We All Scream for Ice Cream!

During her Thanksgiving visit, Rhonda brought gifts for the kids...

Fabric holiday bags...filled with goodies...

One thing that was NOT in their bags -- was an electric ice cream maker...

So, ramping up for our big Christmas Eve dinner -- it's time to MAKE SOME ICE CREAM.

The hard part is waiting for the cream to become ICE CREAM...

it takes about 30 minutes...

watching doesn't help

Cuz 30 minutes is 30 minutes...

Lilly and Warren each made their own "flavor"'

Lilly folded in crushed candy canes.  Warren chose cookie dough chunks, with red and green sprinkles...

When Elliott picked them up that night -- THEY HAD A LOT TO CARRY..!!

THANKS AGAIN for the wonderful ice cream maker, Rhonda!  We're still waiting for a picture of you wearing one of your new CHRISTMAS SWEATERS....

2019 Holiday Parade

Did I already say how glad I am that Christmas is over?? Honestly -- it's like running a marathon...

The official start of the "Season" here is the Holiday Parade.  It happens the Saturday BEFORE Thanksgiving.  It's a mini-version of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day -- complete with giant balloons...

Last year, it was cancelled because of high winds and rain...

I took Lilly to this parade five years ago -- but Warren has never seen it.

So -- I DECIDED we needed to get up early and go to the parade.

Unfortunately, by the time we arrived in Downtown Davenport -- the streets were closed and all the good parking spots were FILLED.

There were thousands of people lining the parade route...

But, with Ritaluck -- I found a PERFECT SPOT -- only one block away.

Well -- there was one little problem. Our perfect parking spot was right right under this giant sign...

I figured they wouldn't actually tow my car during the Holiday Parade!!  (right?)...

But, just to be safe -- as soon as the kids got out of the car -- I said..."quick...kids -- get far away from the car...run...cross the street...don't look back....act like you have noooo idea who owns that beat up old Hyundai..."

Lilly and Warren loved running AWAY from the car -- and towards the parade...

We had a wonderful spot -- right on the street corner...

When we saw the last balloon coming (Santa and Rudolph) -- we headed to Sippi's.

We were lucky to get a table in the room with all the windows.

We set up a game of King's Corner...

While we waited for our food...

Oh, yeah...it was the PERFECT way to kick off the 2019 holiday season...Running away from the car was definitely the kids favorite part...but I've gotta vote for the cheese fries...

TMBC LP Christmas Breakfast

Another wonderful thing about Christmas? BREAKFAST AT LINDA P'S HOUSE...
Of course, she had her home decorated for the occasion...

Complete with a REVOLVING TREE...which I've gotta say, really puts you in the holiday spirit!!

LP sets the MOST INCREDIBLE TABLE. Bright red chargers, with candles and centerpieces, a table runner...

And, of course, to go with that Martha Stewart level of decorating, she also happens to be an excellent cook

Breakfast enchiladas with breakfast potatoes...and a sour cream coffee cake for dessert.

We also had a little impromptu gift-exchange....and that is always fun. But certainly not a requirement...

The thing about TMBC is that we get together e.v.e.r.y...s.i.n.g.l.e...T.u.e.s.d.a.y...and I LOVE THAT. We can be fancy, or we can be funky...I love our Sew and Shares, our Library sewing days, our weekly "downloads", or occasional day trips...

One week can be QUITE DIFFERENT from the next -- depending on how the spirit moves us...

But, no matter where we meet or what we do -- it is the BEST day of the week...and I am grateful.

Axis Hotel

One of the BEST things about the holidays is that it's an excuse to get together with your friends.

Except, for me, as you well know -- cuz I DO THAT ALL THE TIME...

So, then, let me rephrase...

One of the BEST things about the holidays is that it's an excuse to get together with your friends at new, special places!!

So, it's December...and maybe we need to find a special place for our usual TMBC breakfast...

Recently, a historic 1920's building in downtown Moline, Illinois was renovated,,,and it's now a toney new Hilton Hotel -- part of their boutique line of hotels...

It's called the AXIS Hotel

And they have a REVOLVING DOOR..!!

The restaurant sits right inside the lobby...

The restaurant is called "The 5th Avenue Syndicate"...named after the mobster group of men who built the original building...

Here's the thing....THE FOOD WAS AMAZING..!!

I ordered their "soon to be famous" souffle pancakes.

