Any excuse for cake...

Our local diner, Lucy's, was recently listed in Texas Monthly's "40 Best Small Town Cafes." We celebrated with them tonight by chowing down on fried pickles and their delicious cake. Yummy!

Uh Oh.

We pulled out the Playstation. We thought it was broken all this time but it sure worked when we fired it up! I kicked Sid's butt at ATV Fury, as usual.

One of My Favorites

I thought I'd snap a few photos throughout the month of my favorite Christmas ornaments.

This one we bought last year in Grand Central Station. I know we'll love hanging it on the tree for years to come, remembering Christmas 2007 spent in our favorite city.

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty is an old pal. We've had him for several years - some of which we left him dismembered in a stuffy box in a hot, lonely attic. Miraculously, he still loves us. I remember one Christmas several years ago, we had him inside thinking Makenzie would get a kick out of him. She didn't. Instead she ran screaming from the room. Way to go, Aunt Leigh.

Black Friday

Sid and I jumpstarted Black Friday with a latte on our way to Cabellas - at 6am. We met Mom and Paul in Frisco for some mall shopping and headed to Lucy's for dinner.

By the looks of Dixie, you'd think she joined us. She didn't. She slept...all day...like she does everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mmmmm. Pumpkin Pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. I skipped a few days. Forgive me?

I Will Return

Don't forget about me. I'll be back soon.

Christmas Time Is Here. Wait, Already?

So, it's only November 22. What gives?

Well, my family and I decided to cancel Thankstmas this year - the made up holiday I host at the beginning of December. We're also taking the 5 night trip to NYC as well as spending Christmas in the Houston area.

See where I'm going with this? We won't have much time at our house this holiday season, so we figure, why not start the celebrating a little early?

Leigh at 38?

So, why would I post such an unflattering photo? I don't know! Of all the photos in my camera for the day, I was drawn to this one. I think it's because I see myself in ten years. The camera angle draws attention to crows feet that don't exist in the normal light of day. Sid says I'm being hard on myself, but truly, I'm not! The photo doesn't bum me out one bit.

Fabulous Fire

Our first fire of the season! And it's Thursday night TV! Could it be any better?

What the Heck?

I came down the stairs to find our dogs like this:











Yes, that's Dixie. Laying on a pillow. Covering Bear's head.

Speaking of Bear Bear...

...does today's picture remind you of anyone?

Sid and I adopted Bear from the Brazos County Animal Shelter (an AWESOME shelter, by the way) almost six years ago. Even after we brought him home, I checked the website periodically - I don't know why exactly, except that I adore dogs, I love seeing all the precious creatures they'd saved and their stories, and I loved seeing "ADOPTED" next to a large amount of the photos.

We noticed that our Bear Bear (who's own description said he was found wandering the streets of Bryan, which was heartbreaking considering he was only 3 months old) had quite a few "brothers" and "sisters" in the pound and we joked that his mama got around. I kid you not, every time I checked the website, there was at least one dog that looked like Bear.
I don't know what sparked my interest tonight, but I had the urge to view the adoptable animals at the same shelter and sure enough - there was Bear's twin (obviously from a different daddy).

Bear Bear's Newest Winter Accessory

Doesn't Bear look smashing in his scarf?

It's actually my robe tie, but what's the difference.

McKinney Trade Days

This afternoon I met Stacey & Holly at Mckinney Trade Days. These were my finds - an $8 bracelet, $15 earrings, and $1.50 t-shirts for Ken Ken. It was a great day!

Mmmmmm....

Sid and I spent the entire day out and about and treated ourselves to a slice of cheese pie from Lubys. It's my favorite dessert in the whole entire world and I only eat it 2 or 3 times a year which makes it even better. Sid gobbled most of it before I could protest but it was worth it. I claim it's the best cheesecake ever - he says Rock Center Cafe in NYC has the best. We plan on testing our theories in a few weeks!

It looks pretty gross in the picture, doesn't it?

On our Way to Galleria

So, this is the dorkiest photo of all time, but I didn't give myself many pictures to choose from today. We headed down to the Galleria this afternoon and then did some more shopping in Frisco. It was so fun to be out and about as temperatures fell.

