Silver Dollar City Again??

Luke and I went to Silver Dollar City again tonight. Man...it was FREEZING!!! We have season passes and really wanted to see the lights again. We started to go Friday evening...they had us parking in lot L...a dirt road...in all the 26 years we've been going to SDC...we'ver NEVER had to park in lot L!!! So, we came back tonight instead. I love their Wassail and hot chocolate. We had burgers and Southwestern Potatoes for supper. We even got to ride the train! I love that they tell the story of Jesus's Birth in lights on the trainride....it always brings tears to my eyes!
Luke parked my wheelchair right up to the big tree...he's so good to me. We watched it light up and then we left shortly afterwards. I was like an icicle! I love Christmastime in Silver Dollar City!

Dicks 5 & 10 Store

Me & Mom

Luke

A Christmas Story....gosh I hate this movie!

You're supposed to see what again???

Hmm....

Luke found a lunchbox to take to work!

Gotta love the leg lamp!!!

We love to go to Dicks 5 and dime store. This was the first time we EVER parked right in the front. It's usually always packed but if you get there early enough it's not too bad. They have tons of junk-things you wouldn't ever want, but they also have cool stuff too!

Branson Landings

Bass Pro My Homeys!

The waterfall

Kiss the fish

My Fish Man

What the heck is this?

Branson Landings

This tree is so pretty

Me & Luke

Say Cheese!

The trolley I never got to ride...it was always full!

Luke and I went the other night to Branson Landings. It was freezing!!! I was able to walk the whole strip...slowly in a boot. We took pictures at the Bass Pro Shops. We even brought back to the hotel Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream for Mom and Dad. The lights and music are so neat to see at Branson Landings.

Black Friday

The line coming in as we were leaving

More cars coming in!!!

Some crazy women!

I'm wondering if walking around in a boot is really worth it!!!

My shopping Man...thanks Luke, I know you don't love the hustle and bustle as much as I do, but you are a great sport!!! Love you!

First of all, let me just say I hate the name Black Friday. I'm not sure what they mean by that...or why it's even called Black Friday...but I just don't like it. Luke and I decided to go see a 9 o'clock movie of 4 Christmas...which was really funny! We (actually just me) wanted to go to the Tanger Outlet Mall because it opened up at midnight. We got out of the movie and to the mall in time to see a crowd just waiting to go into Bath and Body Works. The line to check out was to the back of the store....no thanks....I can wait! I did pick up some things at Harry & David...they weren't too busy. Carter's on the other hand...well being a new Aunt and all...I had to get Lily some outfits....boy did I go overboard!!! I'm so thankful Luke doesn't flinch at how much I spend. He told me tonight, that being an Aunt means I can spoil her all I want too!

We shopped the early start of Colorful Friday (I renamed it!). The lines were nuts as we were leaving. So I guess for now...good night...I mean morning as it's 1:15am!!! I'm going to bed and will be ready to hit it again tomorrow!!! Enjoy the crazy pictures!!

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme

Our Final Selection

What to choose...

Doughnuts...hot off the grease!

Mom & Luke

Mom, Luke, and I went out shopping this morning after breakfast. Mom wanted to go to Quilts and Quilts...and well... I don't share her enthusiasm for that store. Luke and I went driving around instead...the fog was so bad this morning. He took me over the Lake Taneycomo bridge....I couldn't see any ground at all...I was NOT happy!!! After we picked Mom up from shopping we headed to Krispy Kreme for some nourishment. Mom had never been in one before, so of course I lugged the camera along! Boy was that sugar good!!!

Silver Dollar City

Tonight we are in Branson. We went to Silver Dollar City...my most favorite place in the world. We rented me a wheelchair...which wasn't bad...but not my most favorite thing. It was better than walking all the hills of SDC. The lights were so pretty...the pictures really don't do it justice. We ate a good BBQ Dinner down towards the end of the park. Dad and Luke both had sandwhiches and Mom and I had chicken...so good! We watched the parade of lights...which I still have the song in my head. Luke pushed me around the park...which was great! I'm still amazed at how people act towards those in wheelchairs. We had plenty to drink, which included Wassail...I love that! The big tree at the beginning of the park is my favorite. I love the music and lights. I could look at that tree forever! I'm so glad this is part of our Thanksgiving Tradition!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Yesterday we put up Ma's Christmas. I had never seen it all up before....it looks wonderful. She showed me a roller skating bear that belonged to Stacy...man was it loud! I fell asleep underneath the Christmas tree last night...I love to do that! Merry Christmas ya'll!

