MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Had some CRAZY weather this Christmas, but at least it was WHITE! Driving in ice and snow - not fun. Serious nail-biter. But being together with family for the holidays is priceless.

My family is nuts. But I'm going to stick with them for another year, I think. ;) May you be blessed with a prosperous and healthful new year!

Easy Spicy Soup

I threw together a soup tonight w/ 2 cans broth, 1 can beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1/2 lb. cubed ham, salt and special seasoning. (1/4 tsp. of Slap Ya Mama, to be exact.)

Got rave reviews from the family. Go figure. Sometimes I shock even myself.

GARLIC MUSTARD POTATOES

When we make these, they get scarfed up FAST!

6 med. potatoes (2 lb), cut into cubes/chunks
5 TBL. fancy prepared mustard - spicy, brown, dijon - whatever you like
2 TBL. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
salt to taste

Mix all ingredients except potatoes. Then toss potato chunks into the mixture to coat. Put potatoes on lightly greased cookie sheet and roast in 425 degree oven for about 40 min., stirring occasionally. Done when fork tender.

CYBER MONDAY!

Like many Etsy sellers, I'm involved in the Cyber Monday sale by offering free lip balms with purchase. In addition, I had to take a silly photo of myself holding my product for an Etsy promotional. Boy did I feel like an idiot, and my daughter certainly thought I was a dork as she snapped one goofy expression after another. But if it helps my sales, well...so be it! I'll be a fool then. haha My sale details are posted in my Etsy shop.

The KC Etsy team, of which I'm a member, is also sponsoring a Cyber Monday sale. Details are on our blog. KC Etsy Team's Blog

Who loves giveaways?

I do! If you love giveaways, check out the KC Etsy Team's Blog for a cornucopia of terrific goodies!

This week, Diane of South House Boutique is giving away a pair of cute, whimsical Chalkboard Christmas Stockings just in time for the upcoming holidays!

Friends

The best way to have a friend is to be one. I'm not sure how good I am to others, but I definitely know I have been blessed with lots of GREAT friends. Not just good ones - great. What makes a great friend?

I just spent a weekend with six girlfriends. We do this periodically, and I always come away from our gatherings feeling affirmed, blessed, and refreshed. We may not see each other often, but we have no trouble at all picking up where we left off and enjoying one another's company tremendously. We all stay in touch via letters. Bottom line? We are THERE for one another. We are all equally committed to each others' success in navigating this often turbulent journey we call life.

If you have friends, cherish them. Don't take them for granted! Let them know how much you value them and treasure your relationship. Friends do sometimes disappoint; love them anyway. Faithfulness and loyalty are gifts I value highly. To keep the friendship fires burning, bestow forgiveness often and liberally. It's hard to do that sometimes. But if you extend grace and kindness to your friends, I think you'll be surrounded by them for a lifetime.

Happy Birthday!

For my birthday this weekend, the family went camping near Branson. I love going to the arts & crafts festival held in the fall at Silver Dollar City! Lots of lovely handcrafted wares and oodles of skilled artisans -- coopers, basketweavers, blacksmiths, jewelers, painters, weavers, woodworkers, soapmakers, glassblowers, weavers, chandlers, quilters. You name it! Handcrafted paradise.

Camping in the fall is lovely. The evenings were cold, but we were snug and warm in our tiny teardrop trailer. I discovered crock pot liners and made overnight breakfasts with those, so clean up in the mornings was a snap! Off we went on our adventures for two fun-filled days. Home again, we're tired but happy. Lovely memories made. :)