A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

I love tea pots and I love this Old English tea set, even though I don't drink tea! I guess it comes from all the tea parties as a little girl~(This post is mainly pictures, lots of them, hope you like them)

So Pretty

I have a 16 piece place setting of china and crystal goblets that my Mom insisted that I had to have when I got married. I didn't want china...but I'm so glad she got them for me anyway, I have used them a lot!

The design on the top of the china cabinet that I love

I have dozens of chickens...in my house! This is one I just love~

I love this saying, and since we live by a road, I like this and believe it to be true

This I believe with all my heart and soul...I am so grateful it is this way

I love this picture...pure sweetness, reminds me of the little farm girl I once was~

This sits on my dinning room table that is over 100 years old..I change out the seasonal look

Magnolia blossoms over my master bath mirror

In my bathroom, crystal containers..the little bird necklace my honey bought me

A little glass angel sits on the window sill by my bath tub with the sun shinning through

The glass shade of a lamp I have in my bathroom, it glows so pretty at night

So, yes, I love angels and children and I have many throughout my home

My bathroom..I love the tub!

Pictures in my home that I love~

Motherhood is the nearest and dearest thing to my heart...I love everything about this picture

The joy of childhood...very dear to me~

Ron gave me this picture on our 5th wedding anniversary...sometimes my Mom made me stand in the corner too as a child, so I can relate to this!

So sweet

My daughters gave this little pillow to me on Mothers Day...I love it!

One of two lamps that sit by our bed, given to me by a favorite uncle...they are porcelain with gold inlaid~

I love flowers and little birds, this little bird came from a vacation in Mexico

I love little little kitties too

I love these images on some special cards I have

This is a music box that my daughter gave me...it plays; "Whistle a Happy Tune"...a song I sang as I did the lead in the "King and I"...this daughter was growing inside me at the time!

Another sweet image that I love

I have 2 of these flower vases, my Mom gave them to me, they belonged to my Dad's mother

This is a little porcelain, 1800's cloths brush...isn't she cute!

I love perfume...Chanel #5 is my favorite

I don't buy much anymore, my home is full of favorite things I have collected over the years. I find myself not wanting to part with the things that I love, so I just move them about the house and they look new again! I'm 59 so you can see why I have collected all these things over the years...I just wanted to share with you the things in my home that are near and dear to me and maybe give you a look-see into my heart . Next post will be part 2 of... more things I love!

STARTING OFF STRONG...

This is our first great grandchild, a little boy,...His name is Tracen Ray McCoy...he lives in Wyo. and we haven't seen him in person yet but can't wait to meet him! He has lots of blond hair...what a beautiful baby!
Reminds me of the saying; "A baby is God's sign that the world will keep going on." New beginnings, new hope, more to love...isn't it wonderful?! We all have so much to look forward to and have faith in, especially when we look to God.
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I just wanted to share some ideas about being strong, resilient and happy. As we start off this new year I'm sure some are feeling a bit weak in the knees and perhaps even worried about what this year will hold.

" Resilient people are like trees bending in the wind. They bounce back"

Research has shown that resilient people share some common qualities...ones we can cultivate to master any crisis.

1. They stay connected....they let themselves rely on others sometimes, to help them survive tough times.

2. They are optimistic...People with a sunny outlook do better at managing a crisis. Negative thinking is just a bad habit, challenge yourself to look at the problem in a more positive way.

3. They are spiritual...generally people who are active in a religious faith tend to get through difficult times better, they are less likely to be waylaid by depression.

4. They are playful...they can enjoy themselves as children do, they wonder about things, they experiment and laugh and love.

5. They give back...the benefit you derive for yourself is as great as what you give out to others.

6. They pick their battles...They focus on things over which they have some influence and do not spend time on things they can't control. Wallow in anger or fear, or move on? It's up to you.

7. They stay healthy...A good diet and regular physical activity provide crucial buffers against stress. Exercise literally helps to repair neurons in brain areas that are susceptible to stress.

8. They find the "silver lining"...they convert misfortune into good luck and gain strength from adversity. They see negative events as an opportunity to better themselves or become a better person.

We need to remember too that Satan is alive and well and goes about trying to disrupt our happiness. I like these thoughts on that...