I Wonder if I Look This Cute When I Sleep?

Oops!

No pic today - sorry!

OMG - She's Shifting!

Two of the photos we snapped as we waited patiently for our hero, Robert Pattinson, to make his appearance at the Galleria.

We laughed so hard because it looked like I was in the process of shifting. Now, if you aren't a fan of Twilight or the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, that means nothing to you. If you are, then laugh away as you imagine me shifting into a fruit fly and making my journey to Robert Pattinson's shoulder last night. I would have totally hid under his collar and then shifted back into my human form when back at his hotel.

Warm and Yummy

The cold front made me crave warm goodness so I made beef stew and cornbread for supper. Mmmmmmm.

For dessert? Homemade hot cocoa. Can we say delicious?

Time to Say Goodbye

"So now it's time to say goodbye to all our company...."

Mom flew home today. After church we headed to Campisis - the original, but of course - and then dropped her off at the airport. On the way, we spotted this lovely car on the highway and got a good hearty laugh. I'm thinking of selling the Jeep. Can't you just see me in this?

We had a fabulous few days! I would be sad, except they'll be back for Thanksgiving in no time!

A Day for Babies!

Mom and I had fun making cards Friday night for Shelly's (my stepsister in law) shower and Elijah's present. We both were off our game - lots of hilarious mistakes and redos but this was what I ended up with. She sealed her's too quickly so I wasn't able to snap a photo.

We headed to Fort Worth this morning for the shower, but stopped by Joanna's for a short but sweet visit. We knocked on the door. Knocked again. Waited. Waited some more. We finally decided we should ignore the "Baby sleeping - please don't ring bell" sign, thinking it couldn't possibly be THAT loud. WRONG! It was as loud as a clap of thunder and went on and on and on. Oops! It was like a Saturday Night Live skit. Still, no one answered so we started back to the Jeep to grab the cell phone and viola - Nathan and Joanna drove up! We had a fabulous visit and Elijah is so incredibly beautiful, and Joanna and Nathan are beautiful parents. I still can't believe Joanna has been my friend for 20 years. Insanity! Elijah and his cousin Noah should be Gerber baby models. Seriously.

Next stop - baby shower! Shelly is so adorable - one of those pregnant women who looks exactly the same except for a basketball sized belly. She had lots and lots of family and friends to celebrate the baby girl, due in January. We were so glad to share the day with her! Shelly and Sam are are two of the kindest people I've ever known and they will be amazing parents!

More Shopping???

I am not a shop til you drop kind of girl. I do like to shop, don't get me wrong, but one Saturday here and there usually satisfies the urge. BUT, Mom and I had a great time hitting more stores today! This time, we drove down to the new complex in Allen. It's still a work in progress, but definetely worth the trip. On the way home, we stopped in the Allen outlets and a few other new stores in Allen. Dinner at Cheesecake Factory topped a fantastic day!

Shop and Plop

Mom and I met Sid for lunch today and then headed to NorthPark. A whole day of shopping and I didn't snap a single picture while we were out and about. Boo hoo! I did snap a lame picture of a couple shopping bags - not very exciting - as we all lounged on the sofa watching Must See TV.

Mom is in House

After waking up from a disturbing Tony Soprano dream, Sid and I headed to Dallas to pick Mom up from the airport.

We headed to RA for some sushi - Yum to the Yummy Yum - and then to a few stores for a tiny bit of shopping. Off to La Ha for dinner, Hobby Lobby for some crafting supplies, and back home for some chillin-like-villian time.

My Vote Counted...

....hmmm. Let me rephrase that - my vote was counted, but it didn't count. I am touched and proud that an African American is President for the first time in our history. I am also deeply saddened that my man didn't win, as I have admired and respected John McCain since his bid for the Republican nomination in 2000. I have a pit in my stomach that American chose the wrong man.

Dixie's Trip to the Vet

Poor Dixie. $200 bucks and 4 prescriptions later, Dixie survived her trip to the vet. She has the millionth skin infection of her lifetime.

New Furniture

We bought new stools for our kitchen island today. Who's excited?? I am!

Who's Happy?

Happy Go Lucky. The movie I hate to love, love to hate.

Happy Halloween!

Our ladybug.