Some Christmas Pictures....

We had a great Christmas eve and day. We baked, we cooked, WE ATE!!! Frank made a lot of different cookies, Norma baked her cheese cake, chocolate chip cake and cookies. Then Frank made smelts, eel, flounder, salmon, mussels, calamari, and shrimp. We also had fried chicken, homemade french fries, string bean casserole, and corn on the cob, and that was just Christmas Eve!! But we started the meal off with spaghetti with oil and garlic. It all turned out great. Rachel spent the evening with us, and she played scrabble with Mario and Franky. We always have so much fun when she comes over.That night after cleaning up and we had our desserts, the kids finally went to sleep and then the real work started. Frank, Rocco and I stayed up until 5:30 am wrapping gifts. Every year I say I'll be more organized but it never happens. Then on Christmas morning we have a big breakfast of deviled eggs, sausages, bacon, biscuit's, and cinnamon rolls,we open our gifts which were all great, and then get dinner started with another big meal! Franks parents were here for dinner. All in all we had a very nice time this year. Now we rest just to start again New years eve and day....



















Frank was so tired, that when he was putting the food away in the refrigerator he had to sit on a chair!!


You can tell by all these CLEAN pots and pans what it must have looked like just a little while before!!
















Look at the clock on the cable box!! If you enlarge the picture, you'll see 5:07 am!!






The aftermath!!







The kids all got feetie pajama's, they all looked so cute, but Frank has to be the coolest!!

Long Island Baptist Church....

Tonight at the LIBC, the school kids sang some songs for Christmas. It was so wonderful!! All the kids were excellent, from the high schoolers, down to the up and coming toddlers! The whole group works so nice together. It really is so enjoyable every time they put on a show, or get together to sing. I would never miss it.

How cute are these kids??
They didn't miss a word,
the youngest at 3 years old,
just amazing!!!

The Greatest Christmas Gift...

Our families great friends John and Sarah got engaged on Saturday December 15, 2007!!! We couldn't be happier. We have known them since Spring of 2005. Frank and I have gotten so close with John, that we feel like he's our own family, and we are really sharing in their joy and happiness. There isn't anything we wouldn't do for John, and now for Sarah too. We are looking forward to see what great things the future has in store for them.

Congratulations to a great couple!!!

Heather looked so happy!!!

What a beautiful ring!!!

Oh Well....

In the fall when the leaves and acorns were falling, a lot of people including myself, commented on how many acorns were on the ground. Years ago when my in-laws still lived in Bellmore, their house had a lot of oak trees. When the winter was really bad my Father-in-law would say "You can tell how bad the winter will be, by the way the squirrels gather their acorns. They try and get as many as they can." Some years you could actually find little piles they were making to store up for the winter. So, back to my theory, this year there were so many acorns on the ground, that I figured the squirrels weren't gathering that many, so we were in store for a treat by way of a mild winter!! WRONG!!! This is like our third round of snow and ice and it's only December 13th!! I was really hoping I was right :(

114 more recipes..... ENJOY!!!!

