Smokin' =)

A few years ago I got Ronnie a 'smoker' for an occasion (can't remember which one) but he had never used.  So....during Thanksgiving he had the idea to try it versus our traditional 'frying'.

Of course he had to test it out first.....so we tried a chicken.

It turned out pretty good.  We both liked it but it definitely had a 'smokey' taste.  With that said, we opted to not use it for the turkey, lol.  Not thinking all the family would like that taste.  

But look how pretty, ha!

Speaking of pretty....we have tried quite a few new things this past year.  Our first fresh lobster -  I took a pic of it in the tank but must have deleted it.   This is the beautiful end product....poor thing...makes me sad :(

Sushi is our new fav....I'll have to post about our top 3 places to get Sushi soon!

Today is....

a little bit warmer.

FRIDAY HOORAH!

The Tower Cru party!

But most importantly......today is.....(drum roll) -

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY!

A perfect time to recognize our son-in-law -

and my BFF's God son -

Thanks for all you do (and ALL the other law enforcement peeps).  The world is getting crazier by the minute and more dangerous than ever.  Be safe and THANKS!

Brrrrrrr................IT IS COLD OUTSIDE!!

Yep - with the thermometer reflecting a nice 6 degrees, I can't think of anything better -

YUM!  I love this machine.  This is actually our second and newest model.  TWO ingredients.  MILK and chocolate.  Does it get any better than that?

Simply push the button and watch the magic happen, lol.

If you love hot chocolate too, you MUST grab one of these at your local Walmart.  Now I will tell you that we paid $12.47 and I can't find one cheaper than $44.95.  So if you are interested, RUN....QUICK!!!  go to Walmart to see if they still have, ha!

Word of the year!

So.....i decided to follow the lead of THIS lady -

I think it's pretty cool to identify one word for the year and live by it.  I don't typically make New Year resolutions but in my mind I do have certain goals =)

Regardless - my word this year is FOCUS.

What would your word be?  

Gadgets......

I LOVE gadgets =)

For Christmas I ordered what was considered to be a hot item according to Carley.  It sounded fun.  Right?

When Chase and Cierra opened it up Christmas morning, they too thought it was really cute.  Cute?  or Usable?

So of course over a week later when I was sorting the boxes and gifts, sure enough....there it was, ha!

I have a rule.  Finders Keepers.  Money in pockets.  Gifts left more than a week hehe.

I opened it up ...hooked it up...

and printed a pic =)

Yep - right before my eyes.....just like magic.

Ok, so it isn't perfect (this picture was taken in the dark with Christmas lights =) but it does bring back those memories of that noisy polaroid camera that spit pictures out, huh?  Plus, it's small enough to throw in my 'bag of tricks' and have a printer readily available.  I'm kinda likin' it.  Now I just need to see how long it takes Chase and Cierra to miss it =)_

Meet Bo -

He's only been around for a few years now but this year he actually had a partner in crime, LOL.

Olaf joined him on Thanksgiving and these two were constantly getting into trouble.  From the clothes dryer to the crock pot to the wood stove.  Shew.  It's creepy how they move around.

Kayden enjoys coming to the house to see where he is.  It won't be long before Brooklyn and Kendall are intrigued as well.  

Oh and Kayden actually invited her Elf (ELF and SHELF) to her birthday party -

Looks like this may be another tradition......

At least 30 years....

Yep - I can remember when I picked this tree up.  It was $40 which was a lot of money but I soon wanted a ceramic Christmas tree like my 'ma' had.  Her's was green but I was satisfied with a white one.

So for every Christmas since then this tree comes out.  I have had to replace the bulb a few times and have added some birds (or whatever I could find that fit the holes) but knock on wood, it is still in excellent shape.  

For the most part it finds its way to the kitchen/breakfast nook each year.  I had to laugh when I saw someone put on Facebook about ceramic trees and how many remember these.  I hesitantly 'liked' it and let them know I still have one and it is on display each Christmas =)

Do you have one?

An OLDIE but Goodie -

For as long as I can remember, my Mom would force beg make encourage us to eat cabbage on January 1st.  This is a tradition that existed even prior to her from what I have been told.  Regardless, without eating cabbage, you would have zippy money throughout the year.

And as funny as it sounds, ALL of my children and other family members still go to Mom's on New Years Day to have either a taste or bowl.  This is one we will keep alive as we actually like cabbage.  The kids hate the smell (that lingers for days) but oh well.....

Traditions.....NEW and OLD -

Over the next several days I will be sharing some Crockett traditions.  Some are old and some are new but all are worth sharing =)

Today's is actually new -

Mexico
Mexicans celebrate by eating 12 grapes, one for each of the 12 clock chimes at midnight, making a wish with each one. The grapes also represent the 12 months of the new year, and each wish is to ensure a lucky month. However, a sour grape will represent a particularly unlucky month and a wish unfulfilled.  Of course some champagne helps wash the grapes down given you only have a certain amount of time to eat all 12 (wink, wink)


So Ronnie and I did this.  And I am happy to say that ALL 12 were sweet.  Fingers crossed for my 12 wishes to come true January through December. ha!

We'll see if this becomes an annual tradition based on the outcome LOL.

We CHANGED IT UP!

No party dress.
No party hats.
No noise makers.
Not even in another state.

Comfy clothes.
A warm fire.
Two recliners.

That's what our New Year's Eve consisted of and it was perfect!

But we did go out for dinner =)....... reservations for 9:00 p.m.

At this quaint little restaurant -

A candlelight table for two -

Lots of local Virginia wines to choose from -

A basket of bread -

Crab Cake with asparagus and crab soup for appetizers -

Filet with veggie mashed potatoes -

Scallops with cauliflower -

So yummy!

We talked for a little bit then ordered dessert 'to go' =)

Once home, tuned into New York - the magical city -

Planned for the winter classic game today -

And then the ball dropped -  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So there you have it!  Our 'very different' New Years Eve.  I might just have to dump out one of our bottles of Ocean City sand so I don't break my tradition of having sand in my toes on New Years Day, ha!

DID YOU KNOW?  That you can actually make reservations on line at Grandale?  Click HERE and check it out!  It was quick, a follow-up confirmation and we were greeted with a smile.  Give it a try if you are looking for a restaurant that is quaint, great food, pleasant servers, wonderful chefs and local wines.

I didn't make any 'resolutions' however am hoping to lose a few pounds and all in all just do better in everything this year.  As Mendie says, KNOW BETTER.....DO BETTER.

xo