6 things

6 Things I Value
1. Family
2. God
3. Honesty
4. Freedom
5. Home
6. Quality Education

6 Things I Support
1. My Husband
2. Church
3. The Economy
4. March of Dimes
5. Compassion International
6. Free Speech

6 Things I Do Not Support
1. Whining
2. Stupidity
3. Airline Food
4. Most Television
5. The Governments help (most of the time)
6. Anyone playing the Packers

I would tag 6 people like I'm suppose too, but I don't think 6 people will read this. So, if you read it... feel free let us know your 6 things.

Works for Me: Perfect Tuna Salad

I love tuna salad. I have always loved it. I can distinctly remember eating it as a child and thinking it was the next best thing to PB&J. Anywho, I am always tinkering with my recipe, but I think I have finally found the perfect tuna salad recipe.

1 can of tuna (any kind you like)
2 T. light mayo (or more if you like it extra creamy, I however like as little mayo as possible)
1 T. Italian Salad Dressing
Salt and Pepper to taste

Spread onto your favorite bread, pita, crackers, or carb of choice and enjoy!

For me WFMW ideas, jump over to Rocks in my Dryer.

Historically Day... times 2!

Today, Jan 20, is a historical day... for our nation and our family.

Its one of those days that really doesn't matter whether your a red or blue state, its history. No matter what you think of our very-very-soon-to-be President, in a few short hours, Mr. Obama will be just that, our President. And if for no other reason than the title which he will soon hold, he deserves our respect and our prayers. I know we will never all agree on his policies, his approach to certain matters, or (maybe) anything else he will attempt to accomplish in the next four years. But history like this is an amazing thing to be part of.... and it makes me proud to be an American.

On the family note- K will embark on her first day of pre-school today. She will attend our church's wonderful preschool. So please, pray for her (and her mama, too) as she embarks on this wonderful, exciting, and educational phase of her life.

(PS- We haven't told her that once she starts school it doesn't end 'til there is a college degree hanging on her wall, we didn't want to spoil her day!)

Confession

I am not Martha Stewart. I have never claimed to be Martha Stewart. I would not want to be Martha Stewart for many reasons. But I do have a confession....

I just "sewed" a beautiful table runner out of left-over fabric from my window treatments. Why is s-e-w in quotation marks, you may ask. Well (and here comes the confession) I did all the "stitching" with a glue gun!

There, I feel much better after getting that off my chest. Thank you.

For unto us a Child is Born!

To me, this passage from Isaiah is the reason for the season. I pray that each of you find Jesus, either for the first time or all over again, in these next few days. For me, He is ever present, but for many I know that He is still not as close. I pray that this Christmas season, He may be re-born unto you and that through this you may find the greatest Christmas gift we have been given: Eternal Life through Jesus Christ!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

You finish the story...

Aghh!!! is all I could say (especially with a 3-year old in earshot!) after lunch today. But let's start at the beginning.

Last night after we had a wonderful family evening of dinner, watching Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown, and cookies, I decided to give my kitchen a Christmas gift... an on-your-hands-and-knees scrubbing. It needed it. We had baked 4 (but 3 edible) batches of cookies yesterday and I could barely take a step without feeling some nugget of cr%p under my feet. As I was finishing, I looked at the front of the refrigerator and thought "I should really wash that down while I'm hear on the floor" and then I proceeded on. Well, who knew!!!

So today we were pleasantly surprised to have Scott home for lunch (that happens maybe twice a year) so I grabbed some ground beef and sloppy joe mix and made sloppy joe's for lunch. We had a great lunch, sent him off to work again, and proceeded to clean up the kitchen. I was just about finished wiping down the counters when I realized the coffee pot was spotted. So I wiped it down, slid it back into place and then it happened. I realized that is where I had set the not quite empty sloppy joe can... and it proceeded to fall onto the floor, bounce off the rug, and land most of its tomato-y contents on the front of my white refrigerator....Merry Christmas, Kitchen. You are officially clean!

Deck the Halls!

I was not into the blogging world last year for BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes, but I thought it would fun to participate this year. If for no other reason, Maria is frequently asking to see pictures of our new (okay, its not really new anymore) home in Ohio. Merry Christmas and enjoy the tour.***

Welcome to our home - I must say, as tempted as I have been to paint the door, I do love having a white door because everything shows up!

Upon entering, you'll come into our foyer. Typically this has a few other kid friendly decorations, but they appear to have been hidden (hence why they are kid friendly).

The stairwell was new creation this year. For whatever reason, it has gone undecorated in past years. This year it has become a beautiful array of lights (and doubles as a nightlight!)

The Living Room shelf was a last minute creation. I had a lot of ribbon left from another project you'll see later on the tour and I decided to use it on shelves throughout the house. This is one of my favorites, especially because the winter scene in the picture is enhanced by all the decorations.

On the other side of the foyer is our formal dining room. I must say the photographer (that's me) did not really do this room justice. Its much more beautiful at night when the garland is lit and the china hutch lights are on... but you'll need to use your imagination.

Here is a picture of the buffet and hutch up close:

This window hangs over our wine rack and is something that changes seasonally. This year I simply took some of my holly (which I used elsewhere throughout the dining room) and added it to to the ivy. Get it... holly and the ivy!!!

On to our family room. The arrangement of furniture was new this year (and done with the help of my dear friend Kristen) to allow the tree to be in this corner. I really like it here versus other places we've had it as you can see it upon entering the room. If you look closely at the picture, you will see the miniature tour guide, she just couldn't stay out of the picture!

Here is our mantle and fireplace.

And last on the official tour is the Snow Village, each year I wonder where to put it as the village grows and each year it ends up on top of the TV curio. Somehow I always find room for the latest addition. I think year's village arrangement is my favorite.

Although this concluded the official tour of the McGregor home, I did mention my ribbon project this year. After reading and viewing some craft ideas from Maria, I came up with this fun idea for my 5 red stars that decorate my kitchen soffit all year round. It was so easy and it added just a little more Christmas spirit to my kitchen.

Thank you for taking a tour of our home. We wish each and every one a blessed Christmas season.

***I, like Maria, am totally blown away by the beautiful, elegant, and elaborate decorations of these homes. I am not in anyway competing or comparing my work... it would just shame me:)