Hear Yea! Hear Yea! Great Giveaway at Robins Lolidots

Holiday Grand Prize Giveaway! Happy Holidays to you all!

Lolidots has teamed up with some amazing sponsors to make your holidays a little brighter! Come over to the blog because one very lucky reader will win ALL of the following...

• $25 gift certificate to Dali Decals for a wall decal
• A pair of soft soled baby or toddler shoes from Shooshoos
• $12 gift certificate to JD Wolfe Pottery
• Shirt from Intuitive Productions
• Car seat cover from Dressy Dribbles
• Children's belts from C. Belly Belts
• Chip/dip plate from Pottery and Pillows
• A Pillow Pet
• Animal Antics Scholastic Treasury DVD set
• Night Before Christmas Scholastic DVD set
• Svan Scooter from Scandinavian

Good luck to all and hurry, you have until December 17th drawing on the 18th.

Fun Free Family Weekend

If you live in the Phoenix Valley,

Here's a great chance to go to the Arizona Science Center, for FREE.

There is a lot of hands on fun.

For more information go to azscience.org.

Christmas Fires

There have been many home fires lately. It makes me sad, that especially with the economy the way it is, the families are burdened through the holidays.
It makes me remember a story that my grandmother would tell me during the holiday's. My Abuelita, Regina O Gonzalez Ayala, was raised in the Mormon Colonies in Chihuahua, Mexico, in Dublan. She lived in a two story home. She would tell me how at Christmas, when she was little, it was not about the presents. That at Christmas Eve the family would have a nice dinner. The story of Jesus's birth was read from the scriptures. The lighting of the Christmas tree was a great celebration. You see, in those days, the lighting of the Christmas tree would actually be real candles that were lit and clipped on the branches.
One year when she was little, the Christmas tree caught on fire. She was upstairs with her sister. The fire was growing strong, hot, thick smoke and she couldn't see well. She told me how all the family made it out safe.
She was especially thankful of the members of our church. How the members pulled together as one family and quickly helped them. She was so blessed and thankful. So until recently, she hated candles burning in her home.
This past Thanksgiving, our family spent Thanksgiving in El Paso, Texas. My grandma was telling stories of when she grew up in the colonies again. How my great grandfather brother Andres Gonzalez, grandson is Elder Clate W. Mask Jr. from the Quorum of the Seventy. The families who grew up with her: the Browns, Kimball's, Erying's, Mortenson's, Pratt's, etc.
Well, I mentioned earlier that I bought the book Pioneer Christmas Excerpts from Personal Journals, Edited by Susan Arrington Madsen. Today I read the following journal:

As a child I lived in the little Mormon colony of Cobnia Juarez (which I wonder if its a typo and should be Colonia Juarez) in Northern Mexico. Early one Christmas morning I was carrying a small bucket of milk to my grandmother's house, which was a few streets away, when I saw that a house through the block was on fire. It was the home of one of my friends. Terrified, I dashed home to tell my parents. They and all the neighbors rushed to help, but their best efforts could not save the house.

In those days people fastened real candles on the Christmas tree and lit them. in my friends home one of the candles had tipped, setting first the tree and then the house ablaze. Everything was destroyed.

The community rallied around the family, supplying all their immediate needs. And I was even a bit jealous when the children of the family received more gifts for Christmas that year that had been under their tree.

I know the family would have been helped, whatever the time of year, but the outpouring of generosity seemed especially appropriate for Christmas Day, when traditionally we enjoy a special readiness to share.

Camilla Eyring Kimball

from Family Christmas Traditions

It makes me wonder, since my Abuelita mentioned the above names, and Camilla also share the names my grandmother mentioned, could this be my grandmothers home Camilla speaks of? I will call her tomorrow and find out...if she remembers her friends names.

Julia's Christmas

One night when I was sixteen years old,

Father gave a Christms party for his own children

and their families and the nearest neighbors.

We danced.

My brothers were the musicians.

We knew it was Father's aim to end the party at ten o'clock,

which he did right in the middle of the

square-dance by ordering the musicians to stop.

But Father didn't know that my brothers

had lifted me up to the clock many times that night.

Each time I turned it back thirty minutes.

It must have been past midnight when the party broke up.

"Julia's Christmas"

from the Christian Olsen family record

Our Pioneer Heritage 14(1971):199

1907, La Verkin, Utah

25 Days

25 Days.

Twenty-Five days to put up CHRISTmas lights,

decorate,

display The Nativites,

put up the CHRISTmas tree,

bake cookies,

clean and prepare,

sing carols,

read CHRISTmas stories,
visit friends,

visit family,

attend CHRISTmas parties,

wrap presents,

make presents,

listen to CHRISTmas music,

shop last minute gifts,

send out CHRISTmas cards

(that is if you do, I always end up with signed cards that don't make it out to the post office, I gave up),

plan CHRISTmas dinner,

18 get rid of old toys of children,

choose a family to act out the 12 Days of CHRISTmas,

picture with Santa,

visit the AZ temple grounds and listen to carolers and see the lights,

drive around and look at lights,

drink hot cocoa,

celebrate CHRISTmas Eve with family and open gifts, and

on the 25th day, Read the scriptures of Christ's birth.

