Six years ago when we moved to Newcastle, we lost the top of our Christmas tree. I kept thinking…it will show up, but it never did. I ended up cutting off two of the lowest branches, tying them together with wire, and then stringing new lights on them.

Then last year, the middle section of lights would not work. I tried new fuses, light bulbs, etc., however, nothing worked. I finally gave up and just strung some new lights in that section.

After Christmas, I looked and looked for a new tree. I checked online, at after Christmas sales, and so on, but I couldn’t find the type of tree I wanted for a price I could afford.

Then, this year, we were at Hobby Lobby looking for wedding stuff and wonderfully, they had their Christmas items on sale…not just on sale, but 50 percent off. I ended up buying a 9 foot tall, 4 foot wide tree for $249. The tree has pine cones, and three different types of branches, plus 900 lights. The branches are connected to the tree and it is really easy to put up. It is a beautiful tree and the lowest price I could find for the same tree last year was over $500 so I was really pleased.

I wanted the tall thinner tree so I could put the tree by the stairway and not have to put it in the living room and have to rearrange the furniture. It looks really well there and I wrapped the stairway with star lights and greenery. I also used some lace ribbon that I have saved for years.

It is really funny how you can want something for so long and when you finally get it, how much pleasure it brings you. I had plywood counters for more than six months and to this day when I run my fingers across our marble counters, I realize how blessed we are.

I love the glowing lights and sparkling of Christmas as it reminds us of the Light of the World. May each of you be blessed with finding the righteous desires of your hearts in this Christmas season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This way, one large turkey that costs around $20+ will provide 3-5 meals for 7 people or so. Not only is this a cheap way to feed your family, it is less work to de-bone a large turkey one time than to have to prepare the meat for every meal.

 

I also buy large hams (with the bone) when I can find them on sale. I bake them in the oven in a large baking dish. I put an inch of water in the bottom of the pan and add some brown sugar and pineapple to it for flavor. I then completely cover it with heavy duty foil so no air can escape, thereby, keeping in the moisture and ensuring a very moist and tasty ham.

 

This first meal, I do the same as the turkey…perhaps some Guatemalan New Potatoes, Spanish corn, or sweet potatoes and maybe green beans. Beets or peas. Whatever one feels like at the time. I must add though, that I always drain vegetables then add butter, salt, and pepper for flavor. I also add a little bacon grease to green beans, and sometimes the corn. Bacon grease and butter can make just about any vegetable taste better.

 

Then I do the same as the turkey. After the meal, I cut off all the remaining meat, cut it into small pieces, and put it into a freezer bag or bowl to use for future meals. The bone and skin I save in another bag to use with a pot of beans started from scratch for another meal.

 

I use the ham pieces for pizza, baked potatoes, ham and eggs, with Ramen Noodles, Guatemalan New potatoes with pieces of ham, perhaps a soup or sandwiches.

 

Then in between these time periods is when I use pork and perhaps make Pupusas, Posole, or a Spanish pork chop or I use beef and make Carne Guisado or a stew.

 

This is also when I would use hamburger in one of my Hamburger Recipes or when the children cook as it is easier for them to learn with the hamburger recipes as these are easier.

 

 

The minute Xander gets to Grammy Tammy and Papa Fito's house- It is outside, down the path, and straight to the tree house

(or chasing chickens)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They jump off this level and land on the trampoline or they grab the rope, swing out and around, hit the tree with their feet and swing back. Sometimes, they grab the other rope, then swing out.

 

These 2 ropes together are really one rope in a pulley with a seat and they can

pull themselves up.

 

The trampoline somehow got out of whack when the big boys were last here....hummmm...who know what they were doing? Guess will have to invest in new one pretty soon.

 

We had this blue high pressure water pipe in Houston. Fito put it down here by the tree house and the toddlers just love it. They crawl through it and think they are in a jungle or spies...or who knows what.

 

He added the hammock and we brought a bench down and people love this area. the lake is still full, which is incredible as usually it has dried up part way. The weather has been just absolutely perfect all summer. I think God knew Oklahoma needed a break after the horrible tornados in May and has kept the weather good as people rebuild.

 

 

Fito has been putting cedar siding on the "house" part and putting insulation on the inside. If we had money to buy more wood, he would have finished by now. he has been doing other project and we even are getting tomatoes, peppers, and watermelon from the garden.

 

We just finished weeding all the gardens this morning. I think it is the second time this summer that there wasn't a garden that needed weeding. What a great feeling!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beige wall are the ones we painted. Also, she was wanting something hung over her when, when a friend gave us a sack of old clothes. in the sack was a green sheer...just the color she wanted! Miracles never cease.