Excitement in the air

Yep that's right.. Now that Christmas is said and done I can return my cluttered house back to its original form of clutter. 

Our Christmas this years was of the best I have had since the passing of my mom.. But, this year the kiddos wanted to buy for daddy/pa. I must say each one thought real long and hard on what he would like to get this Christmas year.

First stop....Tractor Supply

Ty got him a ratchet strap bundle



You can see the sheer excitement on his face!!

 

 

 

Bro got him a telescopic flashlight

 

Look up here daddy. See it can go smaller and biggerer..!!

Next stop The Dreaded Wal-mart!!!!!   AAAAAAHHHHHHHH

Syd got him a new wallet b/c his other one was 90 + million billion trizillion years old

Now my money will look good..!!

So, what made this Christmas the bestest ever..?

The smile on my hubby's face.. The joy in my kids hearts when he open their gift and told them he really, really needed it..


That is not all that made Chirstmas, well Christmas. It is the birth of our dear Lord Jesus Christ.
Without Him there would be NO CHRISTmas!!!!!



Skirts vs. Pants

Over the past 10 months I have made a change in my wardrobe from jeans/pants to skirts or dresses.. Mainly skirts..

But, as time as gone on I have had some thoughts on whether I should continue on in my skirt journey..  I have been told that some people miss seeing me in my jeans.

And, as the winter continues on I find myself wanting to put my jeans back on for warmth.

I am not sure what to do..

I know the reasons why I don't want to wear jeans..because I feel like they shape around my rear and I do not want to draw attention to that area.. I want to keep that covered.. I desire to be modest in my dress. But, I also want to be warm. 

So, that raises the question of tights..? Yes I do wear them.. But, I HATE THEM.. They make my fat rolls on my back and stomach area roll over the top of the tights and then I feel like I look totally gross..

Here I am at a cross roads..

Jeans

Skirts

Jeans

Skirts....

AAAAHHHHHHHHH.......

I guess of all else fails..

There is always the BIRTHDAY Suit...????!!!!!

Making Memories

Over the years of putting up the Christmas tree and wrapping presents. I feel like I have just gotten in the mundurm of the holidays. And, I don't want to feel that way.. I must admit I have no Christmas spirit in me. I despised putting up our Christmas tree this year.. Not, to worry I did for the kids.. however, we only just put it up yesterday... I put very little decorations out.. and usually my house is full of them.. Little santas (even though we don't do santa, I just like the way he looks), snowmen and all these cute will christmasy things..

But, I wanted to have something to remember year after year..So, I found this idea on Pinterest!!!

It is a Christmas Tree made of our hands..

Starting from the bottom...Ty, me, Hubby, Syd, and Bro...I almost cried when we got finished...

Then today, Syd and I wanted to bake/make something sweet.. So, we pulled out all the cooks book and hunted for something that we could make without buying any of the ingredients..

We came across Chocolate Truffles

3/4c Butter soften
3/4c Cocoa
1 (14 oz) can of Sweeten Condensed milk
1 T Vanilla

Melt the butter in a pot on low heat.









Then add the Cocoa and mix until smooth

Blend in sweetened milk (why the book says blend is beyond me I just poured mine in) Stir constantly until mixture gets thick and glossy looking.. (not as to see your face in it) Roughly 4 min
Remove from the heat and add the Vanilla..

Store in fridge for 4 hours... Will waiting open the fridge repeatedly and stare at them..

After the fours hours is up remove..(nope not to eat but to roll up in little ball and place back into the fridge for another 2 hours.. Which at this point it would be best to leave to house and get those balls out of your mind..

Return in 2 hours and mad dash for the fridge before anyone else..


After, all that is done....Enjoy watching your boys get along..

I had gone out of the room to return to this wonderful sight. It warms my heart to see my baby boys getting along...

1 More Down!!

I am supper excited to say that I have finally finished my niece's hat and scarf... I hope they like them..

My Super Model

I am so glad to be done with those...

Now I am have to finish working on my bedspread!!!

One More thing!!!

I know most of you who read my blog I may know personally and are FB friends. But, today on fb I came across something distrubing to me.. I have a love for childern. I have a deep love for down-syndrome children..

What was posted today made me angry..

To party or not to Party?

That is the question on everyone's mind the Christmas season.

All around the world people are hanging the Christmas tree, wrapping their Christmas presents, and getting in the Christmas cheer..

Some maybe planning parties for those at work, church, friends, and family..

