Something Fun to Do

Remember photo booths?

They seem to be making a comeback.

Seems to me you used to be able to put a quarter into the slot and come away with a strip of 4 small photos. Nowadays I've seen costs of anywhere from $2 to $5 for those same 4 photos.

And if you're like me you were/are never ready when the flash goes off. That makes for some funny shots for sure.

A day or so ago while doing a quick scan of Pinterest I found www.photoboother.com. You can choose one of 6 frames, upload 4 of your photos, hit the "develop" button, then share, download to your computer and/or place an order.

Of course I had to check it out. Here's what happened.

Fun, huh?

Where, Oh Where . . .

. . . has Oklahoma Granny been?

Well, I've been around. I've been visiting my favorite blogs, sometimes leaving comments, sometimes not.

It just seems there isn't enough time in the day to get everything done that NEEDS to be done and do the things I WANT to do too.

Is it like that for you?

I haven't even taken many pictures lately, hence the header you see above. It's from 2011. I don't mean to mislead you. We haven't had any snow at all this year unless you count the few flakes that fell last week - or maybe it was week before last.

With the exception of a handful of days that you could say it was truly cold, we seem to be having a very mild winter. That's kind of nice right now  for those who don't care for the cold but I'm afraid we'll have a ton of bugs this summer. 

Oklahoma needs rain! We have a good chance for some of the wet stuff tonight and tomorrow.

Rainy and/or cold weather is the best time for comfort food, don't you think? I bought a new cookbook a couple of weeks ago. It's one of those marvelous church cookbooks that translates to tried-and-true recipes.

This one is filled with lots of recipes that are new to me and I've picked out several to try.

I'm going to share one with you that I have already made. Both AD and I really liked it. It's called Goulash but it's not like any goulash AD and I have ever had. If you try it, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Goulash

1 1/2 pounds hamburger
1 onion, chopped (I used dried onion because AD isn't a fan of onions)
1 box Macaroni & Cheese
1/2 stick of butter or margarine
1 can chili (no beans)
1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
1 can Ranch Style beans
1 can whole kernel corn (drained)

Brown the hamburger and onion and drain well.
In a separate pan, cook the macaroni and drain it well. Stir the butter into the macaroni and then the packet of cheese that comes in the box.
Mix the mac & cheese into the hamburger mixture along with the chili, Rotel tomatoes, bean and drained corn. Heat through and enjoy.

NOTE: When AD and I talked about the dish we decided it might be good to kick it up a bit the next time by adding a bit of taco seasoning or some diced jalapenos.

Inquiring Minds May Want to Know

A BIG Thank You to those who voted for you favorite gingerbread house.

To the Stitchin Schoolmarm and Lynn - AD and I had already tallied the votes and the grand and consolation prizes had been given out on Christmas morning before I read your comments. Not to worry though. It didn't make a difference for the grand prize winner.

House #1 was the big winner and was designed by G1. He received a gift bag containing a box of HoHo's and a box of Ding Dongs with a tag that read, "Ho Ho from your Ding Dong Granny."

Ok, well I thought it was funny. . . .

Second place was House #2 and belonged to G2. If this had been one of the boys' dirt track races the announcer would have said something like, "G1 edged out G2 by one car length" when the checkered flag fell.

In 3rd place was House #4 was designed by G2's girlfriend.

G1's girlfriend's house came in at #4.

The consolation prizes were a package of Reese cups, a package of Hershey bars and a box of Skittles. The runners up got to choose their favorite in the place where they came in. G2 chose the Reese cups, his girlfriend chose the Skittles and the Hershey bars went to G1's girlfriend.

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Ours was a little hectic but a very good day and we couldn't have asked for better weather. We were at AD's mother's home in the afternoon for lunch. Her home is very small and with 32 people in attendance the good weather made it possible for the kids to play outdoors.

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Did anyone venture out early this morning for the after-Christmas sales?

We haven't done that in years. This year though we decided we really needed a new tree for next year. (My family prefers artificial trees. Does that make us a "green" family? You know, because no trees are harmed in the decorating of our home.

Anyway, I'd checked out all the local stores a few days before Christmas and found the one that would work best for us. This morning we drove into town and when the doors were opened there were still some available so we're all set for next year.

Of course I had to look around in case there were a few more bargains to be had. I picked up some wrapping and tissue paper, a few bags of candy (who cares if they're wrapped in Christmas colors?), a couple of Oklahoma University ornaments for AD and the most beautiful angel tree topper. Instead of sitting atop our new tree next year though, I think she'll be sitting on top of one of our bookcases.

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As 2011 draws to a close I'd like to thank each and everyone who drops by my blog for a visit. I so enjoy reading comments that are left.

I also want to say how much I enjoy visiting you in your blog-homes. I feel like I've made some wonderful friends I never would have met otherwise.

Wishing each of you a very Blessed and Happy New Year!

You Be The Judges

G1, G2 and the girlfriends were up for a bit of gingerbread house decorating.

I told them I would post pictures of their creations on my blog and ask readers to vote for their favorite.

I also told them there would be a small prize for the winner.

Below are pictures of the houses with a brief description of each.

House #1

Santa is apparently visiting this little house at the moment. His sleigh is visible up on the roof. There is a pile of pretzel logs sitting beside the house just waiting to be put in the fireplace. Notice a path has been cleared of snow to welcome visitors.

House #2:

This darling little cottage features a fenced yard and is all decked out with Christmas decorations including a tree, a snowman and candy canes leading up to the front door. The lamp post on the left side of the door lights the way for visitors.

House #3:

The children that live in this house have been busy building a snowman and an igloo. On the right side of the house and just at the base of the statuesque angel, a fire has been built in anticipation of roasting a few marshmallows with neighbors and friends.

House #4:

The final gingerbread house features a chocolate door and windows along with a roof decorated for the Christmas season. The owners' beautiful Christmas tree beacons visitors to stop in for a visit and the licorice gumdrop chimney promises them a warm place to sit and chat for awhile.

There you have it - our 4 gingerbread houses for 2011. Please leave a comment today (Christmas Eve) with your favorite - #1, #2, #3 or #4.

G1, G2, the girlfriends and I thank you for helping choose a winner.