Day 464 ~ Is Perfection Overrated?

I am a perfectionist.  I have known this for quite sometime. Since I was very young, that's for sure.  When I had a party... well everything had to be perfect down to the napkins.  This started at a very young age.  wink, wink.

As I became an adult... the week leading up to an event, be it a dinner party, birthday party, shower, lunch, tea party, you name it... it had to flow.

I would plan down to the minute as to the time I have to pick up a cake, food, balloons or flowers, what day I would clean, when I would set everything up, shower, hair and make-up.  

Everything needed to go according to plan.

Oh and never mind if something wasn't ready- according to plan... that would not be good.

Forget Martha Stewart... it's Carla Barila! 

Honestly, it would get a little stressful to say the least... but the end result would be worth it.

Well... that was some time ago.  I have turned a new leaf since.

Oh I still entertain... BIG time!  I will even take over for my in-laws when they entertain and handle things for them... 

However, I have a different way of putting it all together, a different mind set if you will.

Oh I still will plan everything down to the minute, wink, wink- and I do still want everything to be perfect and just right... but that's where it stops.

I don't worry... I do not stress... I do not concern myself..

Everything that happens after the planning stage... well it is what it is.

What I mean is that I accept anything that comes my way or in my way and shrug it off.  Down to the guest list.  Meaning if 15 people RSVP to my event and only 3 show up... maybe there was a day that this may have bothered me... that was then.

Last night I held my first Food Lover's/Bible Study meeting and I was expecting around 15 guests, cooked for 15 guests... but only three people showed up.

I was so fine with it... it did not stress me out one bit.

My evening went as it should have.  Those who wanted to be here, were here.  That's all that mattered.  {and} me... well I was perfectly fine with it.  100% fine.  After all it was God's will.

"If a person wants to be a part of your life [or a part of your party/event,] they will make an obvious effort to do so..." ~unknown author

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace... 

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 463 ~ First of Many

SO... today is finally here.... My first Food Lovers' group meeting.*

My husband has been such a sport... fixing things in the yard, pulling weeds, putting up fences... and  making everything just so right for me...

All so I can have people over so we can talk FOOD!

Oh ... as I sit here writing my post today a little early- can't stay up so late anymore with Calley in school [gotta get up at O:dark thirty now-a-days] ...as I was saying... as I sit here writing my post early... I sooo appreciate all that my husband does for me.

It was my idea to have this Food group... he had nothing to do with it, yet he has been at my beckon call for the last few weeks just so everything is "just" right.

The other day Dean asked me what I needed done... because all that mattered to him was my happiness....

Seriously.. that's what he said.  Now a few days later I am savoring his words as if he just finished speaking them... how sweet they were!

Oh how I love my husband!!  ...let me count the ways!!

So... as I was saying... everything has been washed, dusted, staged, cooked, mixed and I even have twinkle lights on in the yard... all is set!

Now... I just have to wait another ... oh about forty-five minutes or so and we'll be on our way!

As I mentioned last night.. I made a delicious Chicken Pasta Salad (I'll share more tomorrow after the fact) and I can't wait to share it with everyone.  

I have an idea of how I want things to go tonight, however, knowing that I am such a control freak I have decided that the chips will fall where they may and leaving the rest to God.  wink, wink.  

*Want more details on this event, click here to read yesterday's post.

With this mindset... nothing will go wrong.  BIG SMILE.

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” ~ Anthony Robbins

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 462 ~ Giving Back with Food

Wow.. so excited right now!  I'm besides myself!

Tomorrow I take the first of many steps towards my goal of working with food and giving back.

I know I've mentioned to you all about my involvement in my Church..  well... I signed up to hold a themed fellowship meeting at my house each Thursday...

the theme...

FOOD!!

Yes... food!

As if I don't complain about it enough... or rather the after effects it has on my body!!  LOL!!

No.. but seriously...

Starting tomorrow... I am holding a Church fellowship meeting at my home each week where each week we will feature a new "healthy" recipe or a recipe where we will discuss how "WE" can make it healthy.

Soooo...
  
Tomorrow I will be sharing my Chicken Pasta Salad...  Ohhh this is soooo good too!  I'll think about sharing my recipe with you on Friday... wink, wink.

Okay.  I do have to admit to one thing.  About a month ago or so... I had NEVER.. yes never... made a Pasta Salad, let alone a Chicken Pasta Salad.  It wasn't until I invited my friend Kristen to come over and cook (we cook together all the time teaching each other new recipes) that SHE taught me how EASY it was to make a Pasta Salad... let alone how healthy it is.  Big smile.

So ... to be very honest with you... the only thing on my mind tonight is my Food Lovers' get-together tomorrow night and having my house just right...  dusted, swept, floors and windows cleaned and the yard intact!

{and} with that said...

There really isn't anything else that matters today!  wink, wink.

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” ~Albert Einstein

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~Mahatma Gandhi 

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 198 ~ Enjoying My Snow Day

What a day! ... Just finished wrapping a ton of gifts.  Do not ask me how I ended up with a ton of them, because it wasn't like I did a bunch of shopping.  Okay, and money does come into play as well- not like we had a ton of it laying around either.  

Doesn't matter how you look at it, I feel blessed that we even have some gifts under our tree.

Then there's tomorrow... I just finished my plan on what I need to get done tomorrow... and it is not pretty!  

I have the line up of all the cookies Calley and I will be making tomorrow.  Comes out to be around fourteen dozen.  Yes I said fourteen!  But, I am only making about six or so different kinds... my famous oatmeal/raisin/pecan cookies, my signature cinnamon roll cookies (I will not be sharing this recipe, just sayin'), turtle cookie bars, and fudge.  I know fudge is not a cookie, however I am making it.  A Christmas time must.  I know there's one or two more, but I do not want to get up to get my to do list.

Why am I making so many?  Well, it's the ultimate gift this time of year.  Right up my alley.  Which means, that I will enjoy baking and cooking with Calley most the day; giving treats is easy on the pocket; and it spreads love and joy.  What a great way to give and spread cheer!  

Oh, and I haven't even mentioned what I am dreading to do on my list and have tried my best all week to avoid... going to the store tomorrow!  Y-I-K-E-S!!!  I discovered that I need just a few more stocking stuffers.. just a bit shy.  Darn Christmas stockings!  (don't want the stockings to be all skinny!)  Oh and I need just a tad more butter and sugar for the baking.

AY! That's not the half of it... We woke up to snow this morning, which does not happen every year in western Texas, let alone at Christmas time.  So Lord knows what the roads will be like in the morning.  Ideally, I would love to be at Target right when the doors open, and then hit Sam's on the way back home, stopping only for dog food.

Question of the hour... What will the weather bring us tonight?  How will it affect my morning?  (I know that was two questions, not like I'm in the 9 items or less line)  Goal is to be back home by 9am... What do you think?  Whatever way it goes, I will have fun and be safe.  After all it is Christmas Eve tomorrow, which only brings more festivities in the Karam family.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.    - Burton Hillis

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

...   ten years of music

...   nine cousins playing

...   eight years of lovin' 

...   seven days of singing

...   six months of blogging
...   five rooms plus more

...   four loving dogs

...   three cook books

...   two ceiling fans 

...   our little girl, we call Calley

Blessings to all!!

167 days to go...

PS... I love and miss you boys.  To the moon and stars above and back.  You are my sunshines.

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied.  All accounts herein are written by Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life.  Some names may be changed to protect the innocent or protect me from the guilty.  (just kidding...wink, wink)

Picture credits... images courtesy of Bing images.

Day 196 ~ From Our Home To Yours

In tonight's post, I would like to share with you how my family has been spending this Christmas season.  From our home to yours we wish you the best this Christmas and all year long.  For our love ones no longer with us, we will always hold you in our hearts and minds.  

God bless us everyone ...

I think we, Calley and I, pretty much started baking the day after Thanksgiving, and it has been bliss ever since!  Above we were baking our famous Oatmeal/Raisin/Pecan cookies... one word ... N-U-M-M-Y!  Below, our Christmas sugar cookies.. mm..mm..good!

