Holiday Work Party

Every year my husband's company puts on a Holiday Party for their employees. They do a great job choosing a good location, decorating, providing a band, and usually catering a great meal (although I wasn't thrilled this year with my dish). But all in all it was enjoyable. We go every year, and why wouldn't we? A nite out, in a beautiful setting, with my honey, and FREE food and entertainment!! Did you get that all this is free?!

Chandelier and beautiful lights on the ceiling

Yes, right...And on top of that they always have great prizes like trips, money, gift cards, great electronics etc. And guess what? This year my husband won the top prize which was a brand new IPad 2!! Now if you knew my husband and how much he enjoys technology and new gadgets, then you would know how totally excited and blessed he was. 


 I had a beautiful green dress planned, but was bummed when I got make-up on it...But I was pleased with my back-up outfit. Always have a back-up outfit for a special occasion...Hope that you guys are enjoying your holidays...Have fun and fine someone to bless...It will make your holidays special.

My husband (David) and I

Gotta have sparkles for the holidays

Beautiful Holiday Solitude

My cozy "comfort" quilt.

I had a slow start this morning...It was intentional and on purpose. I like to start my day with prayer and the Word...Reading my Bible. But I added something else today. In the spirit of the holidays I grabbed a cup of coffee (I am not a coffee drinker, but every now and then I like it), plugged my Christmas tree in, put on some Kenny G Christmas instrumental music, (on my old school CD Player, imagine that),  got my favorite quilt, and curled up on the sofa in my jammies. How cool is that?! I sat for about an hour just enjoying the quiet, the music, good thoughts, and counting my blessings. Moments like these feed my soul.

What's left of my coffee!

 It's so important to take the time to nourish your soul with some quiet time, good music or a good book...whatever works for you. Find joy today by intentionally grabbing a moment or two to turn down the noise around you and enter into a place of peace and rest. It's so good for your soul and peace of mind... Especially during the holiday season with all the busyness shopping, parties, and to do lists. It also makes you a better companion, mom, dad, and friend. You can find a moment in the morning or late at night...It doesn't matter...Just be intentional about experiencing the joy of a beautiful moment of solitude. Wishing you a great day of blessings and solitude.



Old school CD Player and Kenny G

Sandra




Enjoying the Holidays

Everyone loves this time of year...I mean, what's not to love about it: Fun shopping, hanging out with family and friends, delicious food, Christmas lights, presents and all kinds of goodies...And the most important of all is the real reason that we celebrate: Jesus! Yes I am a Jesus lover and I so enjoy this season because I think that it is just a taste of what heaven will be like...Can't you just feel love in the air. Yes I know, I am sooo mushy...But I can't help it...It's me; just the way that I am. On another note one of the things that I enjoy about the season is the holiday parties and gatherings...They are so fun and you get to dress up in fancy sparkly attire, and the colors of the season...Of course you don't really need a reason to dress up...The fact that you want to is good enough. But on Friday I got the chance to attend a small dinner party with some special friends of mine...My husband David (you will meet him later) and I were invited, but since we had two events to attend on the same night, we decided to divide and conquer...I would go to the party and represent us there, and he would go to the other event and I would join him later...It worked out fine...You could say that we were able to be in two places at the same time.
Anyway I want to encourage you to enjoy the holiday season. I know that for some people it can be a difficult time. Especially if there are sad memories or you have lost a love one. I really know what that is like. But I am encouraging you to find the joy in family and friends around you. It is so important to reach out and let other people bring love and joy into your life. Don't allow yourself to become isolated and don't sit at home by yourself and get depressed. Reach out to friends. If you don't have any then this is a great time to make some! You can make new friends at your workplace, at church, at your local gym, your next door neighbor, or at the grocery store; anywhere there are people. Make some new memories and traditions. And if you get some good party or dinner invites, make sure to dress in your 'finest' and go have a ball...I am praying for you this holiday season that it will bring great joy and sweet memories to you...Happy Holidays!!

Yummy Thanksgiving Recycle

Yummy "Shepherds Pie"

I hope that your Thanksgiving was beautiful, with lots of family and great friends to share it with. As I said in my first post, I come from a good sized family of 8 siblings and 2 adults. My mom taught us to cook and one thing I learned was to cook in Hugh quantities! So even though that was many many years ago I still sometimes cook way too much food. Hence the “Thanksgiving Recycle Meal.” (By the way my Thanksgiving Dinner was great as I am sure that yours was. I had Cajun Fried Turkey (courtesy of my husband who did the frying), Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Cornbread Dressing, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Herb Rolls, Mixed Berry Cobbler (courtesy of a family friend)…It was all so very tasty. I actually have video of the Turkey Fry and I may put it up later…Anyway I had a ton of left over Mashed Potatoes…So I found a great online recipe for Shepherd’s Pie. I am Queen of recycling my leftovers into yummy soups and dishes. O my gosh…I need to pat myself on the back. This Shepherds Pie (see pic) was so delicious! In my family when someone cook’s something really wonderful we have an expression that goes “Girl you really put your foot in it.” Well let me just say that “I really put my foot in it!” My husband and daughter totally enjoyed it. Next on the recycle list…Sandra’s Turkey Chowder with our leftover Turkey. I would love to know what was on your Thanksgiving menu and how you plan to use any leftovers…Discover some joy while you are in the kitchen cooking your Master Creations! Until next time…
Sandra

What was left after dinner...Yum good!

A New Venture

Here's to a new venture into the world of Blogging! I know absolutely nothing about it but I am excited to learn. I look forward to sharing my life, making new friends, and gaining some new experience in the process. It will be pretty interesting to see this blog develop and take shape. Occasionally I want to share what I call joy nuggets: moments in my life that give me great joy and simple pleasure, moments that create gratitude in my soul. We all need those. So here in my first post is also my first Joy Nugget:

I was out shopping earlier today and encountered so many people, so much traffic...In the midst of it all I felt joy and excitement at being alive to experience another Thanksgiving Holiday. I have great childhood memories of my mom, myself, and my sisters cooking and getting ready for the day. I come from a family of 8 siblings so there was always cooking and always noise in the kitchen. I hope that your memories of holidays are great. If not, then it's time for you to let go of those memories and create so new ones...Get in your kitchen, put some music on, cook your favorite holiday dish or meal and count your blessings...I believe that you will find that there is joy and great memories waiting to happen.


Happy Thanksgiving
Sandra