I like to try to read CHRISTmas stories from a collection of CHRISTmas books I have to my children. I just added another book to my collection.

Edited by Susan Arrington Madsen, Pioneer CHRISTmas excerpts from personal journals is a must have. I will try to include passages from this book this month. With the recession here in Arizona and in many parts of United States, and Worldwide, these passages from the Pioneers who trekked across the plains of United States during cold holiday winters make you appreciate what we have and remind us of the true meaning of CHRISTmas. I would perfer

fresh homemade bread or a sweets over store bought nonsense, or family photos from friends and family. May we all have a stress free holiday season.

Hope you enjoy the passages or thoughts I will include this month.

All of us children hung up out stockings CHRISTmas eve.

We jumped up early in the morning to see what Santa had brought,

but there was not a thing in them.

Mother wept bitterly.

She went to her box and got a little apple and cut it in little tiny pieces

and that was our CHRISTmas.

But, I have never forgotten

how I loved her dear hands as she was cutting that apple.

Hannah Daphne Smith Dalton

Autobiography, LDS Church Archives

25 December 1862

Christmas past

With all the Buya of Black Friday/Black Weekend sales I thought I'd list some Christmas Past wish list for kids...Member?

1960s commercial for Topper Toys' Suzy Homemaker items which allowed girls to "...wash dishes, clean house, launder, iron....and always look lovely." What could be more fun??!!


How about the Original Mr & Mrs Potato Heads,this is when Mr Potato Head was a real potato. They've come along way.


GI Joe come back.


How about The Green Machine?


Of course, some still haven't grown up from Big Wheels...This is funny must watch.


Even Underoo's were a secretly wanted, or as my brothers were would call them, "Tan-Tar-Rans"! You know, they would tie a towel around their necks and make it into a cape and yell, "Tan-tar-An!"


Although I searched high and low for a hand held AM/FM radio with hand strap that I once received for Christmas because it was a must have, As suppose to the I-Pods kids, including my husband, really want now; you had to stand in the right spot to get good radio reception and volume to work. I did come across this music inspiration commercial I just couldn't stop laughing I almost peed my pants off! Seriously, I couldn't stop thinking of this commercial.


Did you pee your pants off? Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and Black out specials were great. I stayed with family and decided that the early rise, stand in lines, grumpy crowds, was not as worth the thrill of shopping as staying home with family.

Thanksgiving Wishes

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

For flowers that bloom about our feet;

For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird, and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear or see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

From our tradition here in United States of America,

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, today,

May everyone around the world,

be thankful for what you have

and what not you have.

You might be wishing for what you have in the end.

Blessings to everyone.

Happy Thanksgivivg

I won a perfect Swimsuit

Baby, Its cold outside. Yes in sunny Arizona, it does get cold.

Believe it or not there are still people that swim here.

Speaking of swimming, I just won a perfect swimsuit by http://www.slimperfect.com/.

For those of us who love to to hide alittle more than others. This is the perfect swim suit.

Please check out their website there are some great deals going on now.

Felizidades Melissa!

Melissa at 320 Sycamorewas chosen for an interview from Houzz.com.Melissa and her husband has renovated her 1970's Ranch home to a home you'd want to nest with your family.

After reading her interview,

I'm sure you'll find something positive to comment. If you leave a comment,

you could have a chance to

win a $50 gift certificate from Target.

Hurry you have until Sunday, November 22, at 5pm EST.

Make sure you stop by and congratulate Melissa.

11-11-2009

A Moment of Silence...

Thank you.

I finally met the pioneer woman

I got there at 6:30. The place was packed. I was group M for book signing after Ree speaks to every one. No kidding, there must have been about 200 people, mostly women. Hannah, my 15 year old said she felt like in a beehive, with all the buzzing sounds of woman talking.
This was a small area I was standing at.
Then a representative from the store introduced Ree as follows:

Named one of Time magazine’s “25 Best Blogs of 2009,” Ree Drummond’s hugely popular ThePioneerWoman.com details her life as a mother, photographer, crafter, rancher’s wife, and cook. Drummond colorfully traces her transition from city life to ranch wife through recipes, photos, and pithy commentary based on her blog, and whips up delicious, satisfying meals for cowboys and cowgirls alike made from simple, widely available ingredients (Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce, Lasagna, Fried Chicken, Patsy’s Blackberry Cobbler, and Cinnamon Rolls—not to mention several “cowgirl-friendly” dishes, such as Sherried Tomato Soup, Olive Cheese Bread, and Crème Brûlée.) The Pioneer Woman Cooks—and with these "Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl," she pleases the palate and tickles the funny bone at the same time.

