What the Beck?: December 2015

Thursday, December 31, 2015

What the Beck???

Happy New Year

Santa Sale Time

Does a pink Santa hat make you as happy as it makes me??
I got this last year, but the photo made me smile,
so I am posting it again.

A Fertile Myrtle Alert. Yeah!!!

Babies are coming! Babies are coming!

Two more nieces are pregnant, and due in May and July. I was looking for a photo of the two of them, but I love this one, so I'm using it.

Alaina, already had baby Waylon in November. In the center is Maddie, who is now due in July. On the right, is Molly who is now due in May. I just love how our family is growing so quickly. Just imagine that there will be four two year olds at the same time. That's a scary thought!

I am so thankful to have been given this family. My nieces and nephews are the lights of my life, and so important to me. They have all grown up to be such wonderful adults. My life would not be the same without them. I love you all!

Happy New Year!!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

What the Beck???

Happy Holidays!
Some people spend the holidays sitting in front of a
roaring fire and reading a book.
I feel the need to get something big accomplished
every day, regardless of the holiday.
This is sad and pitiful and I know it,
but I thought I would share Christmas morning
in my home with all of you.

I never wear fingernail polish, because I can't sit still
long enough to let it totally set up, so I
decided to give one hour to the process.
I actually love the way they looked.
Jenny - don't ya love'em?
Who knew???

The reason my hair and nails are growing so quickly is due to a product by Nature's Bounty called Extra Strength Hair, Skin & Nails. It has 5,000 mcg of Biotin. Of course, I know nothing about Biotin, but my nails are wonderful. Thank you Nature's Bounty!

Puzzle Mania

This is a partial sampling of the puzzle closet.
I always have a jigsaw puzzle on the dining room table
throughout the winter.
The boxes with the white handles each contain
five puzzles. That's a lot of puzzles!
After I finish the puzzle, it goes in the basement in
the Kentucky packed boxes.
This way I feel an accomplishment when I finish
a puzzle, and have already packed it for the move.
It really is relaxing to work on a puzzle.
When was the last time you did one???

Here is the puzzle I was working on Christmas week.

A puzzle tip: I sort my pieces into shapes to make it easier.
Yes Steve - I know you and Jenny are laughing at this
extremely important tip, because it is sooooo me!

Making progress!!!

ALL DONE!!!
"I love it when a plan comes together."
Does anyone know the name of the show where
that quote comes from??
It was a really dumb show (answer below)

These are a must to purchase for your home!

I love these chair leg protectors.
I didn't use the pads in my house,
because I have tile flooring,
and the plastic protectors are better,
so the chairs slide easily.

If I had wood flooring, I would use the pads on top
of the plastic to save my floors.

I am a little off center, but it worked great!

Quote answer:

The A-Team
I told you it was a dumb show.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

What the Beck???

Christmas Eve and Day

with the Dowd Family

Christmas Eve

This year we decided to do an hors de oeuvres

and dessert Christmas Eve.

The food was amazing, and it was a fun change.

Great idea, Donna!

The table was beautiful, and the food looked amazing.

I have no idea why my camera hated James that day,

but this was the best of the photos. Meggie and I

laughed at the sheer number that I took,

and they all turned out dark.

Has James crossed over to the dark side???

The Colonel, Bill Dowd

I wonder what they were discussing?

I love this picture of Donna and Meggie!

What is with the darkness???

Christmas Day

The table was breathtaking. I love the details!

A happy Meghann! Did you know she is a new Mom???

Bill and Patrick relaxing by the fire.

Here is Meghann's new baby.

He is a shelter rescue, and his name is Gipper!

He is a sweet and loving dog.

Now, every holiday has a big event and this one did, too.

I was in the middle of a dog fight!

Life is always exciting at the Dowd house.

The challenger: Gipper

The goal: to join the three large dogs, and fit in to family.

Unfortunately, the staring contest didn't really work out well.

The opponent (on the left): Hallie

Hallie is not really fond of other dogs even though

the Dowd's have three now.

Gipper wanted to be the fourth.

The staring intensified, until Hallie lurched

over me to get the Gip.

Teeth were barred, and growling ensued.

Outcome: I had a damaged fingernail.

Oh well, life goes on.

The match was over quickly, a tie was called.

Thank you so much Dowd family.

I love spending time with you.

