Celebrating Christmas:Family

 

 

Yep, we had a few outakes during our family picture session. Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

Mike

Mike is a big part of my physical "transformation". He is my biggest fan. He participates in my exercise routine and look at him! He is really fit and trim and very youthful. Here we are in November of this year. It was a beautiful afternoon, just before the wedding of a close friend, and right before a huge thunderstorm. I had all of my family around me and was enjoying the coolness of the weather and the beauty of the lake. I was very happy!

my garden in December

It was nice being able to pick these vegetables the other morning. They went right into a pot on the stove and we had them for lunch. Not bad for December!

My exercise update

If anyone was wondering if I kept up my exercise routine here is an update. I am now running between 3.6 and 5 miles three times per week. I also do toning exercises twice a week. On the other days I walk 4 miles. I still take Sunday off. I also reached my weight loss goal a few weeks ago. I have lost over 60 pounds. I have a new wardrobe and a new goal-maintain my current level of exercise and my current weight. I will keep you posted so I hope you check back in.

Icy Blue

Thank you to my sister for this early birthday present. She saw me looking at an icy blue Christmas display and sneaked this out of the store while we were shopping. I placed it on top of my Grandmother's piano and have enjoyed just sitting in the dark, with only the Christmas lights on. Thank you Sherrie.

Mini Corndog muffins

These are showing up on the internet in lots places so I decided to make them for a covered dish lunch. They were a big hit! Just use whatever cornbread recipe you usually use but spoon the batter into mini muffin pans. Then cut hotdogs into 4 or 6 pieces and stick a piece in each muffin. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes until the bread is light golden brown.

How big did it get?

 

 

I finally picked my "Giant" pumpkin from the garden. I thought that it had reached its maximum size. It weighed 22 pounds (less than I thought) and measured 45 1/2 inches around from stem to end (oblong). The circumference right around the middle was 35 3/4 inches.

It now sits on this table in my living room. I think it will be the centerpiece on Thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun watching it grow in the garden. Next year, I will get an earlier start in planting the seeds and see if we can grow one a little larger for next Fall.