While decorating our family Christmas tree, we stopped for a quick kodak moment, I should actually say, for a Cyber-shot moment..  (wink, wink)  

I am in BIG trouble!  I must say that Calley can be really bossy.  She knows how she likes things... down to where the ornaments should go!  Not a good sign.  Note to self... nip Calley's take charge attitude in the butt immediately (well maybe just a little, I do want her to be a leader-  we'll have to work on this one)!!

WOW!!  My baby is growing up!  (so sad.)  Well, she certainly is fun!  She was so happy to see Santa.  She asked him if she could tell him what she wanted for Jesus' birthday.  That's my girl!   

Calley has certainly made Christmas very special this year.  At five years old, she is very involved and wants to help with everything.  She is always showing us what she can do, and asks if we are proud of her, which of course we are.  She really is an amazing little girl, even if she is hard to keep up with half of the time.  (wink, wink) 

                                                               

              

Calley has had a hand in everything.  She was having such fun that she put the stockings on for shoes, Santa's beard and hat. (above left)  Calley even helped folding the hand towels in her bathroom, and placing them just so.  

When it came to making our Christmas wreath, I really enjoyed her reaction.  We first lined up all of our pieces we needed for the project, teaching her what everything was as we went along.  First, I took the ribbon and wrapped it around the wreath, then added the pines and glued the ornaments on.  Calley was in awe as she watched it come together.  Finally... this was really cute... as I picked up the ribbon, I twisted it, looped it, and twisted it, over and over again.  I repeated the twisting and looping several times... until.... VioLa!  With a couple of little snips on the ends, I had a beautiful bow.  All the while Calley was saying...  "ooo... oh wait... ooo... wait...oooooo mommmy.  WOW!"   

Nothing like a day at the park... I love to watch Calley run all over and get her "energy" out of her system.  This time, I was able to relax and take pictures while my sister did all the chasing.  She could not keep up with Calley!  (lol)  We returned all tuckered out, even me.  (big smile)

When Calley and I cook, we have our little routine.  Calley helps me collect the ingredients for the Creamy Cilantro dip for my 1st Annual Karam Family Christmas Spa Day, we line them up and prep them according to quantity needed.  And... VioLa!  

From here on out we'll be making lots of holiday treats, dishes and etc... we'll share some of the recipes, and some are just special for our family.  I'm sure you understand.  

A Christmas Prayer 

Loving Father, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. 

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.  Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.  Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. 

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen!   

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 

...   eight years of lovin' 

...   seven days of singing
...   six months of blogging
...   five rooms plus more

...   four loving dogs

...   three cook books

...   two ceiling fans, 

...   our little girl we call Calley

Blessings to all!!

169 days to go...

PS... I love and miss you boys.  To the moon and stars above and back.  You are my sunshines.

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied.  All accounts herein are written by Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life.  Some names may be changed to protect the innocent or protect me from the guilty.  (just kidding...wink, wink)

Picture credits... images are property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own.

Day 170 ~ Turkey Encore Presentation

I must say that after over twenty-four years of cooking turkeys I have it down!  (wink, wink)  I really do.  Not a one of them has come out less than perfect!  Not  a dry one in the bunch! (knock on wood)

I have roasted, fried and smoked.  All methods have turned out a delicious turkey and, it is still up for debate as to which way is the best.  

Today I roasted turkey number two... poi-fect!  Turkey number two?!  Huh?  (you ask...)

Well...

Eight years ago on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Dean and I found ourselves without any left overs to enjoy on the famous "day after."  As many others do across our nation, we too enjoy the proverbial  "day after" Thanksgiving turkey sandwich with stuffing/dressing and cranberry sauce on it.  One word... Nummmmy!

In more recent years I have added my mom's (mother in law) turkey soup recipe to our tradition on the day after the "day after" (Saturday.)  I have never tasted anything as good as this turkey soup recipe, a family recipe none the less.

So, let me make this clear.  On Thanksgiving I assisted my mom (mother in law) in cooking our turkey dinner (and this year I volunteered to cook Dean's aunt's turkey for her,) by making the green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and onions with white sauce.  Then today Friday I cooked a little Thanksgiving dinner for us so that we can enjoy leftovers for the next few fays.

Did You Know that President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving?

Did You Know that in 1939, 1940, and 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Thanksgiving the third Thursday in November to lengthen the holiday shopping season?

