Christmas Outing

It was just Danny and I for Christmas Day this year so we decided to get away for a little mini vacation. We've been to the casinos in Shreveport/Bossier several times, but never stayed the night at one. I got on the internet and found a very reasonable price for a room at Sam's Town, and they also have 50% off their buffet for people 50 and over. I guess being a senior pays off sometimes. :)


This is the hotel part of Sam's Town.


There was a lot of pretty Christmas decorations in the lobby.


The casino part is actually a boat on the Red River.


When we checked into our room, we couldn't believe how nice it was. I think it was one of the nicest hotel rooms I've ever stayed in.


The bathroom was to die for. It was HUGE!!


This is the view out our room window. We could see the river, the Eldorado Casino, and the Horseshoe Casino over on the Bossier side.


After a delicious lunch at the buffet, we went next door to the Eldorado because they have a poker area and Danny wanted to play for awhile. I spent the afternoon at the spa and enjoyed the jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. Then I had a hot stone massage that lasted 90 minutes.....it was absolute heaven.

This is the entrance to the spa at the Eldorado. When you go in they give you a tour and then a locker for your things. In the locker is a robe and towel, then they bring you slippers to wear. It was very luxurious and I felt quite pampered.


The jacuzzi was very relaxing. One of the main reasons I chose the spa at the Eldorado, instead of Sam's, is that Sam's only had an outdoor jacuzzi and it was broken. A big mistake by whoever designed that spa. I did have a facial over there the next morning and Danny had a manicure and pedicure.


We both won at the penny slots and Danny won a little at blackjack. He was not so lucky at poker, but we had a great time.


Christmas Eve 2008

I'm going to try to catch up on my blogging a little. Last week was very busy and enjoyable, and I think I'll have three separate blogs to tell about it. I've been a little under the weather the last few days. The doctor said yesterday he thinks I've got gastritis, or an infection in the lining of my stomach. He gave me an antibiotic, and I believe I'm a little better today. Why does this happen when you're on vacation.... at least I've had the days to rest and recuperate.

It has been a very nice holiday season so far for Danny and I, although very different. It was the first Christmas we didn't have either of our sons home. Those things happen as kids get married and move all over the globe. We also missed my mom, dad and aunt this year who have moved to different states. However, we were blessed to have Megan and Eleanor with us on Christmas Eve. It was so much fun to watch Eleanor open her packages and play with her toys. After we opened presents we had a dinner of chicken enchilada casserole and salad. Megan brought dessert that was yummy too.


What a joy it was having Megan and Eleanor here with us this Christmas.


Danny really enjoyed watching all the activity.


This was our little Christmas tree. I'm not really into the whole drag everything out and decorate thing anymore.


Miss Eleanor sure did look sweet in her Christmas dress.


When she started with the presents she wasn't sure if she was really suppose to rip the pretty paper.

Her momma told her it was ok and got her started.


Then she really got into it.


I believe she had fun. I know we all did. Now we are looking forward to having our Christmas with Shane and Casey in a couple weeks.
Happy Holidays!! And may God bless you all.

Yummy...Dip or Pie??

When I was in College Station not long ago. I went shopping with Casey, Shane and Nancy. I always love when we go to the World Market store. It has a little bit of everything, and I can look in there for hours.

They have samples of coffees, teas, cookies and other things to nibble on. Shane samples all of the goodies several times and scopes out the best ones. He told me I needed to try this dip they had out with some very thin wafer type gingerbread cookie called, Nyaker Gingersnaps. Yummmm.....It was so good!! They also had the recipe there for the customers. I took one and that's what I'm sharing with you here. Of course they suggest using World Market brands, but I just used what I had on hand. One of the spices was a little strong. I'm not sure which one, maybe the cloves. You can add spices to your taste.

Pumpkin Dip
1 can canned pumpkin
1 block creamed cheese, softened; regular, light, or fat free
2 tesp. cinnamon
1/2 tesp. cloves
1/2 tesp. ginger
1/2 tesp. nutmeg
1 cup powdered sugar

Combine pumpkin and cream cheese with mixer until smooth and blended. Mix in all spices. Stir in powdered sugar. Chill

Dip = Pie
I made one recipe to take to school, and I had quite a bit left over. I wasn't sure what to do with it. Danny's not crazy about pumpkin, so I knew he wouldn't eat it. So... I got a package of the little graham cracker crusts and put the dip in them to make little tiny pies. Then I put Cool Whip on them and they were very yummy too.



