A Thousand Tiny Pieces – Mosaic Art Factory in Frisco

Happy Campers writes about many fun adventures atReese’s View of the World.

New Year’s Eve Party List

Are you looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve?

Pegasus News has come up with a cool comprehensive event list for New Year’s Eve.  Pretty cool.  Pretty comprehensive.

Check it out!

Live Nativity

The 3rd Annual

Live Nativity

December 20th 6pm-8pm

Tours Begin Every 20 Minutes

138 Red Oak Lane

Flower Mound, TX  75028

Live Animals, Live Actors, Live Christmas SPIRIT!

Everyone is Welcome!!

**The North Texas Food Bank is running low this year.  If you’d like to donate, we will have a collection box available.  Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Scene pulled from Luke 2 scripture.**

How to Help (Argyle)

A message from Hilltop PTA:

Just a reminder that there are Argyle families in need this Christmas.

So far the CubScouts have collected about 10 turkeys and hams for the Argyle Food Bank to feed the angel tree families. They need about 20 to 25 more.

You can bring your donations to Hilltop at pick up on Tuesday afternoon. Wendie Heine and her scouts will be collecting donations from the carline area and taking them to the food bank.

Also, there are still angels that need to be claimed from the local angel trees. There were boys from 15 months old to 12 years old and girls from age 2 to 12 still available at Northstar bank this morning.

What a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit and to have your children be involved in the process as well!

Merry Christmas! Enjoy your holiday with your family!
Hilltop PTA

A Teddy Story

Once upon a time in 2001 a teddy was born to a family. The teddy arrived several months before the baby. The teddy was given in celebration of the expectation of a first born son.

The teddy and the baby were perfect. The teddy and the baby were the same size. The baby and the teddy shared the same bed. Sometimes the new mom hugged the teddy because he was much quieter then the baby.

Each month the mother took a picture of her baby next to the teddy. (Three months)

Each month the baby grew as the teddy remained steadfast. (Nine months)

Months turned into years and milestones were marked to the teddy reference. (Two years)

As the baby grew, he became attached to the teddy. Teddy provided constant companionship. Teddy slept silently beside him. Teddy could calm his toddler storms.

As teddy became increasingly necessary to daily activities, the wear and tear started showing…

A missing bow.

A lopsided mouth.

A floppy mended neck.

Because this teddy had been born to a very wise mother, a search was started for a duplicate teddy. A teddy to hug while the original was in the wash. A teddy to hold away from home. A teddy to relieve the increasing worry over potential teddy-loss.

The mother searched, hunted and Googled. The teddy replacement news was not good. This was a special teddy. A limited edition teddy. A teddy only sold for one season at Gymboree.

Yet, a glimmer of hope…eBay.

Surely someone in the world would sell teddy. The mother watched the site of auctions patiently. There were many teddies, but no teddies that would do.

Until…

One day the mother saw this teddy on eBay. He was perfect in every way. He looked identical in every way. He was bid on with excitement. He was won in triumph. The search was over. A new teddy is on his way.

The box arrived.

Something was awry.

The box was 6 inches by 6 inches.

How would such a small box hold such a dear prize?

Sometimes a picture is not worth a 1000 words. Sometimes dimensions would be helpful.

The wise mother was outfoxed by eBay. The wise mother knows when to call it quits. The wise mother called off the search and guarded the original teddy (now called BIG teddy) with her life.

Placing a mental GPS on his whereabouts.

Washing him gently.

Mending him with care.

To this day the boy still sleeps with his teddy (shhhhhh).

And on this day as the wise mother tucked the two in bed she thought how foolish it was to think that either one of them could be replaced.

Holly originally wrote this story for June Cleaver Nirvana where teddies are hugged daily.

Texican Hash

If your mouth isn’t watering just looking at that picture… well, then you’re certainly not a Texan.

This dish is easily adjustable and one of my favorites.
It is crispy and spicy and the flavors just explode on your tongue in a wonderful tonguegasmic taste fiesta.
I can crockpot it or leave it simmering on the stove for hours while I blog read clean house and teach my children to speak multiple languages.
The ingredients are simple and the recipe is a dash of this and a can of that.

So here goes.

Texican Hash

* 2 pounds of lean ground beef (I use 90/10)
* 2 packages taco seasoning
* 1 can corn (big can)
* 1 can black beans (big can)
* 1/4 C nacho sliced jalapenos, chopped
* 3 chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped
* 1 large yellow onion, chopped
* 1 (7 oz) can diced green chilies
for the topping and layering
* Shredded cheddar or Mexican Blend Cheese
* 1 bag corn tortilla chips
* Sour cream and green onions and salsa for garnish

In a very large skillet or stock pot brown Ground Beef and then cook according to taco seasoning instructions.
Now comes the fun part .
Dump all of the ingredients in with the ground beef and stir well. Bring to a lovely bubbling heat and then turn the heat down to simmer, put the lid on it and simmer for at least 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
(You could let this simmer for hours if you so desire, just stir occasionally)

In a 9X13 (or whatever sizes you have handy) baking dish place a layer of corn tortilla chips. Top with hash. top with cheese.
Repeat until dish is full. Finish off with a layer of chips and cheese.
You could purty it up by laying sliced jalapenos on top of the cheese.

Heat in a 375 degree F oven until the cheese is all gooey and melted and bubbling like hot delicious cheesy lava.

Scoop out onto a plate or bowl, top with sour cream, salsa and green onions. Devour.

You can come back and thank me later.

This is one of those delightfully easy dishes that can be adjusted to your family’s spiciness level or you can take away or add all different kinds of ingredients to make it your own.

* you can add diced tomatoes or charro beans or whatever you want to make this your own. I use one hot and spicy taco seasoning and one original. Enjoy!!!

This recipe is from Rachel who writes A Southern Fairytale. She is a fellow Texan and the goddess of all things cooking. Holly and Bianca have both made it. Holly and Bianca both LOVE it. Mmmmmm. Thanks Rachel!

Cool Burb Find!

These are Scrabble tile rings available at Stolen Horses in Argyle. They are $8 each. The tiles are real and embellished with a little bling…

2008 Flower Mound Holiday Stroll

Holiday Shop Sights

I take my camera everywhere. It has become a bit of an obsession. While shopping over the last few weeks I have been taking pictures of interesting holiday displays and items. Here are a few of my favorites:

At Giada:

At Distinctions:

At Garden Gate:

And wouldn’t looking at these be better with the smell of Wik’s “Night Before Christmas” candle?

Bugaboo Strollers

With young kids at home, I think we have all gotten a little stir crazy at times. When my kids were younger, I rarely took them out shopping or around town because of the process involved in getting a stroller and a car seat all out of the car…and maneuvering it through stores and such.

I have recently come upon Bugaboo, who creates products that are innovative and functional in our mobile society. Oh, and they are stylish too! (Huge PLUS)

Check out this video to hear from a Bugaboo Friend.

Bugaboo has a great new community that you can join! Bugaboo Friends is a community of active, modern people who share pictures, ideas, stories, videos, tips and inspiration to stay on the go. Become a featured Friend and even take on a Bugaboo Challenge to win a prize or two (you know I love prizes)!!

Have a look and see how Bugaboo Friends are rolling ­ not just locally but all over the world; and you don’t even need to own a Bugaboo to join!

**Sponsored Post**

Next Page »