Counting Our Blessings = Giving To Others

In early December, we received the annual request from Mom and Dad T. regarding what we, The B's, wanted for Christmas. Last year we ended up with a check card, that, along with a gift from Mom and Dad B., we used to celebrate our 3rd anniversary at Magnolia Grill several months later.

This year, Mr. B and I (as previously mentioned) decided to cut back on our holiday expenditures for one another. We budgeted for a nice Christmas Eve dinner and a few gifts to exchange Christmas morning.

So, we get above referenced email and it made me think. What do we REALLY need, anyway? Yes, we can ALWAYS find something to buy/splurge on. Then, I remembered that, when I was reading The Wall Street Journal (I've got that subscription on hold right now; talk about a waste of money otherwise), I would on occasion see an advertisement for an organization called The Smile Train. Each and every time I saw their ad, I'd think to myself, "Now, that is a worthy outfit". Basically what they do is provide free cleft surgery to kids (in underdeveloped countries, mostly). In addition to immediately improving their health, it gives the kids beautiful, normal smiles.

I asked Mom and Dad T. if they'd mind terribly if we combined the money they were giving us (in lieu of a physical gift) with money we would have spent on them and make a donation to The Smile Train. Now, talk about a meant to be; I sent Dad an email one morning and that very afternoon, they received something in the snail mail from The Smile Train.

Long story short, they felt it was an excellent idea.

So, a few moments ago, I made a sufficient donation to provide one child with a new lease on life.

Talk about smiling! I feel GREAT about this!

We also received gifts of cash/gift cards from Mom and Dad B. and Father and Margot. Being in a generous mood, I allocated some of their gift(s) to another worthy organization, The Cancer Recovery Foundation Children's Project. This outfit provides all sorts of help and assistance to kids with cancer and their families.

Maybe it's been all of the sentimental Christmas music I've been listening to for the past several weeks that brought this spirit of giving on; in particular, "Count Your Blessings"; but, I just felt the need to acknowledge MY blessings by helping those that are not so fortunate.

Mrs. B

Preparing for the Festivities!

Since The Kid is going to be out of town for Christmas Eve (as usual), it will be just me and Mr. B. He proposed to me that we have a fairly modest Christmas gift-wise this year and splurge on a nice Christmas Eve meal. Sounds good to me.
So, tonight we're having:

Standing Rib
Spinach Salad
Gorgonzola Potatoes and Peas

A VERY VERY VERY Nice Bottle of Red Wine (saved for just such an occasion!)

Not a lot of food, but, GOOD food. And, good wine! But, no worries about lack of food quantities for us as, this year, we volunteered to host Christmas dinner. As it turns out, it will be a smallish crowd as my brother Jon and his family are visiting with his wife's family this year in PA. But, we WILL have a brand new addition to our family in attendance with our very recently born niece Holly Noelle (along with her parents and her big brother Kendal). Plus, my mom and dad and, likely a variety of pets (at least our three!) So, six adults (mom and dad B, if you're reading this; know that we will miss you (and Fritz) very very much this year!)

We decided to build the dinner around an excellent baked ziti dish that Mr. B makes. It is actually an old family recipe of his ex-wife, but, since it really is tasty, we'll try and forget that. He's probably made enough adjustments to it by now to call it his own, anyway. So, an Italian themed dinner! Here is what is on the menu for Christmas:

Antipasti e Pani
Italian Meatballs
Shrimp Salad
Italian Bread with Olive Tapenade, Pesto and Herbed Olive Oil Dipping Sauces
Fried Mozzarella with Antipasto

Primi, Contorni e Piu Pani
Baked Ziti Southern Italian Style
Asparagus with Prosciutto Chips
Garlic-Cheese Biscuits

Bibiti
Sparkling Water
Variety of Beers and Wines

Dolci
Cranberry Shiver
Pumpkin-Butterscotch Brownies
Chocolate Polenta Pudding Cake
Apple Mead
Scotch
Espresso

Yeah, we'll probably have to literally roll out of bed the following morning!

I also decided it would be nice to use our various china sets and silver for dinner Christmas. I'm in the midst now of polishing, rinsing off dust, etc. But, it's worth the effort in order to have memories of at least three of our grandmothers surrounding us as we dine (My Grandmas W and C and Mr. B's Grandma W).

Oh, BTW, Pete and Lily have FINALLY discovered the Christmas Tree. Yesterday I saw Lily under the tree gleefully scooping water out of the tree stand with her paw. Said water went all over the gifts. Thankfully, nothing that can be water-damaged. Needless to say, I used the gifts to put up a blockade around the tree stand. This morning, both Pete and Lily were running and taking flying leaps and jumping into the presents. I decided (since nothing really can be harmed) to let them do it because if I kept stopping them, they'd only get more determined. Now, about an hour later, they are not paying the tree any never mind!

Ok, well, this is it for Mrs. B until after Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

Mrs. B

The B's Elf It!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

A Sunny Sunday Afternoon at the B's

These pictures speak for themselves, methinks!

Mrs. B

Kitties Fighting

Sorry...been real busy and not able to think much about blogging. Here is another video of Pete and Lily (with Lucy watching...)

Mrs. B

My First Home Videos! Turn Your Sound On!

Our Crazy Dog Lucy!

Subjects being Lucy, Pete and Lily, of course and video capability courtesty of Mr. B (new camera for my b-day).

They are a little rough (Father, it is killing me not to put quotes around "rough"...oops, just did it :-) ) but I'll improve. One thing I've already learned is I have to stop talking well before I hit the off button because the last things I said were cut off. Also, videos longer than 30 seconds or so take forever to upload so those I'll just have to show y'all later. Turn your speakers on if you want to hear my inane commentary.

Pete and Lily

Oh well. Enjoy (and please forgive the messy upstairs...we've got tons of cat and dog toys everywhere!) Mrs. B

Dinner Conversation Cards

These cards came in a package I received from Omaha Steaks yesterday. When I saw them, I thought to myself, "Perfect! My next Blog topic!"

Here goes!

Would you rather drive an expensive sports car or be driven in a limousine?

I assume this means for life as opposed to a one time choice. I think I'd prefer to drive myself as a rule (or have Mr. B drive the sports car) rather than having a chauffeur drive me around all over the place. Although I have to admit not having to ever worry about getting annoyed at other drivers again or finding a place to park, etc., could make the limo option a tempting thought (so long as I didn't have to pay for the gas!)

If you were offered a free recording contract, would you take it?

Now, who would say no to this one? Even though I'D never be the one doing the singing, I assume I could find someone I know that would jump at this opportunity (and I'd take a fair cut of whatever money they earned).

If you had to give up one of your senses, what would it be?

I hate this question! I'd give up my ESP abilities before I'd give up any other (I do believe we all have some sixth sense). If forced to chose between the other five, I guess I'd pick the sense of smell.

What is the naughtiest thing you remember doing as a child?

Probably a toss up between ripping up a neighbor's mail or throwing M&Ms into another neighbor's pool. At least these are the two worst things I got caught out on!

If you were offered free cosmetic surgery, would you do it?

Hell yes! Especially if the offer included Lasik.

If you could live one year as the opposite sex, would you?

I don't think so. I may end up liking it more than being a female, then what?

Would you rather be smarter or better looking?

Smarter. Hands down. We all know looks fade. Smarts might, too; but chances are you'll be a lot older before that happens and you wouldn't know enough any longer to care, anyway.

Would you like to climb Mt. Everest?

I'm thinking probably not!

Mrs. B