Then Ree came out. Do you see her?

How 'bout now?

Ree introduced herself and felt that she expressed herself in her website, in her sweet southern drawl (she lost the California Accent). Everyone agreeded and so the Ree answered questions that guests had. After 45 minutes, They seperated into groups to sign books. They started with Group A, I was group M, however, I was able to be pushed ahead with Group A. Mothers with children were able to jump ahead. Don't think I must of been able to skip and go that easy. I know what those steers felt that Ree speaks of. Moving from one side of the room to the other. No rhyme or reason, it was disorganized. I was in line for 55 minutes. There were still mothers with children when I left. But it was worth it. Imagen if I had to wait for Group M?? Poor Ree and her family, they must be exhausted.

It was worth the wait.

I must say that Ayla had to speak to Ree. She got dressed up, said that I needed to dress up in a dress, too. I didn't. She was on a mission to meet "The Pioneer Woman". When we were waiting our turn Ayla said, "Mom, give me the book and I'll go take it to the Pioneer Woman and have her sign it."
I had to teach her patience, and patience we had to learn. When we finally got up, Ayla extended her hand and introduced herself. "Hi my name is Ayla, nice to meet you Pioneer Woman" Ree loved her and asked her age. Ayla said 4, Ree said her youngest was 5. Ayla said she will be 5 soon. Ree asked when her birthday was. Ayla told her "November 11th" and they (Changing Hands) rushed us on, otherwise Ayla would have talked up a storm.

When we left, Ayla was in Awe that she finally met the Pioneer Woman.
"Mama?", asked Ayla.
"yes Ayla did you have fun?"
Ayla honestly said, "Uh *pause* no. It was to crowed and hot. But I liked Ms. Pioneer Woman, and she called me 'Sugar", with a big grin.
"Nobody has ever called me Sugar!"
I think this will be a big moment in Ayla's memories and will sleep with a smile. That in itself, made my day.
Thank you Ree, for your patience (And your family) and signing not only my cookbook, but everyone else who came to your book signing tonight, and every night away from your punks and Marlboro Man.

Good night:)

Yipee, Pioneer Woman is here and...

Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman,

is here in town for her first book signing.

Remember I gave a head up here.

Thursday, November 5, 2009
7:00 PM
CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE
6428 S McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ

Then tomorrow and on Saturday Domestic Bliss is having their Vintage Western Masquerade Party.

Domestic Bliss are so thrilled to have Stephanie & Christian Nielson visiting them as their Guests of Honor! This is truly a celebration for them as Domestic Bliss will once again be reunited with this amazing inspirational couple.You can also visit Stephanie on Saturday in our "blogging lounge"!
Time to be announced soon.


There will be entertainment on both days with live music, stage coach rides, face painting, make and takes, western carnival games and more.

A silent auction benefiting the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation.
If you live here in the valley, come out and support, and have fun.

Halloween Night

Can you guess what my son dressed up as?

Ooops, how 'bout now?

If you guess Ponyboy from The Outsiders, Your right!
Isn't he handsome? My husband thought he looked more like soda pop.
As much as I love my son, nobody looks like Rob Lowe, so ponyboy he is.

In case you can't read the titles, Rob Lowe(Sodapop) is the second from the Left
and C.Thomas Howell (Ponyboy) is the third from the Left.

Can you guess what my youngest daughter is? If your guessed Silvermist from Tinkerbell friends, your right?
I know Silvermist has her hair down, but her wings kept falling off.
Oh and yes, this is one of the costumes that was last minute sewing until 4pm; from her outfit, the candy bag, wings, and her elf shoes. Silvermist fabric could not be found, so, painted the fabric like the blending colors of the real silvermist.

Can you guess what one of our older boys dressed up as?

How easy was this?

Yes, Wolverine! Fact: those are his real sideburns, he gets it from my babe.
However, like I said before, nothing like the real thing:)

Ooops, here is the real thing

My other sons either didn't want a picture or didn't dress up. And by the time I came back from trick or treating either my oldest girls were gone or I forgot to take their pictures.

Here is my 15 year old, as her own super hero with the wicked witch of the west. Here my youngest daughter holds hands & walks with her nephew, my grandson.
Can you guess what he is?
Yes, Winnie the Pooh.
I will say he is much cuter than the real winnie the pooh. We had friends who trick-or-treated with us.
Here is my oldest daughter with her family.

While we trick-or-treated... We saw dead people coming out the yards, Seeing plants, Jack-o-Lanterns (looking at me)...

And Ghostrider...BUAhhaahaa! Notice the orbs in the picture, hmmm.

Hope you had a safe Halloween!