Why you need to know - The Resting Position

If we want to be polished and refined we must know a few basics ...

Here's just one!
Once you start eating, your utensil should never touch the table again - that means don't prop up a used knife or fork half on the table and half on the plate. It should rest completely on the plate.

We are all like diamonds, we all have a basic value, but it is not until we are polished that our true worth is recognized!

Why send a written thank-you note?

A Written Thank-You Note!

It speaks volumes about you when a written thank-you note reaches your host/hostess. If you ate Thanksgiving at someone else's home you should write your host/hostess a note of appreciation. (immediately!) They will love you forever~


Send a note of gratitude! Always start with the words Thank-you. It only has to be a few sincere sentences. And remember: Never write on the back of the card. Plan your words in advance accord to the space on your card.


In addition, I hope you took a host/hostess gift (which is a thank-you gift) and attached a card. 
Remember, The host/hostess does not need to send you a thank-you note for the gift you gave to them - because it was a thank-you gift. (no need to send a thank-you for a thank-you)


Include your return address if it is not printed on your envelope and if case you have lost track - stamps are now .44 cents.


Example:

Dear (Host/Hostess Name)

Thank you for inviting me to your home for Thanksgiving dinner. It was absolutely delicious - every bite! I must get the pumpkin roll recipe from you soon. Have a wonderful Christmas season and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sincerely,

Joy

The Blind Side

Sandra Bullock and Team Score a Major Touchdown!
This movie is 2 hours, 6 minutes short. A super fantastic must-see movie for everyone.
What if everyone reached out and made a difference like this family? In short, the world would be a much, much better place to live.  I felt ashamed and yet inspired by the right decisions the Touhy family made. I pray you too will have a changed heart after seeing this wonderful movie. 
I will forever follow the career of this young football player - May God continue to bless you Michael Oher!
xoJoy

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving My Friend~

When I counted my blessings today - I counted you twice!

xojoy

Donny Osmond -Dancing with the Stars Winner and me!

Congratulations to the Winner!

The value of my Donny Osmond photos just went up! Oh how I love Donny O (since I was a little girl) and what a bonus he sang "Puppy Love".  What a fun DWTS season!

Yellow House Red Door

Yellow House Red Door!

This is the name of our Colorado home, until I come up with another name. (of course, everything must have a name)

We arrived last Wednesday and each day has been more beautiful than the one before. Then ... last night it snowed! We woke up and everything was covered in white - but the slopes do not open until Thursday~

James and I are both Texas borned and raised, but we love Colorado. God must have had a really fun time when HE made this place. The mountain, trees, the snow, - amazingly beautiful!

Okay - I must show you the perfect color of red - Ralph Lauren's Chimaya Red. You must paint at least one room this color - it will make you and your home warm inside.

And if you are looking for green ... check out ryegrass green on the den wall - love, love it.

Happy Thanksgiving from two very thankful Texans who will have a white Thanksgiving thanks to the good Lord and the Rocky Mountains! xoJoy

Miss America

Miss America 2009 - Katy Stam

and Me ... Misscellaneous

We have one thing in common - we both have the same clothing sponsor - Joseph Ribkoff. (The best clothes in the world!) I met Katy at the Joseph Ribkoff showroom as people flooded in to meet her. She is beautiful, humble and funny! (what a perfect combination) She is a small town girl from Seymour, Indiana with a voice that matches her beauty.

The most precious story is of how her sister won the local hometown fair beauty pageant, which basically made her parents royalty in their hometown, more so than when she was crown Miss America. Anyone from a small town can relate.

We love you Katy Stam - you are a role-model for all women - young and old(er).

And Joseph Ribkoff - we love you too - you make all women look beautiful - young and old(er).

xoJoy

Joy's Holiday Pumpkin Roll

As promised to you in my last blog - without further delay, I present:

The Best Pumpkin Dessert - EVER!

Years ago my "more than Martha Stewart" friend Jana gave me this recipe, but I have since taken it on as my own. (oops - sorry Jana!)

I'm not so crazy about the taste of pumpkin, but it would be a sad Thanksgiving & Christmas season if the taste of this pumpkin roll never reached my taste buds. I know you will feel the same way ... try it and see!

Joy's Holiday Pumpkin Roll

3 eggs

1 c. sugar
3/4 c. pumpkin

3/4 c. pioneer baking mix

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. pumpkin spice

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

2/3 c. chopped nuts

(Heat oven to 375) Prepare jelly roll pan by lining with wax paper, oil and flour.

Mix eggs, sugar, and pumpkin - beat until fluffy, then mix in all dry ingredients.

Pour batter into pan & sprinkle with pecans - Bake 15 minutes.

Sprinkle powdered sugar on a dish cloth. Transfer cooked loaf into towel (remove wax paper)- slowly roll it up. VERY IMPORTANT: Let it cool completely!

Filling (mix)

1 c. powered sugar

8 oz. cream cheese

6 tbs. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

Gently unroll the loaf & spread filling inside - Re-roll & it is ready ~ Enjoy!

My Neighbor Rosie ... The Great!

Several of Rosie's Fall Creations!

How can I explain Rosie? Okay - here's a start ... besides funny, charming, and a smile that lights up her face. She is an accomplished interior designer by trade, a gourmet cook, and an engaging storyteller. She is always ahead of the game - in fact, she has already served Thanksgiving Dinner at her place this year (Oct 24th) and we were invited!

Because some of her family members were going to be out of the country on Real Thanksgiving Day, Rosie decided to celebrate a month early. There were 10 of us who made the "A" list, and as her best friend Phyllis says, "When Rosie cooks, just drop all other plans and be there, because whatever she cooks is better than any restaurant." James and I agree!

The roast that was not meant to be!

On the heels of Rosie's fabulous Thanksgiving dinner. I decided to invited Rosie, Phyllis, her son Gregory and their adorable friend Christi who was in town from Colorado to reciprocate dinner on Monday. I put my roast on early and slow cooked it for 9 hours - it still was not done by 7pm! (may I remind you - roast is my speciality) I wanted to put my best foot forward for my neighbors especially the gourmet cook - you know who ... Rosie!

Never let them see you sweat!

My guest were arriving and my roast was still not ready! That's when I grabbed my handbag, jumped in the car and and raced to EATZIS! Thank the Lord for EATZIS! We ended up having delicious pork tenderloin with the vegetables that were to be eaten with "the roast that was not meant to be!" Oh yes, and perhaps the best part of dinner (favorite part) was the dessert. Pumpkin Roll. Will post the recipe soon.

By the way - I cooked "the roast" for another nine hours - no luck - still not done! I think I bought a rubber roast:)

xoJoy