time and was really excited about the race starting tomorrow.  He's safe and secure and he told me I have no reason to worry about him being there.  I'm glad he having a good time. 

Missing my hubby

Craig is in Mexico all this week on the far west coast.  He's there on a pit crew team for the Baja 1000.  I am used to Craig traveling with his job but I am not used to him being out of the country.  I know it's only Mexico but I'm still having thoughts of him getting robbed or being thrown into some Mexican jail somewhere.... I know, my mind gets carried away!  And it doesn't help that the cell phone service is so limited that contact is minimal all week.  He'll be home Monday... come home safe Honey!  

First Snow

God painted a beautiful picture last night. We woke up to the first snow of the season. Craig had this job to do before he left for work.But it doesn't bother him in the least bit... see the smile!And this was the sight outside the kitchen window.
I think winter is my favorite time to photograph the birds. I love the snow in the photos and no leaves on the trees to hide the birds.
I opened the kitchen window and screen, then sat on the floor for a photo shoot with the birds.
It worked perfect. I got some great shots.
The birds are out in flocks today. It must be the snow.
I already filled the hopper feeder once this morning and now I need to fill it again already.
They know who offers the best seed in town!
My elegant Blue Jay.

Jordan is home from school today with a nasty cold. Zoe is making her feel better by snuggling with her all day...

Isn't it beautiful?

I took this photo at church this morning.  This is what our altar looks like every year for the 2 weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.  A gentleman in our church puts together this real live cornucopia.  To me it is a piece of art and I think it is so beautiful. 

For fun here is what dictionary.com says a cornucopia is:

1. Classical Mythology. a horn containing food, drink, etc., in endless supply, and said to have been the horn of the goat Amalthaea.

2. a representation of this horn, used as a symbol of abundance.

3. an abundant, overflowing supply

4. a horn-shaped or conical receptacle or ornament. 

  

WOW... It was awesome

This was the week! For nearly a year our church has had a dream to bring the youth motivational Christan speaker Justin Lookadoo to our community. The church kids first became aware of Justin from attending the ICHTHUS Christan music festival in Kentucky the last 3 years. He is one of the main attraction speakers there. The kids cannot get enough of him when they are there. And they all love his books too. He has a way of connecting with the kids that is amazing and his message is amazing as well. He is a true gift.

After much prayer and generous donations from many we were able to bring him to Hartford... who says small towns can't do miraculous things?

Jordan and JustinJordan, Justin and Caleb
Church youth group with Justin
Justin did 2 assemblies for the school during the day and an evening assembly for the community. The high school assembly was titled "RU Dateable" and was about teenage relationships. I knew watching him would be captivating but I had no idea how funny he was going to be. The middle school assembly was more about values and character. The evening assembly was more faith based and a mixture of everything.
He has a way of putting things that make you really understand his points. He made an illustration during one of his shows where he took out a $100 dollar bill. He proceeded to crumble it, stomp on it, spit on it. He made the bill totally disgusting. Then he asked who wanted the bill. Of course all the kids still wanted it. He stated that no matter what he did to the $100 it never lost it's value. He told the kids that was how God saw them. No matter how worthless or disgusting they may think their lives are God values them. In Gods eyes they never lose their value. In between shows the church youth group had a private dinner with him at the church.
It was amazing watching him interact with them.

It's a day we won't soon forget. We are thanking God.

5 things Jessica would never say

I've tried unsuccessfully several times tonight to upload photos to blogger!  Once in a blue moon blogger is stubborn like that!  I have people waiting to see the Justin Lookadoo photos... I promise they are coming as soon as blogger starts behaving.  

Until them I've decided to copy Margaret and do a simple post on the 5 thing I would never say:

1. I'm going to stop feeding the birds, the bird seed is making too much of a mess.

2. I'm never going to buy another piece of Royal Copley (bird figurines) off of eBay.  

3. No Honey, Id rather not go out to dinner tonight.

4. Stress!  What stress? I've never been under stress in my life (that one was for you Craig, so you could have a laugh). 

5. Yes, please do the laundry for me today.  (I'm confessing that I hate to have anyone in the house touch the laundry... It's the one job that I cannot let go of.... help me with anything but the laundry). 

And #5 reminded me of this conversation between Caleb and I the other day.....

Mom:  Caleb, I've been talking to my friends at work and they tell me that I'm doing you a real injustice still doing your laundry for you at 19.

Caleb: Quit talking to your friends!

Congratulations Jordan

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas Card Exchange

I've been thinking about organizing this for a few weeks and I've decided to give it a try. Come on and join me... it will be fun!!

Last year Seadra and Zoe participated in the "Dog's with Blog's" Christmas card exchange. They literally got over 100 cards from all over the world. Unfortunately Seadra and Zoe have not kept up with their blog and will not be participating in the card exchange this year. I know, shame on me!!
Anyway, I thought it would be fun for us blogging friends to have our own Christmas card exchange. Of course our exchange will be on a much smaller scale but that won't take away from the fun of it.

I know some bloggers like to keep their identity and where they live private and I totally respect that. If some of you choose not to participate for that reason I understand. If some of you think you might like to participate but are still a little leery for those reasons I have seen some people use a P.O. box or a place of business address. Remember... this is totally optional.

If you would like to participate please email me your snail mail address along with the link to your blog. I will not be publicly posting the addresses and names. I will send you all an email with all the names/addresses and blog links. I'll keep sign up open through Thanksgiving.

The only rule is that you must send a Christmas card to everyone on the list. How fun it would be get a card from Cliff with one of his poems in it, or a card from Margaret with frogs and knitting needles on it, and Jen and Shelley can send log cabin cards, Pigeon might show us her gardens, Ben might take us on one of his road trips and Laura might show us her two adorable kids all dressed up for Christmas.

Even if you are only a sometimes visitor or someone who rarely comments we would love to have you join us. Who wants to join me? In my side bar is a link with my email address where you can send me your info.

Signs of Winter

I've been anxiously awaiting the return of my Junco feathered friends.  I was thrilled to see my first one today.  He (or she) was all alone but I am sure I'll have my usual winter flock soon.  I love Junco's!  They are such adorable innocent birds, always hanging out on the ground under the feeders scratching around like chickens.  I love their delicate pink bills and white bellies.  

I picked up a few of these recently.  Supposedly they are bird roosting houses.  Little birds like Chickadees and Titmice like them in the winter for shelter at night.  This is the first year I've tried them... I'll let you know if I see any birds using them.