"To help us from being overcome by the devil's designs, which are;
despair, discouragement, depression, despondency and distractions,
the Lord has provided at least a dozen ways which, if followed,
will lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing." (Ezra T. Benson)

Repentance.... Prayer .... Service.... Work
Health.... Reading.... Blessings.... Fasting
Friends & Family.... Music.... Endurance.... Goals

Remember...Don't start tackling tomorrows problems until tomorrow. You don't have tomorrow's strength yet. You simply have enough for today, We don't need to know what will happen tomorrow. 90% of what you worry about never happens!

My motto this year is...BE HAPPY
And my wish for each of you is happiness, each and every day, make your mind up to find a happiness in your day and treasure it...it just may help to create a year full of happiness!

NEW YEAR BEAUTY, JOY AND FUN...

It was New Years Eve Day...and this handsome man asked me for a over night date...what else could I say but....ok, lets go!

We drove 2 hours away through three beautiful canyons...the day was gorgeous, full sun on pure white snow.

It felt like we were up at a ski resort, way above the inversion below.

Where we live we are so blessed to have full sun everyday, it's so great for ones mood!

I never get tired of seeing the beautiful deer, they were everywhere along this drive. Such pretty creatures in their sweet little families, carefully trying to cross the road.

We went out to eat at a quaint little place, The Garden House. It's in an old home and it is so darling, this is the front door, come on in!

A Christmas tree and a big old staircase in is the front foyer~

A fire blazes there too to warm you from head to toe~

Cute little tables and booths that look like something from a 40's movie~

We look out the beautiful stained glass windows at the Christmas lights in the garden~

Waiting for our dinner with my sweetie

I ordered a chicken breast covered with crab, hollandaise sauce and asparagus spears..YUM

And what do men order....prim rib, on the rare side please!

Then Heavenly desert....white chocolate mouse, whipped cream and raspberries on top of a lemon bar cake....YUMMY

As we left the place looked so pretty with all it's lights glowing in the night~

This eve was so beautiful too because of the bright, blue full moon...we drove around just looking at it's beauty!

The lights of town felt so festive too, almost as pretty as the moon~
We then went to a movie..."The Morgans"...it was a light comedy and I do mean light! It was pretty predictable, I knew what they were going to say and do before they did! We wanted to see "The Blind Side" but it was sold out....But it was still fun!
Then we stayed overnight at a beautiful place, next day saw some of our kids before heading home.

Little 4 month old Ella, sitting up in her little chair

Grinning at us...makes our hearts melt for sure!

Cute Caleb in his new bomber jacket~

And a new toy that makes noises when he moves it for Cougar...he loved it!

LETS HOPE THAT 2010 WILL BE A REALLY GREAT YEAR...better than the worrisome year this has been for our world!

We are praying that turmoil and dishonesty will cease and that people will be honest in their dealing with others and that the economy will recover.

Wishing for peace and prosperity, joy and wellness for families. May you have a wonderful year and focus on what really matters, what really counts here and in the here after.

~LOVE EVERYONE OF YOU~

http://tayloredtots.blogspot.com/....GO CHECK OUT THE GIVE A WAY AT THIS SITE....IT'S A NEW BLOG BY A FRIEND OF MINE...A CHILDRENS CLOTHING STORE...TAYLORED TOTS...THIS IS A REALLY SWEET GAL....THE GIVE A WAY WILL BE ON MONDAY..GO!

NEWS....A RIDE...and...A YUMMY

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS...HAVE A GREAT 2010

BIG NEWS FOR US.....WE ARE GREAT GRANDPARENTS

A little baby BOY joined out family this morning

Tracen Ray McCoy

(I'll get pictures posted very soon)

My hubbie and I went for a horse ride to celebrate! It was cold but sunny..a beautiful day!

Our dog Cougar loves to come along on these adventures too, he is one year old now

Our horses Jeff and Mr. Red..they love to play with each other, everyday they get a stick in their mouths and play tug a war with it!

A big old buck deer was across the ridge watching us... So cool!!!!

This formation was so awesome, what does it look like to you?

Me..and my shadow....just enjoying my ride...the smell of the horse and the leather and the sage brush...this is Heaven!

~Loading up our saddles~

~My horses mane blowing in the wind and the sun~

My spurs and chaps...I never use the spurs, just the jingle-jangle sound keeps him behaving!

~All loaded up and ready to go home...they love going in the horse trailer~
Home for some hot and delicious food waiting for us.

