My mom shared this recipe at our family Christmas gathering. Delicious!

Marinated Vegetable Salad Recipe
10 scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced
1 pound ripe tomatoes seeded, cored and diced
1 cucumber, halved and seeded diced
1 can (12-16 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley
1/3 cup fresh chopped basil
1/3 cup fresh chopped mint
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper
/2 cup olive oil
8 ounces feta cheese
Toasted pita bread (see directions below)
Toss first seven ingredients. Combine lemon juice, garlic, 2 tsp salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Slowly wisk in olive oil t make an emulsion. Pour the dressing over the veggies. Toss gently to coat. Refrigerate over night. Add the feta cheese and toss just before serving.
Toasted Pita Chips
1 package whole wheat pitas
Olive oil in spray can
Sea Salt
Garlic Powder

Cut pita bread into triangles. Place onto a cookie sheet and spray pita triangles with olive oil. Sprinkle sea salt and garlic powder on all triangles. Broil until toasted. Turn over triangles and repeat.

Last night at a party several friends and I were commenting on how we Google most anything we want to know. This conversation was brought about by a recent disaster in my home as well the search for a recipe (I will share later). It was interesting only one friend commented Google was not her "go-to" for everything she wants to know. I hope you will share the information below with a friend in need. During the frantic preparations to host two parties in one day at my home, I had the urge to clean spots on the carpet.. What would anyone do to learn the sure fire way for removing unknown spots- Just Google It! My research lead me to try a paste of vinegar and baking soda. Hurrying from room to room, I applied the paste as directed. I waited for the concoction to work its magic and proceeded to vacuum up the mess. On one last swing through the house, I decided to do a little vacuuming in my son's room. My husband was on his way in for lunch when I discovered Flarp spilled in the carpet just underneath my son's bed. Instead of throw the fit I felt coming on, I turned off the vacuum, threw my hands up in the air and walked away, while saying to my son "fix it". On my way to calm down, I promptly Googled "how to remove Flarp from carpet". Believe it or not, it has happened to other people. The remedy is vinegar to remove the sticky and alcoholic to take care of the neon colored stain it leaves behind. Some might wonder "what is Flarp"- well just Google it. Question- Why isn't Blogger publishing my breaks between paragraphs?

Merry Christmas- hope you are feeling as blessed as I am on this special day. I am so appreciative of my parents arriving a little early to help with the Christmas Eve dinner preparations. My daddy is a jack of all trades. He installed a bathroom fan on Christmas Eve and cooked the most awesome grits for Christmas brunch. My mother arranged the beautiful fresh flowers for our table. We are so blessed to many beautiful camellias in bloom. Dinner was delightful as well as the excitement in the air due to Santa's anticipated arrival. What a blessing to spend the holidays with the people we love!

Seven short years ago this past weekend, we were anticipating the birth of a special little girl. We spent the weekend celebrating with family and friends at various parties to celebrate Christmas. When we completed my husband's family Christmas, my mother-in-law commented "now you can have the baby". Another family friend commented "no way is the baby coming any time soon because you look to good". When we returned home on that Sunday evening, I frantically washed all of our new clothing gifts, folded and put them away. I also folded the tissue paper and gift bags to put away. I had a noticable ache in my back, but attributed it to wearing heels all weekend for the festivities. After some encouragement from the hubby, I decided to rest on the sofa. A few hours of rest helped prepare me for the next few hours. The pain was getting more and more severe- could it be? Hubby and I started thinking these could be contraction and began to time these aches. These were definitely the pains of labor. We called the appropriate family members and headed off to the hospital. I remember being in severe pain as we approached the hospital. Once I got to the L and D floor the nurses began to check me. For some reason they had a great deal of trouble deciding if this was indeed the time for delivery. After an hour or so they decided to keep me and give me and epidural. As soon as the epidural started to work we knew it would not be long. Believe it or not she is still not patient. Before any family could arrive she made her debut.

Her not so little personality lights up every room of our house. She can bat her eyelashes and get her big brother and Daddy to do most anything. Glitter and sparkles are now a part of every outfit she wears. This fall I got to spend many hours alone with my little girl as we traveled the long road to Nutcracker rehearsals. I admire her relentless dedication and committment to the task at hand. It is endearing to see many of the characteristics of my favorite people in her.

Usually, we celebrate her birthday early in the month to seperate it from all of the holiday madness, but our schedule did not allow it this year. Since we could not schedule her usual birthday celebration we promised a week of small celebrations with different groups of friends and family. The celebrations started with a trip to her favorite buffet restuarant on Tuesday. On Wednesday, my mother-in-law took her on a shopping trip to the mall. Yesterday, her friends came over for mani/pedis plus chocolate fondue. Last night we had friends and family over for pizza and a tour of local Christmas lights. Tonight we finish off the week with chocolate chip pancakes with more friends.

I am so blessed to spend the next few weeks with the people I love most. We will spend our time cleaning, cooking, caroling, playing and shopping. Our family like so many other's is blessed to celebrate the most special birth known to man. On Christmas Eve we will gather with our family for communion. This is the most peaceful as well as beautiful service all year. After all of the hustle and bustle we celebrate in this service in such a peaceful manner. The candlelight as well as the beautiful, reverent music puts us all at easy and focuses our minds on the humble beginnings of our Lord and Savior. My children were so sweet to humor me by allowing me to take their photo before a family Christmas gathering. I explained it would be quick and painless if they just cooperated for a few minutes. I cherish my photos-such precious reminders of how much they change from year to year. Merry Christmas!

Finally, we made it and the Nutcracker 2011 was a success. On Sunday evening, my daughter cried tears of sadness because it was over. Four months of driving both Saturdays and Sundays to a city an hour away was a huge committment, but very worth what it meant to my little dancer.

What happens when big brother gets too big for his clothes?- time to redesign to fit little sister. Don't you wish you could wear a jersey with feathers. Not to mention we met a dog named "Munson"- how appropriate and what a namesake. Go Dawgs!!!