New Year's Tradition!! Recipes of Collards and Black Eye Peas

I did my shopping today for tomorrow. I picked up some beautiful Collard Greens from my favorite store Kroger and some dried black eye peas. Let's not forget a bottle of wine for tonight! I know its a big tradition in the South to make these every New Year's Day . The peas bring luck and the greens bring wealth!

                                                         My goods from shopping!

Recipes: 

My Collards

Ingredients:

Bunch of Collard Greens
3 Smoked Pork Neckbone (or any smoked meat you prefer )
Salt
Black pepper
Vegetable oil
Hot Sauce

Get your large pot fill 2/3 of the way with water put on stove top with pork and about 2 -3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and start boiling water.

Wash and clean the collards. Most people clean out the sink add salt and cold water into the sink and add the collards and any sand left on them will all fall to the bottom.

Break off the fatter part of the stems ( I Prefer some stems in mine)
Tear the leaves into pieces.
Throw the leaves in the boiling water and cover they will over fill your pot but they will cook down.
After it cooks down add  salt and pepper to taste.
Cook medium heat until the texture you like.( I never measure and I never keep time I do all by taste so I can't give you precise times and measurements.)When its the way you like them turn them off and they are ready for chowing down!

Black Eye Peas 

Bag of dried Black Eye Peas (I'm using 12oz bag)
Bacon or Smoked pork
Salt
Pepper

Wash peas and follow directions on cooking instructions on the bag .
 Start cooking peas in amount of water as the bag says in a  medium pot.
Add salt, pepper and pork. Cover and cook on low heat about two hours or until they are tender.
Taste.
 Add more salt and pepper if needed.
Then ready for some eating!

Corn Bread

2 cups of self- rising cornmeal
1 egg
1 1/2 cups of milk
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoon of sugar if you like it sweet

Grease your baking sheet or cake pan.
Preheat oven to 425.
 Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until their are no lumps and looks wet.
Pour into Greased pan and cook 20-25 minutes.
Turn off oven and enjoy!

Any left over cornbread you can do what my mom does crumble it into a cup add milk and eat!

Make the best of our last day in 2012!!!
I hope y'all enjoy these recipes! I wish you all good health, good luck and wealth for 2013!
Have a Safe night out there and remember if you've been drinking don't get behind the wheel!

                 Stay Safe and Happy New Year !

New Year's Eve Celebrations in Georgia!

Hey Y'all sorry I haven't blogged in a while.I have been super busy with 3 birthdays and Christmas. December is the busiest month in my family. Hopefully now I can get back into my blogging!

Well to let y'all know we solved the problem with the wrestler present for Gabe we just gave him 20 bucks along with the rest of his toys and he was way happier with that! He ended up buying 2 wrestlers!

Here we go, about to have 2012 in our past. I guess we survived 12/21. For those still in hiding y'all can come out we are all still here!!

We will be staying in tonight. Usually this is what goes on at my place. We watch some movies and then wait for the Peach to drop. Right now the boys are playing Wii with their dad and having a great time!  A couple years back we did go to something called the Nugget drop at a local Truett's Grill. The boys liked that it had fireworks, inflatables and games for the kid. At 12 they drop a giant nugget into a big packet of sauce!

                                                          Source: Peachdrop.com
Here are the addresses for the Peach Drop and the Nugget Drop if anyone is looking for last minute plans for the family!

The Peach Drop is located at Underground Atlanta:
http://www.peachdrop.com/
50 upper Alabama St. SW Atlanta, GA

For the south side The Nugget Drop is:
http://www.cfarestaurant.com/truettsgrill-mcdonough/home
1785 Jonesboro Rd. Mcdonough, GA

Here are some other events at this website!
http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/theholidays/tp/atlanta_newyearseve.htm

Searching For That Perfect Gift!

If you have a child you know how they are when they want nothing but that one toy that they must have! Yesterday we took the kids to see Santa and they told him what they wanted. Gabe is hooked on one specific toy.
                                                          The Kiddos with Santa

Well this year we have decided to wait until the last minute to get Gabe that 1 wrestler with the certain clothes that only one store carries. So right now Sam is on the search for this, going to every branch close by that has said it still in stock which so far he has had no luck.

It's funny because every year we say we will not wait until the last minute to get Christmas shopping out of the way. Well here is another year and considering we just started Christmas shopping yesterday I would say we obviously need to start earlier.

It's too late for any online shopping and even if it wasn't his wrestler was in store only so that doesn't help this situation any!

So if you are like us that wait until 3 days before Christmas to do you're shopping. Most likely everything you're child really wants is out of stock. So for future references you should probably start a month or two before! Maybe next year we will be able to do this! Wish us luck and I'll let you know if we find it.

Pinata! Cheap and Easy DIY Pinata for Kids Birthdays!

