Happy New Year!

Welcome 2010!
2009 is behind us, but will not soon be forgotten. It was a year of high highs, and very low lows.
To name a few highs: (most are mentioned in previous blogs)
Meeting my childhood dreamboat Donny Osmond in person in Vegas and hanging out back stage with him, and his beautiful and very funny sister - Marie. 
My BFF had a precious baby boy - Mikhael James (see photo)

Volunteer work with Council For Life with an amazing team of women planning our Oct. 5K Run of which I was very honored to be the Honorary Chair.
I got a new red mercedes and was thrilled with the purchase of our vacation dream home in Colorado and complete decor redo by KBM Design. (Sweeet!)
Travel to various cities all over the U.S. with my business and my husbands business.
Fabulous Clients - including a new and unique one -The US Army (yes, you read that correctly)
I was also thrilled to receive excellent media exposure in my business including an Associated Press article that circulated from coast to coast and one particular story NBC aired for me this fall on  H1N1 Flu Etiquette that was picked up by other stations including The Weather Channel (they show news too!) and Tulimundo.

Some very low lows:

My precious friend Amy Jones lost her life to cancer within 3 short months, (see her beautiful picture). My husband's sister lost her life to cancer, my husband's mentor at 48 years of age diagnosed in Sept with stage 4 cancer, my husband's mother fell fracturing her pelvis in 4 places, and drumroll please .... my husband's best friend betraying him and oh the heartbreak/pain it has caused us. (good riddance 2009!) 
Thankful for many, many things this past year - too many to list.
I am thankful for many answered prayers in 2009, I am grateful for our faith, our Church, our Church family, our health, our true friends, and on a lighter note I am thankful for my awesome "it" girl (you know who you are) who works at Neiman Marcus outlet and calls me when really good stuff comes in! Like the David Yurman Albion ring ($1,500. I got it for $108.) - check it out below - and the Mackenzie Childs - a teapot, large platter, two canisters and a cookie jar for 110. (no way... - yessss way!)

I welcome 2010 and I'm thankful to all my new friends in the blogsphere. I hope we can laugh together this year alot, and be here for each other when we need a shoulder to lean. I also pray big blessings for you and your families.

More soon~

Until then ...

All my best,

xoJoy

All Things Kitchen!

Oh Santa how I love you!
This year Santa brought me really fun gifts for my kitchen (see I told you I had been extra good this year!)

I have been wanting a Jack LaLanne juicer every since I heard a certain superstar say it is her favorite thing and she can't live without it. I will have to say ... I ADORE IT too! It's super fast and the juice is delicious~

I am a late night baker - cookies, cakes, pies - you name it ... and now I have a big red KitchenAid mixer to mix it up late at night. Thank you Santa!

If you want to know "what the pros know" about baking, get this book. There is more information in this book about baking than any one person could absorb. The ART & SOUL of BAKING.

My favorite kitchen store - you name it, they have it - including fun cooking lessons! Check it out~

Merry (White) Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night ....

Good news - Santa came last night after all - I was a real good girl this year, but the jury was still out on James :) (just kidding honey!) You are wonderful and perfect in every way!

You must know - I prayed for a white Christmas and it snowed in Dallas yesterday - yes, we had a white Christmas, we have only had five in 111 years - seriously! Answered prayer! 

Check it out ...

... Santa made it after all ...

The Weaver tradition starts Christmas Eve - attending Christmas Eve Service followed by a mexican food fiesta - including pork tamales from the Dallas Tortilla Factory. Then, we open our stockings followed by just one gift, well ... maybe two, and then... we have to stop - or there will be no gifts for Christmas morning.

And here's Scooter Bear Weaver, who loves bags as you can see .. and who made out like a bandit with tons of rubber balls in his stocking. 

Up at the crack of dawn this morning James has been extremely busy eating and opening gifts (in repetition) - which has finally led to this ... sleeping like a baby during the Titans/Chargers game.

A full report of what Santa delivered soon.

Tonight I wish I could give you all a Christmas hug personally - but since I can't - I hope you can feel the love I'm sending you this special night. 

Blessings to you and your family.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Year Around Deliciousness!

