AVATAR

If I were a movie critic, I would AVATAR two thumbs up!

I wouldn't call myself a science fiction fan. Actually, I'm far from it, but I did go see Star Wars this year and this past weekend I saw AVATAR twice. I LOVED it both times. Once Bo and I saw it together and then his teenage cousins came to town for Christmas and they wanted to see it so we took them. Let me just say I have only gone to see one other movie in the theater twice and it was Titanic. So I guess James Cameron is what I would consider a good story teller.

Back to AVATAR, WOW it is visually stunning! I love the use of color and how wonderful it would be to sew in those vibrant colors.

We went to see it in 3D which I liked, but some of the scenes seemed dark from the glasses. I actually took them off a few times just to see how much color and light came from the screen. Which seemed like a lot more without the glasses.

AVATAR is like 3 hours long, but you never really think about the time because it continues to go quickly. I know a lot of people are saying the story line is weak, but it is definitely not the worst I have seen. I actually thought it was pretty good.

Bo's family discussed this movie on Christmas day and I made the statement that I don't know if I will like this movie as much in 5 years, but that I really enjoyed it right now because it was different and it made me want to go to the movies. I mean in a sea of mediocrity and sameness this movie stood out. Way to go James Cameron and AVATAR!

Sewing

Last week I decided to make a friend of mine at work a Christmas Stocking. She loved it and said it looked like one from the Grinch. I have made this stocking several times before. It isn't that hard to make, but it is a little small which makes it hard to fit to many presents in it.
Bo only took one picture of me and of course it was from the couch. I really think my next year I should learn how to take a good picture of myself. It couldn't turn out any worse than this.

Enjoying Christmas Weekend

I'm enjoying time with my family. I hope you are too. I don't plan to blog until Monday or Tuesday. See you then and enjoy your weekend.

Merry Christmas

Luke 2:1-12 (NIV) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his
favor rests."

A Little Disney

I love Disney World. I have been there six times and plan to go to Disney Land in the near future. So my tree wouldn't be complete with out Mickey Mouse. Last year we went to Disney for Bo's Birthday because he saw how much fun I had there on my birthday the year before. You do kind of feel like a star when you have a birthday button on and total strangers are telling you Happy Birthday all day long. What a great way to celebrate!

A girl at work got me this ornament. I just think it looks cute on the tree. Pooh is not one of my favorite characters, but when Bo was a child it was one of his favorite. He explained to me that there just weren't that many characters for boys to like and he just like Pooh Bear.

Roll Tide

I know some of you are tired of hearing about the Crimson Tide, but I had to show you this ornament that my mother got Bo one of the first years we were together. What amazes me is that Bo put it towards the back of the tree this year. I would think since they are winning he would have put it at the front of the tree. So I guess we have a tree with team spirit?

Childhood Memories

What little girl born in the 1970s did love Strawberry Shortcake? I know I did. She even smells like strawberries. This ornament just makes me smile.

Just a Little Baking

Bo and I took Saturday and did nothing but baking. Yes, everyone of these containers are full of cookies. We made five different kinds. Now it is time to separate them and give them out to family, friends and neighbors. If I could I would share some with all of you.

Memories

I just love it when I pull down the Christmas boxes and pull out old ornaments and each one of them brings back a memory. It is like my tree is telling the story of our life together. I did suggest to Bo that we do a tree one year with just our ornaments from the trips we have taken together.

This one is from New Orleans. Bo proposed to me in Biloxi, Mississippi, while we were on our way to New Orleans. I didn't think about getting an ornament in Biloxi so this ornament represents our engagement weekend. I had to have the craw fish playing the saxophone because Bo plays the saxophone. We went were in New Orleans two months before Katrina.

We got this one when we were in Hawaii on our honeymoon. What a beautiful place, but I don't have to go back because the plane ride was way to long.

New Ornaments

Okay there isn't anything special about these ornaments except I like them. I got them last year after Christmas at Target for 75% off. They came in a pack of four.

This is the Christmas Ball that coordinates with the snowflake ornaments. I wish I had purchased more so I could have done an entire tree in these.