I have two birthdays to celebrate in a months span and this year we have decided to try out one of the indoor bounce house. I usually do most of the parties at the park(which is free) so this will be new for us! My son is turning three and since it's winter the park is out of the question. Last week however the weather was in the 70's but the week I need it to be its not!

My birthday boy to be Logan!

                                           

 My oldest sons birthday was in spring and I made a pinata for him. It was hours of layering watered down glue soaked newspaper strips onto a punching balloon. After that I spent, it seems like 3 straight days of doing the outside design. It was a great way to save money and in the end I was very proud of my accomplishment! Scroll down below for instructions of how to make the pinata.

Here are some photos of my pinata at Gabe's Party!

The Back I designed with his name!

                 The Front I Printed out a picture of Green Latern to go with his theme!

It took a whole lotta hitting to bust it open!

To make the Pinata all you need is:

3 pack punching balloon form your local dollar store $1

2 bottles Regular white glue $1

water

Newspapers or old unwated phone book pages (free)

Roll of colored streamers 

Scissors

pencil

Instructions:

You blow up the balloon to the desired size you want

(the bigger you make it the longer it takes)

Cut paper into inch wide strips

Mix one bottle of glue to about a half a gallon of water into a bowl

Dip paper strips into water mixture and slide between your thumb and pointer finger to remove excess water

Place strips on balloon until covered 

Repeat at least 3 times

Let rest for a day or two until completely dried

 Cut the streamers into about 1- 2 inch in length 

Fold streamer pieces one at a time over the eraser end of a pencil dap a bit of glue on the top of the streamer that is covering the eraser and place it on the pinata until it is covered

Cut streamers into 2-3 ft lengths and glue to the bottom of the pinata 

Cut open a flap to add candy

Enjoy and have fun making this ! It was quite a hit at my sons party!

Hanukkah! Events, Crafts and Recipes!

Hanukkah has already started and it ends on the 16th so for y'all that celebrate Hanukkah this is for you! I hope all of you are enjoying your celebrations. Here you will find events in Georgia to celebrate, some recipe and craft ideas!

                              HAPPY HANUKKAH!!

EVENTS

**TONIGHT @ 6:30**
Dec.11
Menorah Lighting at Fountainsof Olde Town Shopping Center
736 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta, Ga
Lighting of ATL's Largest Menorah and Jewish food samples!

Dec 15-16
Meet the Holidays: Hanukkah at The Children's Museum of Atlanta
Hear the story Mazeltown and do a craft! For more information click below!
http://www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org/visitors/calendar/meet_the_holidays_winter_holidays_around_the_world

Dec .11-13
Hannukah @ The National in Athens Ga
Have a Hannukah inspired 3-course meal for $29!
Click below for details!
http://www.thenationalrestaurant.com/events.html

Dec.12 @ 6:45
Community Chanukah Celebration at Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta
Lots of Family Fun!!
Click below for more details!
http://www.kolemeth.net/home.aspx


CRAFTS

Hanukkah Window Stars
Click Below for instructions!
http://www.marthastewart.com/276202/hanukkah-window-stars

Starry Stamped Hanukkah Table Runner
Click below for instructions!
http://www.marthastewart.com/270137/starry-stamped-hanukkah-table-runner?center=0&gallery=275427&slide=270137

Dazzling Menorah
Such a beautiful idea!
Click below for details!
http://www.marthastewart.com/269831/dazzling-menorah?center=0&gallery=275427&slide=269831

Paper Dreidel
Click Below for instructions!
http://www.marthastewart.com/268790/paper-dreidel?center=0&gallery=275427&slide=268790

Hanukkah Star Garland
Click Below for instructions!
http://www.michaels.com/Hanukkah-Star-Garland/kn0731,default,pd.html

Star Of David Ornaments
Click below for instructions!
http://www.myactivitymaker.com/?q=StarDavid


RECIPES

Most Amazing Challah
Click below for instructions!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/most-amazing-challah/detail.aspx

Latkes
Click below for instructions
http://recipes.holidays.net/view_recipe.php?id=120!

Cornish Hens In Honey
Click Below For Instructions!
http://recipes.holidays.net/view_recipe.php?id=115

Sfganiyout - Chanukkah Jelly Doughnuts
Click below for instructions!
http://recipes.holidays.net/view_recipe.php?id=130

Halvah
Click below for instructions!
http://recipes.holidays.net/view_recipe.php?id=128

I think these are some fun ideas to help you celebrate Hanukkah! Let me know how your celebrations are going! If you attend any of the events or try any of the recipes and crafts please let me know how it turned out!

Donate! The Season to Give!

