Writing in style

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If writing with a good quality pen is important for you, try this. Even if you can't afford to write with a Montblanc pen, you can do this and on a budget!

When Ryan and Sarah were here for Christmas, Ryan fixed one of these pens for me. You can get detailed instructions on how to do it here. The website states you can save $200 in 2 minutes.

It's simple really. Montblanc sells refills for its roller ball pens at most office supplies. Ryan bought mine at Office Depot. Use a Pilot G2 pen and switch out refills. You will have to cut a small portion off of the top of the Montblanc refill, but this is easily done... and then you can just write away in style!

Red Velvet Cookies

One of my friends gave me this recipe.
She told me it was delicious and she was right.












1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp water
3/4 cup coconut
3/4 cup pecans
3/4 pkg chocolate chips
Mix all together. Lightly spray cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Sometimes they may need an extra 1/2 tsp more water if the mix is too thick. Enjoy.

Have you Grouponed today?

Have you discovered Groupons? If not, you may be missing out on some great bargains. Groupons are heavily discounted offers sent to your email box daily. You just go to their website and sign up for your city. Since they don't have one available locally, I am signed up for the Dallas and the Ft. Worth Groupon and I even get the San Antonio one since we travel there occasionally. The offers are only available for purchase on the day that they arrive in your mailbox. But of course you can use them at a later date. Click here to sign up.

Handmade gifts

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Mike and I were the lucky recipients of two handmade gifts this year. Our neighbor Trudy's daughter made us the quilted table runner. Pat Murdoch is a very talented quilter as you can tell by the handiwork in this runner.

Ryan and Sarah surprised us with this bejeweled tree made of wire and beads. We saw these in Taos and didn't buy one because we thought we could make them, but then of course we never did. I love the tree, it is so whimsical and I think it will stay out all year long.

Handmade gifts really are the best!

Kara and Joey's wedding

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~Kara and Joey said their vows shortly after the New Year's countdown. There were about 50 attending, mostly family and a few friends. Thanks to Maurine and James for hosting the wedding at their beautiful house. Our plans for using the patio with umbrella heaters was spoiled by the cold front and strong winds, but despite the circumstances, the ceremony itself took place outdoors. We were serenaded by a saxophonist that was awesome. Ryan took these images with his cell phone so they are not the best quality. Can't wait to see the photographer's pictures.

Christmas 2010

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~We had a great time visiting with family for Christmas. We went to Maurine and Jim's for Christmas Eve and then to Mike's Mom's for Christmas dinner. Uncle John made manicotti and eggplant lasagna and it was tasty. Then we went to visit the pasture in Oklahoma. Brayden had fun opening up some gifts and shooting us all with his foam bullets.

It's Christmas time~

~~~~~The Christmas lights in town are so pretty. We went on a tour last night and saw these. Someone has started giving carriage rides in the country club. What a fun way to see all the lights and the candy cane wrapped trees that line many of the streets. The Loch Ness monster is from the Morningside addition. You can see Nessy's reflection in the pond.