Here is the little pie shell with just the filling.


Then I put the Cool Whip on top and it was so delicious . So if you want a quick and easy no bake pumpkin pie this recipe is great. Merry Christmas everyone!!

Yea, Shane.....You Did It!!

Last weekend was Shane's big day. His graduation from Texas A&M was beautiful, and Danny and I were very proud of him. Everything went like clockwork and I think everyone enjoyed the whole weekend. Here are some photos I took, and Megan took a few for me too.

The whole place was packed with graduates, families and friends. President Bush spoke the day before to all the graduates. I sure wish we could have been there for that.


This was our group. The row Danny's on has Megan and Casey's grandparents. I'm in that
empty seat invisible :). The row behind Danny is Casey's aunt, cousin, uncle, dad, Casey then her mother.

I zoomed in and got a picture of a very board Shane patiently waiting his turn. He was the second row from the last of several thousand graduates.


Yea!! It's his turn at last.





About to take that honored walk across the stage. He worked very hard to get that little piece of paper.


Shane is now an A&M graduate and very ready to get away from all the whoop la.


But, Mom has to have a few more pictures first.


Mom, Shane and Casey....Shane says, "Aren't we done with pictures yet??? I'm was starving."



I took a few photos at the restaurant. This is Casey's mom, Nancy, and Nancy's mom.


We had a really big table for our seventeen member party. The food was delicious and we really enjoyed talking to everyone.


Casey and Shane are so photogenic and such a cute couple.


There's never a dull moment when these three get together. I sure wish Jared could have been there.


Casey's dad, Kevin and Nancy enjoying those fried pickles....yum!!


My hubby caught me under the mistletoe...what a romantic. Ha!! :D









Goodreads.com

I got an email the other day from a former teacher at our school. He likes to read too and we often discussed books we were reading. The email invited me to be one of his "friends" on the website http://www.goodreads.com/ . So, I went to the site to check it out because I hadn't heard of it. It is so cool, and I immediately signed up to be his friend and invited several other people to be my friends.

The site is for people who like to read and is very easy to use. You put the books you have read on it with reviews and rate them with stars. It is a lot of fun to see what your friends have read and their comments. You can get a lot of ideas about new books to read.

There are also groups that discuss different topics. I joined two groups; one for Diana Gabaldon, my favorite author, and one for Twilight. I hope some of you (even if you aren't a reader) will join Goodreads and invite me to be your friend. I have over 30 friends now and a lot of books on there to share.

Thanksgiving Weekend

There are just no words to describe how wonderful Thanksgiving was for Danny and me this year, so I put lots of pictures here to show you some of the highlights. We were blessed to have my mother and father here from Missouri, and all our kids and granddaughter here for a great holiday. It was like having Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all rolled up in one. We get together so seldom that we have to make the most of our time. Here are some of my pictures.


Eleanor loved having her daddy home from Iraq. She didn't get far from him the whole time. Megan was just a little on the happy side herself. I have to apologize to Megan for not having a picture of her, but I'll make up for it soon. Wait till Christmas. :)


We all really enjoyed having my mom and dad here. I hope they get to come back soon.

GG and Paw brought Eleanor's Christmas with them. She had lots of fun things to play with.

Aunt Casey helps open packages.

Every girl needs a new hat and purse.


The best of all was the giant Elmo. GG and Paw made a little girl very happy.


Eleanor still loves to read books and Aunt Casey enjoys it too.


Uncle Shane writes words and draws pictures, like a "happy" moon.


Alex enjoyed some rough housing and petting from his "dad".


It was good for both the boys to get to spend time with their grandparents. As we all move in different directions these are very precious times.


We all enjoyed seeing the little angel in our family. She kept us entertained.
We are truly a blessed family. And I thank God everyday for a wonderful husband, parents, sons, daughter-in-laws and a precious grandaughter.