Mr. Claus Aka Santa

Do you still believe, even secretly.....

Nothing Fancy!

Dinner tonight was a rather easy one, a simple pizza roll, a salad and mandarin oranges, I love easy nights like this!

Peacemakers

How lovely for these pines to allow me to drive along side them, they reassured me that I would be amongst agreeable company, as I furthered along, what peace and harmony came upon me as such beauty presented itself to me!

Italia

What a perfect end to the day.......

Adeste Fideles

Christmas Tree??

I think I will just use this for my Christmas Tree, it is the tree in my backyard, this is what it looked like this morning!!

Looks like Winter!

Well everyone the top photo is what is suppose to happen in the fall, the beautiful colors and cool brisk air, but lo and behold this is really the truth!!!! Old man winter is really a Wolf in Sheep's clothing, just take a look at this!

First Snow!

Oh the joys of nightime, isn't this when everything happens??? Well will you take a look at this, I went to bed last night and woke up to this!! What a surprise!

Toy Soldier Ornaments

Here is a my all time favorite ornaments to collect glass nutcrackers!!! Aren't they absolutely handsome, have a wonderful evening.

What a Little Monster!!

Here he is my favorite little monster, no certainly I am not afraid of this little monster, for you see his only thought is COOKIES!!! This cookie monster is my nephew and what a cookie he is! Love and Kisses, Auntie Diana

In Praise of Christmas

Breadmaking for All!

Love the idea of baking bread, the type that comes from the artisan bakeries, where the loaves are crusty outside and chewy inside, the loaves that look like a work of art and you hate to eat but alas you give in to the desire! I have not tried this recipe as of yet but intend to do so very soon, will post the ending results, have a blessed day.

Young Man or Little Boy!!

Here is a picture of my young man, I have been told I am not allowed to say he is my little boy any more, don't you know he is all of 10 years old, so he reminds me as if somehow I had forgotten, well I guess at 10 that does qualify him for young man now instead of little boy! I feel blue! Anyone else out there got these same blues??????

Dreamy Dining Room

This is my dream dining room, the table, chairs, lights, the colors, I love the whole room but have a moderate budget, if you could only do part what would it be, looking forward to the ideas. Have a great day!

*courtesy of Pottery Barn Fall catalogue

The Leaves are Storming!

The things I love about fall are the cool, crisp air, the colors and most of all the leaves stormin!

Jim and Victoria

Here they are on they're way to Homecoming! Oh to be young again!!!!!

Josia's Pumpkin

I must say here is the most beautiful fall picture I have ever had the privilege to see, you see my little guy is the artist who made this, he is six years old and a artist in his own right, I love this picture and will always cherish it, have a sweet evening!!

The Brunette!

The Redhead!

The Fall Cake

Fall just isn't fall without this delicious moist wonderful calorie free cake, ok well maybe the calorie free part is stretching it but the rest is the truth! The recipe follows:

Hummingbird Cake

Ingredients:
Serves 12

* FOR THE CAKE
* Nonstick vegetable spray
* All-purpose flour, for pans
* 3 cups self-rising flour
* 2 cups granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
* 2 very ripe large bananas, mashed
* 1 (8-ounce) crushed pineapple, with juice
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 4 large eggs, beaten
* FOR THE FROSTING
* 1 pound (1 box) confectioners' sugar, (for the frosting)
* 1 (8-ounces) cream cheese, room temperature (for the frosting)
* 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for the frosting)
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, (for the frosting)
* 1 tablespoon milk, or more if needed (for the frosting)
* 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, (for the frosting)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray and flour three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans, tapping out excess flour; set aside.
2. Prepare the cake; in a large bowl, stir to combine self-rising flour, sugar, oil, pecans, bananas, pineapple, vanilla, cinnamon, and eggs.
3. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing with an offset spatula. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until the tops spring back when gently pressed with your fingertips, 26 to 28 minutes.
4. Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto wire rack. Re-invert cakes and let them cool completely, top sides up.
5. Prepare the frosting; in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon milk on medium speed until frosting is smooth. If needed, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to achieve the proper spreading consistency.
6. Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes to make level. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place the first layer on the cake plate. Spread the top of the first layer with 1/4 of the frosting. Place the second layer on top and repeat process with another 1/4 of the frosting. Place the remaining layer on top of the second layer bottom side up. Spread entire cake with remaining frosting. Sprinkle the top with pecans. Remove parchment paper strips; refrigerate until ready to serve.
*courtesy of Martha Stewart website.