The Great Smoky Mountains

These two ornaments come from two separate trips to the Smoky Mountains.

This one comes from our first trip. Bo and I and his mom, dad, brother and brother's girlfriend all went to Bo's best friends wedding. We went for a long weekend and we all had so much fun together. We stayed in a cabin on the side of a mountain it had an amazing view, but getting there was not the easies.

This one came from our trip in 2008 to the mountains with Bo's mom and grandmother. We stayed a few days longer and went to Biltmore. It is an amazing house! I would love to go back here and explore the grounds more.

Tour of Ornaments

I talked my mom while I was posting and I told her I was going to post pictures and stories about some of my favorite ornaments this week just like I did last year around this time, and she said, "Not the tour of ornaments again, they made me cry last year." So I'll start this year with a tear jerker.

After my dad was diagnosed with ALS we asked him about places he wanted to go. He said he wanted to go to the Georgia Aquarium, a Braves Game and Stone Mountain. My mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, nephew, Bo and I all loaded up in our vehicles and headed over to Atlanta.
The Georgia Aquarium was awesome! The Braves lost, but my dad got see Turner Field just like he wanted to. And my family got to experience Bo's driving, which may not be the best. You see we had borrowed my mother-in-laws Mountaineer because it had a third row and we could all ride in it together around the ATL. We got to Stone Mountain early in the afternoon to enjoy the day and get a good seat to watch the light show. Bo picked a space a good walk away, but one my dad could manage at the time. Well actually it wasn't really a space, he backed over a curb on a nice piece of grass that would allow him easy access when we left. After the light show we walked back to the truck, my mom and I crawled in the third row which isn't really comfortable for 1 adult let alone two. Bo drove and my dad sat in the front seat. My brother who was sitting in the middle seat facing the traffic we were merging into. My brother said to Bo,"I think the next...." He didn't get to finish his sentence before Bo calmly said, "Don't look at them. Look straight ahead" and pulled out in front of the long line of traffic. My dad was stunned. Brother said, "I don't think they just waved to us." I couldn't help but laugh, and Bo repeated, "Just look straight ahead."
So even though this ornament says Georgia Aquarium this is what I remember most about that weekend. We had so much fun together.

Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle

Winter in South Alabama only means one thing - Rain and then maybe some more rain. So we have been stuck inside a lot lately. I know I should be crafting, but instead I'm watching Christmas movies.

Saturday, we went to see Bo's family to celebrate his birthday with them. Since it was raining we were inside. I asked nicely if we could not watch a western (what his dad prefers to watch) if we could watch a Christmas movie instead. His dad said he didn't care because he was going to take a nap on his chair in front of the TV.

So,we watchedDebbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle on Hallmark. Okay basically I watched the entire movie, but Bo's dad sometime into his nap asked if Mrs. Miracle was an angel. So I think he listened to most of the movie. Bo and his mom were in and out of the living room, but wanted to know what was going on. I think overall we all enjoyed this movie and it was way better than a 50 year old western.

It was really good, and Doris Roberts was excellent. I would have to say I have seen better child actors, but they still did an okay job.
I did explain to Bo that most Christmas movies have the same plot - a tragic event, some mysterious person comes into main characters life, main character finds love, main character works out problems, it snows, mystery person leaves without main character knowing. This movie pretty much follows that line of events. But I liked it, just like I like most Christmas movies.

So do you have movies to recommend watch while it is raining out?

I should also say I got this picture from the TV Guide website.

Julie & Julia

Julie and Julia is a good movie. Actually, Bo and I loved half of the movie. We loved the part about Julia Child. We really wished the entire movie was about her. I love Amy Adams but her character seems to be uninteresting and whinny compared to Julia Child. I am glad I watched this movie, but I don't have to see it again.

I'm A Winner

We had a drawling at work the other day and I won this basket full of pecans. It was one of the better prizes. The prizes ranged from calendars and coffee mugs to $150.00 gift certificate. I think I made out pretty well.

The Blind Side

On Wednesday night Bo and I went see The Blind Side. Bo's choice for his Birthday, but I would have also choosen this movie if I had choosen. There were only about 10 people in the theater, but this was an odd night to go see a movie. Bo and I both really enjoyed it, and if movies weren't $18.50 for two people to go see one, we probable would go again. I will definitely buy this when it comes out on DVD.