I love you all!!!

Friday, December 25, 2015

What the Beck???

Merry Christmas!!!!

Happy Birthday, Kathy Kirchler!!!

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Pecan Pie Bites

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/pecan-pie-bites/

originally from:

http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/4391/pecan-pie-bites

I figured out that there are 84 calories, if 36 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

If you are looking for a sweet dessert that is a great finger food – this is your recipe. I love these little bites because they give you a small taste of pecan pie without the guilt of a major calories disaster. Eighty four calories was all it took to satisfy my sweet tooth. This is a keeper!

Here are the brands I used to make this recipe.
Yes, that is Land O'Lake Butter.

I love this mini muffin pan.

First, I mixed the butter and sugar until fluffy.

Next, I mixed the dry ingredients.

I blended the moist and dry ingredients together.

Apparently, I can't hold out my hand and take a photo!

I formed the dough into balls, and
placed them in a sprayed pan.

Then, I used my thumbs to make a little well,
and filled it with the filling.

Here are the pans going in to the oven.

Little bites of goodness.
Be sure to try these Land O'Lakes goodies!

Willow, Sage, and I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Brownie Cookies

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2015/03/brownie-cookies/

I figured out that there are 133 calories, if 36 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

This cookie definitely has that brownie flavor without the stickiness and high calories of a brownie. The calories make this cookie more doable for this girl’s diet.

Unfortunately, I have made these twice, and both times forgot to take photos in process, so you are just getting the final product on this recipe.

Sorry…I’ll be better tomorrow.

I sprinkled the confectioner's sugar

on foil to prevent a mess.

I made a plate of cookies and pecan

pie tartlets for my neighbors.

Too bad it is a blurry picture.

Have you thought of….

signing your child up for an onsite reading program that takes place every Wednesday from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m for children ages 5 – 12? Reading to animals helps them reduces the stress in their lives, and gives the kids a nonjudgmental listener. This program is FREE, but a small donation is appreciated. This is fun for the kids and the animals. This is all going on at Anderson Animal Shelter. Try It!

Monday, December 21, 2015

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Banana and Peanut Butter Smoothie

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com

I figured out that there are 520 calories, if 1 serving are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

I liked this smoothie. It was refreshing for some reason. If I made it again, I think I would use two bananas because I love the taste of one. In this recipe, the peanut butter is the strongest flavor, so I will personalize it for me. I like a recipe with only ingredients.

Here are the brands that I used to create my smoothie.

I am so thankful that Jenny and I purchased

Nutribullets.

They are wonderful.

A stunning picture of peanut butter.

Oh brother...

It was almost finished.

Just a little longer to blend the banana.

Quote of the Day

"Show me a person who has never made

a mistake, and I'll show you someone

who has never achieved much."

Joan Collins as shared in the Sept. 2008

issue of Woman's Day

Did you ever think of...

having your child's birthday party at Anderson Animal shelter?

For $200.00 you child can help animals at the

shelter, and enjoy an animal filled party at the same time.

No mess at home - sounds great!

I really love this idea!!!

Think of making a dog like this one's day!

One day of happiness is better than none.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Pork Chops with Wine and Roasted Garlic

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/pork-chops-with-garlic-and-wine/

I figured out that there are 390 calories, if 4 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

The ingredients for this recipe and the brands I used.

First, I browned the pork chops.
You can actually see the salt and pepper as they browned.

I set the browned pork chops aside,
as I made the yummy sauce.

As the sauce bubbled, I kept stirring until everything
was incorporated. My house smelled so wonderful.

I finished cooking the chops in the sauce.

Since I didn't make an entire meal, here is the finished
the product on a plate. It was so darn good!

I loved these pork chops. The wine garlic sauce has a lot of flavor. Since the sauce is on the thin side, I would serve the pork chops on top of potatoes. It will make a great presentation, and you won’t lose all of the sauce on the plate. Another great dinner, Ree!

Quote of the Day

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation,
hard work, and learning from failure."
Colin Powell

A Correction......

On the last entry, I called this sweet little
boy, Colton. OOPS! This is my great nephew
Lincoln, Colton's little sweet brother.
Sorry about that Matt and Heather.
Is senility coming to my house for Christmas?

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Friday, December 25, 2015

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Monday, December 21, 2015

Thursday, December 17, 2015

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