What A View!!!

This is the view from my parents' living room. It is so beautiful! I just wish it would snow. Can I have everyone's help? Please pray my kids will get to see snow before we leave. Thanks!!!

Merry Christmas from The Botleys

Spinach Balls

Recipe for Spinach balls by Melissa Botley:

1 Pkg. Chopped spinach, cooked and drained
1 med. onion, minced
2 beaten eggs
1/4 C Parmesan Cheese
1/2 t. pepper
1 C Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing
1/4 C melted butter
1/2 t. garlic salt
1/8 t. thyme

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Make sure your spinach is thoroughly drained or else the

spinach balls will be soggy.
2. Chill a while for easier rolling.
3. Shape into bite size balls.
4. At this point, balls can be frozen in plastic bag or ready for baking.
5. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 300°. Outside should be slightly browned.

Serve and enjoy! This has been a Christmas tradition in my family for as long as I can remember.

Just a Few.....

of my favorite things.....

Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses. Have you tried these? They are soooooo yummy!!!!!

My new watch. I've been wanting one of these for a while and someone from our church knew that and bought this for me for Christmas!!!! I love it.

The Town that Santa Forgot:
Just saw this for the first time the other day. If you haven't seen it, you need to. Trust me. It was so heartwarming and something that everyone should watch at Christmas.

Spinach Balls, An every Christmas Tradition.....

Glee......Best. Show. Ever. Seriously. No. contest.

Emily's Sacrificial Gift

Last night, I had the privelege and pleasure of spending some time with people who could use some cheering up. My family went with our church to a local nursing home to sing Christmas carols and spread some cheer. We brought some gift-wrapped fuzzy socks and a ginormous fruit basket. Everyone really enjoyed the music, but the highlight of the evening was distributing the gifts to the ladies and gents of Kiva Assisted Living Facility.

One lady had a baby doll in her lap and she treated it as if it were her own child. It was so precious. Most of these residents have dimentia and are not able to live alone.

I was so proud of my Emily. She brought her stuff dalmation puppy with her and when she was handing out socks, a woman with dimentia told her that she really like her puppy and said that she would rather have it than the socks. Emily is rather attached to her puppy. She sleeps with it every night and takes it to school everyday for naptime. So, when this sweet little old woman asked her if she could have it, I thought......there ain't no way! However, just as children sometimes do, she surprised me and showed me that Christmas really isn't about getting, it's about giving. She happily and willingly handed her puppy to the lady. The woman's reaction was unforgettable. She hugged that stuffed dalmation so tight, just like a child opening a present at Christmas. I was so proud of her. I fully believe God was giving me a small glimpse of His sacrificial gift to us through sending Jesus. Seeing that play out last night made this one of my favorite Christmas' yet!

(Since I didn't have my camera with me last night, I went to the Toys'R'Us website and found the actual dog that she had)

What has been your favorite Christmas and why?

I'm honored.....

This like never happens to me, but I'm too excited for words. A few weeks ago, I recommended a book to you called "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen" by Syrie James. Excellent read and also very informative about Ms. Austen!

I was just checking my email and I got this comment on that post:

Hi Melissa!

I just found your blog, and I'm so glad you're enjoying my novel, "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen." You might also like my novel about Charlotte Bronte-- another one of my favorite authors. I hope you'll stop by my website at www.syriejames.com and leave me a message. Happy holidays to you and your family!

All best,

Syrie James

I strongly recommend this book! It was such a light, quick, and most enjoyable read.

Decorating for Christmas

Emptying the storage bins

Pre-lit trees are wonderful!

Love this photo! Good job, honey!

Topping the tree

Lauren was such a good helper

The finished product!

Love Her

Christy Nockels is, by far, my favorite Christian artist. I got her newest album today and just melted at the words she wrote. She is not only the mother of four, but an amazing songwriter and singer. This is just one of her many songs.......just close your eyes and worship.....

Poor Tiger

The Wood's most rececnt family portrait

A New Favorite

I went shopping on Saturday for some little things for the kids and ended up shopping for me as well! I stumbled upon a store in the outlet mall that I will be shopping in as long as it's stylish to do so.

Look at this purse I bought for $11.99!!!!!

The sales person approached me and told me they were having a VIP sale(I guess I looked VIPish) that gave me an additional 40% off my purchase! Not everyone got the discount......ahem. I told the salesperson, that my shopping cohorts were with me so they could get hooked up, too. It's not every day I get the VIP treatment so I take what I can get.....:)

So anywho, I think I will be going back this weekend because they are having a 30% off of everything in the store! Cute hats, scarves, shoes, handbags, and clothes. One stop shopping is my kind of store. As long as it's trendy, cheap and it doesn't have Walmart in the name.

A Glee Singing Bee

Remember the days when you sang at the top of your lungs regardless of who was watching or listening? As are many of you, I am a big fan of the show Glee. It just gives me the warm fuzzies. It also makes me wish I had a Glee club in school. Did we? If we did, I was too chicken to join. Looking back, I could've been a star. I'll just have to live vicariously through my kids....:)

My kids are way too young to watch Glee, with the exception of the Defying Gravity Episode. Yes, my kids watched it and loved it. Don't judge, please. However, even though they may be too young to view most of the show, they are not too young to sing with wild abandon to the soundtrack on the way to school........:)

***Yes, Emily did say "Hey, we sound just like them!"***

A Christmas Favorite

I just love Will Ferrell! "I'm a cotton-headed ninny muggins!!!!" Bless it's heart. Buddy is just a big orphan who loves the north pole and Christmas......and for that.....I love him.

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

I am reading this new book by Syrie James. It's really good, so far. Her website is very interesting. She did quite a bit of research. She's gotten around. I'll let you know how it turns out. I actually feel like I've discovered something. I'm normally a bookreading wannabe. I never stumble upon a good one that hasn't been previously recommended by my bloggy buddies or my BFF. If you've already read it, just pretend I found it first.....:) Thanks.