And I don't think I have EVER had a more delicious bite of food.  Really...there are no words...

LP had the Eggs Benedict, and Sandy ordered the Quiche.

Everything on the menu sounded terrific -- so we wanted to taste everything. We deliberately ordered 3 different entrees -- and asked for an extra plate to put in the middle of the table. That was our "sharing" plate...so we all got to sample the three different dishes.

After our delicious holiday breakfast, we got a tour of the hotel.  It's so amazing that they kept so many of the original architectural details...the marble walls, the Art Deco light fixtures, the terrazo floors.  The rooms are stunning -- and  we had a charming young tour guide (thanks, Kelsey)...

Oh, yeah...it was a nice, relaxing breakfast...as the three of us are RAMPING UP FOR THE HURRICANE KNOWN AS CHRISTMAS...

BEST Oatmeal EVER

I was so busy DOING CHRISTMAS...it's possible I didn't take a single picture...ugh...

THE BIG STORY here is our weather. Get this -- 62 degrees!! Yes, indeed -- the warmest Christmas Day in the history of IOWA WEATHER...

So, along with everything else that goes on during CHRISTMAS -- I've been hanging sheets out on the line!!

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So, now that Christmas is in my rear view mirror -- it's time to GET BACK ON MY HEALTHY EATING TRAIN...

And one of my favorite things is to make a giant batch of my special oatmeal. It is filling, delicious, quick (to reheat)...and I never get tired of it.

 I like the Old Fashioned kind -- which cooks for ten minutes...

My perfect oatmeal pot. 

I'm making 4 cups of oatmeal...and I add 1/2 cup of raisins (or dried cranberries, LP)

AFTER the oatmeal is cooked, I add one chopped apple...

And a lot of chopped walnuts...

I stir them in after the oatmeal is cooked...so the apples stay crunchy.

At the end, I stir in a tablespoon of cinnamon...and a tablespoon of honey.

This oatmeal is KILLER GOOD, and it'll last me for a week. I put a cup in my bowl, nuke it for 1 minute...and I'm in a happy place...

P.S.  full disclosure -- sometimes, I eat it cold.  Honest...it tastes like a wonderful oatmeal raisin cookie...

Christmas Can Suck...

I wrote most of this in 2011....

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MERRY CHRISTMAS...

If you're reading this -- your day probably sucked...at least a little bit.

We all have this vision in our head of what the PERFECT FAMILY CHRISTMAS LOOKS LIKE.

Of course, the truth is -- nobody has a perfect family. Every family has their share of problems.
In this blog, you will only read the Pollyanna-ed version of my family, that's for sure!!

My point is -- everybody is dealing with something. Nobody is happy all the time. Life can be lonely. Husbands and wives disappoint one another. Maybe your adult children aren't nearly as much fun as you once hoped. You could be dealing with a bad job, or NO job, children with behavior problems, drug addiction, economic problems, unpaid bills, a cancer diagnosis.

Or, maybe this year, you've suffered the biggest grief life holds....the loss of a child.

Whatever is wrong in your life will be magnified a thousand times on this day.

Which is why Christmas OFTEN SUCKS.   We are victims of our own high expectations.

If you are feeling sad, or alone or hurt today -- I am giving you permission to have ONE BAD DAY.
You can eat whatever you want...Snickers can be your main meal. Or buy dinner at your local convenience store.  The wonderful Wisconsin company -- Kwik-Star has moved into my part of the world -- and their fried chicken is DELICIOUS...AND they're open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Veg out in front of the television. LIFETIME and Lifetime Movie Network are both running marathon Christmas movies ALL DAY LONG. They are the worst movies you can imagine...which is exactly why they could be perfect for the imperfect day you are having. 

If you want a QUALITY movie experience -- The E Network is running It's A Wonderful Life all day today -- and IT IS THE BEST MOVIE I EVER WATCHED.  Really...it is truly a masterpiece.  I'm also a big fan of Die Hard and Home Alone...

Whatever TV or movie you pick -- be sure to have some gooey Caramel Corn...you'll be warm all over...really...

With on-demand and/or Netflix, you could create your own tv marathon. Get lost in the wonderful land of fantasy television....Any of the BRAVO Real Housewives would be a good place to start.  Try Season 1 of New Jersey!!  Here are the shows I've watched in Marathon Mode, and highly recommend:  Downton Abby; Nurse Jackie; Entourage; Sopranos;  Sons of Anarchy; Britain's Got Talent.