So the question to you is, do you go and eat all that you can? or go and pretend that you are not really all that hungry?

NO!!

You go, you enjoy, you eat, you celebrate, you laugh, and you wear really tight pants, so you don't over eat..

There that is the tip for this Christmas season....

I hope you all have a very Merry and Thin Christmas..

Coffee Connoisseur #2

Not many years ago I barked an adventure on my Coffee Frenzy. And, from time to time I like to get me some of that fancy coffee that costs an arm, leg, kidney, and your liver. But, I have to admit it is very well worth it.

The smell, the taste of it all just sends my whole world in to a kind of serendipitous spell.

I would love to be able to make that kind of coffee right here in my very own home.

And, another tribute to Pinterest (which I misspelled yesterday) I have found one way to make the good cold coffee that I sometime buy from the store...

I haven't yet made it but, I do plan on it when I get the hankering for a cup of cold joe..(to cold outside right now)..



I have also been to another place that make this wonderful, sensational coffee that I speak of. You can find it at The Pioneer Woman. 

This recipe I have heard great reviews about and I am soon going to make it for ME!!!




Dear Pinterest,   I love you ...

Sincerely,
Arica

One more time...

I know you guys are probably getting as tired of starting and stopping as much as I am..But, the other day I was on Pintrest.. (Who ever came up  with it is a genius.. Just too smart for their own breeches)

Oh, where was I... That's right something I had found on Pintrest (AAAAHHHHHH)

I was blazing through the fitness and health category and came across this Easy peasy workout routine.




It was not as easy peasy as I would have liked for it to be. See, I thought Wow I could that everyday..

Run 1/2 mile
some sit-ups
some squats
some push-up
Pugh, in  it's face.. So, I thought I would amp it up and add some back flys



Not, to bad I thought. I may have just figured out a work-out I am willing to stick with.

First, let me tell you what kind of person I am..

I am a skimmer.. I rarely read anything all the way through.. (expect recipes and the bible) like
e-mail, directions, all sorts of things..This gets me into a lot of trouble..

But, back to what I was saying.. I thought I had my ultimate work out..

Until I reread and noticed that it says do it 6X....

WHAT???? 

Okay, I can do this.. I jumped on my tred-mill yesterday and went to town..I mean if I am going to do it I mine as well put to umph behind..

4.5 mph  with a incline of 4 (what was I thinking)  By the time my 1/2 mile was up I was certain I couldn't do just some push-up, sit-up, squats, and back flys.

But, I pushed on through now I was on my second round.. OH, Btw.. I wasn't able to all
30 sit-ups..For some reason these are the hardest for me.. So, 25 was better than none right?

Right!!! keep up the good work Arica..

Okay, I am just finishing up my second 1/2 mile at 4 mph and 2 incline.. Yep I am slowing down..

I jump off lay down to do my 30ish or so sit-ups and I feel this wave a nausea sweep over me.. But, I must keep going..

I get through with my
SQUATS
PUSH-UPS
SIT-UPS
BACK-FLYS

and realize maybe just 2 rounds are good enough for me!!!

Fantastic....!!!!

Over the course of the past few years, God has pressed upon me a desire for more children... I don't know what He has in mind, if it would be through adoption or giving birth..

But, sometime ago Syd and I used to sit in front ofthe computer and look on Reece's Rainbow at all the beautiful children who need a family.. We came upon this one photo of a little baby. Her name was Lizzy. She was the cutest thing I had ever laid my eyes on..

So, the other night Syd comes and sits in my lap and asks if we can look up Lizzy to see what looks like. We searched and searched, but we could never find her.

Finally, we did a search on their web-site to see if we could find her by name. Well, guess what?

We did and she is still the most cutest thing but, she is being adopted..

Syd and I just about cried...So, of course after all these years of thinking of her and praying for her I needed to know what family is taking her in. I became a detective and found a blog of the family and the neatest thing is they live here in GA..

I mean how cool is that.. I couldn't believe it..

  So she has family... I am sad but, I am excited.. Now I know she will be taken care of... I've already fallen in love with this precious little girl..

But, there are many more beautiful kids on there all needing a family to love them.


Melanie


Adele

All these abandoned babies breaks my heart..

Seriously I need to quit looking... I am only driving myself crazy..

IT'S DONE!!!

Well I have finally finished my sister (Andrea) scarf and hat..

First, let me just say how dang aggravating it was to make..

