One Down more to go

I was up till 7 am this morning putting this sucker up, (long story) let me know what you think, I'm still hunting for tree toppers and skirt. I'm also debateing if I should add some matte gold balls, and if I should pull the greenery out. This tree 9ft $50.00 Craigslist, 50 horse ornaments ebay $65.00 and the horns 30 on ebay for $16.00 plus the lights were 25% off at Lowes. More to come as the rooms get finished I think I've got 6 more at least lol. Also this is still in progress and the burgandy does not clash(except when you use a flash lol)

Before and After's

As promised here are some before/after shots of my new living room and dining room. I'm so stoked to be almost done with these rooms. They have been in progress for over a year, I also found a 9 ft christmas tree that will be going in the chocolate room. It will have a equestrian/fox hunt theme! But this is just one of the at least 7 trees I'm doing this year. I can't wait to show my new firefighter tree too I found the perfect garland for it. As the room's get done I'll post photos and share our new to us home with you. Enjoy this black friday and leftovers.

Obsessive hunt for grandmother style dressing and alll things christmas

So I'm at work and (knock on wood) it's a calm day so far. But I have gotten in my head I must find the perfect dressing recipe. You know the one that your grandmother was famous for but no one wrote down? Yup that one. So far I'm finding some possibilities but nothing concrete, I can't remember her using eggs? If anyone has a suggestion for one using cornbread,biscuits, and bread with a lot of sage please let me know.

Then I got on a tangent for Christmas gifts. With the economy how it's going we need to pinch penny's as much as possible.

here are some thrifty holiday websites that would be good to check out Homemade Gift Ideas
101 Gift Ideas and More Gift Ideas and more

I guess I'll make this as this part of my project for the blog how to save money while having a great holiday. As soon as I get some of my trees up I'll also be posting photos of my house.

Cheese Ball/Baked Chicken Salad Recipes

these are favorites in my family I'd love to share
CHEESE BALL

2 8 OZ PKG CREAM CHEESE, softened
3 PKGS CHIPPED BEEF



6 green onions and tops, chopped fine
dash Worcestershire sauce
dash Accent or seasoned salt
dash garlic powder

Cream the cheese; add 2 and 1/2 pkgs chopped beef, reserve the 1/2 pkg for rolling cheese ball. Add onions and seasonings to taste. Form in a ball and roll in remaining beef.

Baked Chicken Salad
3 TO 4 LB CHICKEN, COOKED, SKINNED AND DICED (I just drop a whole chicken in crock pot, no water or anything else....4 hours on high)



3 STALKS CELERY – DICED



½ CUP ALMONDS, SLICED



½ TSP SALT



½ TSP GRATED ONION



2 T. LEMON JUICE



I CUP HELLMAN'S MAYO



½ CUP SHREDDED CHEDDAR







COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS. PLACE IN BAKING DISH AND TOP WITH 2/3 CUP CRUSHED POTATO CHIPS



BAKE AT 350 FOR 20 MINUTES.

Christmas Rules For Dogs

Christmas Rules For Dogs

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know: - Don't pee on the tree - Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree - Mind your tail when you are near the tree - If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open - Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part: - Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans - Don't eat off the buffet table - Beg for goodies subtly - Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa - Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important: - Observe all the rules in 4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important) - Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house - Tolerate children - Turn on your charm big time

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!!