Freeze Warning!



WARNING: Cover Plants and Pets

Brrrrrr! It's very cold here in the Valley of the Sun. A Freeze Warning is in effect until 10 A.M. Saturday morning. It'll be colder here tonight  than in New York City. The winter storm began Wednesday with rain showers all day and night. The lows will fall back to the 20's and 30's  the next two days.   It's soo cold here that Mr. B has only been out twice today.

Checkout the snow atop the mountains in Phoenix.  What a beautiful site!

Christmas

Once again Harrington was as anxious and excited as a five year old on Christmas morning. He walked and feed B.J. without being told (mind you at was 5:30 A.M.). When we finally opened gifts he was so excited to get an  iTouch and all the video games on his wish list. It's  amazing how the most beautiful holiday of year can bring out the kid in all of us, whether its the joy of giving or  the pure pleasure  of watching our love ones' expressions and emotions when they pulling away the wrapping paper to reveal the gift of their heart's desire.
I was happy to have Mom and Amelia here to assist with Christmas Dinner preparation. My teeny bopper niece Eboni, was suppose to make a  Red Velvet cake, but was no where to be found when it was time to bake. Amelia and I made the cake ... Eboni showed-up to lick the bowl.
My turkey was the bomb! I used William Sonoma's Apple and Spice Turkey Brine which resulted in a very moist and tasty turkey. Mom who is not a turkey eater had several slices of this succulent turkey.

Sunday  We got up early to attend the 7:30 service. We were shocked when we returned home  to see Harrington and Eboni preparing a Pancake Breakfast.  They wouldn't get high scores in presentation,  Harrington reminded me it was the thought that counted. :)

We later went out to the mall and CowTown. Amelia and Clyde are very satisfied with the comfort and style of the boots they purchased last year at CowTown, they decided to get another pair this year.  Amelia and Clyde have yet to purchase a pair of horses to go with those boots... :)

Family Joys
Christmas is filled with special joys,



And the very best of allIs contemplating those dear to us,And the memories we recall.

We often think at Christmas time

Of people, affectionately,

And we realize how blessed we are

To have you in our family.

(or, "To be in your family," or, "To be part of your family.")

By Joanna Fuchs

My mother has arrived to celebrate Christmas  in the Valley of the Sun.  After all the pleading, Daddy still didn't come...I think the real reason he didn't come was those three little great grands.   Dad has to stay busy at something...even if that means being a part-time Santa Helper :).
My sister and her family will arrive today. I'm so excited to spend some quality time with my Mom & Sister. Stay tune .....

My niece Nikki and her kids

Thanksgiving



 Thanksgiving Day 

 Thanksgiving morning began with us curling up on the sofa with a cup of coffee to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Harrington didn't  join me in watching the parade this year, he was too busy playing football.  His friend, Preston  invited him to his church Thanksgiving morning to play footaball. Being the teenager that he is, being with friends is much cooler than watching a parade with Mom.
     We are so thankful this Thanksgiving  for a home, employment, and good health. When you hear of so many this Thanksgiving who are seeking assisitance to feed  their families, I just had to take time to praise and thank God for blessing us with the many choices the three of us had when we sat at our table to eat on Thursday. 
     Harrington stuffed himself with Dressing and Giblet Gravy, his two favorite holiday dishes. 
B.J. and I went for a walk after dinner, Henry and Harrington were too engaged in the football game to go with us.

"Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and Bless his name.  For the Lord is GOOD... Psalm 100:4,5a

Harris Family Thanksgiving Menu

• Turkey
• Dressing w/ giblet gravy
• Green Beans
• Squash Casserole
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Wheat Dinner Rolls
• Dessert: Sweet Potato Pie, Cream Cheese Pie, Sweet Potato Pecan Pie

B.J. enjoyed Thanksgiving turkey too .................

"Step N 4 Jesus"

Harrington-Far Left

This past Sunday was Children, Youth, & Young Adult Sunday.  A few of the young men from the Youth Usher Board ministered in a Step rountine. The Omegas have better be on the look out.. the FIBC Ushers are Stomp n' for the Master.

I was so proud of Harrington. He moaned and groaned in the beginning and did everything possible to get out of attending the numerous practices. The kicker in all this is, that unknowingly I've heard him chanting. "He Blessed Me, Everyday He Blessed Me"

Video Clip- Usher Step

Tribute to African American Soldiers

Today we take time to thank the many men and women past and present who risk their lives for the freedom we enjoy everyday in this great country. They are the heros!
Thank You!