I am one of those people that expect to perfect at everything I try, so like crocheting I don't want to have to tear it out and redo it. I don't like when I can't figure out what I have done wrong or why the hat is to big or too small..

But alas, I have prevailed, yes that means I did tear out and redo.. And, that I believe makes me learn it better...

I didn't have a pattern for the finished product of this hat.. When I did finished the original pattern it was way to big for my head, it was way to big for Ty's head.. So, I tried to figure out how can I make it fit better with out tearing all this out. YEP!! THAT'S RIGHT.. I DIDN'T TEAR THIS OUT!!!

NO. NO. NO  YOU COULDN'T MAKE ME DO IT..

I folded the the back and stitches it up..

The Flower I just made it up.. In all the books that I had I could find one stinkin flower patter that I liked... So Volia...

It may not be the purttiest thing you have ever seen, but it just might keep your head warm..

Camera flop

Many years ago, I wanted to be a photographer, and I was given a very nice camera by my old boss. I tried many times to take great photos, so soon after that I just tried to take good photos.

Many months ago I had gotten a very nice camera  that I am not very good at using and so last month I was taking all these wonderful photos and when I downloaded them this is what they looked like.

this was a recipe I was trying

This was a class trip to the Lions Camp for the blind

This is Ty on the Four Wheeler

This is Bro and Syd on the back of the four wheeler inside of the condo stand for deer hunting..

But, luckily I have figured what was wrong and have since corrected it... Yay!!  I just hope that next time this doesn't because I feel these, what would have been great photos, are no good.

A new way

Once again paying omage to my dear friend at BWB.  I asked her the other day how she did school, and she said that she did History/Geography and science in the morning right after breackfast.

Well, I had been doing the exact opposite.. We did as follows

Scripture
Bible
Spelling
Grammer
Geography
Science
Math
Independent Reading

But, with the great advice form BWB, I now do Georgraphy and Science in the morning.. I get all the reading stuff out of the way so that I can carry on my mid-morning activites.

Here is the new list

Scripture
Bible
Geography
Science
Spelling
Grammar
Math
Independent Reading

What another Great Idea.... However, this is only the second or third week we have been doing it this way so it has taken some getting use to. Bro doesn't like change very much. It took me a week to get him in the habit of doing those subjects earlier..

My new hobby!!

Recently, I have taken up crocheting, but now because I just wanted to but because I was inspired by a near and dear friend of mine at Blooming with Blessings. She, I hope she doesn't mind if I go on about her and her wonderful family for a minute, started not long ago crocheting and God has just blessed her beyond measure she had made several great things. I had her make me a head-band and I just love it. Her husband is great too, he is so smart. I am thankful to have them as dear friends, but one great things about our friendship, we attend the same church. Yay!! 

Last week Monday my laptop got sick and I had to call Dr. BwB, to fix it. I thank him very much for being so smart and a dear friend..

But, not to ramble on much longer let me show you some of the things I have made

I made this on for my sister Andrea, She found this so I thought I would try to make one with different colors. This was a challenge for me.

Bro is modeling his favorite color...Can you guess? He pick out the color and begged that I make him one.. His was the second

Syd's is the first one that I made.. I worked really hard on it.

But, I just want to say Thank you Mrs. BwB for inspiring me to get back at it...

Menus and other stuff..

We did it finally finished off our Thanksgiving food.. Amen, Praise the Lord!!

Among not blogging I have also not made menus: until today. So, yay, I am back at doing that again.. which I have to say really helps.. That way I am not scrounging through the kitchen trying to figure out what to cook... LOVE IT!!

 I have also in the last month or so started following pintrest...It has become one of my most favoritests places in the world..... I have gotten some really great things off of there. Things I will share later on..

Menu Nov 26-Dec 1

Monday:
Biscuits and Gravy
Philly steak and Cheese
Ham casserole

Tuesday:
Eggs, bacon, and toast
Tuna Melts
Cube steak, rice and Gravy, and green beans

Wednesday:
Southern Cheese grit casserole
Hot dogs, coleslaw
Pizza

Thursday:
Pancakes
Deer Meat, Rice and tomatoes, cornbread
Leftovers

Friday:
Omelets-Sausage, mushrooms, cheese
Chicken dumplings
Leftovers

Saturday:
Cereal
Lasagna, garlic cheese bread
Leftovers

Our Thanksgiving Night.

