Isn't this snow man hilarious?? Amber took this photo at the Waukesha Library, they have those historical cannons there......fun stuff! :)

 This is the steep hill at the corner of our block and one block down. It is the entrance to the South Shore Yacht Club, and there were tons of kids and Dad's there sledding today.

 Earl and I sat with the window open listening the squeals, giggles, sounds of pain and joy coming from those thumbing down the hill. It was fun to watch. They were all having a super fun time and did not see any 911 dumps, thankfully!

 Notice all the different, tubes, sleds and boards. Neat!

 This is Amber and her girlfriends out for a fancy and lovely brunch of omelets, crepes and hash!

Wanna go sledding?????? Snow is fun for kids!

Snow covered everything

 Our back yard before evening and the finishing of the snow.

 Our front yard as the snow kept coming. Sort of pretty. Did I say that????

 Now this is beautiful. It is our parkway in South Milwaukee. The open field with the creamy smooth clean snow and the gorgeous edging covered in wet snow, each tree limb like an individual white arm reaching out. Just amazing!!!! There is no way you can look at this and not think it is beautiful. :0)

 Can you appreciate the tones of white, gray and black here?? 

Winter is back.............:)

Dense fog, rain, hot, cold and snow.

 Our parkway today looked totally eerie. This is a picture on the way home from work, we had dense fog here at the lake and the inlet of water as well. The fog hangs over the water. It reached 61 today and we had severe rain. So we broke records for the temperature from 99 years ago, the high was 56, and we broke it for rainfall as well. Thankfully it was not all snow!!!!! Though the snow is coming tomorrow. Blah!

Have you ever made sloppy joe and put it over rice instead of on a bun?? It tastes great! This is our dinner, some celery, onion, spices and ground beef with open pit sauce, over rice and bicolored corn! Yum. We are easy to please! :)

No Knead Refrigerator Artisan Bread

 This is the dough before baking. This was so simple. I am going to include the wonderful link where I saw this bread! Please visit it. They show STEP by STEP, a little video even AND beautiful pictures.......more beautiful than mine. But I did want you to see that even mine came out nicely and this is my first attempt!

 Four simple ingredients and then this beautiful fresh bread!!!!!!
Here is the LINK.......with recipe.........
http://theitaliandishblog.com/imported-20090913150324/2010/2/26/amazing-artisan-bread-for-40-cents-a-loaf-no-kneading-no-fus.html

Doesn't this look good enough to eat?? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Cream Cheese Monkey Bread

 Here is my baking for the day. This is cream cheese monkey bread. A little different version than just plain, you tuck cream cheese into the biscuit dough and that is a hidden surprise for the bread! Mmmmm!

If you are interested in trying it, here is the recipe.
Cream Cheese Monkey Bread:
1 package of Philidelphia cream cheese (cut into small pieces)
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 Tbsp. Cinnamon
3/4 cup melted butter
4- 8 oz rolls of Pillsbury Biscuits
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
Spray a bundt pan with nonstick spray or butter pan, and peel apart the biscuits. Put the sugars and the cinnamon into a zip lock baggie and shake the biscuit pieces in the baggie until all are coated.
Place the biscuit peices on the counter and tuck a piece of cream cheese into each ,wrapping the edges up around it(it won't be completely sealed in, that is fine). Start with a little of the sugar mixture and butter and then place the bottom biscuit row cream cheese side up and then the rest, cream cheese side down, layering with the remaining sugar and melted butter in between layers. At the end, dump remaining sugar mixture and butter on top. Bake for 45 minutes, cool for 5 and turn out onto a pan.

Doesn't it look delish?? Oey, goey, cinnaomon yumminess!!!!! With a nice cup of coffee or cold glass of milk........perfect! :)

Happy New Year

I am wishing you all a Happy New Year full of happiness, peace and health!
Earl and I ran out for a bit today and I got a very cute Minnie Mouse (love Disney) tree skirt for my PINK Christmas tree. I think it will be perfect, I am sharing it here.
It was discounted because it is after Christmas. :)

And Earl and I made some of the more difficult ballerninas from paper.(The link for the HOW TO, is in the post below this one.) He was not overly thrilled, but did the snowflake part and quite well I would say! I will share that too!

Here is a beautiful Christmas Flash Mob of singers. Watch until the end, it is really touching!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Vnt7euRF5Pg&vq=medium

Amber and I made these this morning for fun!

I also had Elizabeth make one at my folks. They are so pretty. Here are the instructions for them. I found them on Pinterest!

http://krokotak.com/2012/11/snowflake-ballerinas-for-little-hands/#

I think they are delighful.

Here is a much more difficult version for those of you that are ambitious.

http://krokotak.com/2012/11/snowflake-ballerinas-for-crafty-moms/

 

 

Christmas with family

 The table looks so pretty!

 All the yummy food is ready!

 The boys were watching the Packers, see Dad's HO HO HO socks! :) What Earl is doing with that baby doll we are not sure!

 Mom and Dad and their tree.

 Emberlli and Elizabeth and Charlie.

 Joe and Mom , Elizabeth and Emberlli

 Jeff and Robin join the group.

 Me and Jeff and Mom.

 Earl, Mom and I.

Mom and Dad.

 Emberlli helps blow out the candles.

 Auntie Patti and Joe.

Today we celebrated Christmas and Mom's birthday with my Brother Jeff and his sweet family! Here are some pictures of the fun and beautiful table setting and food. Mom made 2 types of lasagna , delicious and more. Everyone enjoyed! Hope you like the pictures! The cake was a grouping of cupcakes with Minnie Mouse on top(bought) and we also had peppermint cheesecake and cookies for dessert. Too much food, but always delicious.

Day 12

Today is day twelve of our exchange. Here is the last little ornament offering hope for the New Year!
It was created by Nancy Williams! I am sorry the exhange has ended, but my tree looks full and happy! :)

Day 11

Day 11 of the ornament swap has arrived! It was created by Elizabeth Woodford! You can find her blog in my links to the right.
It is a wonderful collaged square that is two sided. You can hang it so either side is showing.
I have chosen the birds to be showing, TODAY! hehehe, tomorrow who knows. This ornament is very textural and you can run your fingers over the top and feel the layers. Her packing was wonderful, stitched and even the number tag was beautiful.