Sweet Potato Doughnuts

Every Sunday Morning after we celebrate Thanksgiving on Saturday Mom and I fix breakfast for everyone. Last year we did Sweet Potato Doughnuts and we did it again this year too. We had breakfast casserole, sweet potato doughnuts, bacon, and sausage. Uncle George really seemed to like the doughnuts. After breakfast, we talked, played cards, and had a good time.

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving. There was a lot of food...we had: Turkey, Ham, Dressing, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Souffle, Green Beans, Green Bean Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Corn Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy, Orange Fluff, Cranberry Salad, Broccoli & Rice Casserole (Uncle JR's Favorite), Apple Salad, Breads, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pie, Mincemeat Pie, Blackberry Pie, Turkey Cookies, Heath Bar Cake, & Bon Bons. It was a feast. Uncle JR came up with the idea to have an "Honoree Table." We had place cards for Aunt Thelma, Aunt Faye, Ma, Chuck, Mary, Uncle George, & Aunt Linda. They were our guests of honor.

We had new flour and Crisco this year, so the gravy was not a mess. Aunt JJ has had some bad Crisco in the past...not a good thing! We didn't even set the Marshmallows on fire this year! Luke and I ate on the front porch which was great. Uncle George and I compared our boots...we have something in common! Kyle & Katie sang us a few songs as well as Grover's daughter and boyfriend. It was really a lot of fun.

I love having Aunt JJ's house full of people. There are card games going, laughter, and of course food! We make memories every year. It's truly what Thanksgiving is all about.

Happy Early Birthday Luke

A Funny Picture

Family Picture

Blowing out the candles

Me & the Birthday boy

We celebrated Luke's birthday Thursday night. I fixed tacos, cheese dip, bean dip, with all the fixings. He had a homemade Carrot cake for dessert. I was so happy to get a great group picture of his family. It was good to visit with everyone and eat some good food. Luke got some great khaki's for work...he really needed some pants! I am so thankful Luke and I can do dinner for everyone at the house. We feel like it gives everyone a chance to visit and have a good time...I know I did. Happy Birthday a little early babe!

Turkey Cookies Part 2

179 Cookies Total

Here are the pictures Luke took the night we iced Turkey Cookies. I kept wondering why I didn't have enough icing....well he was majorly icing his cookies! I ended up making 4 batches of icing, but still had cookies leftover. We've already had our Thanksgiving...once I pick out our photos, I'll add another blog! See ya soon!

I'm going to be a Tutor

I have really been praying that the Lord would open up a door for me to be able to work with children again. I have had a VERY hard time giving up the preschool because of all of the ear infections I kept getting. It was on my heart for a while that the Lord would show me what he wanted for my life...since I had to give up something that was important to me. I saw an article in the Outreach about a tutoring position for a local school. I thought it was worth a shot. I applied for this about a month ago....thinking that my prayers would be answered that week!

After about a week of not hearing back from the school....I began to think that wasn't what the Lord wanted for me after all. I was disappointed for sure. I even forgot about my plea to be able to work with children....until the phone rang today.

I start tutoring a little girl in December. I cannot wait. It's only for 30 minutes 1 day a week...but it's a way for me to become involved again in some little person's life. My prayers (even the forgotten ones) He answered...and He did it in HIS time, not mine. Although I may never be able to substitute again at the preschool (besides the office), I can surely impact a little person in her schoolwork. I cannot tell you how excited and blessed I feel that the Lord really does care about such small matters of my heart.

In a way, I don't regret the ear infections. I feel like the Lord was saying, "There's more out there I want you to do." Although at the time, I didn't want to hear that at all. I will always miss the little preschoolers, but who knows...maybe I can go back there when the Lord calls me to it. For now, I am completely content and excited to be able to tutor a little girl! Thank you Lord for loving me and giving me something that makes my heart so happy!!!

It's Turkey Cookie Time!

The finished product....that's only 1 batch!

Roll 'em out and cut into turkeys....use LOTS of flour..these bad boys will stick!

Place them on a pan and bake 'em!

My mess...I mean workstation... in the kitchen!

The Lindley Family Tradition....Turkey Cookies! They have been made for every Thanksgiving Feast for as long as I can remember. It's a recipe Ma got from Ava Missouri. This is my second year to make them. I made 3 batches this time (same as last year) and I spent about 3 hours baking them alone! This afternoon I will ice them and we should be all set. Can you believe I didn't taste the dough or a cookie yet? I'm waiting on that icing baby!

** If you want the recipe....Turkey Cookies