We, The Griner's, decided to have our thanksgiving at supper which I believe I really liked alot better cause turkey always makes me sleepy.

But, I just wanted to say that even though my day started off really yucky that my night finished up with lots of love and laughter in the house. We did our usually frying of The Turkey and my SIL made a couple of dishes and I made a couple of dishes and my MIL made a couple of dishes, and I have to say that was the best way to do a thanksgiving supper.

The women were in the kitchen talkin and the kids were outside playing and the men were with the meat. It was almost like a Hallmark moment. After, we all finished we sat around the table playing apples to apples.

What a great way to end what started off to be a very bad day.

Sorry no photos, but I am going to try to do better!!!  *smile*

Once again

Here I am sitting in front of the computer wondering how or where to begin. I found blogging times much easier when I tried everyday to make a post and I was always on the hunt for something to write about. It didn't always have to be funny, serious, or interesting just writing and I felt great afterward. But, honestly since I have just stopped posting I just really haven't felt like getting back into it even after the promise to try to do better. I find myself forgetting my camera for great opportunities to take picture and document my time not only for ya'll but for myself as well.

Monday I was able to go to Jacksonville and visit a grandmother I haven't seen in about 8 or 9 years. And, it wasn't because I didn't want to, we had just lost contact through my moving and divorce and she had moved and so I had no clue how to get ahold of her. I had several emotions going on when I called to see if we could come and visit. I was deeply saddened when she told me that my grandfather had died back in Feb. and all she could do was tell me how lonely she was and how much she cried for him and longed to be with him. And, here I am thinking selfishly because I am like Granny we just got back in touch I need time to talk to connect again. I was not wanting to hear those words from her. It was very difficult, she seemed so different. I hurt for her I wanted to help in some way that I could and I didn't know how other than to pray. So, that is what I did.

We (my sister and I, with my 3 kids and her 1) stayed for hours trying to catch up on all the years we have missed and all the conversations we would have had. We talked about how much we miss our mother and the fact that we no longer are as close as we used to be. A lifestyle can separate you from your family. I suffer through that everyday also. I miss MY family. I miss the fun we used to have. I do have another family, my husbands family and they have stepped up quite nice. But, there is nothing like have your family, parents, grands, sisters, brother, uncles, aunts, cousins, and children. I don't want you to think that I am complaining on this Thanksgiving day, but loneliness can set in at any time and during any holiday.

I am thankful that my Granny does have other grand children that live near her and are there for her. I know this Holiday she is with family, but I also know that she doesn't feel whole without my grandfather.

So, on this Thanksgiving Day. I am most thankful for the time I do get to spend with my family, even if my kids are off somewheres else.

May God bless this day for you and your family

Recipe You gotta Try!

It has been a few months ago since I have made this recipe and it has been a huge hit with my family.. I found it very easy to make and well just plain delicious.

Philly (Arica) Cheese Steak Sandwiches

1 pound Ground Beef--I used sirloin steak or chuck steak we had left over from our cow
 1 whole Medium Onion, Thinly Sliced
 1 whole Green Pepper, Sliced
1 cup Mushrooms, Sliced-Omitted  1 cup Beef Stock -omitted
3 Tablespoons Steak Sauce
Salt And Pepper, to taste
6 whole Brat Buns
6 slices Provolone Cheese

　

　
I used honey mustard about 1/4c
Worcestershire sauce 1/4
Montreal steak seasoning 1 T
Garlic salt 1T

　

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. I used my crock pot,

 

Mix all the ingredients and add to crock-pot cook on low for about 5 mins and then add your veggies

 

Let them simmer about 15 mins or so.. Until the onions are changing colors.

Then throw your meat in and cook for about 4 hours on low or warn depending on how fast or hot your crockpot gets.. Once that time is up shred the meat and put on your bread and voila you have your sandwich.

Hope you enjoy...



Where to begin?

I can't tell you how many times I have started this post and deleted.. Trying to figure out where to start since I have taken some time off from blogging..  Please don't think it was because I was just tired of it.. I clearly am not.. But, there has been some difficult times in this past month.. Many of which I am not sure I need to share or not, however I could surely use your prayer in that area..

I have decided to also makes to changes to my blog.. I would like to be faithful in posting everyday and I pray that I will get back at it..

Recipe Thursday will not longer be Thursday it will be Recipe Day or something catchy like that.. I have a very hard time trying new recipes and posting them every Thursday so.. I will post when we make them and eat them. I have several I will be post over the next few weeks for keep an eye out..

