24th day of Christmas

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!!!

23rd day of Christmas

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!

22nd day of 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.

21st day of Christmas

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)!

"You better not pout...I'm telling you why!"
Kammy decided that it was time for her to do some Christmas shopping yesterday and talked daddy into coming home from work early so he could take her. She was ready to go and waiting at the door by 10 am and it was all she could talk about until daddy got here. Kammy: I wish daddy would get his bees and wax together and get home like ZOOM! Kalli: If he did that the police would stop him and you might never see him again! Kammy: Uh-hmm! They let you visit prisoners, you know! She had a little less than a dollar and had to "shop for her WHOLE family" so she told daddy he better bring his wallet just in case. I think they had fun. They were at Target when Kammy said, "I like pretzels daddy. Are pretzels vegetables?" Needless to say, they went and had a pretzel with daddy's money.

She made a shopping list filled with gift ideas and of course, stuck a few horses in her purse for good measure. I did comb her hair and make her put shoes on before they went. =)She even has all her wrapping done! Lucky girl!

I'm linking up for Tiny Talk today.

20th day of Christmas

Christmas Sunday is always a special day. This year we had the special blessing of softly falling snow throughout part of the day. The kids have been practicing for a special program which will be on the 26th. It's always a little sad when Christmas is over, so this year we have extended the celebration by one day.One little tradition we have is new clothes for Christmas. The girls love to visit the fabric store and ponder all the choices. Usually we match, but this year they each wanted to choose their own. It turned out a little more casual then usual, but this is the 'farm' after all. Kayla and Kalli picked out some real pretty plaids. Kammy had to have horses of course. She will hardly wear anything these days unless it is western or has horses on it. Kaite picked out a cute cordoroy piece with owls on it. She was sooo proud to wear it!

19th day of Christmas

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!