It's A Brand New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! As I saw on someone's facebook page "think of a new year as a blank journal with 365 empty pages! Now fill them in with wonderful things!" I'm planning on doing just that! I don't need a ton of excitement but even if I have a few special days this year and accomplish at least a few of my goals, then I will feel it was a successful 2015. I'm already blessed with a beautiful family and friends and good health. What more could I ask for?

All the Christmas decorations are packed away but I did leave out my snow people and Winter-like decorations. Also kept up my candy tree as it is red and white and  I plan to add some hearts for Valentine's Day. It looks so sweet. I'm sure Santa was looking forward to relaxing after a very busy Christmas. I love all my decorations but I was relieved once it was all finally packed up again and the house was dusted and cleaned. You know the feeling. See you in 300 and something days Santa! Say hi to Merry our elf on the shelf.

The bird feeders have been busy outside. We have some very cold weather settling in this week with highs only in the teens so the birds are fattening up, as are my squirrels.  Jinxie and Moo Moo are enjoying the view though Jinxie can barely contain his excitement. Red Cat just looks on amused by the antics of his silly younger brother. Those are all three of our cats. Red Cat is between 10-11 years old. He's called Red Cat because many years ago when he was stray I was feeding, I would say to the kids "where is the red cat? did you feed the red cat?" so he thought that was his name.....though my kids always say "he is orange, Mom." Oh well!

I love the birds so much and feeding them brings so much joy to the house..not just for the cats. I made this little tea cup the other day.

I'm still receiving some of my ebay purchases to expand my mouse collection. I added this fellow the other day. He could go on the candy tree if I wanted to but instead I'm adding him to a shelf I have.

Here are some of them:

Not putting these little critters away either. I also visited my favorite thrift shop and Christmas was 1/2 off so I got a few more items I fell in love with though I didn't get to photograph some of them since I put most of them away. I left out this lady below. I couldn't pass her up. I saw her before Christmas and realized I didn't buy her after I got home from the last trip. She was sitting sadly on a pile of blankets and I knew no one was buying her. But she's a sweetheart, and I now have her out in my parlor. She isn't getting packed away just yet. She's homemade and she's wonderful.

I also got this little snow guy. I got the other one in his set on the last trip but never saw him there till now.

Caitlin attached this adorable baggy to the top of my Christmas present. It contains hot cocoa mix, a candy cane, marshmallows, and a chocolate kiss along with the cute little poem. What a sweet idea for a Sunday school class or a Girl Scout troop or even as a little party favor if you have a Winter gathering of lady friends for brunch or something.

That's all for me today! I have a few things to do  but they'll be brief stops as my husband is sick with a bad cold and Caitlin has a bronchial infection. I made some mac and cheese yesterday that came out good. I used the recipe on the back of the Muellers elbow macaroni box. Only thing I added was a good amount of both onion and garlic powder. Without that addition, it would have been very bland. Those flavorings made it super yummy. Very creamy and scrumptious. Comfort food is amazing. Have a super Sunday!