While everyone is enjoying shopping for family and friends for the holidays, please don't forget to donate to charity of your choice whether it's putting money in the buckets outside of stores or finding one to donate to. Not only can you donate money you can donate gently used shoes, clothes & toys, toiletries you can even just donate your time! Think of the things you have then think of the many people out there that don't even have a warm place to lay their heads at night or about the single parent struggling just to pay the bills not to mention worrying about how she will get gifts for her children. This world is a tough place to live in when you have a job, think about the people who are out of work struggling to make ends meet. There is always something you can give even if not with money.

Here are some charities to help you get started !

This one is for children who's parents are in jail. These children shouldn't have to for something their parents did.
http://www.prisonfellowship.org/programs/angel-tree/

Pack a shoebox of much needed items:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org

Make-a-Wish
http://www.wish.org/

Donate toys at local stores or go online !
http://www.toysfortots.org/

Sponser a child to get Christmas for!
http://www.mytwofrontteeth.org

Atlanta Based Helping homeless infants!
http://www.genesisanewlife.org/

Give back to the military families that sacrifice so much for us everyday!
http://www.operationhomefront.net/

Here are some to name just a few look around your local area for more.Also take a visit to a nursing home and spend time with someone there! Who knows when the last time someone visited them. Donate food to a homeless shelter or food bank. Go to abuse children's homes around town or battered women shelters. Go to a nearby hospital and share some cheer! There are so many ways to help so please make sure you do you part to help the less fortunate this year!

Please comment with any ideas you might have! God Bless you all!

Weihnachten (Christmas) For Germany! DIY Ornaments and recipes!

REMEBER: My blog can be Translated into German

I have my readers from around the world and next to the U.S, Germany is where I get most of my traffic. I have some German on my dad's side. I have never had the pleasure of going out of the country.  Here in Georgia we have a town named Helen  www.helenga.org . My family visits Helen at least once a year and it is nestled up around the North GA mountains. It is set up as a Bavarian town and a really fun place to visit! It's the closest to Germany I get!

Source: helenga.org

I have went online and found some ideas for my German readers. I hope you enjoy them and Have fun doing them!

                                                                 Source:craftideas.info

Bitte klicken Sie unten, um Anweisungen!
Click below for instructions!
  http://www.craftideas.info/html/german_paper_star.html
 

Source:Santas.net

German Gingerbread Recipe

Bitte klicken Sie unten, um Anweisungen!
Click below for instructions!

http://www.santas.net/gingerbread.htm

                                                          
                                                           Source:vistawide.com


Dresdner Stollen Recipe

Bitte klicken Sie unten, um Anweisungen!
Click below for instructions!

http://www.vistawide.com/german/christmas/stollen_recipe.htm

Source:germanfood.about.com

Traditional Marzipankartoffeln- German Candy Potatoes

Bitte klicken Sie unten, um Anweisungen!

Click below for instructions!

http://germanfood.about.com/od/celebrations/r/marzipankartoff.htm


Since Germany is where the first nutcracker originated from here is a cute idea made of Clay pots!

Source:lowescreativeideas.com

Bitte klicken Sie unten, um Anweisungen!

Click below for instructions!

http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/clay_pot_nutcrackers_1108.aspx

I hope you all enjoy these ideas and please comment with your ideas and tell me how Weihnachten in Germany really is! What are your favorite traditions! I love learning new things! Let me know what was left in your shoe! Have a great Nikolaustag!

DIY Christmas Ornaments!

Good Morning Everyone!Today I'm here to talk about ornaments.Every year we have a tradition to find a new ornament with the year on it and any new events that is going on.This year we are adding Baby's 1st Christmas for Kait Kait.
 Stores have plenty of wonderful ornaments to buy but you can get more personal and unique making your own. One year I made dough ornaments and another I made glass ornaments with family members names on them!  The kids really like to do this! It's a great way to create memories spend time together. Here are some great idea I have gather for this year ! I hope you enjoy!

Source: Scrappergirl.typepad.com

Click Below for instructions!
http://scrappergirl.typepad.com/scappergirl/2008/12/a-quick-fun-ornament-using-photos.html

Source: alittlegray.blogspot.com

This one is great for the little ones!Click below for instructions!

http://alittlegray.blogspot.com/2012/11/charlie-brown-christmas-ornaments.html?m=1

Source: changingmydestiny.wordpress.com

Click below for instructions!

http://changingmydestiny.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/diy-christmas-ornament-3-sequins/

Source: goldiloks.blogspot.com

Very cute and creative Ornaments!Click below for instructions!

http://goldiloks.blogspot.com/2010/12/tutorial-tuesday-cuppycake-ornaments.html

Source: marthastewart.com

From my favorite site! Click below for instructions!

http://www.marthastewart.com/907291/pom-pom-snowman?czone=holiday/workshop-christmas/tree-and-ornaments&center=307034&gallery=853590&slide=207743

