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!!