"SLOW COOKER CREAMY POTATOES"

Dissolve 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar in a cup or so of water
Slice thinly... 8-10 red potatoes, toss into water
when done, drain water off.
Place potatoes into slow cooker.

Sprinkle over potatoes;
1/2 of a sliced onion...salt and pepper.

In a bowl mix: 1 cup cheddar cheese,
8 oz. Pkg. Cream Cheese
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
and 1 envelope dry Italian dressing mix
1 cup Milk
Mix this up and pour over potatoes.

Sprinkle top with Paprika
Put lid on, cook on low for 8-10 hours
(or) on high for 4 hours

The Italian dressing mix makes this
SO VERY good. Everyone at the dinner party I took it to wanted to know all about what was in it! Believe me...this is one of those delicious recipes that you will make over and over!

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There's a new blog in town gals...go over to (tayloredtots.blogspot.com) it's a new childrens clothing shop just opening. The gal running this shop is the sweetest gal you'd ever want to know..you will lover her. She's having a GIVE A WAY on Saturday....she's on my right side bar blog list...good luck..tell her I sent you!
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Wishing everyone of you my kind friends...a very HAPPY NEW YEAR...May this be the best year ever for each and every one of you!
Thank you for taking me in and making me feel warmed by your friendship. I have so many new friends and I am loving meeting so many great women, you are the delight in my days and have opened my eyes to the sisterhood that we share. May our friendships continue to grow and may we all sit down together in Heaven one day, as best friends...Love you all...HAPPY NEW YEAR~

TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF....

Well, Christmas is over, and it leaves mixed feelings... for some it's...I'm so glad thats over! For others it's a feeling of sadness, not wanting it to be over. For some perhaps guilt over too much money that was spent that they really didn't have to begin with. For some it might be disappointment, it wasn't what they expected it to be. Some might feel stressed at all there is to do. Some might just be feeling the January Blues..yes, it is real!

Whatever you are feeling, you need to take a little time out and take care of yourself. I know how women operate, we go go go, taking care of others..worrying about our families, our husbands, the world and all it's crazy ways.

I have a little plan that will help....I want you to take... "AVALIBLE 5 MINUTE CHUNKS"... to accomplish little things. By themselves, they may seem insignificant, but in the overall scheme of life, they definitely add up, and doing them can help reduce the stress we might be feeling.

~~~"Some things you can do"~~~

1. Practice a talent....2. Smile and be friendly, and laugh at a good joke....3. Bake some cake box cookies....4. Sew on a missing button or a seam that has come apart....5. Update a few family photos....6. Choose good music to listen to....7. Clean out your purse....8.Polish a pair of shoes....9. Water your houseplants....10. Get rid of a stack of old magazines or catalogs....11. Straighten your bedroom before you turn out the light....12. Plan breakfast the night before and even set the table....13. Give a family member a backrub--and get one for yourself too!....14. Write out a quick list of what you're thankful for...15. Walk to the end of the street and back....16. Walk up and down the stairs for 5 minutes....17. Do some stretching or yoga....18. Sit, relax and ponder and dream awhile--and don't feel guilty about it!....19. Phone a friend....20. Read a book to a child or spouce....21. Write a thank-you note or send an invitation....22. Listen to someone else talk (listen, is the key)....23. Find a place to volunteer....24. Say hello to someone...25. Share a joke or story, laughing is contagious...26. Send an to a friend, but not one of those forward it to everybody ones....27. Arrange a night out with friends....28. Cross the street, or the hall to visit with a neighbor....29. Clean under the kitchen sink....Straighten one shelf in a closet....Clean the top of the refrigerator....30. Sweep the front porch....31. Fill the salt and pepper shakers....32. Learn a new word....33. Read the Scritptures....34. Memorize a famous quotation....35. Say your prayers--morning, evening and with your family....36. Read or listen to only good, uplifting books....37. List your blessings on paper, invite the family to do the same....38. Think about the people you love--and tell them so....39. Look forward to good things that are coming, the next holiday, times of celebrations, Spring!

NOW...take even more time for yourself....Make sure to exercise 5 days a week....Take a long bath in something that smells divine...Sit with a warm blanket and read a good book....cozy up and watch a movie with your honey...Listen to good music as much as you can...blog with your sisters, strengthen each other...Laugh, hug, and do it over and over again!

Hope this helps you to get through the month of January...I know it usually is kind of a downer for most people...you are not alone, we are all feeling it.

Go forward...Move...be Happy!