Merry and Bright

Christmas 2009 was wonderful! My first Christmas with my family since 2006 was so much fun.  It was spent enjoying the little ones, playing with new goodies (more on that to come), eating delicious food and relaxing.  I decided to just put a slide show of pictures up since there are so many!

But perhaps my favorite image of the celebration:

The kit's "m" was missing, and we sure did get a laugh!

What can you do?

My friend Sam shared this on his blog.  Thought I'd share it, too.

Having seen all this you can choose to look the other way, but you can never say again, 'I did not know.' -William Wilberforce

A Good Word

This was posted on my friends' blog.  Quite perfect.

Christmas Tour of Homes

Welcome to my apartment!  Thanks for coming by!

When I started decorating this year, I was so excited! My first Christmas in America since 2006!  My decor is a collection of things that I have added to through the years...collections that my mama started (Fitz & Floyd, for example), items from India and other countries that I have visited, ornaments from friends, etc.  I hope you'll see a little bit of me. 

The dining table

The kitchen

Living room

Favorite Ornaments: Indian lady in a sari from Pier One (my mama gave her to me when I was living in India)

My Radko ornaments.  I have about 10.  My parents started giving them to me when I was about 16.

Since I don't have a tv,  I watch my nativity instead!

My bedroom: A whimsical tin tree and Santa viewing the globe (India, specifically).

The Georgia room: a snow globe of Athens and UGA Santa.

That's all for now...I have so many plans, things I'd like to change or add, but I am so happy to share my little bit of Christmas joy with you.  Thanks for clicking!

May your days be merry and bright...

Yes,

It's been two weeks since I've written.  I'm horrible, I know.  I could list off several excuses, but I don't know if you'd buy it.  But, honestly, it's been two crazy weeks.  I want to post pics from Thanksgiving, but I didn't have my camera and my mom's was stolen (bummer!).  I have fun pics from an annual girls' shopping trip that I must post.  But, that will come later this weekend.  So, for now, I'll leave you with this:

Monday, December 14th.  Be there or be a Scrooge.

Foodie Friday: Taco Soup

I love soup at this time of year, and it's about all that I've been cooking lately.  It' great for me because soup is usually quick, easy and easy to freeze.  I'll eat it for 2 meals and freeze the rest for later.  Love it.

For more great recipes, visit Eliz's Foodie Friday page.

Taco Soup

(adapted from cooks.com)

1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey (I prefer the turkey)

1 med. onion, diced

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 pkg ranch seasoning

2 large cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can of Rotel tomatoes, undrained

1 can of black beans, drained

1 can of pinto beans, drained

1 can of whole kernel corn, drained

Brown meat and onions.  Drain.

Add your spice packets.

Add the corn, beans and tomatoes.

Simmer until warmed through and all the flavors combine.

Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, green onion, tortilla chips...whatever you like!

ENJOY!

Word for November- Manikin

The second month's addition of my new word for each month (25 Things To Do While I'm 25):


manikin |ˈmanikən | (also mannikin)
noun
   1. a person who is very small, esp. one not otherwise abnormal or deformed.
   2. a jointed model of the human body, used in anatomy or as an artist's lay figure.

ORIGIN: mid 16th cent.: from Dutch manneken ( Middle Dutch mannekijn), diminutive of man ‘man.’

USAGE: See usage at mannequin .

USAGE: In English usage, the word mannequin occurs much more frequently than any of its relatives manakin, manikin, and mannikin. The source for all four words is the Middle Dutch mannekijn (modern Dutch manneken) ‘little man,’ ‘little doll.’ Mannequin is the French spelling from this Dutch source.

My example sentences:

1.  I am a manikin. (Ha!)

2.  Using mannequins instead of people in clothing commercials makes me not want to shop at that store.

More Precious Than Gold

"The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the LORD are sure

and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward."

Psalm 19:7-11

The Bug Has Bitten

The Christmas Bug has certainly bitten me.  I am so excited to be in America for the holiday season!

Some of my pretty Radkos ready to go.

More to come...

Sweet Home Alabama?

Y'all, this Georgia girl has moved to Alabama.  Never in my life did I think I would live in Alabama, much less be so excited to.  I live in the great town of Dothan, Alabama, just a quick one hour drive from my hometown in Georgia.  Dothan has great restaurants, excellent shopping and is the home of the National Peanut Festival that just ended this past weekend.

