A GOOD SHOPPING DAY

I really dislike shopping in crowded stores, I actually get claustrophobia and horrific pangs of anxiety. Tired little children, through not fault of their own, that should be home napping, cranky sales people, way too long check out lines are just a few of my demons. So my plan is shop on a Monday, start really early, and hopefully I can beat the crowds. That’s what I did today, the stores were still packed though. All in all, I did pretty good, my Christmas shopping is just about done. I do a lot of online shopping, which is best for the long distance gifts that have to be shipped. Got lots of clothes for hubby and son, won’t bore you with those. Liz and David said no physical presents, just gift cards or donate to their foundation WII’S FOR WARIORS.

Every year I need small gifts for hubby to give to a few people at work, mostly ladies. This gets more difficult every year to come with something different then last year. So today I found these reed diffusers….LAVENDER and CLEAN COTTON. Light classic aromas.

The bottles are all so pretty

and unique

these bottles can be reused since they are so lovely

faux mercury glass urns

still quite nice. Hubby usually gives LIQUOR to the men at work.

Had teary eyes when I found these aqua crackly balls, only three left in this color!

I could kick myself for not going to TJ MAXX sooner! I wish I had another TJ MAXX around to find more. I googled the company but no luck there!

And this big tall baby, from Pier 1. Been searching for something large like this.

MY AMUSE BOUCHE SPOONS!!!!! Well, they are really Asian soup spoons…I have been hunting and googling these spoons for a year now. Some Amuse bouche spoons are so expensive. Check that link out….$19.95 for 6 spoons! These were 75 cents a piece and are ceramic. I bought 36 for the BIG CHRISTMAS EVE OPEN HOUSE HERE !!!! CHOWHOUND discusses using Asian Soup Spoons for Amuse Bouche, obviously there are a little more awkward for 1 bite, but I think my guests will survive the BIGGER BITE!

I broke 1 spoon by dropping it on porcelain tile floor. I am making my amazing SHRIMP REMOUADE, with the best & fresh off the boat shrimp here from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Shrimp Remoulade is so delicious. My recipe is from GALATOIRE’S and I found it in Creole Gumbo and All That Jazz! I can make it ahead of time and dollop each spoon with the lovely goodness of the cold pink shrimp,the green of the sour pickles, and the creamy homemade mayonnaise that becomes the delectable sweet, tangy, and PIQUANTE Remoulde sauce. It will look so pretty against the white spoons!

And last, my favorite walk in store….J CREW OUTLET! Be still my heart…

J CREW HAD my number today when I walked in, There were so many things I didn't get for myself. But I did get the grey leopard cardigan, the 2 flouncy chiffony cardigans in white and cream, and the pink cardigan with silver stars, and

the silk pearly grey fou fou collar shirt

So yea, for someone that hates crowded stores, I did well today. Off to wrap gifts!

Whew!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

My inspiration for a beautiful NEW YEAR ....a gift from one of my New Year's Day guests that joined us for dinner....beautiful pink tulips....how SPRING INSPIRATIONAL!!!!

and what a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year it was. Today, January 4th I finished taking down all my WAY too many, WAY too much decorations. My husband made it all special with this wonderful comment: "You fulfill all our hopes and expectations for a wonderful Christmas in so many ways. You give us peace, happiness, and joy and you make everything so special!"

WOW, so that's why I do all this!

Son and his dog have been here since the 12 of December. Daughter & SIL arrived on the 23 with their dog. We had the best Christmas ever. Our family is so blessed....we all love each other with strength and conviction. I would love to post family PICS but not sure the kids & hubby would approve!

I served too many sit-down in the dining room meals...love it but I'm whipped.

But I'm ready for tomorrow.....that starts my first day in 3 weeks to have my own space to myself..... since hubby has been home rehabbing his leg and knee, we've had to drive MIL everywhere, and kids + dogs have been here!

I've got some serious design projects keeping me awake at night....hope to fulfill these dreams!

I'm looking forward to bloggy catchup,

XOXO!

IT'S SNOWING ON THE MS GULF COAST...

a phenomenon that only happens once maybe every 4-8 years. Last snow flakes to fall from heaven on our coastline was Christmas 2004. The snow is not sticking yet but everyone here goes crazy. They don't know what to do (this from me, being an old wise Yankee ). Schools close, businesses shut down which adds to the panic. There's all these extra snow-crazed drivers on the road which is more treacherous then the snow or ice. What fun!

I'm not going anywhere on the roads today so here's what I'm tackling. This old mess of a garland. The green plastic stuff is so old it sheds like a dead Christmas tree. It's being tossed in trash. Trying to save any of the 10 light strands, what a chore to unwrap.
Not sure what I'm doing yet for my new front door look or what I'll do with these below.

But I'd better hurry up, I still need to do Christmas shopping!

SHOWING SOME SWAG...

This is past years outdoor door garland. I've been telling myself it's time to throw this mess out. This is the wrong way to store a garland. I'm learning the hard way. It's time to... start new and fresh. Well the new garland for my front door is still sitting here on the floor. Maybe today, maybe today....

Thank goodness I did some very early Christmas decorating. I started before Thanksgiving and have not had the time to do any more since. So here's some of my swags:

LIVING ROOM:

DINING ROOM:

KITCHEN:

FOYER:

So maybe today I'll get a little more swag going on!

Yes, I've made all these myself, & I double swag (as Nester suggests) and add extra lights. I have to take all the ornaments off every year to store carefully. But, oh, what fun!

PS: Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Hubby has fractured tibia and torn ACL, MIL and I still going to specialists for answers. That will be an ongoing for many years, I'm sure.

Our party was so much fun!

It was a great time, despite husband trying to play catch-up after people started to arrive. I think he likes it that way. I was so happy that the biggest food HITS were mine own. Remember my version of Giada's Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto? Seemed liked a huge plate of them, husband helped my wrap at last minute. They were gone in no time! I've even been requested to make then again and bring tonight to the home we are all going to for Christmas Eve. Have to cook and wrap at the last minute so they will be warm and fresh. My own version of "Special White Lump Crab meat spread....once again gone and a favorite. The Artichoke Pesto Torta... hardly touched. Learning lessons. But it was fun and everyone had a great time. Merry Christmas to all...tomorrow is an easy day even though I'm cooking Chateau Briand with home made Bearnaise sauce. That is our family tradition and my kids think that is the only thing to eat at Christmas. Looking forward to a wonderful day tomorrow.

Artichoke Pesto Torta

Last night I made Giada's Artichoke Pesto Torta.

It was fairly easy to put together.

I put the ingredients in bags to pipe them into the mold bowl. Refrigerated overnight.

This morning I inverted the torta. Slipped out easily. I liked the idea that it can be made 2 days in advance. Love the roasted pine nuts, artichoke, and Italian parsley pesto layer. Serving in with vegtables and crackers.

For my community

I had fun this morning buying toys! I bought a Pucci Pup for a young girl and a remote control truck and batteries for a little boy. What fun is a Christmas gift if you don't have the correct batteries. I also bought 3 $50 Walmart cards for older children or teens.

We still have many families living in FEMA trailors or worse...tents... while they wait for the Church based groups and other volunteers to help them rebuild. I hope my gifts will brighten their Christmas morning.