December 17, 2010

Christmas Scenes

since i can't run right now (due to an Achilles injury) i am trying my darnedest to walk. it's painstaking because it is so slow compared to running! (i know...duh!) and unless i walk btw 10-15 miles a day, it's not near as good exercise. but, i'll trudge through if must. it beats being a complete couch potato. and, since i'm just walking - i may as well take my camera & enjoy the Christmas scenes while i can!

scenes from Bethlehem, who knew these guys would turn up in greenville?



mmmm i love all the wreaths, but i especially love the Christmas trees on the doors!



i want need one of these for our porch



this isn't a great picture because of those darned trees, but it is the oldest house in greenville..and it's right down the street from where i live
oh yea! there is a really sweet old brick wall down by the sidewalk in front of this house. while i was walking i noticed a loose brick - so (i just finished To Kill a Mockingbird recently - one of my newest favorites) i picked it up thinking it may be like the hole in the tree where Boo Radley leaves things for Jim & Scout - however, i only found a baby black widow..yuck.  



this just looks Christmas-y


this is one of my absolute favorite houses near where i live



it's the same house...with a Narnia-esk light pole out front


why not decorate the only tree in your yard with Christmas ornaments?
(i'll remember this for next year...while Mike isn't a big proponent of all the googly Christmas decorations, he thought this was cool. i have to take advantage of that!)


yes, it was the middle of the day. yes, this house was completely lit up in all it's glory.



Merry Christmas from the Martins (:



PS-the cat's outta the bag, but there's no bun in the oven! 

December 10, 2010

Rockin' around the Christmas tree...

On the first Sunday of December my dad's side of the family gets together at Honey's house every year. We've done this since my great-grandmother died about 10 years ago -- it's a great time to catch up and eat a lot of yummy food. Plus, we get to see some of the family that we don't get to see that often.

the dining room table (before all of the goodies were placed) -- this is about half of it!


This year, after all of the family festivities at Honey's, my mom, dad, Carson, Haley, Kendall, Mike & myself went over to the good ole 'rents house to decorate their GINORMOUS tree!! (it's well over 10 feet tall - they had to cut a lot off the bottom and then off the top once they got it in the house!)




decorating is my favorite!

 
Mikey workin' hard to reach the top!


and when that didn't work , we resorted to greater measures


Snowman


this is one of my favorites
it came from the ten-thousand villages shop that came to Clemson a few years ago


another one of my favorites


the tree & all it's glory


me & haley after decorating!

December 7, 2010

Ornament Decorating Party

I love Christmas parties and the traditions that we've started since college!
Last year we did an oranment swap. This year, we made our own!

Food from everyone!! We had way too much food for the 7 of us! But, it was soooo yummy!


the food again


Elizabeth, Ash, Carolyn, Jenna, Mel & Kayla decorating away!


hmmm who knows?!


Carolyn workin' hard on her "Jackson" ornament


nice ladies, really nice.


Carolyn, Melissa, Elizabeth, Ashleigh, Me, Kayla & Jenna
with our beautifully decorated ornaments!

December 6, 2010

homemade applesauce

Homemade (chunky) applesauce
I found this recipe and have made it a few times... it is so delicious! (and healthy)

Ingredients:
 9 apples (I use 9 of the same kind of apples..but you can mix 'em up and use different kinds)
2 TBS sugar (OR 3 TBS splenda)

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup water
lemon juice (from one lemon OR 1 TBS lemon juice)
*Optional: 1 cinnamon stick




Preparation:
Peel the apples and slice them. Quarter the slices.
Pour them into the crock pot.
Pour lemon juice over apples. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top.
Add 1/3 cup water.
Stir well.

Directions:
Cook on low for about 6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
(apples will be mushy--once you open the crock pot, stir well.)
Let cool before you put them in a container. I use a mason jar--it keeps them fresh in the 'fridge!
Store in fridge up to 2 weeks...or freeze it!


dessert cream cheese ball

Dessert Cream Cheese Ball
I had this at a Bible study and just had to have the recipe from my friend Megan Carter!
Thanks Megan!

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter,softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup
miniature semisweet chocolate chips
toffee pieces
Serve with graham crackers or teddy grahams

 
 Directions

In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.

Mix in confectioners' sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours (the mixture is about the consistency of cake batter)


Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. Wrap with plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. (I usually freeze it)



Drizzle toffee pieces or pecans on top before serving