What are you doing in place of GFC?

I've been reading a few blogs that mentioned Google  Friend Connect is retiring. I never received notice about this...so therefore I don't know what to do.
I don't post much on this blog anymore, but I'm about to get started again. I do post a lot on my Gramma's in the Kitchen blog.

What are you doing to keep your followers?

I found the Linky on another blog so I've connected to that now....you can follow me there if you'd like. 

Any suggestions on what to do next?
And how do I set it up for RSS feed?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Valentine Decor????

I've never been much on decorating for Valentine's Day. I'm sure why. Just never did.
But, every Valentine's Day we would have our traditional 'Red and White Dinner'. All the food I prepared was red, white or pink. Red and white table setting. Red candles. Red, pink and white candies sprinkled over the table. The kids loved it!

I'm thinking that this year, I'm going to decorate the week before Valentine's Day. I've enjoyed having my home back to normal after Christmas and I'm not sure I want to jump in to the decor clutter again. Do you know what I mean? Maybe it's my old age.... I will be 50 this year....but I prefer things to be more simple. More is not better anymore. Less is much better. And cleaner.

I wanted to share a few ideas that I have found on Pinterest and blogs lately. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do...but at least I have some good ideas when I decide to get started.

These little buckets are too cute! 

This is something I could do with my granddaughter!

 

CRAFTS BY AMANDA

Such a pretty centerpiece. 

Who would have thought to use a bundt pan?

 

DEBBIEDOO'S

Something cute I can do for my grandchildren.

Maybe for their school party?

 CHIC TAGS

Beautiful pillows to make...

perfect for my guest room...

if I ever get it finished!

PHOTO I FOUND ON PINTEREST.

If it's yours,  PLEASE let me know

and I will GLADLY give you the credit

Something sweet....

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS

So cute and easy to make...

PHOTO FROM PINTEREST

If it's yours PLEASE let me know!

YUM! 

Great idea. Beautiful strawberries!

GOLDEN STATE FRUIT

Sooo cute...to hang or place on a cute plate,

or in a basket...

PHOTO FROM PINTEREST

That's a few good ideas...

Nothing too fancy...

just keeping things simple

A new year....a new me.

That's the plan anyway.

I have so much that I need to get done this year.
But, I don't set resolutions.
I've failed at them too many times.

Now...I just pray for direction.
God knows what I want.
But, most of all....
God knows what I need.

I just tell myself I'm going to do better.
And since I've started doing things this way...
I've found that I have done exactly what I said I would do.

So, I'm doing that again.

I'm going to do better about eating healthy.
I lost 25 lbs last year...and gained a few of them back.
But, I'm ok with that.
I take that as a self-compliment.
I like my own cooking.
But, now I'm going to be more careful about what I eat.
And I need to quit, not cut down, the Diet Cokes!
And drink more water. I do drink a lot of water.
But not when the choice is water or Diet Coke!

I'm going push myself harder at my job.
Since I'm basically self-employed (Aflac),
how much I make is up to me. 

I'm going to do better at getting rid of things that I don't need.
After two successful yard sales this year, I still have too much
junk in my attic. In order for me to organize it the way I want it,
half of it will have to go. Ok, over half of it.

And speaking of organizing...I have become a bit fanatic about it.
I have started mega cleaning each room in my house.
I'm going through closets, cabinets, drawers and shelves.
I started this before the new year, but I promise to continue
until it's all finished. I've bought new tubs, baskets and plastic bins
to organize our things. I CAN NOT wait until my whole house is how
I want it to be.
Everything.
In.
It's.
Place.

I'm going to do better about doing things I want to do....
like crafting, (I have a Pinterest list a mile long)
refinishing furniture, (that I've put off for too long)
re-decorating the guest room,
and traveling to see friends I haven't seen in years
(which means I will be planning a trip to Alaska!)
and writing my book.
Yes, I'm writing a book.
I never told you that before did I? Surprise!
I'd like to finish it this year, but if that doesn't happen,
then I'm okay with that too. 
I can't write the ending yet.
Not until some other things in my life happen first.

I'm also going to write a cookbook. When?
I'll fit it in my schedule.
I don't know yet...but in time.
It'll happen.
And if it doesn't happen this year, then that's ok too.


I also want to start my own business.
I'm hoping that can happen this year.
Some other things need to come in to play
before I can focus on that...but for now...
I'm still taking notes, doing research, and making plans.

I have some major life changes going on this year.
I'll fill you in as they happen.
But, just know this.
In the end, I will be a much better, happier ME !!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Christmas Memories

 You'll have to excuse the header above....Blogger is telling me that I now have to purchase space for my photos. I have reached the limit for large photos. None of my photos are the size limit they say no longer qualifies for free storage. Anyone else having this problem?

Did you have a good Christmas? We did! I LOVE spending time with my family! My mom came and spent a week with me. On Christmas Eve my son went to pick up my cousin and brought her to our house too. She stayed for two nights. She would have spent Christmas alone and we can't have that!!

I thought I'd share a few Christmas memories with you.

Our visit with Santa 

and his reindeer on Christmas Eve.

My youngest son and his gal-friend

Santa and me

 Opening presents on Christmas morning

 My granddaughter loved passing out gifts!

We bought my momma a new 'bathroom'.

Everything she needs!

 My oldest son loves his new smoker!

 Such a sweet girl. 

She was so careful opening her presents.

Daughter-in-law loves her new vacuum cleaner!

 My daughter (left) and youngest step-daughter

getting a little help opening their gifts

 Time to get things ready for Christmas Dinner

Then the next day, we went to my 

oldest son's house for Christmas again

when my daughter and her family came in.

My youngest daughter with her two neices

Me and my two granddaughters

My granddaughter and grandson

 They loved their gifts!

 My oldest daughter made this canvas print 

(from a idea off Pinterest) 

for my youngest daughter

 My oldest daughter loved her sewing machine

 Four Generations...

my son and his two daughters, my momma and me

Four Generations...

My daughter and her two sons, my momma and me

My mom received an awesome gift 

from her great grandchildren!

(and it matches her new bathroom!)

I hope your Christmas was as 

wonderful and blessed as ours!!

Why do I LOVE Christmas?

Why do I love Christmas?

 Before the lighting of the Christmas tree downtown, 

this is was projected on our courthouse!

the little ones love the Christmas lights

watching the grandbabies decorate my tree

she did not want to put her pickle down

and he is concentrating so hard...hanging all twelve of his ornaments on the same branch

their fascination with the lights

the visits with Santa

some are more afraid than others

visits with (another) Santa

had to talk her in to it with a candy cane

but once she figured out who it really was she was okay with it

because this Santa was my youngest son

 the kids loved him!

the Christmas decorations

watching the Christmas parade and spending time with my family

eating yummy Christmas goodies

watching the Christmas classics

listening to the Christmas music

but most of all it's because.....