Beginning to look like Christmas

While the boy was outside this morning doing yard work, I pulled the Christmas tree out and got busy decorating.
Now I just gotta get me some presents to put under it.

Test run

I pulled out my new die cut toy and got to testing it with some scrap paper.
So easy and so fun. Now to remind myself that I don't need to rush out and start collecting dies.

Cuttlebug cutie

We braved the rain this morning to go run some errands, including a trip to Joann's so that I could check out some scrapbooking stuff that was on sale. Top of my list was a manual die cut/embossing machine. I have an electric Cricut, but I needed something that I could use dies with and emboss with. Since their machines were 40% off I was able to score a Cuttlebug (because my first choice of a Sizzix was sold out).
Much to my surprise it came with a free four-pack of embossing plates and a postage stamp design die. So far I've lovingly caressed the plates and read the instruction manual, but I haven't hefted the little beauty out of the box yet and started experimenting. So excited to have a new toy that I'll only use once or twice a year, but Lord knows I needed it!

Now I'm back down on my ass reading the paper and enjoying a hot cup of cinnamon flavored Starbuck's coffee (I had a $1.50 off coupon). Chris is out in the garage making noise and playing around with his rusty bike frames. Boy stuff. Oh, big news - while out grocery shopping Chris ran next door and finally got his long, luscious locks cut. Now he looks like those murals of John Bidwell downtown - short hair with bushy, graying beard. And I, like Annie Bidwell, am ridiculously short. We make quite the pair.

Black Friday

Our black Friday involved sleeping in until 9:00 am before dragging ourselves out of our warm, warm bed into our cold, cold house. It's been getting down into the 20s at night which makes it really hard to be persuaded to get up and get moving. And certainly not at some ungodly 5:00 am hour. Instead of hitting the sales today we stayed at home and did busy work. Chris raked about 50 pounds of leaves in the back yard while I went and played in my craft room for a little bit. I was able to finish one card before getting bored and wandering back out into the living room.
I at least got to play with some of my new stamps that just came in the mail.

This afternoon we watched one of our Blockbuster movies, The Book of Eli. It's a post-apocalyptic movie with Denzel Washington. Meh, I've seen better. We're taking it back tomorrow and trading it in for another one. I'll be along this time so I'll be able to karate-chop any bad ideas right out of the boy's hand.

Thankful for food

This Thanksgiving was just the old man and I, with a last minute appearance by my mom. Since we weren't feeding hundreds we had a very simple and minimal menu. I started the day by making some brown sugar bacon waffles for breakfast.
Definitely a hit with the boy. Bacon infused waffles - what more could he wish for? In the late afternoon, in between football games, the Canadian put together our pork tenderloin loosely using a Giada recipe. First was a layer of stone ground mustard mixed with peppercinis and green olives.
Next was covering the whole thing in bacon.
Two hours later it was ready to come out of the oven.
Along side of the pork we had green bean casserole, stuffed candied sweet potatoes and rolls.
My mom showed up about an hour after we ate (she had to work today) so I heated up a plate for her while we sat and chatted. For dessert I made an apple crisp, but the Canadian is still so full from dinner that he's not ready yet. I, however, already gobbled up my serving.
I wish I had vanilla ice cream to go with it, but I wasn't that smart. It's definitely going on the shopping list for the leftovers though!

Tiny visitors

We had visitors today - Susan (C.) and the boys stopped by to say hello on their way home from bible study. When they came in C. asked them what the rules were and Andrew said "we can wrestle with Chris but not with Susan". Hehehe. Chris obliged and swung the boys around like monkeys and even C. hopped in to give Chris some pointers.
Boys have an incredible amount of energy. Phew! Eventually the lack of cool stuff at our house had the kids begging to go home so they could play on the computer, but not before I made them pose for a picture for Aunt Susan.
C. had to hold Andrew otherwise he wouldn't come out from behind the ottoman.

Yesterday in the mail I got a packet from work. My boss had mailed me some work to keep me busy during my absence.
He left a funny note that he was sending some reading material for me in case I was getting tired of watching "combat reruns" with Chris. Amen brother!

Are you seeing this??

The old man and I ventured out today and went to the movies to see Unstoppable. It's the runaway train movie with Denzel and Chris Pine. It was surprisingly very, very good. Chris is a fan of any Tony or Ridley Scott movie (this was Tony). We haven't been to the movies in a couple of weeks so it was nice to get back to our normal routine.

While we were there I ran over to Trader's to get some milk and while in line was sucked in by these little beauties;
Chocolate covered joe-joe's. OMG. And in four mouthwatering flavors...
Dear joe-joe's, I love you. Hey! No peeking around the corner trying to read the nutritional stats! If you have to look, then you can't afford (to eat) these things...but those two cookies I just ate were the best 260 calories I've consumed all week!