1. Apricot Oatmeal Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36344-ApricotOatmealBars.aspx
2. Baby Ruth Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58128
3. Banana Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/35962-BananaBars.aspx
4. Banana Split Cheesecake Squares http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/53242-BananaSplitCheesecakeSquares.aspx
5. Blonde Brownies with Brown Sugar Frosting http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/44638-BlondeBrownieswithBrownSugarFrosting.aspx
6. Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58198
7. Blueberry Cheesecake Squares http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/32326-BlueberryCheesecakeSquares.aspx
8. Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42756-ButterscotchGingerbreadCookies.aspx
9. Candy Bar Cookie http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58236
10. Candy Bar Meltaways http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30332-CandyBarMeltaways.aspx
11. Candy Cane Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42746-CandyCaneCookies.aspx
12. Caramel Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/44644-CaramelBrownies.aspx
13. Caramel Cheesecake Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/53706-CaramelCheesecakeBars.aspx
14. Caramel Cheesecake Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/53706-CaramelCheesecakeBars.aspx
15. Cheesecake Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/41690-CheesecakeCookies.aspx
16. Cherry Almond Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36378-CherryAlmondBars.aspx
17. Chocolate Cherry Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/35868-ChocolateCherryBiscotti.aspx
18. Chocolate Chip Brownie Double-Deckers http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/44648-ChocolateChipBrownieDoubleDeckers.aspx
19. Chocolate Chip Pecan Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36246-ChocolateChipPecanBars.aspx
20. Chocolate Chip Truffle Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/47294-ChocolateChipTruffleBarsCookieMix.aspx
21. Chocolate Dream Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30504-ChocolateDreamBars.aspx
22. Chocolate Fantasy Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/32550-ChocolateFantasyBars.aspx
23. Chocolate Nut Squares http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/47950-ChocolateNutSquares.aspx
24. Chocolate Orbit http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/49426-ChocolateOrbit.aspx
25. Chocolate Overdose Surprise Cookie http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/35886-ChocolateOverdoseSurpriseCookies.aspx
26. Chocolate Peanut Butter Clusters http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/47954-ChocolatePeanutButterClusters.aspx
27. Chocolate Peanut Rounds http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/35874-ChocolatePeanutRounds.aspx
28. Chocolate Raspberry Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/44652-ChocolateRaspberryBrownies.aspx
29. Chocolate Sugar Plums http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42874-ChocolateSugarPlums.aspx
30. Chocolate Toffee Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36380-ChocolateToffeeBars.aspx
31. Chocolate-Dipped Orange Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30938-ChocolateDippedOrangeBiscotti.aspx
32. Chocolate-Stuffed Peanut Butter Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/44654-ChocolateStuffedPeanutButterBrownies.aspx
33. Christmas Mint Cheesecake Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58248
34. Christmas Mocha Nut Butter Balls http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/51532-ChristmasMochaNutButterBalls.aspx
35. Church Windows http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/54020-ChurchWindows.aspx
36. Cinnamon Toffee Pecan Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42758-CinnamonToffeePecanCookies.aspx
37. Cinnamon-Spice Oatmeal Raisin Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/26476-CinnamonSpiceOatmealRaisinCookies.aspx
38. Cocoa Butter Balls http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/50230-CocoaButterBalls.aspx
39. Coconut Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36328-CoconutBrownies.aspx
40. Coconut Cashew Crunchers http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/57018-CoconutCashewCrunchers.aspx
41. Cookie Dough Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/41686-CookieDoughBrownies.aspx
42. Cranberry Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42204-CranberryBiscotti.aspx
43. Cranberry Crunch http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/48754-CranberryCrunch.aspx
44. Cranberry Orange Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30936-CranberryOrangeBiscotti.aspx
45. Date Nut Balls http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/49418-DateNutBalls.aspx
46. Date Squares http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/50884-DateSquares.aspx
47. Double Chocolate Anise Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58244
48. Double Chocolate-Cherry Drops http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=56324
49. Double Espresso Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/44656-DoubleEsspressoBrownies.aspx
50. Easy Cinnamon Strips http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/48864-EasyCinnamonStrips.aspx
51. Easy Gingerbread Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=42738
52. Favorite Sugar Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58126
53. Florentine Lace Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30440-FlorentineLaceCookies.aspx
54. Forgotten Kiss Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/50444-ForgottenKissCookies.aspx
55. Fruit Cake Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/47982-FruitCakeCookies.aspx
56. Fruit Drops http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30834-FruitDrops.aspx
57. German Chocolate Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36350-GermanChocolateBars.aspx
58. Ginger Snaps http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58222
59. Gingerbread Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=42200
60. Gingerbread with Orange Glaze http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/35870-GingerbreadwithOrangeGlaze.aspx
61. Godiva Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36356-GodivaBrownies.aspx
62. Grandma's Molasses Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58240
63. Hazelnut Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30930-HazelnutBiscotti.aspx
64. Hershey's Syrup Truffle Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36358-HersheysSyrupTruffleBrownies.aspx
65. Holiday Cherry Squares http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/49054-HolidayCherrySquares.aspx
66. Holiday Sugar Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42744-HolidaySugarCookies.aspx
67. Homemade Chocolate Truffles http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/26730-HomemadeChocolateTruffles.aspx
68. Honey Pecan Delight http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/51294-HoneyPecanDelight.aspx
69. Honey-Lavender Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30940-HoneyLavenderBiscotti.aspx
70. Honey-Roasted Peanut Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42748-HoneyRoastedPeanutCookies.aspx
71. Jam Thumbprints http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/48154-JamThumbprints.aspx
72. Jelly Bean Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/41698-JellyBeanCookies.aspx
73. Layered Chocolate Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/25724-LayeredChocolateBars.aspx
74. Lemon Anise Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30942-LemonAniseBiscotti.aspx
75. Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Graham Cracker Bottom http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58224
76. Light and Luscious Orange Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/45500-LightandLusciousOrangeBarsDiabetic.aspx
77. M&M Goodies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/49556-MMGoodies.aspx
78. Milky Way Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30496-MilkyWayBrownies.aspx
79. Molasses Crisp Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/53092-MolassesCrispCookies.aspx
80. Mom's Anise Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58182
81. Mounds Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42650-MoundsBars.aspx
82. Mrs. Fields' Eggnog Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42750-MrsFieldsEggnogCookies.aspx
83. No Sugar Raisin Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42762-NoSugarRaisinCookies.aspx
84. No-Bake Stained Glass Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/56208-NoBakeStainedGlassCookies.aspx
85. Oatmeal Cherry Toffee Chocolate Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/41744-OatmealCherryToffeeChocolateCookies.aspx
86. Orange Pecan Butter Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58246
87. Oreo Peanut Butter Crunch Squares http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/35922-OreoPeanutButterCrunchSquares.aspx
88. Peanut Butter & Jelly No-Bake Thumbprint Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58234
89. Peanut Butter Balls http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/25522-PeanutButterBalls.aspx
90. Peanut Butter Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/49636-PeanutButterKisses.aspx
91. Pecan Tassies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58218
92. Peppermint Fudge http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42308-PeppermintChocolateFudge.aspx
93. Persimmon Christmas Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/47202-PersimmonChristmasCookies.aspx
94. Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/56284-RaspberryAlmondShortbreadThumbprints.aspx
95. Reduced Sugar Date Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36354-ReducedSugarDateBars.aspx
96. Reese's Peanut Butter Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/46094-ReesesPeanutButterBars.aspx
97. Reindeer Ginger Pops http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/35944-ReindeerGingerPops.aspx
98. Rolo Chocolate Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/41726-RoloChocolateCookies.aspx
99. Snickerdoodle Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/27056-SnickerdoodleCookies.aspx
100. Snowballs http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/50232-Snowballs.aspx
101. Spiced Honey Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/35422-SpicedHoneyCookies.aspx
102. Sugar-Free Chocolate Pecan Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/32556-SugarFreeChocolatePecanCookies.aspx
103. Sugar-Free Raisin Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/26024-SugarFreeRaisinBars.aspx
104. Sugarless Apple Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/41738-SugarlessAppleCookies.aspx
105. Sugarless Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/33842-SugarlessBrownies.aspx
106. Super Crisp Sugar Cookies that Will Melt in Your Mouth http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58238
107. Super Easy Peanut Butter Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=58200
108. Sweet Walnut Maple Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36268-SweetWalnutMapleBars.aspx
109. Triple Chocolate Biscotti http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/42206-TripleChocolateBiscotti.aspx
110. Triple Chocolate Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/41764-TripleChocolateCookies.aspx
111. Triple Layer Lemon Bars http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/36346-TripleLayerLemonBars.aspx
112. Walnut Cookies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/54302-WalnutCookies.aspx
113. Walnut Crisps http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/30308-WalnutCrisps.aspx
114. White Chocolate Brownies http://www.recipe4living.com/Recipe/44634-WhiteChocolateBrownies.aspx

