"Season Greeting!"

Ahh, the holidays. Well, no one was injured this holiday season. Honest. We had a great time in Vicksburg with the Bryant/Rankin clan, as usual. You know, sometimes it can feel a lot like a National Lampoon's holiday, or even a verse from Robert Earl Keen's 'Merry Christmas From the Family'...what with our Christmas/Hanukkah celebrations & "lively" gift exchanges. This year was relatively normal, and I blame that on our new and growing family. How we have coaxed all of our new guests to the table, I'm not sure, but I am sure that we are lucky to have them & their love. My brother Ben and his girlfriend Morgan came for the day, as well as Uncle Kelly. Mom was at it again, as you can see. Aside from the knife wielding, she did cook her 2nd annual "Cajun Christmas", and we all got full on her delicious gumbo & crawfish etouffee. Among the other great desserts, I made a fruit pizza that was yummy. The recipe is below with a not-so-great pic. I've also posted a few other pics for your enjoyment. I hope everyone had a great holiday, and we are wishing you all a happy & prosperous new year!

Oscar Bobby aka "Bob D" enjoying his holiday treats.


Our first Christmas tree in Natchez

Fruit Pizza

Ingredients
Roll of Sugar Cookie Dough
1 - 8 oz cream cheese (Softened to about room temp)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cup orange juice
3/4 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of corn starch
Fresh Fruit (bananas, strawberries, green grapes, manderine oranges, blue berries, etc. Just whatever you like)

Directions
-Roll out cookie dough and bake, then cool completely
-Beat cream cheese, powder sugar, and vanilla, then spread over the cookie
-Cut up fruit and add to the top
-Make the glaze by bringing the orange juice, sugar, and cornstarch to a boil and then boiling for about 1 minute
-Pour the glaze over the fruit and refrigerate.

And she knows how to use 'em

I know what you're thinking. How could the spawn of Jessie Smith not become a Rockette? Afterall, I've got the personality, rhythm, grace...the legs! So you won't be surprised to see that my beautiful alien princess has inherited my dancers legs. It was only a matter of time. Don't hate.

We've been rehearsing night & day...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Ain't no Christmas like a GN Christmas

Last night we had our Girl's Night + ornament swap. Of course it was as fun as you're thinking. Mexican food, gifts, gossip, and margaritas. (Oh, how I miss you, margaritas!!) I never mind driving two hours to see my girls. It is an instant mood booster, and reminds me how lucky I am to have such great girlfriends. Anyway, how did the two preggo's get in the front of the damn picture??

Thank yo sista

Yesterday morning for K's b-day, I made the most delicious french toast EVER. It's called Overnight Apple French Toast, and I got the recipe from The Sisters' Cafe. If you like apples, cinnamon, syrup, & big bread this is for you. Here's a pic of the birthday boy's (first) piece. I have to admit to having more than one piece, too...um, I do have two mouths to feed these days!

Ohhhh, Snap!

Happy 35th, Kevin! Still as suspiciously young looking as ever.

Are we interesting enough?

I have been meaning to start a blog for awhile now, but with all the peer pressure to have something to write about, I have long opted for the "blog stalker" role instead. Kevin is always telling me that blogging will give me something to do...but I refuse to be one of those bloggers I talk about. You know, the ones with nothing to say! I figure, with Baby Girl Smith on the way, I have more things going on than usual. This is also to give those friends and family who are not lucky enough to live in Natchez a way to keep up with us ;) So, I will do my best to keep us interesting, throw in some witty banter here and there, and keep you abreast of this lovely gift called pregnancy. At the least, hopefully this will get you away from actually working for awhile.