before...during...after...

Did you make it through the day? We did. It was nice to just wake up and not feel like I had to rush around like a mad woman. Grant was so sweet and crawled in bed with us around 7am and waited patiently for us to get ourselves woke up. He whispered to me "Merry Christmas" mommy and then said "Happy Birthday Jesus". I am very happy that he realizes that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus.

Here is what the Night Before Christmas looked like

I love my little white tree! Our Living Room is super small so a big tree would definitely take up way too much space. I am proud of myself for not going overboard with the gifts. I think Santa spent just enough money for the only child in this family. G-man doesn't WANT for anything but he got most of what he asked for. My goal is to little by little make the number of gifts less and focusing more on giving of ourselves. As the boy gets older, I want him to begin realizing that it's more important to give of ourselves than being preoccupied with what He is going to get.

Here is what Christmas looked like at the DeFelice house:

He said "I guess Santa thought I was good enough this year" LOL he's too funny sometimes!

Santa always brings new PJ's....it's like a mandatory requirement!

Grammy thought it necessary to add delirium to our house by purchasing that obnoxious Big Foot that is quite entertaining but very ugly and almost scary.

It drove him absolutely crazy knowing there were goodies in the stocking and he couldn't peek!

Living room floor trashed in a matter of minutes

We actually had a White Christmas this year in TN. Caught the boy gazing out the back door!



We ended the day with a visit to see Mamaw! Grant is a very lucky boy to still have a great grandparent alive. We bought Mamaw her favorite parfume, Chanel No. 5. She loved it!

Only the best for the Best!

I only asked the Main Squeeze for a few things. This is one of them.

It's a camera bag that looks like a purse! Isn't it gorgeous!

I LURVE it!

I also got a Memorex clock radio that charges my iPhone and a USB thingy called a Picture Keeper that holds 16,000 pics on it. I will use it to back up my all my pics because I take a lot of photos throughout the year.  Main Squeeze asked for clothes so that's what he got! 4 shirts & 2 prs of pants.

I think we are going to head to MO to see some family over the New Year. Then before we know it, school will be back in session!

Hope you had a blessed and wonderful Christmas!

Martha Washington Candy

Martha Washington Candy

Ingredients:

2 lb. powdered suger

1 bag coconut (14 os.)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 stick of butter melted

1 and 1/2 cup chopped pecans

12 oz. bag of semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 block of paraffin wax

OR

chocolate candy coating that comes in big squares

I made probably about 3 dozen from one recipe

I used the candy bark that comes in blocks & it's okay but it doesn't make the shell look smooth

just look at how 'ugly'  they are.!

But, they are still good to eat.

Next time I will get the choc. chips & paraffin wax.

In case you can't find paraffin at the store, it's near the canning supplies.

another reason these don't look smooth is b/c I used a fork to dip them out of the chocoloate

I forgot to mention that before you dip them, put the balls in the freeser for at least two hours

otherwise, they fall apart in the hot melty chocolate

Thanks Aunt Babs for this yummy recipe!

just checkin' in!

well, its been awhile since I last blogged! I'ms such blacker (blog-slacker)! heehee : )
It's been crazy, it's been chaotic, it's been 'the most wonderful time of the year'. I love Christmas, I love the spirit of giving, I love that Jesus came to Earth, I love being home and doing fun stuff! BUT....I hate this pressure I put on myself to make everything look perfect. At the moment, my house is a disaster b/c we haven't been home longenough to just chill. I don't want to complain! In fact, I will stop right there b/c I have all I need.
I have been busy at baking!! I love to bake, it's a lot of work & I make a huge mess (you should see my sink & kitchen floor!) but it's one of my favorite things to do. I love giving my baked goodies to my friends and family!
This is what I have been working on!

Peppermint Bark! G-man helped me out with this yummy stuff! He like putting the red food coloring in & mixing it up!

 I have this recipe for chocolate chip cookies that I have been dying to make but the recipe yeilds 112 cookies so I had to have a reason to make this many.....if you live near me, chances are, you are gonna get your own baker's dozen!

You might be a redneck if you use your oudoor grill as a cooling rack! ROTFL!!! well, it is faster than a traditional cooling rack.....it's 32 degrees out there!

Told ya there was a lot. This isn't all of them, it's just one tray I stacked!

Don't they look Dee-Lish!!!

I have one last thing I am working on. It's called Martha Washington candy! It's heavenly! I will post the pics and the recipe b/c it's too good to be kept a secret!

Have a great day!

PHoto PHriday

just blabbing.....

Ok, this one's for HAM! First, I want to say that I seriously miss blogging! it was one of my favorite guilty pleasures and now it's like a luxury if I can get to it. I have lots to share in pictures but I have yet to find the t-i-m-e to get pictures uploaded. I have been really busy which is a double edge sword b/c yes I like my job but dadgumit, if something else suffers for it. That being said, my house is the thing that suffers. I would be so ashamed if I had someone drop by on a whim. I mean, really my real would understand and wouldn't judge me but I don't even want the UPS man to peek inside! I do have plant to get things back in order as soon as I get home from school tomorrow. I will have to stop by my crack dealer  favorite java shop Dunkin Donuts and get two or three rocks a XL coffee with a hint of heroine vanilla or pumpkin spice! We have a super busy weekend which makes it a little bit depressing b/c I don't really get to relax. It's okay though, there are only 10 full days of school left before CHRISTMAS break and I will be ready for it!
This week has flown by b/c I have been in what I call the world of DIBELS. Its an assessment that schools here do 3 times a year for every grade level. I have been testing 1st and 2nd graders. It has made the days go by quick but it's very monotonous. I have seen some improvements in the students that I have been working with in small groups and that makes me very happy! One of realizatins that I have been noticing is that I know that God created me to be a school teacher. I feel it when I step inside the school. It's like I think about the love that God has for me and I want those kids to know that kind of love. I know it can only happen through me. I feel His presence when I am working with every student. My heart hurts when I hear or see some of these kids neglected or unkempt. It just tears me up. I have a harder time with it when it comes to the girls. OH, if I only had one, she would be terribly rotten, more so than the G-man! Anyway, I just wanted to share that. I don't think very many people know what God's mission is for their life and I am so glad I do. Its not ever going to be a cake walk but faith makes all things possible, not easy!
Anywhoo, thats my 'schpill' for now.....I miss you bloggy friends! I promis I will check in as much as I can!!!
HUGS!

p.s. I realize some people may be offended by my 'drug' joke b/c addiction is real but I was trying to make myself laugh more than anything.