I keep Apple Taffy in my refrigerator year around for a delicious snack. And ... I serve it when friends drop by, and ... I serve it as a side dish at Christmas dinner. Apple Taffy Salad is deeeeelisch all year around.

Apple Taffy
Salad

1 Tbls. Flour
1 Egg
1/2 C. Sugar
2 Tbls. Apple Cider Vinegar
8 Oz. Crushed Pineapple - drained and reserve juice
4 Cups Red Delicious Apples - unpeeled and chopped into very small chunks
1 C. Peanuts
8 Ounces Whip Cream (you can use Cool Whip)

• In a small pan on low heat combine flour and sugar - mix well. Beat egg and add to four/sugar. Add vinegar and reserved pineapple juice. Stir and cook until thick. Cool. 
• Pour cooled dressing over apples, pineapple, and peanuts. 
• Mix in whip cream. 
• Sprinkle additional peanuts over the top to garnish.

2009 Crystal Charity Ball - Dallas, Texas

For Your Eyes Only!

Where do I start with updates? How about 2009 Crystal Charity Ball. 
Here we go!

The ball theme was James Bond 007: "Licensed to Thrill."

When the big doors to the Anatole's Chantilly Ballroom opened, we saw super go-go dancers dancing on platforms in a Hollywood Squares-style set. There was a full orchastra in the background and Sheena Easton appeared and sang her James Bond hit - For Your Eyes Only.

The best part was: The Crystal Charity Ball raised $4,040,320. The money will support seven Dallas Children's organizations. 


If a picture is worth a million words - here's several million ...
The most beautiful man in the world - my husband!



See below, James and our friend Ben - after Univ. of Texas won that night.
JHW tracked it on his iphone ESPN game tracker during the entire dinner at the ball, and when he announced UT finally won the place erupted in cheers!
Last time I checked, ESPN game tracker at the dinner table is bad manners - but when it comes to UT football his manners are uncontrollably put on hold.


Hook em' Horns!

A quick pause for a pose...

By the way, we had the most fun table at the ball - right up front and center!

Thank you Amy!

The Big White Elephant ...

How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time! 

I felt like I had eaten an elephant after our year-end Bible Study Christmas party today - delicious food ... beyond. Who made the little toffee brownies with chocolate chips? I should have lined my pockets with foil and stuffed them full!
After the buffet soiree - it was onto the "white elephant" gift exchange. Uh - warning ~ Danger Zone! Especially when you have 25 women who bring good stuff like fabulous Christmas ornaments, double wrap cozy comforters, home-made candy, and (drum-roll please!) a coveted long red "Cookin' Claus" apron ... that I actually had in my hot little hands until Irene decided she needed it. I ended up with the plug-in "Scentsy Warmer" (huh?) with "holiday kiss" cinnamon scent. Will let you know if it really works - if so, the "Scentsy Warmer" could be the next "go-to" gift that everyone on my list receives - :)
Okay, a big shout-out to Mona for opening her beautiful home to our loud group of "sistas" as Leona would say.

Me with my take home gift ~ the infamous ... Scentsy Warmer~

Merry Christmas to all, ... and to Irene - I hope you are enjoying your new long red "Cookin' Claus" apron. It sure looked cute on you~

xoJoy

BMW - Not the Car!

Mannerly Parents Raise Mannerly Children To Be Mannerly Adults!

As most of you know I do not teach children's etiquette classes - I teach parent's manners classes. Kids are lacking manners because parents have not taught their kids how to behave. One of two reasons - parents either don't know what to teach their kids, or they set the standard but do not set the example. Either way, parents and children should be set up for success even if it is just the basics. 
Here's the table set up - remember BMW (Bread on the left, Meal in the middle, Water on the right)

If you teach your children just this one thing - at least they will ALWAYS know which glass and bread plate is theirs. (I wish someone would have taught me instead of learning through the school of hard-knocks!)
Okay - while you are at it - why not teach them three more things:
1.) Scoot-up one hand width from the table 
2.) Always place your napkin in your lap first thing. 
3.) Do not pick up a utensil to start eating until everyone has been served. (unless it is a buffet - when two are back to the table begin eating)
See - it's easy! Parents should be patient and persistent with their kids - they will follow your lead.
Proverb:  22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.