Fork & Fingers, Embroidery, and Murphy

Sometimes it is a good thing that Bill works at the paper that he works at. There are times that he is assigned to go cover something that isn't a sporting event. Today was one of those days. He had to go do a review of a restaurant in Mansfield Ohio called Fork & Fingers.

My sister came over and watched the kids so we could go out on a date there. I was a little worried when he told me because I looked it up online and it got terrible reviews. He talked to his boss and was told that if it was horrible to try to find something positive, like the atmosphere or something. 

So with trepidation and lots of layers we headed out to see what Fork & Fingers was all about. I will admit that in my opinion the restaurant itself was very kitschy and was like dive bar meets Mexican restaurant. 

We had good service. I had a dish called "Ricardo's Revenge" which would have been better if there had been more onions and jalapenos in the dish. There was so much ground beef. Hubby had a Mexican pizza and he said it was good. 

Overall, it was an experience. Not a horrible one at any rate, but we probably won't go out of our way to go again. 

When we got home, Mary was teaching Rebecca how to embroider. She spent most of the evening practicing and even made a mini ugly doll all on her own. 

side 1

side 2

I am sitting here writing this and trying to not think about 2 bad things. Our dryer decided to stop working out of nowhere tonight. Worked fine for a load and when I went to put another load in it won't start. And Bill went to go to work and his windshield wipers that we just got fixed last week weren't working. Not good on a night where we are getting a lot of snow. UGHH. Murphy can leave NOW! 

Hope everyone else is having a safe, warm, and Murphy-free evening. 

Christmas 2017

Christmas 2017 was a white Christmas for us! When we went to bed on Christmas Eve the snow was coming down at a pretty good clip. We ended up with a couple inches. Made for a beautiful backdrop to the day. 

The kids woke us up before 8AM to get us up to open presents. They were so excited. They also know that they are not allowed downstairs to open presents or to look until Bill and I are up. 

Once we were up we all headed downstairs to see what Santa brought. 

Stockings came first. Ben got some Thomas trains, candy, a new Star Wars toothbrush in his. Jacob received Pokemon cards, a new toothbrush, a Seahawks fidget spinner, and candy in his. Rebecca got hair ties, a new toothbrush, Pokemon cards, a couple pairs of fuzzy sock, and candy in hers. Bill got deodorant, a new toothbrush, new gloves, a phone holder for his van, scratch off lottery tickets (he didn't win anything) candy and the obligatory chocolate coal! I received body wash, a new toothbrush, and lots of candy. 

Then Santa's gift. Every year, Santa brings 1 gift to each family member. This year Ben got Cranky the Crane for his Thomas the train collection. Jacob got a basketball tabletop game. Rebecca got a purple wall clock. Bill received a Marvel superhero book and I received a new pan with a lid.

Then it was gifts from one another. Rebecca was our passer outer of gifts. The kids took turns opening their gifts. The kids were grateful for each of their gifts. Jacob loved his electronic football game, Russell Wilson jersey, and his sports cards the best. Benjamin loved his "Pop the Pig" game and Stormtrooper bookbag. Rebecca loved her Shopkins and her "Pictionary" game. 

Bill loved his gifts of a couple new sweatshirts, a flannel shirt, 2 new blu-rays from the T.V. series "Agent Carter" and 2 new books.

 

I was blessed with a new sweater in my favorite color teal, an ugly Christmas sweater from Jacob, a Moana blanket that will cover all of me from Rebecca, a new Pentatonix cd from Benjamin, and a cd player for upstairs. I also received a large container of peppermint chocolate ghiradelli chocolate. 

 

The cats enjoyed their presents as well of their sparkly balls.

Overall, it was a lovely Christmas morning!

 

The early afternoon was spent napping, watching the kids play with their toys and playing games of "Pop the Pig" with Ben.

Around 3:30 we headed out to my parents' house for Christmas dinner and more gift opening. 

It was a very casual get together. We had a lovely dinner of ham, turkey, cheesy potatoes, salad, corn casserole, cheeseball, veggie tray. There was chocolate pie, cheesecake and cookies for dessert. 

After dinner it was time to open gifts. My parents and siblings blessed my kids with lovely items and some that were needed. Benjamin received a new coat that was needed! Jacob got a white board the he loves. Rebecca got a new art easel and some more shopkins.

I was a bad daughter/good sister and got my youngest brother a nerf gun for Christmas. He had fun shooting his nieces/nephews and sisters with it! LOL 

We cleaned up and then headed home for the night as Bill had to work the next day. When we got home, the kids wanted to play some more so we let them. They played another round or two of "Pop the Pig" before bed! 

We went to bed tired and happy as it had been a lovely Christmas Day spent with the ones that we loved. 

Our Christmas Eve Eve and Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve Eve (December 23) we headed out to my parent's house as my sister wanted to make cookies with me. We ended up making buckeyes and kolacky. 

We also made sugar cookie cutouts with the kiddos! 

Personally, it was a good day and some good bonding time with my sister for the most part. She was kind of distracted as her new girlfriend was in town and she wasn't feeling that well. We brought home lots of cookies. 

On the way home, we stopped and got dinner for the kids. That night, we just relaxed. 

Christmas Eve, Rebecca and I went to mass in the morning. After we got home, we spent some time cleaning up and putting away some the stuffed animals that we had around the bottom of the Christmas tree. 

We also surprised the kids with their Christmas presents from my in-laws. My in-laws live in Florida now full time so they sent gift cards for Bill and I to go shopping for the kids. The kids liked their gifts. We then called them in Florida to wish them a merry Christmas. 

Around 4:15 we headed out to our local Mexican restaurant for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at a restaurant. We started doing this a few years ago. This year, there was NO ONE in the restaurant. While we were there, one other family came in. The food was delicious as always. 

After dinner, we headed out to look at Christmas lights in the surrounding neighborhoods. While we were out, it started raining and then turned to snow. 

Once home, we found that Santa's elves had stopped by with new pajamas for the family and a letter to tell the kids that they were on the nice list! 

Once new pjs were donned, we decided to watch a movie as a family. We watched "Elf" which the kids really enjoyed. 

Then it was time for Bill to read "The Night Before Christmas" to the kiddos and it was off to bed for them. 

I then headed upstairs so that Bill could wrap the presents that he had bought. 

When he was done, Bill came up and helped me bring down the stuffed stockings and presents. We put everything under the tree and cuddled on the couch before bed. 

We then headed to bed with the snow falling outside and dreaming of good dreams and the day ahead. 

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours! 

Thank you so much for reading this blog and sharing in my little corner of the world. 

I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend!