Again, Is It Spring Yet?

Again, I find myself dreaming of Spring!  I've had Spring fever since we got the first cold snap of the year.  I keep daydreaming of no alarms, no school, no schedules.....just a few more weeks and we will actually be on Spring Break!  My kids keep asking me why I'm so looking forward to Spring Break, for one, NO HOMEWORK!  Sleeping late.....well, at least til 8 or 9 AM anyway and just spending time together. Bike rides, walks on the beach and coffee on the deck......just a few more weeks!

Is It Spring Yet?

As I get back into a regular routine after the holidays.......oh how I loved the break from a routine, but order is necessary so it's good getting organized as we start a new year!  I have been cleaning and organizing like it's Spring Cleaning time!  I love to see things nicely folded, stacked and tucked away.  I recently noticed (after our move) that I really, really like bins, baskets, totes and anything pretty that can hold things. Now, if I can get the rest of my family to be as enthusiastic......I will wait until they are out of the house and then get into their closets!

I am one HaPpY OrGaNiZeD MoM ~ Jo Ann

HaPpY NeW YeAr 2013

It's hard to believe that we have ushered in 2013.  We spend New Years Eve with old and new friends, making memories and reminiscing about old ones.   Lots of great things happened in 2012 like moving to the beach and making amazing new friends.  I am excited for 2013 and all the plans (loose plans) we have for our family, myself and just enjoying where we are. I say loose plans because I also need to be able to follow God and change my plans for His, I want to be less of Martha and more of Mary.  I hope this year brings you blessings overflowing, treasured friendships, strong family ties, good health and lots of laughs!  Jo Ann

Warm Bread Pudding

I was sitting at my computer at the kitchen island, I glanced up and saw some rolls just sitting in the bread basket and all of a sudden I thought, bread pudding sounds really good right now.  So, I pulled out all of the ingredients and got to work!

                                   
 This recipe is quick, easy and perfect for that cold winter night!

WHAT YOU NEED:

8 inch square pan

2-3 cups day old rolls or bread

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 cup raisins 

7 eggs, beaten

2 cups milk

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract  

Directions

1.       Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2.       Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If     desired, sprinkle with raisins.

3.       In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.

4.      Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.

Strolling down Ornament Memory Lane

After the busy Thanksgiving weekend, Nutcracker practices and end of year school projects we can finally sitting back and enjoying all of the Christmas decorations that have been up for a few weeks.  I love to unpack each of the plastic bins holding the many ornaments that we have collected over the years. Some are as old as we are (past down from our parents) other have been collected in the many cities we've lived in over the years and some are the ones we have given to our children.

Our family tradition for the last 22 years has been to exchange ornaments every Christmas morning, needless to say, we have a lot of them.  Each of the ornaments has a sweet memory and story to go along with it. Here are a few of my fav's!  What story does your tree have to tell?  ~ Jo Ann

Whimsical Candy Tree

It's Thanksgiving day and the house smells amazing!  The turkey is baking, the family is down at the beach with the cousins, and I'm enjoying my second latte of the day.  I have the inside and outside of the house all decorated for Christmas which has been our family tradition for the last 15 yrs or so that everything is done by Thanksgiving day.  About 9 years ago we started putting up a second tree for our girls, it's known around here as "The Candy Tree". It's got all kinds of really yummy looking candy ornaments, it's fun and festive!  This year we found the perfect spot right at the top of the landing on the stairs so you can enjoy it as you go up and down throughout the day (about 100 times, no kidding)

If you've thought about adding a second tree, you might want to considering a "Candy Tree" it can add a little whimsy to your home!

Thanksgiving Yumminess

I've been so busy getting my home ready with Christmas decorations that I kind of put Thanksgiving on the back burner.  I had family come into town this week and we have made more food in the last few days than I have made in the last few weeks, but that's part of enjoying the holiday season. One of my fav's is the No Bake Pumpkin Cheese Cake that my Mother-in-law makes. It's quick and easy and taste oh so yummy.

what you need

1

pkg.  (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1

cup  canned pumpkin

1/2

cup  sugar

1/2

tsp.  pumpkin pie spice

1

tub  (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

1

 HONEY MAID Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.) Or Homemade like mine:  2 sticks of butter and two sleeves of graham crackers(crushed) Bake at 350 for 15-20 mins

make it

BEAT cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 2-1/2 cups of the whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate remaining whipped topping for later use.

SPOON cream cheese mixture into crust.

REFRIGERATE 3 hours or overnight. Serve topped with remaining whipped topping. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.