Sneaky husband.

Okay....so you never know what your husband might do if you fall asleep in the chair! My sweet hubby took this pic of me after I had passed out in the living room chair the other night. I had come home from our musical and was exhausted. He had taken several pictures of me while I was sleeping! lol! (i kind of like this picture....don't tell him!) ;) I think Miss Maddie looks so precious and I love napping with her. Oh...and my hubby also made me that fleece strawberry blanket too! haha! It was a Christmas gift two years ago. (it's one of those where you tie knots around the edges) I love that blanket, i love my hubby, i love miss maddie....and i love Christmas!

Good Night! Sweet Dreams....
-Amanda

The Gospel According to Scrooge!!!

Hello there! I'm back from a busy weekend! We had our musical at church from Thursday-Sunday! I am exhausted. It was a lot of work, but so fun! We have already heard from some people about how the message in the play has made them think about their own lives. I'm excited to hear about more of the impact the play had on people.

This is our whole cast waiting to go on!

My sweetie with me after the musical
This is my brother and I! We played the Solicitors! We had to ask Scrooge for money! :)
Me in action!
It was such fun!

I have sooooo much to do this week! We have been drinking hot cocoa almost every night for the past week! haha! I love it. Oh....Miss Maddie went to the spa over the weekend. She looks adorable! :) I don't know how but everytime I make popcorn in the microwave....I BURN it. It is so frustrating. I think it is our microwave. I didn't use to have this problem until we got this microwave. I hope everyone is enjoying some Christmas joy and cheer lately!

Merry Christmas!

amanda

Holly Jolly Blog Hop!

Hello! I'm excited to join in the the fun and festive Holly Jolly Blog Hop!!!!! You can join in the fun with Amber, Kristin or Natalie. We are sharing holiday recipes today.

I just found this recipe that I really want to try! Who loves marshmallows? I love anything with marshmallows or the fluff stuff in a jar! ;)

Chocolate Marshmallow Bark
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 5 min.
Serves 12

Ingredients
8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finest quality recommended
2 tsp regular butter
3 cups mini marshmallows

Line a 9x9 pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly combined; remove from heat and stir in marshmallows.

Scrape chocolate mixture into prepared pan using a silicon spatula; smooth into a somewhat even layer. Refrigerate until chocolate sets, at least 1 hour; keep refrigerated until ready to eat. Cut into 12 pieces and serve.

Note: You can add whatever you would like to the recipe. Like nuts, dried fruit, crispy cereal......

I'm getting ready to make this myself! It sounds yummy!

Thanks for visiting me on the Holly Jolly Blog Hop!!!!! :)

Merry Christmas!
Amanda

Tuesday Blessings....

Blessings are definitely abounding and I'm glad I get to link up with my sweet friend Natalie for The Blessing Box today. :)

I have been thinking SO much about not letting myself get wrapped up in busyness this Christmas! I am so guilty of that. When you look at my calendar....it is almost completely full with STUFF! Sometimes I don't feel I can breathe. Granted, a lot of that stuff is wonderful things.....ministering at our church or our Christmas musical. It's all great. But I don't want to "miss Christmas"! I don't want it to pass me by and not take in and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. I am thankful that Saturday we got to spend a few hours at a nursing home, singing and talking to elderly people. When I think about how many of those people there don't have any family to visit them....It makes me so sad and I want to make it a habit of visiting them more often. I was truly blessed Saturday.

Our families and friends are a blessing. We should never take that for granted. I might be rambling...but I just want to take everything in and live everyday to the fullest. We are only guaranteed TODAY...this moment actually. I don't want anything to pass me by.

So, even though tonight will be very busy...as I will be at play practice really late, I want to enjoy it and love all the people around me.

I'm not sure what all I have said or if I made sense! lol! But I am blessed! Go link up with Natalie and share some of your blessings too. ;)

Have a wonderful night!

Merry Christmas,

Amanda

Ugly Sweater Goodness!!!

Hooray for ugly sweaters!!!! (yes....mine had cats on it!)

Saturday we took the teens from our church to carol and visit a nursing home in town. We all wore "festive" sweaters and santa hats! It was a blast.

My cat sweater in all its glory!

One of the sweet ladies we met.

Some of our teens!

They did an awesome job singing! And they were all very festive too. So proud!

A group of our 7th graders.

It was a very fun and special activity!

Tonight I went to the grocery and got Miss Maddie some food! yay. She doesn't have to eat lunch meat and treats anymore. heehee! While I was at the store, I picked up some stuff to make hot cocoa with all the fixins!!!! We have the hot water going right now.....and I will be enjoying a cup very soon.

Tonight was dress rehearsal for "The Gospel According To Scrooge". I am pooped. It's going to be a long week, but a lot of fun!

Have a lovely evening everyone! Happy wishes and Merry Christmas!!!!!

Amanda

I'm crazy busy....but loving every minute! ;)

Sorry I have been away for a few days. I have been so busy! It is all fun stuff though. I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend so far!!!!!!

-Thursday night I was up until 1am baking and finishing my crafts! lol!!!! :) We were going to a Christmas party the next day and I worked all day Friday, so I had to finish it all Thursday night. I baked homemade peanut butter cookies and ooey gooey butter bars! Then I was giving some of my crafts as gifts, so I had to finish all of those. It was a wonderful party!

-Saturday we took some teens from our youth group to carol at a nursing home. It was so wonderful. We wore crazy sweaters and santa hats! (pictures will be coming soon!) The residents loved it and our teens enjoyed interacting with them.

-Saturday night was our White Christmas Musical date night!!!!!!!!!!!! More to come later....but it was simply amazing.

-I went to Target Saturday too. LOVE!

-Right now I am wearing a Christmas shirt, socks and jewelry! hehe!

-Our Christmas musical at church is this coming Thursday-Sunday. So, we have play practice every night this week!

-We sang carols at church this morning. :)

-Candy Cane Hershey Kisses....enough said!

-Miss Maddie is out of dog food. She has been eating treats today as her meal. *must go to the store*

-Oh.....we got our shutterfly Christmas cards in the mail Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love them! I can't wait to send them out.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Merry Christmas!
Amanda

Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep....

If after reading my title....you knew my post was about the movie "White Christmas".....you win a hug from me and I love you! haha! Well, I guess a virtual hug will have to do! xoxo

Anyways, I am SOOOO excited because we just got our tickets to see "White Christmas" the musical at the Hammons Hall in our town! I am beyond giddy. This is one of my favorite movies of all time and I can't even imagine seeing it live and hearing all those amazing songs.

I just had to share my excitement with you! :) I can't wait to hear the songs:

"Sisters"

"The Best Things Happen While Your Dancing"

"Snow"

"Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep"

and of course....."White Christmas" :)

Way back when Tim and I were just teenagers and he was trying to win my heart....I remember he watched the movie "White Christmas" with me because he knew I loved it. (even though I'm sure it was torture for him back then as a teenage boy!) Such a sweet memory I have. (oh and that same night we watched that movie...was when Tim first tried to kiss me!!! heehee!)

Precious memories.

So, as you can imagine I CAN'T WAIT for Saturday to see the musical!!!!!!

Has anyone else seen this musical?

Or do you just love the movie like me? :)

It is f r e e z i n g here today! I am all cuddled up in a scarf drinking coffee. I hope you all have a fabulous and wonderful day today! Enjoy every moment to the fullest.

Merry Christmas!

Amanda