This movie made me cry, it me laugh, and it made me think about how amazing this family actually was. In so many ways it made me think about what I am doing to help out another, and could I or would I ever be brave enough to take in some one that I know needed me to help them. Lee Ann wasn't just helping someone by handing over a check. She changed her life to help another individual.

Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actress and she did a great job. Tim McCraw was also very convincing as the husband. But there was one who stole the show: Jae Head, who plays S.J., was just wonderful and handled every scene he was in with an amazing ability to act.

I have to say as a fan of the SEC it was fun to see all the coaches in this movie even if they were no longer at the school that they were recruiting for in the movie. In some ways that would seem really odd to me.

Michael Oher must be a very special person to have changed so many peoples lives not only the Tuohy's, but also those individuals at his school.

Old Dress

I would guess I have had this dress for a least 10 years. I don't think I have worn it in about seven years. Well I pulled it out of the closet this week, and I have had so many compliments on it. I have always liked it except it reminds me of an ice skaters dress. I guess the old is new again.

Bo didn't take the best picture of me.

Happy Birthday!

I wanted wish Bo a Happy Birthday!

Bo is having fun yelling Rammer Jammer at the Alabama Game Saturday!

I have had so much fun with Bo in my life, and I hope to have many more years with him.

Again Happy Birthday Bo!!

I love you!!

Texas Roadhouse

Bo and I have started trying new restaurants around town. A couple of weeks ago we tried Texas Roadhouse. It has been in town for a while, but we have been there yet. It is a place with peanuts on the floor. The rolls and the butter they give you is awesome.

This is the sandwich that I had. I tried to look up its name but I can't find it. It was very good.


This is Bo meal. He liked it a lot. His mashed potatoes looked really good.

Most of my family, friends, and those who follow me on facebook know that there was a really scare incident. Their seemed to be some kind of domestic dispute in another section. Someone in the restaurant said that the guy in the fight had a gun. At that point Bo told me that if they started to shot I was to get under the table. Thankfully nobody fired the gun. When our waitress finally came back to our table she told us that she had been hiding in the kitchen. There were four cops there when we left. I in no way think that the restaurant was at fault. This had to be one of most exciting nights we have had a dinner out.

I plan to go back to Texas Roadhouse soon.

Recycling

Okay, I think recycling is very important! My family has pretty much recycled most of my life, but apparently our city does not think so. You see they have taken away our city wide curbside recycling. As the rest of the world is going green, we are not!!

Bo and I are able to drop off our recycling the first and third Saturday of the month and if we miss one of these Saturdays we end up with a truck full of recycling waiting to be dropped off. To make things even worse I don't think the city even recycles it. Because I took it to the drop off site and they were just crushing it in a trash truck. Now what am I suppose to do with stuff that can be recycled?

SEC Championship Game

Let me say that before this year I have probably been to five college football games at the most, and I had only been to T-town to visit Bo's family and had never seen the University let alone the stadium. So this year I have been more football games in one year since my brother played 1-A high school football. Bo and I had so much fun, but Bo says I can't get a shaker until I pay more attention to the game. I guess I'll be shaker less for a while. I did get to go to IKEA before the game.
I do find the bands interesting. So I guess the pre-game and half time are my favorite parts.

Final score was 32-13. Bo worried the entire game. I told him just to relax and enjoy the night. I don't think it helped that I asked a lot of questions.

We had to stay so Bo could shout Rammer Jammer with all the other Alabama fans. I wish I could tell you what they were saying.

I should take this time to thank my mother-in-law for these tickets. Bo and I really enjoyed our night in Atlanta.

Now its on to the National Championship and Pasadena California.

Taste Like Christmas

I enjoyed my shake I had tonight for dessert. This has to be my favorite flavor. Bo had a cookie and cream, but reminded me that Peach is still his favorite flavor. Maybe it will come back next summer.

