I am busy in the kitchen today in preparation for Christmas dinner. We will be having Prime rib with all the fixings as well as a few extras. I am looking forward to having family around my table. I have a great weakness for all things shortbread and caramel so the girls and I also made some Salted Caramel Thumbprints. They are just setting here in the kitchen to cheer us on in our cooking/baking endeavors. I'm so glad to have hubby home today....I have already sent him to the store for forgotten items once!
Merry Christmas, once again! Treasure it all!!!
Merry Christmas to all my bloggie friends!
Your posts inspire me, your comments cheer me on! You are the best, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
A friend sent me a recipe for Cranberry Bliss Bars...a new one for me. When I first tried them, I honestly didn't think I'd make then again. Then I tried another one after they had chilled a while and I was hooked! I've already made a second batch!
Click
'here' for the recipe.
There is nothing quite like coffee on a cold winter's night. The girls loved going to Flying M Coffee Garage--a place that thus far they had not been--it's sort of been a date night place up until now. Maybe we just started a new Christmas-time tradition.
Kaite loved her steamer...and her cookie(s)!
For years and years, I have been looking for a pair of old ice skates. I'd like them to be white and slightly worn. Believe it or not....I wanted them before they became so popular. Now it seems they either sit on the mantle or front porch of half the houses in America. Well, I have never found a pair. This just might have a tiny bit to do with the fact that I don't shop enough. I mean....I don't know what I expect....for them to drop out of the sky, or what.
Yesterday, I happened to mention to hubby that Kohls had their Christmas decor 60% off and that I'd like a pair of their little skates added to my wish list. Not that I don't still want the vintage white ones, but for now--I'd settle for these. Later, he went to get some light bulbs for the chapel and came back with these for me.Not for Christmas--for now! He thought I'd like to enjoy them before Christmas. Yep, he's pretty awesome that way! He also knows that Christmas never lasts long enough for me--that my favorite part of the year comes between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I just love the anticipation of this time of year. It makes me think of what it must have been like for Mary--knowing that the greatest gift of all time was about to be unwrapped?!?! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year--
because of the most wonderful gift of all time!
Kammy found a recipe for homemade marshmellows in a christmas magazine we have and of course, knowing her sweet tooth and love for marshmellows, we had to make them!
They turned out pretty and as far as marshmellows go, they don't taste bad either. Here is a bit of the conversation that went on while were were making them. Kammy: Let's pretend like we are helping our mother make marshmellows. Kalli: Umm....we are! Kammy: Yeah, I know...but it's more fun to pretend! In case you'd like the recipe, here is a link. My advice is just to buy them though....much less work and who really likes them anyway?!
These are a few of my favorite things....
This picture might not look like Christmas to you, but to me...it is the very picture of Christmas and all that it means. Oh...and these are a few of Kammy's favorite things: Horses and daddy. In that order. In fact, she has even told us, "I love you almost as much as I love horses!"
One of our favorite traditions is to go looking at lights. Sometimes we will take a plate of Christmas cookies and a thermos of hot cocoa or coffee and spend the evening driving around looking at lights. This was one of my favorite places last year....it is simple, yet beautiful and makes me think of a Thomas Kinkade painting.
I love to look at all the beautiful twinkling lights and remember the tiny light that was born so many years ago....the light of the world....hope that still shines in the darkest night. I also can't help but think that no matter how many countless lights we see, they can't compare with the number of blessings he's given me!
Today was the day we took Kayla to have a heart ultrasound. We should have the results tomorrow. After the appointment, we treated her (and us) to some Christmas Krispy Kremes.
I'm linking up for Tiny Talk. Here are some of the things I scribbled down from this week's chatter. During lunch: Kalli: "Momma, I want to have these stuffed mushrooms at my wedding reception!" Kammy (who doesn't like stuffed mushrooms): "Well, I won't be attending your wedding! I will have chores to do on my farm!"
Kalli: Kammy ate ALL mine and ALL Kayla's and ALL her tic-tacs! She said they just fell into her tummy, but I don't think so!"
Kammy: (to me in front of the cable guy who was here with muddy boots to install our internet.) "Sigh.....now you are going to have to mop again, mommy!"
This year, I am totally enjoying the simple things.
Today, the girls and I made these very yummy Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Icing.
You can find the recipe online here.
I was able to get a bunch of these calenders printed for our church family and friends at a really great price. I used the photo I took this fall of the sweet little church in Silver City. You can read more about that
here. I would love to go back and see it now, with snow and Christmas lights!
While her sisters were in the school room yesterday having school, and I was in the sewing room sewing, Kaite found yarn in the craft room and decided to decorate one of the little pine trees in daddy's study. It was ALL her idea! Isn't she cute and creative?!?!
By the way, school room, sewing room, craft room and daddy's study are all the same room at our house...it just sounds so much fancier to say it that way! Ahhh...it's all good! =)
...and underneath are the everlasting arms...Duet. 33:27
Just a few random pictures from our Christmas.
Kaite loves her bears from Grandma and Grandpa! She named the one with a bow "Bowt".
I was so thrilled to see my girls so happy giving. It was almost more exciting to them than receiving.
Kaite is starting to enjoy horses like her big sister, Kammy.
Kammy was so proud of the gift she picked out for me!
Kaite got a little laptop. She likes to sit with mommy and blog!
Kaite loving her new t-shirts and cap!
So proud of her new horse!
Kaite loves her tent. Oh, and there is Bowt, too!
Christmas made us all a little sleepy. Kammy is dreaming about horses here, and below Kaite is falling asleep in her "Ice".
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