Did You Know that according to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest turkey recorded was 86 pounds? 

 

I am thankful for the continued love and support my family shows me.

Blessings to all!!

195 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 168 ~ Happy Thanksgiving Eve 2011!

It's finally here!  Thanksgiving eve 2011...  What will tomorrow bring?

Courtesy of Bing images

With all the preparation underway... the only thing left for me to do is wake up at six in the morning so I can tackle Tom (this is what I always call our thanksgiving turkeys) and put him in the oven by seven... and then off to the airport!  Alysia's flight gets in at 7:30 which after some thought is not a bad time to get in.  At least it is not at eleven or noon!  (wink, wink)

I really love Thanksgiving!  It is all about giving thanks and being grateful for all in your life.  No presents, no sales, and free turkeys!  I also love the fact that most of the supermarkets have some type of a incentive for a free turkey.. most of which is buy $75 to $100 worth of groceries and you get to walk out with your own Tom!  I really hope they never do away with this.

Well, I can honestly say I am ready for tomorrow.  Sure there are a couple of things that didn't get done, which happened to be on someone else's to-do list (and I won't mention any names but he sleeps next to me every night), even so I think Alysia will be comfortable and every one will enjoy dinner regardless.

Courtesy of Bing images

I know, I know... it's just that I like everything just perfect... down to the salt and pepper shakers on the table.  All the bedding is clean, towels and toilets too!  And the actual dinner is not even at my house!  Wait until you see how we set my mom's table tomorrow.  It is absolutely Thanksgiving!

So it is off to bed early.  I should be able to get a good night's sleep being that I stayed up most of last night thinking of what needed to be done today.  (laughing to myself- doesn't take much to amuse me!)

I wish you all a juicy Turkey, perfect mashed potatoes, the sweetest candied yams and the best green bean casserole ever!!  And I won't even bring up dessert.


May you enjoy your family as much as your meal, and may you also know when to keep your comments to yourself and when to chime in!  (that last one is more for me - somehow, my shoe sometimes finds itself in my mouth and for the stupidest reasons too!)

God Bless you all and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.
~J.A. Shedd

God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart.   ~Izaak Walton 

I am thankful for the faith I find within me in when I need it the most.

Blessings to all!!

197 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 167 ~ And The Madness Begins!

And...    we're off!!

So the countdown begins to Thanksgiving dinner... for some of us because we are cooking and others... well because they are looking forward to indulging our harvest creations.

With one day, seven hours and counting for my turkey to be delivered, (Yes... delivered.  I volunteered to cook Dean's aunt's turkey this year-  she has her hands full taking care of Dean's ailing grandmother,) the madness in the preparation has officially began.

courtesy of Bing images

From the moment I woke this morning I knew I had to tackle a heavy to-do list just so that everything around the house is nice, in preparation for our house-guest.  You see, I want everything just right!

One great thing about all of this is that I am getting quite a few things done around the house that I have wanted done for a while.  Today I spent my day laying a terracotta pathway to our home, touching up a couple of walls with paint, fixing a curtain rod, a couple loads of laundry, ironing... and on top of that, the car had a car wash and oil change and Calley had a play date! 

PHEW!  What a great day!!!

I wish I could say that I was preparing for the arrival of my sons for the holiday... wouldn't that be the most amazing holiday ever!  Or my sister or mother for that matter- especially since my sister has been saying she is coming for five months.  I was so looking forward to spending the holiday with her.  I am so sad and disappointed.  

As far as my mother is concerned... I am very disappointed that she does not want to spend more time with her family.  There's always something.

Well, I am happy and thankful to say that I will be having a friend come visit for the holiday.  Alysia is a great gal and a great friend.  I really can't believe that she has taken the time out of her busy schedule to plan her visit with us.  I am so blessed to have a friend like her.

So tomorrow comes day two of the madness.  Ai ya yai!  I don't even know how it will go... but I will give it my best shot!

You see tomorrow not only do I have a few more things to take care off on my to-do list, but then I have to help my mom (mother-in-law) with her to-do list, and then finally come back home and start cooking for the big feast the following day.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

I am thankful that I am part of such an amazing family!

Blessings to all!!

198 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.