Tuba Christmas in the Tunnels

It's been a few years since we attended a Tuba Christmas and I would like to go today.  Driving downtown on a weekday is never on my list so DART it will be.  My sweetheart is working from home today and decides to take a little longer lunch and join me.

It has been raining all day so the concert has been moved into the tunnels downtown.  I have never been down there so this peaks my interest too.  We arrive a bit early and it's a good thing.  Oh my, there is not a lot of room down here and a LOT of tubas.

On the Way to Pick Up a New, Shiny, Red Gift

Back on 11/25 we checked out several new cars and I came away loving this red Subaru Imprezza.  Nothing happens fast in our house and I think Mister likes the blue Volkswagen better so only time will tell which, if any, one of the two make it home with us.

Oops --- Water Issues

CRAZY, CRAZY rain today.  It just keeps pouring and we have rivers flowing down the street.  As I glance outside, the water in the street seems extra special strange to me and I call to my sweetheart to come and peek. 

It is moving down the street in milky waves.  I've never seen anything like it.

1st Annual Ornament and Cookie Exchange

I'm just going to say this right out -- the holidays are tough for me.  Most of my family is a long ways away and it makes it impossible for large Christmas gatherings AND even if we could, they need to be in their own homes enjoying this time of year.  The facts don't change though -- it's hard.  It's the only time of year that I really wish I could go back in time and have littles all over again.  Oh the magic of it all and the fun I had with traditions.  It's that word, tradition, that made me think this year.  Perhaps, new traditions need to be put in place.  New gatherings.  New joy in the season.

Cherry Eggnog Tea Bread

Here is today's second tea bread recipe and I have to tell you that I have NEVER smelled a batter as divine as this one.  Please don't let the initial pictures scare you off, I really didn't kill anything, honest.

Cherry Eggnog Tea Bread (also Pampered Chef)

Preheat oven to 325°F.  Spray loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Chop maraschino cherries to measure 3/4 cup.  Place on paper towel to drain.

Peanutty Chocolate Banana Bread

It's Baking Season!!!  Why don't I do this more often?  The smell in the house is divine and I do so love working with dough.  Today I am making a couple of tea breads and will share them in separate posts.  They are both old Pampered Chef recipes and available for free on their website, so  no worries here.

First up is Peanutty Chocolate Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray a loaf pan with vegetable oil.  In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Christmas Spirit in Every Room

Every so often I have chats with myself.  Well, if I'm totally honest, I talk to myself all the time, BUT that's not what I mean here.  Some reevaluation needs to take place now and then, thus resulting in a self-chat.  This year, I made the decision to bring the Spirit of Christmas back into my home.  I have struggled a great deal with this since moving to Texas, but I am determined to bring back the love for this season and ALL it brings.  One of the ways to do that is for me to not over-plan.  Not over-do.  Not over-spend.  All of those lead to stress and hurry and worry.  None of those conditions lead to the calm and peace I am looking for.  I want to bring my "home" back into play and wish for it to stay that way all year.  No, I do not have to wait until January for changes to take place --- NOW is the perfect time to start.

Mister is a gem and soon has all of the totes down from the attic.  No, that is not a dead body wrapped up as a friend suggested, it's simply part of the tree.

With the tubs all down, we both work together and soon the outside is sparkling from lots of little lights.  Yes, this is a good start.  I usually leave this to my sweetheart while I work inside, but together is much better.  It's all part of my refocus on "home" and time with my sweetheart.