I have been so deep in God's word over the past month that I will be share some of the wonderful things God has done in my life and what asking forgiveness can really do for you and the one you ask.

Also, knowing where God wants me at this time in my life has been hard to understand, but through prayer time and worship time, He has shown me different areas that need His gentle hand to guide me and my family..

There is a song out there that I just love it is by the Santus Real

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLr6G8Xy5uc

Please be patient with me as I get this blog up and running again.. I love you all and each one of you are near and dear to my heart..

Recipe Day!!

Perhaps that is what I should call my post entries on days that I do recipes.. Because  apparently I can't seem to get it together and do them on Thursday.. And, trust me I have so many recipes that I have done each week that I haven't even posted...

Crock-Pot Tamale Pie
 
1 pound lean ground beef - ground round, sirloin, etc.
3/4 cup yellow corn meal
1 1/2 cup of milk
1 egg, beaten
1 envelope of chili seasoning mix
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 (14.5 ounces) can tomatoes, cut up
1 (12 to 16 ounces) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 small can sliced ripe olives, drained
1 1/2 cups grated Mexican blend of cheeses
Preparation:

In skillet, cook ground beef until crumbly; drain well.

I left some pick....only because I knew the crock-pot would cook the rest..

 In large bowl mix corn meal, milk, egg. Add drained ground beef, dry chili seasoning mix, seasoned salt and tomatoes, corn, and olives.

Pour into slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours.( I suggest that you should check to see  if your crock-pot gets super hot on high like mine does. I feel like I could have cooked it on low for 4 1/2 hours and it would have turned out better. Sprinkle cheese over top. Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes longer.
Serves 6.

If you look around the edges, you can see that they may look a little black and dried. Now, I didn't check this throughout its cooking time because I was asleep..I started this at 4:00a.m. in the morning so it would be ready for when my hubby needed to leave for work at 10:00 am.

 

Fridays are our busiest days and so I don't usually have time to cook for my hubby, and this was a great idea. I prepared most of the meal and let it set in the refrigerator.

 

 

Back at it!

Okee Dokee..A few months ago I told you guys that I would be taking a break from my co-oping days. This was to see where and if I could save money.

And, after a couple of months going to the grocery store weekly. I have budgeted everything again and well.....Co-op actually was cheaper for us... 

So, starting at the end of this month I will be back in the co-op and my family will be eating the better quality of food..!!!

They're off!!

Finally after muchado..I have just gotten around to make this post on Syd's teeth

Six months ago we journeyed into the world of braces, and let me just clarify I am not one to put braces on young teeth. However, there could have been some major complications with Syd's teeth had we not moved them now.

So here ya go a before!!!

As you can see we only put the braces on the tops.


After!!!!

WOW!!  What a beautiful smile.. Now, she has one just like me...Yay!!

Here is Dr. Morris signing Syd's shirt..She was super excited to be getting them off..

The funny thing is, the ortho assistant Kami (whom we just loved) gave her a big bag of candy that she was not allowed to have.. Thanks Dr. Morris...

See you soon with Ty..

Recipe Thursday

Wow!! I have been so slack in giving recipes..

So, here is the one we did last night.

Cuban Salmon

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons or limes
2 large cloves garlic, minced
2 large shallots, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
1/2 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
4 6-ounce center-cut salmon fillets, skin removed
1 14-ounce can hearts of palm, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
Vegetable oil, for brushing
2 cups mixed salad greens

Directions Preheat a grill to medium high.  Instead of grilling I put them in a frying pan..(NOT A GOOD IDEA) In a large bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, the juice of 1 lemon, the garlic, shallots, cumin, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and half of the cilantro. Add the salmon and turn to coat. Let marinate 15 minutes at room temperature.

This smelled so good.. I just couldn't wait to dig in!!!

Meanwhile, toss the hearts of palm and tomatoes in a bowl with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the juice of the remaining lemon, and the rest of the cilantro. Season with salt.

I hadn't ever had Hearts of Palm..before  

Brush the grill with vegetable oil. Grill the salmon, round side down, until marked on the bottom, about 4 minutes.

Turn and continue grilling until marked on the other side and cooked through, 2 to 3 more minutes. Divide the salmon among plates. Serve with the greens and hearts of palm salad; drizzle the juices from the salad over the greens.



After all this hard work.. This was a recipe that my family has asked that I do not make again!!