What Happened?

Seriously, where the hell did Christmas go?  I feel like we were just leaving the house to head out and pick up a tree and now it's already out in the front yard waiting to become wood chips.  As quick as it comes, it's gone.  I find it bizarre the radio is stuffing Christmas down out throats starting on November 1st, yet at 12:01am on December 26th, every piece of holiday music in the building is locked up tight. 

It's rather sad when you think about it.  All of the money, time and energy we put into to Christmas and it's over in a blink of an eye.  When I was younger, I remember the entire week between Christmas and the New Year being such a great week.  There were still Christmas shows on and you could still hear holiday music on the radio.  What happened?   Sadly, this depresses me.   I cringe when it's time to take down the tree and tuck everything away for another year but to have television and radio completely flip the "holiday off" switch just makes it even worse.

I think everyone would enjoy the holidays a whole heck of a lot more if they took the time to celebrate and enjoy them instead of rushing to get them over with.  Shame, actually.

Watch Out...

Looks like we are finally going to have a good old fashioned blizzard before the year is over.  Normally, when any kind of snow is predicted, we all laugh and plan on getting a few inches of rain.  Not this time.  Like most storms, this one was very hard to track so there wasn't much mention of it until yesterday afternoon and all at once, all the news stations began airing accumulation models which seem to go up every time you check.

About eight or nine years ago, the coast was pounded by a February blizzard that I don't think I will ever forget.  Of course back then I was young, stupid and basically single so I spent the entire day and night out in the blizzard bar hopping to whatever bars we could find open that was still serving.  It was awesome ;)  It must have snowed for two days straight and when all was said and done I think there was over two feet of snow on the ground and snow drifts over eight feet.  Damn!  That was so much fun!

Obviously, my life is a little different now so tomorrow will consist of baking Christmas goodies and watching all of our favorite Christmas specials.  To be honest, I don't think I could ask for a better day than what we have planned.  Big Boy is going to be jumping out of his skin when he sees all of the snow (we are supposed to get).  The only downside to these storms are the damage they are doing to the beaches..  The beaches are a mess and the dunes are so beat up  they actually look like bluffs in a few spots along Island Beach.  It's such a shame.

I'm thinking tomorrow is going to be a long day and we have to get up bright and early (hopefully before the snow) because I realized Big Big outgrew both his snow boots and ants from last season.  If I'm buying new boots and pants, we had better put them to use!

Is It Just Me?

Or does the Santa on the side of this page look a little creepy?  ------------------->

I'm trying to holiday up my blog and for some reason I'm just not finding a background I'm happy with and because I'm insane, I won't use the same one as last year.  I'll just keep looking and I'm sure I'll eventually come across something I like.  You would think this was a matter of life or death the way I get so involved.  Yeah.  I have issues.

I also realized that  by the time this is read by anyone, I will have already changed from the background in question and then no on will have any idea what the hell I'm prattling on about.  Issues, I gotz em.

I Should Have Kept My Mouth Shut

Remember a few posts ago when I was bellyaching that it was unseasonably warm. Uh, yeah. The temperature dropped about 25 degrees in an hour today and the wind is gusting over 50 mph. So....figure it's about 0-5 degrees with the windchill. These freak snow showers keep moving through and everything is now frozen. Should make for an interesting NYE on the roads. It's damn cold out there.

As soon as I walked in from work I turned on the fireplace and put on my thick fleece pajama bottoms. Hell, I'm not going out so I might as well be warm and cozy. Hubby picked up some great snacks and even though I'm not much of a drinker (anymore) I think I'll make myself a mojito later. Why not, right? Hopefully, we can make it to midnight.

Welcome to Tropical NJ

What the hell is this? It's not supposed to be 65 degrees in December. Sure, it's a nice break from the cold weather but what cold weather? I think we have had maybe three or four days of real bitter winds...maybe? I miss winter. I would like a good old fashioned snow storm, preferrebly on a Friday night so I don't have to worry about anyone driving to work in the morning. Big Boy is three and I think he has only played in the snow once and that's if you can even call two measly inches of snow fun.

Hello......................winter...where are you?

And It's Over

Why is it that at 12:01am on December 26th Christmas is long forgotten. All the radio stations vault up the holiday music, there are no more TV specials and the very mention of Santa sends people cringing? I just don't get it? I always though the holiday's ran through the new year but I guess I was wrong.

Maybe if Christmas wasn't pounded into our heads from Thanksgiving day on, everyone would be able to enjoy the holiday season a little longer. I do. I consider it Christmas right up until New Years day and then we take down our tree. By then I'm ready to have my house back to normal but until then, it is still Christmas at the beach.

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful Christmas Holiday!

Love,

Hubby, Tracy & Big Boy

Southern Pecan Pie

I have always been tempted to try and Pecan pie but for some reason, I thought it was much more difficult to make than it actually is. This recipe is extremely easy and delicious. I'll start you off with the Crisco Pie Crust recipes. I really like these recipes, they work well for me. So, follow the link, choose your weapon and then we'll start on the Pecan pie.

INGREDIENTS
3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 cup corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Beat eggs slightly in medium bowl. Beat in sugar, and then blend in syrup, butter or margarine, vanilla, salt, and pecans.
Pour filling into unbaked pie shell.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes; the pie will be brown and slightly puffed.
This pie absolutely exceeded my expectations and will now be the one pecan pie I will always reccomend!