Source: marthastewart.com

Click Below for Instructions!

http://www.marthastewart.com/270748/easy-ornaments-pipe-cleaner-wreath?czone=holiday/workshop-

christmas/tree-and-ornaments&center=307034&gallery=853590&slide=232620

Source: Marthastewart.com

I love this idea! Click below for instructions!

http://www.marthastewart.com/853590/20-years-living-best-handmade-christmas-ornaments/@center/307034/christmas-workshop#192865

Source: marthastewart.com

Very easy for the kids! Click below for instructions!

http://www.marthastewart.com/270662/button-ornaments?center=307034&gallery=274467&slide=178719

Source: Marthastewart.com

Click below for instructions!

http://www.marthastewart.com/265509/christmas-cookie-ornament?czone=holiday/workshop-christmas/tree-and-ornaments&center=307034&gallery=274467&slide=265509

These are some cute ornaments I will be trying this year. I will post pictures of how they turn out! If you decide to make them please send in pictures or comment about them! Have fun trying them out !

Decorating for Christmas!

If you haven't started decorating for Christmas, today would be a great time to start! Everything from hanging lights to putting out the inflatables to making your own decorations.Today I'm posting some great Christmas decorating ideas i have found going through the web. Hope you enjoy! 

                               Source: Creatingreallyawesonefreethings.com

Please Click below for instructions!

http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/diy-christmas-decor-wreath/

                                           Source: marthastewart.com

Click below for instructions!

http://www.marthastewart.com/910531/cedar-wreath-chandelier?czone=holiday/workshop-christmas/quick-and-easy-ideas&center=307034&gallery=856461&slide=175533

                                               Source: marthastewart.com

Click below for instructions!

http://www.marthastewart.com/271939/mistletoe-kissing-ball-how-to?czone=holiday/workshop-christmas/quick-and-easy-ideas&center=307034&gallery=856461&slide=196129

Source: marthastewart.com

Click below for instructions!

http://www.marthastewart.com/908923/pinecone-rosette-garland

Source: Goodhousekeeping.com

Please click below for instructions!

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/christmas-decoration-ideas#slide-6

Source:goodhousekeeping.com

Please click below for instructions!

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/trim-christmas-tree-photo-ornaments

Source: goodhousekeeping.com

Please click below for instructions!

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/christmas-crafts-paper-garland

These were a few easy ones I found.Have fun decorating and let me know of any cool ideas you have !

Christmas Festivals and Tree Lightings! Georgia Christmas Attractions!

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days I had a pretty busy weekend! Saturday my family and my sister's all headed down to our city's annual Christmas festival . It's such a great way to spend time with family! At these events they have freebies and rides lots of music and food. At the end of the event they light up the big Christmas tree and call it a night! I take my kids to this every year and let them unwind from being in the house so much during winter.Sam took Gabe on his first Ferris wheel ride and he loved it!

                                            Here's a few pictures from over the weekend!

On Sunday we attended our church for worship and also had the Annual Church Luncheon and decoration of the tree. It's always such a fun and happy occasion  We listen to preaching and then everyone brings a covered dish and we all have a lunch together. After everyone is full to the rim and barely able to move we all go into the sanctuary and decorate the huge Christmas tree which all of the kids really enjoy!

To finish off our day we headed to our local hardware store and picked up our addition to the family the Christmas tree! We got a 6-7 foot fraser fir and a new Angel topper!Once we got it home we cranked up the Christmas music and all participated in decorating our tree. When we finish we all settle down in front of the telly and watch The Grinch! We had a wonderful weekend!

Here are places to visit with the kiddos in Georgia with the Christmas Spirit!

Stone Mountain with everything from Santa Clause, Train Rides,Movies and even Snow to play in!!
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/events/Stone-Mountain-Christmas.aspx

Savannah,  Georgia Festival of Lights 
http://www.savannahhollydays.com/events/festival-of-lights

Atlanta,Ga  Centennial Olympic Park with an outdoor ice skating rink
http://www.centennialpark.com/?page_id=123t
And Holiday in Lights
http://www.centennialpark.com/index.php/plan-your-visit/event-calendar/winter-events/hil

Canton, GA  North Georgia's Santa Claus
http://ngeorgia.com/ang/North_Georgia's_Santa_Claus

Atlanta, Ga Rock Spring Presbyterian Church  Rock Springs Live Nativity
http://www.rspc.org/

Buford, Ga Lake Lanier Island Magical Nights of Lights
http://www.lakelanierislands.com/magical-nights-of-lights

Pine Mountain, Ga Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights
http://www.callawaygardens.com/events/signature/fantasy-in-lights

Let me know if any of you visit any of the destination I have listed and let me know how your family enjoyed it! Don't forget Jesus is the reason for the Season !!