Makes Me Happy Monday 11/29

I am VERY happy today.....

I just bought tickets to go see this amazing show with  my daughter during Christmas week!

I couldn't get tickets the last time they were in town, and I am so excited to go!

 It is about the 60's musical group The Four Seasons.

I can't wait!

(PS They are touring worldwide!)

PS I also won this great mini-charm pack from Michelle at L7 Quilt Co.

Life is good.........

Holiday Recipe Party

Karen from Sew Many Ways is hosting a recipe sharing party. Visit her to see all the great holiday recipes that everyone is posting.

The recipe I am sharing is called Mrs. Fields' Fudge although I don't think it has any affiliation with Mrs. Fields. I got it from a friend via the internet over 10 years ago, and I make it every holiday season. It is super easy and VERY yummy!

For your holiday enjoyment, may I present:

Mrs. Fields Fudge

2 cups sugar

6 ounces heavy cream

1/2 stick of unsalted butter

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 cups milk chocolate chips

2 tsp vanilla

6 ounces of whipped cream cheese

1/2 cup of nuts (optional)

In saucepan on medium heat, mix sugar, butter and cream. Stir constantly. Watch for first bubbles to appear, then cook for 8 minutes, constantly stirring.

Remove from heat and immediately add all chips and cream cheese. Blend well.

When slightly cool add vanilla and nuts.

Pour into 9x13" pan lined with wax paper; spread out to fill pan.

Cover with foil and chill till firm. 

Cut into squares and serve at room temperature. (YUM!)

That is how the recipe was printed.... these are my tips from making it over the years.

I always use Ghiradelli chocolate chips. They are so good even before they are made into fudge :) Any good quality chocolate chip will be yummy if you can't find the Ghiradelli.

I put the chips into my small food processor and chop them coarsely before I add them to the pot. I found they mix in much better this way. Plus when you add the cream cheese the temperature of the mixture does go down a bit so I found that sometimes the chips didn't always melt. Chopping them before hand really makes a difference.

Have everything ready to go before you start cooking. Measure and chop chocolate, measure out cream cheese and have nuts ready too. Once you start stirring you can't be running around the kitchen to get stuff and then it all gets added quickly at the end.

I lift the fudge out of the pan with the wax paper, and then slice it into squares with a big pizza cutter. Makes perfect little squares.

I hope you all enjoy this fudge as much as my family does. It really is the best. :)

Happy Holidays!

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Blessings to one and all.

Take time to hug your loved ones and be grateful for all you have.

Makes Me Happy Monday 11/22

I am so happy, it is my favorite week of the year! I love Thanksgiving!! Getting together with family, cooking and eating delicious food, and reflecting on all I have to be thankful for.




I have had an amazing, wonderful year and I am lucky to be so blessed.

My children (grown up!), my friends, my new job, and my furry kids..... they are just a few of the blessings in my life.


I wish you all a happy, blessed week. Try to take time to think of all you have to be grateful for.

 

 Laurie Coyle Designs

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."
 --Thornton Wilder

Check this out

Great give away here! Don't miss out!

And another great give away Here!

Have fun!

Happy Rainbows and Happy Friday

I have been following this blog for a while now:

(not sure how I found it, but boy I am glad I did)

Look at My Happy Rainbows

It is written by a guy who just happens to be a Kindergarten teacher. His wonderful, positive outlook on teaching his adorable "sprouts" (as he calls them) ALWAYS brings a smile to my face.

I invite you to go and check it out, so that you too can have a smile on YOUR face!!

I just love this quote from one of his sprouts on Wednesday's post:

"Me: I love being a teacher. 

Luther: Yeah, cause everybody just loves you.

Me: Yeah, pretty much. "

Happy Friday!

Tuesday Thoughts to Ponder

It definitely is NOT about the money.......





Kudos to the teachers and mentors out there!

Makes Me Happy Monday 11/15

I am happy today......

Because I have survived the first quarter of my first year as a teacher!

AND

I won a prize in Sew Mama Sew's Month of Give aways!

There is still time to enter for some fabulous prizes!

Happy Monday, Happy Week!

Christmas Quilt Show

Sew Cal Gal  is hosting a Christmas Quilt Show!

I finally got into my sewing room this weekend and worked on this Christmas quilt that I started LAST Thanksgiving!! I got it all quilted, just need the binding. I even played around with some FMQ.... and added some quilted stars in the border. Don't look too closely, I am still practicing :)  

Close up of the stars I tried....

Enjoy the wonderful Christmas quilts on display at Sew Cal Gal's Blog!! 

Have fun!

(I can not believe how close the holidays are!)

Thank a Veteran Today

 A hero is a man who is afraid to run away. ~ English Proverb

Makes Me Happy Monday 11/8

This Monday I am happy to announce:

The Humane Society of the United States'

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week—November 7-13.

The Humane Society of the United States' National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is a way to honor animal shelters and their dedicated staff across the country.

There are approximately 4,000 animal shelters across the U.S., available to serve the estimated 6-8 million homeless animals who seek refuge each year. 

While 63 percent of American households include pets, only 10 percent of owned dogs and 18 percent of owned cats are adopted from animal shelters.

Spread the word about animals waiting to be adopted, and celebrate the many services provided by your local animal shelter!

The Shelter Project





You can find a pet in your area by searching at :
Petfinder dot com

My daughter works at this shelter, and our family has adopted many animals here!

The NH Humane Society

Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.
- George Eliot

Kittens are angels with whiskers.
- Unknown

Happy Monday, Happy week!

How I Spent My Day Off

Today schools were closed for Election Day, and boy did I ever have some fun!

I got these cleaned at 9AM:

Had this cleaned and serviced for the winter at 12 Noon:

Went to the doctor for a follow up appointment at 2PM

And went to vote at 3PM

Came home to feed myself and the starving masses.

(um, I really don't have this many cats!)






Then it was time to RELAX!

(my boys)


So why does it feel like I got nothing done today!??

Holiday Hopping Fun

It is November and the Holiday Blog-Hopping has begun!

Check these out for lots of fun.

Mistletoe Make and Bake 2010! There will be a baker's dozen of designer projects and dozens of cookie recipes for you just in time for the holidays. So get ready to hop through some wonderful blogs, collecting gift-giving projects and yummy cookie recipes perfect for your holiday cookie exchanges! (11/15-11/20)

Home for the Holidays Blog Hop: 12 days of holiday traditions,favorite recipes and 12 free projects from 12 different designers! (11/2-12/10)

Sew Mama Sew is hosting a Handmade Holidays Blog hop with lots of give aways and tutorials. Be sure to visit Sew Mama Sew everyday during the month of November!

Mark your calendars for Nov. 8–12, for the 100 Blocks Blog Tour. More than 50 block designers will participate and you’ll find ideas, inspiration and prizes, prizes, prizes!




Have Fun!

Makes Me Happy Monday 11/1

I am happy today to live in a country where we have the freedom to vote for our representatives in government.

We are able to vote without fear of harassment or coercion and without fear for our lives.

What makes me sad is that so many Americans take this freedom for granted and don't exercise their right to vote.

Is there sometimes a shortage of great candidates? .............Yes
Does it sometimes seem like nothing changes, even when new people are elected?  ..............Yes

If we don't vote, will things ever change for the better?..............NO!

So, my American friends, go out and vote on Tuesday in your local elections. Vote for the person you think will make a difference in your community and country.

I don't care what your party affiliation is,

or who you decide to vote for,

Just VOTE!!

Happy Monday, and Happy Week!

The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter. ~Dwight D.Eisenhower