Last year, Ross watched 50 YouTube videos about how to make his own concrete counters (he swears he could do it now)...

Then -- roll out of bed tomorrow morning and GET OVER IT. Pull up your big girl pants and do something that matters. The good news is -- YOU get to decide what that is...

More good news -- Christmas is just ONE DAY, babe. That's all it is. ONE DAY.

And SURE -- on this day -- somebody, somewhere, is having the very BEST day of their life...

But tomorrow it could be YOUR TURN.

And you are not alone...

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Yesterday, this post went up the Nancy Zieman blog...my friend Deanna wrote about the Art of Homemaking Exhibit.  I am so delighted it's getting this kind of attention!!  AND -- if you watch the Stitch It Sisters -- you might be inspired to sew!!

 http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/sewing-2/new-stitch-it-sisters-no-hassle-table-topper-sewing-tutorial/

TMBC Bakery Stop

On our way home from the fabulous Axis Hotel, we stopped in at the Oh So Sweet bakery. The owner of this bakery was one of the contestants on the Food Channel Cookie Challenge Show. (the one that Ree Drummund judges).

It's a beautiful little bakery in downtown Davenport

The inside is ADORBS...

And their selection of Christmas Cookies (and macaroons) was off the chain.

I bought one of every kind (that was $30)...because I thought it would give Lilly some good ideas.

We had our picture taken in front of the fireplace.

Later on, I'll tell you about the "cookie kit" I bought. 12 baked cookies, with 5 bags of royal icing. Lilly LOVES watching those cooking shows...and the kids are putting together their "goody bags". These cookies should be THE PERFECT THING...

Right?

I mean -- what could go wrong??

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

I'm probably not done blogging (and bragging) about the Art of Homemaking -- but I need to TAKE A HOLIDAY BREAK..!!

Two weeks ago, my Christmas Grandma Camp started to ramp up. WE HAVE A LOT TO DO...AND very little time to do it all..!!

So, to review -- we had a pretty good start -- the kids brought out the mugs and rugs...and we were on our way to see the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train.

I actually said these words..."what could go wrong?"...

Well, as it happened, a lot went wrong. The biggest problem was that the kids were bickering...back and forth...fighting, whining...bullying...all day long.

By 4:00 that afternoon -- there was a gigantic Meltdown.  It was bad....crying, yelling, bad language, banging things...a HUGE FIT.

And it was Grandma having it...

Honestly. SHAME ON ME....but, alas, these two angels had worn away my last good nerve. I pitched my huge fit....We were sitting in my parked car at this point....and both kids apologized.

We were sitting by the side of the road...and I knew they were both shocked and sad by my tears (and screaming,and bad language).  I was completely done with the whole day.  Nothing I had planned seemed to suit either one of them....

But, I didn't want my crappy fit to be what they would remember.

So  -- I calmed myself down.  And said something like this..."Okay.  We are going to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.  I am going to accept your apologies...and we are going to genuinely start over.  We are going to be kind to each other.  No more eye rolling...judgement...snarky comments...pouting...whining...  This is OUR NEW BEGINNING...we have a chance to save this day and make some HAPPY MEMORIES...which is all I want....and the two of you have the power to make that happen..."

My favorite picture from that day.  20 minutes after my Grnadma Meltdown.  Sitting in a booth at Happy Joe's, waiting for our pizza...

Warren's shirt says, "Dear Santa, I can Explain."

The internet said the train would be stopping in Clinton at 6:45 -- near the Sawmill Museum. We had a great parking spot -- right near Happy Joe's pizza...so we decided to order a pizza (to stay warm) until the train came...

The next problem was that THE TRAIN NEVER CAME...ugh...

By 7:00, the crowd we were standing in realized the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train was stopped three miles north of the internet posted location. Ugh. The SHOW, and the FIREWORKS -- was all happening well north of where we were parked and waiting...

But -- with our renewed determination to SAVE THIS DAY...we got back in the car, and decided to CHASE THE TRAIN...because, as it left Clinton, it would be going very near my house in Princeton, Iowa...

At several places, we got really close to the train...

I snapped some pictures out of my window...

At one point, we were traveling at the same speed with the train...

The kids were thrilled...

We chased it for about 15 miles...

My hope is that the three of us remember how, working together, WE SAVED CHRISTMAS...