Cross Stitched Santa

I finished this probably two weeks ago, but I can't get a good picture of it. This is all I can get. I really like it. The details took a long time, but I am glad that I finished this project that I have a round for 4 or 5 years. Now, I have a few other cross stiches that have been sitting around waiting to be finished.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Bo and I had a great Thanksgiving Weekend. We spent time with both of our families.

We went to Walmart for Black Friday shopping got all of the stuff we went for. Bo likes to organize the people around the item he went for. He did see some woman take a Rock Band from a kid who had been in line for an hour, that saddened me.

I ended my Thanksgiving weekend by spending three hours at the Dr.'s office. Turns out I have bursitis of the hip. This is a terrible pain. The meds I am taking for it are making me very sleepy and grouchy.

I don't feel good!

Sorry for the lack of post this week. I haven't felt good at all. I have a stupid head cold. I go to work and as soon as I come home I lay down on the couch and sleep. I do have some things to share with you, but that will have to wait until after Thanksgiving because I plan to eat, shop, and visit with family the next couple of days.

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

Ornaments

Several weeks ago I made two dozen marbleized ornaments. I made some with the colors of Christmas, Penn State, Alabama and Auburn. Who doesn't want a football team themed ornament. I think one day Bo and I are going to have a tree with just College football team ornaments on it.
I had one problem the paint didn't cover completely or when I drained the ornament the paint cracked. Any idea what I did wrong? I cleaned the ornaments with vinegar and I let them dry completely before painting.

A dozen of my ornaments. I thought they just looked cool in the box.

Maybe when the light shines threw them the paint cracking may make them look good.

I can't wait to give these out to my family members. My mother-in-law picked out several that she liked.

Whoopie Pies

My aunt was nice enough to bring me some whoopie pies from PA.

Bo and I already have eaten some for dessert tonight.

I hope to freeze some of them, but I'm sure it won't be long before they are gone.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Thank you Mr. Blount for giving Alabama such a beautiful park.

Bo and I went to ASF this weekend. We both had so much fun just relaxing and enjoying the day. We watched the geese for a while. This goose kind of got tired of me taking pictures of it and let me know by squawking. After that I stopped taking its picture.

Bo enjoying the day.

I usually don't like pictures of myself, but Bo took this picture of me and I really like it. It feels very touristy to me, almost like I'm not in Alabama.


Thatching on the roof of one of the buildings in the park.

Bo and I both enjoyed the park. We both wondered why we don't go there more often. We have gone there several times to see plays, but we don't usually go there just to enjoy its beauty. We hope to have a picnic there in the spring. Amazing something can be in your town and you don't take advantage of them.

Roasted Peanuts

Okay, I know that you are probably tired of hearing about peanuts. So I promise that this is my last post about them for a while.

This year at the parade we picked up a ton of green peanuts. I mean more than we could really carry, and we really didn't know what to do with them. We all ate a few at the parade, but I mean I had 2 and half quart size bags of peanuts that I didn't want to be put in the trash.

So, Bo roasted them for me. We were really not sure if it was going to work, but it did. He put them in the oven at 350 for 40 min., turning them often. They came out great! After he shelled and pealed them we had 3/4 of a pound of FREE roasted peanuts. You just can't beat that. Especially since I have several recipes to use them in this holiday season.

Peanut Festival

I know that I have shared pictures from the Peanut Festival Parade, but blogger hasn't wanted to let me share pictures from the fair with you.

Bo and I enjoyed a night of fun with my family. Here we are watching Nephew take a ride on the elephants. Nephew wasn't tall enough to ride the rides by himself so the adults in the group took turns riding with him. This ride wasn't our turn.

I loved this door that was displayed in the arts and crafts exhibit. It won second place. Bo and I say it every year, but next year we are going to enter the photo contest. It is a really big exhibit at the fair and next year we hope to participate.

A trip to the fair isn't complete without eating. There are so may local vendors and food to sample that there is no way you can eat it all in one night. One of the things that my mom and I love is the hot & fresh kettle corn and we have to get some. Our group shared this bag and what little was left I ate the next day for breakfast.

A fair would not be a complete visit with out a corn dog from the corn dog man. I only had to wait in line 15-20 min to pay $6.00 for two corn dogs, but man they were good.