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends..John 15:13

Sweet Treats

I had a great time this weekend baking. I made these special treats for our Sunday School's Cake Walk today.
The kids loved the Cake Pops(cake on stick). I had so much fun playing with candy melts and sprinkles. I've found something else I what to do when I grow-up :)
Wishing you a sweet week!

Duck Dog

Last Saturday morning we went to the park for our morning walk instead of usual neighborhood route. B.J. saw the ducks and went wild. He was determined to get as close as he possibly could to that "quacky" sound. One more step and that would have been that duck's last quack.
P.S. I think our dog has an issue with birds :)


Henry strolling with his coffee. He had just finished his donut.

How Many Paws Prints does it take to get to 10,000 Steps?

Mr. B and I decided we needed to up our daily walks if we were to keep up with my "speed walking" sister when she comes for Christmas. The weather will be perfect in December and being from the east coast she will be sure to take advantage of the mild December temperatures.
I told Amelia that Mr.B and I were in training. Sis felt we needed an accurate pedometer so look what we got in the mail two day later.
Mr. B and I have been busy counting our steps the last ten days. We have successful reached or exceeded our goal of 10,000 steps daily, seven of the ten days. Henry and Harrington have been supportive, inquiring daily of " the number". We managed to get Henry to walk one evening with us. Henry's a stroller, Mr. B & I are striders. :)

In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.
-- Alex Haley

Another Win !

Wow! Two In A Row for Harrington's football team.
Freshman Matadors visited Saguaro and crushed them 32-8! Outstanding performance by all!

Football is an honest game.
It’s true to life. It’s a game about sharing.
Football is a team game. So is life.
-Joe Namath

The Great Dog Chase

Henry forgot to close the front door completely this afternoon and Mr. B took advantage of Henry's error. OUT and UP the street he went. Thank goodness he was missed before he got too far from home. Henry grabbed the leash and hopped on Harrington's bicycle in pursuit of B.J. Harrington slowly strolled up the street with no sense of urgency while I stood in the front yard yelling for B.J. to come and hoping our neighbors didn't see the three of us out chasing one little doggy :)

Game 4 & 5

APB Issued for LEROY

We recently had to replace our pet Beta, Leroy. About two weeks ago while relaxing on the sofa and enjoying a good book I noticed that Leroy wasn’t home.
I immediately began to search the parameters of Leroy‘s bowl in hope that he hadn't accidently taken a “flying leap”.
I knew some assistance would be needed in the search of the dense quarters of Leroy's environment, so I called in Mr. Magnifier to assist in the search. Mr. Magnifier didn't get any closer to solving the mystery than I. Mr. Magnifier's services were more costly than Leroy's replacement (Blue).
Harrington said his body had probably decomposed and that I should just call off the search. I refused to accept his theory in that there was no evidence to support it.
We are slowing accepting Blue, but still missing our Leroy. Leroy had been with us for almost 2 years.

Game 3

Harrington's team lost last week,but he's still having fun. They have a game tomorrow night, hopefully they'll score more points than the other team.

Game #2

Harrington's team, Shadow Mountain Matadors won last Tuesday. They beat Paradise Valley 32-2.
STANDING
Record : 1-1 Home Away
Home: 1-0
Away: 0-1

Mirror, Mirror....

On the Wall. Who has the Freshest Cut in Town?
Harrington admiring his haircut after visit to barber today.

Ready for Some Football!!!

Wow,where in the world has time gone. It seems if it was just yesterday Henry was teaching Harrington how to caught a ball. He's now playing Freshman football at Shadow Mountain High School. He really loves this game.
Football practice has kept him pretty busy and the frig empty.
These photos are from his first game last Tuesday at Poston Butte High School.They lost but took the lost in stride. The team is hyped for first home game tomorrow against Paradise Valley.
Tune in later this week for updates.

Unexpected Vet Visit

Checkout my new do. I had to visit the Vet tonight because my groomer told my peeps she noticed worms in my stool. You know this after-hours visit won't be cheap. Yes, indeedy it wasn't. I can't believe it cost my peeps $79 for the Doc to stick a thermometer in my bottom and nuk my poop. This is Puppy Robbery if ever I've seen it! This JUST AIN'T RIGHT! Oh, the Doc did give my peeps some medication. The Doc said it was possibly associated with my visit down south last month.