I thought I'd give you a little tour of my new apartment.  It's filled with pretties from all over the world, and I feel so at home there.  I love it.  My family and friends helped me move this past weekend.  I can't thank Mama and Daddy, Sam and Wanda enough for all their help and creative talent.

From the door, you can see my bedroom.  You go through the living/dining area to get there.

To the right of the entry is the kitchen.

To the left of the entry is the guest bedroom and bathroom.  The bed is my parents' old bed, and most everything else is from my apartment in college.

From the entrance to the living area, you can see the computer niche on the left.  I love this because I can't stand to have my computer in the living space or in a bedroom.  Eventually, I'll have have a tv in that cabinet, but for now it's going to hold all my souvenirs from around the world.

The living room includes a bargain sofa and bargain coffee table as well as fun stuff from India.


On the opposite side of the living area is the dining room.  I'll tell you more about that table in another post.  It was a bargain, do-it-yourself project.  So much fun!


Finally, my favorite, my bedroom.  The "blanket" at the end of the bed is a tablecloth from India that was the inspiration for the color scheme.  The bedskirt is a window panel cut in half and staple-gunned to the box spring because we couldn't find one that matched.  I don't have a headboard yet, but I am planning to do something like THIS that I saw on bhg.com.

There's still a bit more I'd like to do and hang (for example, uh, curtains, Indian wall hangings/art and pictures of people I love).  I still need a few major pieces of furniture in the bedrooms, but that will come in time.

You're welcome to come any time you want! I love hosting and serving up some South Asia and Southern hospitality.

The job so far...

I love it!

After one week of working, I am sure that I am going to like my job.  I am a payroll operator at PR Employer in Dothan, AL.  Companies and businesses hire us to handle their payroll, human resources and risk management so they can focus their time and money on the product or service they offer.  This week, I've been in training and orientation mostly, but towards the end of the week I started running payrolls and contacting the businesses that will be my personal clients.  I love this because I get to build relationships with theses folks and try to assist them in any way possible. 

I've found a place to live about a mile from my office and will be moving next weekend.  More to come on that.

Happy Birthday, Brother!

I gotta be honest.  I'm a lucky girl.  I have the best brother in the world.

And, today, he turns 20.

Yes, he's a Halloween baby.  The year he was born I was five.  I was so mad that he was born on Halloween because I thought that meant that I couldn't go trick or treating.  I told everyone that night that my new baby brother was "a trick and not a treat."

But, truly, he rocks.

I GOT A JOB!

So, #5 on my 25 Things To Do While I'm 25 list was to get a job.  Well, yay! I got one (FINALLY).  I get to work for a really cool company in Dothan, Alabama (less than an hour from my house) doing payroll and human resources-type work.  I will commute for now.  I'm super excited! I start Monday!

Word for October- gimcrack

For my word of the month, per my 25 Things To While I'm 25 list (#19), I have chosen the word gimcrack.  Here's the definition from my MacBook Pro's Dictionary application.
  

gimcrack |ˈjimˌkrak |
adjective: flimsy or poorly made but deceptively attractive : plastic gimcrack cookware.

noun: a cheap and showy ornament; a knickknack.

DERIVATIVES
gimcrackery |-ˌkrakərē| noun

ORIGIN Middle English gibecrake, of unknown origin. Originally a noun, the term denoted some kind of inlaid work in wood, later a fanciful notion or mechanical contrivance, hence a knickknack.

My example sentences:

1.  Instead of going to Ulta, I bought a gimcrack straightening iron at the dollar store.

2.  It kind of bugs me when people fill their homes with silly gimcracks like troll dolls and stuffed animals.

I love FALL!

Y'all, these last few days in South Georgia have been fabulous...I've been loving cool (cold!) temperatures, enjoying abundant sunshine, getting to wear closed-toe shoes and jackets for the first time in a year and a half and eating pumpkin bread.  Fall is my favorite season.  Here are a few reasons why.

1.  autumn decor.  I love the colors of fall and the exciting ways people use them to decorate their homes.  Some of my favorite autumn-inspired projects that I've seen in Blogland lately are  Make It and Love It's Autumn Wheat Basket and The Inspired Room's Gilded Pumpkins (pictured below...image from Country Living).  Better Homes & Gardens (BHG) always has a bunch of great ideas.  Click HERE for a few.

2.  clothes.  When it's time to start wearing longer sleeves, closed-toe shoes, boots and cute jackets, I get really excited!  Something about the fit of fall clothing is comfortable yet flattering.  Some of my favorite fashion sites include InStyle.com (this is their fall fashions link), The Faithful Fashionista and Sensibly Styled.  If you've never visited Shabby Apple, do so now!

  

Harness Boots by BeautifullyAdorned featuring Burberry

3. pumpkin-spiced goodies. Yummy pumpkin-spiced food screams "FALL!"  I love the pumpkin bread recipe that I posted a few weeks ago and have made it several times.  Some new things I want to try include Joy the Baker's Pumpkin Spice Pancakes (pictured below) and Design Mom's Pumpkin Cookies.  Also, my friend Andrea in South Asia has some tasty recipes at SouthAsiaRocks.

4.  soups.  It's the best time of the year for tasty soups, stews and chili.  I am almost always in the mood for a hot bowl of goodness at this time of the year.  Try Eliz's Hamburger Veggie Soup (pictured below) or Simply Recipes' Spicy Vegetarian Chili.  Find a host of other soup recipes at BHG.

...Foodie Friday...Homemade Pancake Mix

For today's Foodie Friday @ Eliz in ATL, I want to share with you a recipe given to me by my friend Linda Sue.

In India, pancakes tended to be a go-to meal.  Part of the reason for this is that Linda Sue gave us a plastic storage container with homemade pancake mix in it.  All we had to do was add oil, water and an egg.

(this image came from the Web...)

It is so easy and so tasty! This mix keeps well in an air-tight container.  You can eat pancakes about three times before having to make the mix again.

Pancake Mix

4 c. flour

4 Tbsp. baking powder

4 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/3 c. powdered milk

2 1/4 tsp. salt

TO USE: Simply mix 1 1/2 c. of pancake mix with 1 egg, 1 c. water and 2 Tbsp. of oil.

Last week in Athens...

Sorry about being MIA this last week.  I took a fun trip for the week to Athens.  Highlights from the trip included lots of time with my little brother, a going away party for CT and reunions with the newest Mrs. Parham, DD, Sara and Mitch among many others.  I stayed with the lovely girls of the "Taj Mahal" and had a blast.  Thanks y'all...I'll be back soon!

CT's party was awesome!

A-group reunion...missing some of our lovelies, though.

I heart CT!

Mrs. Parham...I had so much Katherine time! It was great!

Daira...it's a girl this time!

Sara!

I couldn't be there for the wedding (though I was asterisk-ed in the program).  But, I was there for Mitch's ordination.  Congrats, friend!

25 Things...

It's my 25th birthday! Yeah! A quarter of a century...

(me!)

In honor of this momentous occasion, I decided to make a list of

25 Things To Do While I'm 25
(in no particular order)

1.  Take a Home Depot Do-it-Herself workshop.
2.  See the Grand Canyon.
3.  Read all of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.
4.  Learn to crochet.
5.  Get a job (for realz, y'all).
6.  Make my India scrapbook.
7.  Memorize Philippians.
8.  Break the fast (out of my control but fun to hope for!).
9.  Start baking my own bread.
10.  Learn to French braid.
11.  Take a beginner sewing or quilting class.
12.  Participate in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University program.
13.  Read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.
14.  Do Pilates regularly.
15.  Go on a volunteer mission trip.
16.  Bake an apple pie.
17.  Lose 10 pounds (ha!...right after I "bake an apple pie").
18.  Take a fun craft lesson at Hobby Lobby or Michael's.
19.  Expand my vocabulary by learning a new word each month and actually using it.
20.  Start my own herb garden.
21.  Take the train somewhere in the U.S. (perhaps to the Grand Canyon?).
22.  Learn how to drive a stick shift.
23.  Adopt a puppy (we'll see...).
24.  Read Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series.
25.  Visit the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

Happy Birthday, Akka!

Reba, my partner in crime and roommate in India, is celebrating a birthday today (along with Gandhi-ji!).

Akka = Big sister in Kannada, the language we learned.

Naanu niimanu pritisutiini YAAVAGALU!