Angelo's Chorus Concert...

Last night Frank and I had the privilege of enjoying Angelo's chorus concert. He is one kid that really has a full plate. Besides doing very well in school, he's involved in sports, football just ended, and wrestling starts in January. He plays the bass clarinet in band and he's in the school chorus. Well I have to say these kids were great, but Angelo was in the front row and he had one of the microphones right in front of him. When it was the tenors turn to sing by themselves, I'm telling you, I could hear Angelo's voice in the crowd. It was so cool. When the kids came out to begin, and found their places, me and little Franky started waving at Angelo, but he didn't seem to mind, he waved right back. Rocco would NEVER have done that, he would have been mortified!! Come to think about it, so would Dominic and Anthony!! Angelo even gave a little bow after their first song, he makes me laugh.

A toy from my past....

This is Gaylord The Basset Hound. I had one just like him in the 60's. He was my favorite toy. I had him for years and of course when I got older I lost track of him. Even after I got married, I went a few times to search my childhood home for him being I never threw him out. When Ebay came around I would check on their site to see if they had him. Off and on they would, but they are usually in not great condition. Here is one being offered today on Ebay in great condition, but just look at the price. Starting bid: US $795.00
Buy It Now: US $995.00

Oh well. They do have a "remake" of him that you can get online now, but it's just not the same as the originals.

And then this.......

Oh well, I was hoping maybe winter would forget to come by this year but nooooo.... Anyone who knows me, knows I really detest the cold, and especially the snow, it's ice, so it just makes the cold colder!! I don't like getting the mail or even answering the door in the winter, if I could hibernate I would. I was telling Mrs. Zejdlik yesterday in church "I don't even like going in my own freezer, I dislike the cold that much" Oh well another year. While everyone is counting down to Christmas, I'm counting down to Spring!!!





Only 108 more days til SPRING.....