The Kindness Of Strangers

I know this person will never read this but...I wanted to thank the good Samaritan who found my debit card in front of the post office earlier today and brought it inside. Thank you.

I guess it fell out of my pocket when I was getting in to my truck and the lady at the post office said I wasn't even gone three minutes when a man said he found it outside in a puddle. I was on my way to the mall and as soon as I got over the bridge my fuel light came on so I figured I needed gas. Thank goodness because I would have gotten all the way to the mall and would have had to leave. Also, I'm so lucky I had cash on me at the gas station. I never carry cash and for some reason when I was at the bank earlier I though maybe I should grab a few bucks "just in case." Weird, huh?

It has been an interesting day all around. We are officially ready for Christmas. I am so happy I don't have to do anymore running around! While I was in the bookstore today, I was checking out a book for Big Boy. It was a learn your shapes book with a magna doodle thing on top so he could practice drawing. Well, there was a grandma type lady looking with me and I went to grab the Winnie the Pooh one and of course, she said "Ooooh, do you see anymore, my granddaughter would love that one....so I let her have it. Then I went for the Cars one...well wouldn't you know it! Her grandson would just love that one too! Finally, I grabbed the Finding Nemo one and before she could even open her trap I just ignored her and walked away. Sorry lady! What the hell? Is she the Duggar grandmother?

I am finally home and tucked away in my warm house. It's puring rain out and I am so happy I don't have to go anywhere else!

Like a Scene From a Movie

Right now in my home I'm all cozy in my fleece Christmas pajamas drinking hot cocoa and the dog is sleeping in front of the fireplace. The entire house is decorated for Christmas and it's even snowing out! There is no other place in the world I would rather be at this moment except right here.

I am so happy we finished decorating the tree last night. I think it looks so beautiful. It's definetly bigger then we usually get but I thinks it's a nice fit.

It's so nice to have the Christmas spirit again. For the longest time it seemed to be lost and I often wondered if I would ever feel the same way about Christmas again. That was until I had Big Boy. He has brought back the love of Christmas for both me and hubby. We plan on making every Christmas for BB as wonderful as can be and I'm not really talking about gifts. I want to take BB ice skating before Christmas and I want to drive around and show him all the beautiful Christmas light, sing Christmas carols and bake cookies with him.
I think he knows something is up because he is constantly looking at all the decorations and he seems to really like them.
Damn. I just realized what time it is and BB has a birthday party to go to in the morning and I do not want to be tired and cranky, I think we can all agree on that.
Anyway, I hope everyone likes the pictures if our tree!

Look Out CVS!

Finally! CVS friends and family weekend! I have always thought CVS had really great deals but now I get to throw in an extra 30% off coupon on top! I am almost scared to think about how out of control I just may get in there today. Wanna know the best part? Big Boy isn't invited!
He is getting dropped off at my parents house and little does Grandpa know....Nanny is coming with me and he has to watch BB!

Normally, I have no problem taking BB everywhere with me but he has been boycotting the shopping cart lately and the last thing I want to do is chase him around CVS, especially today. My Mom is coming with me so it should be a real fun morning. I'm glad she will be able to get out of the house in peace for a little while without my father jingling his keys and tapping his foot because she is taking to long. Well, the sooner I get dressed, the sooner I"ll be shopping.

By the way....did I mention it's going to be a CVS Christmas.

Name Change!

Since we have only had the dog since Saturday we are officially changing her name to Lucy. Lucy seems to be more of a better fit for her. So, everyone be sure to welcome Lucy to the beach!

I Would Like You All To Meet...

Zoey! At least that is what we are calling her right now. We rescued Zoey from the Ocean County Animal Shelter yesterday afternoon. It's no family secret that I'm not an animal lover but she is such a sweet dog Of course, I'm sure it may not have been the wisest decision at the present time considering BB is starting school next week and Christmas is right around the corner but I'm still glad we did it. Honestly, I have to think someone is looking for this dog. She is both housebroken and trained with commands.

Next comes the big question...what is she? The people over at the shelter really didn't have much info on her other than she has been there for two weeks and is very friendly. Hubby seems to think she is a boxer/pit bull mix.

Once I am able to snap a few better pictures of her I'll be sure to post them. I think she is a sweet dog and both BB and Hubby just love her so I really hope she works out.

You Can Feel It In The Air!

Christmas! I thought I would decorate a bit for the season. I'm sure this is the first of many designs. I think I am obsessed with blogger backgrounds! Anyway, things have been going well around here. Thanksgiving went well and I really think everyone enjoyed themselves. Big Boy stole the show as usual and for the most part was better behaved then I could have ever asked for.

Big Boy is starting school next Monday. We are all extremely excited for him. I really think he is going to just love it. I was able to meet his teacher and the other kids in the class. I am so lucky to live in the school district I'm in. They have been just wonderful in helping me get Big Boy the help he needs for his speech delay. I also went school clothes shopping for him earlier tonight. Have I mentioned how much I just love Old Navy. Hey, being a grown up is expensive and the days of dressing head to toe in J Crew and Ann Taylor are a thing of the past!

I think I need to head off to bed. I have the weekend off and I can't even tell you how much I a looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I jumped the shark and both the inside and outside of the house is already decorated for Christmas. I wish we could go get our tree but Hubby says it's a little early for that. My goal is to get BB's Christmas card pictures finished this weekend and we have the best idea ever this year. I'll be sure to post a pic if we can ever get them done. Time for bed. Good Night.