Sentiments by Sophia

Happy New Year!

2011 in review meme

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?  found genealogy records dated back to the 1400s
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I'm working on them this week while I work on the puzzle and yes, I did keep a few. 
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? A niece and a nephew had babies.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Doug's Uncle Lu, Doug's Aunt Agnes, our good friend, David Neilson
5. Where did you visit? I went south to North Carolina twice to see my dad and family!
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?  more time with Doug!
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?  September 20, the day that Liza and I flew together to see Dad in North Carolina
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?  Surviving Liza and Buddy's move to Arizona.  No question.
9. What was your biggest failure this year?  Spending far too much time in front of the TV watching the Casey Anthony trial.  I know tons more about our judicial system than I ever needed to know and was not happy in the end AT ALL.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I discovered that I have a "wonky" pyloris, which has caused a major lifestyle change for me, but has also resulted in losing 36 pounds.  (Not counting the five that I've gained since Liza was here!)
11. What was the best thing you bought? My new camera.  LOVE it! 
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?  Buddy's success in school, his internship with the Harlem Globetrotters, Quayd's being ordained as a teacher, Gracie going into Young Womens, my dad's beating his battle with cancer, Kelly's making better choices every day.
13. Where did most of your money go?  Medical bills and my Expedition. 
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Liza coming in December, our trip ito NC in September, Pinterest.
15. What song will always remind you of 2011? Ain't No Sunshine by Kris Allen.  American Idol 2008 was our favorite season yet!  It's, no doubt, our favorite TV show!  
16. What do you wish you'd done more of? Played more, stressed less.
17. What do you wish you'd done less of?  Criticizing (others and myself.)
18. How did you spend Christmas?   Quiet with just the five of us and we loved it.
19. Did you fall in love in 2009? Every year, over and over again with Doug.  With Pinterest. 
20. What was your favorite TV program?  Castle and Survivor.
21. What was the best book you read this year?  The Book of Mormon.
22. What was your greatest musical discovery?  Martina McBride's Christmas CD.  AMAZING!
23. What did you want and get for Christmas? Connie's Chocolate Covered Cherries and an electric fondue pot. 
24. What was your favorite film of this year? Seriously, strange, but we watched The Green Mile, a TV-edited version and I just couldn't get over how moved I was by this film.  Also loved The Help.
25. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?  I was 53 this year.  Doug and I went to dinner with Stott and Wendy and several friends took me throughout the month.
26. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Losing the last 20 pounds that I'm working on.
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? As always, a comfy pair of jeans, a nice sweater, great earrings.
28. What kept you sane?  Lunch at Chili's 3 or 4 times a week with girlfriends. 
29. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Can't even think of one.
30. What political issue stirred you the most? The elections before the elections before the election.
31. Who did you miss?  Liza and Buddy.  My dad.
32. Who was the best new person (people) you met?  My cousin Kent's family.  I adore them all!They are awesome!
33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:  Let it go.  This year, I learned that you can't force people to think or feel the way you want them to, to believe you even when you're telling nothing but the truth or to accept you as you are.  SO.  Therefore and in behalf, don't worry about them.  Just be your best and if others don't like it, it's their problem, not yours.  And let it go no matter how they feel or act toward you.  Repeating myself again...It's their problem, not yours! 
34. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:  I'm gonna love you through It by Martina McBride.  Not because it's about cancer, but this year, we've been through a lot with several people in our closest circles.  It's been great to be there for each other.  If you've not heard it, here's an opportunity.  Grab a tissue and hit play.

 

When writing the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen.

Ten

A little winter vignette from Secret Haven at the Rock Loft

A little rambling:

1. I've lost track of what day it is!  Doug corrected me this morning when I said "I can't believe it' s Thursday already."  "That's because it's Wednesday, Babe."  Okey Dokey then! It's all good...an extra day!   I'm already dreading the fact that our week off is half over.
2. We went to Cafe Sabor with out friend, Doug B from Indiana, and talked nonstop for two hours.  We adore this man!   The girls had a sleepover at Nana's and Quayd had decided to spend the night at home alone. Just as we were leaving, Doug invited Quayd to come along.  Doug B, for some reason, decided to call Quayd, "Herman" and told Quayd that he could call him anything. Quayd thought that was pretty funny, as Doug was consistent through out the night, even with our goodbye.  Afterward. Quayd asked me what he should call Doug.  I teased, "Bob".  He said, "I think I'll just call him Uncle Doug."  That's quite a compliment to Doug.  Deserving.
3. After we got home, Doug and I watched The Bucket List.   We'd not seen it since the theater.  What an incredible story.  Worth rewatching.  Love it.
4. The puzzle is coming along.  It's a good thing I only do this once a year. SO addicting.
5. We have made no plans for New Years Eve.   A first in 35 years.  And it's just fine.  We're not hosting the party that we usually host.  We're not going to the ranch.   We've been invited, but as of now, we're just staying home and having fondue with the babes. 
6. In 2012, I'm going to learn to knit or crochet.  I really am.  Again.
7. I've not been to Chili's in six days.  I need, I need.
8. I am excited to see War Horse, MI4 and Sherlock Holmes. SOON!
9. I think I'll see an orthopedic doctor about my knee.  It's gotten worse and I don't want to hear what he's going to say.  I've walked over a thousand miles this past few years.  Wasn't that supposed to make it stronger?
10. Please pass some snow!  Just a foot or two will do.  ;)


Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen!

an apology, a little rambling and a recipe

Carol and I had planned on spending the day together as families, but due to several unplanned circumstances, it ended up being Taylor, Carol and myself  playing games, eating all sorts of goodies (Carol is the QUEEN of Appetizers and snacks!), did a little catch-up on TV shows, did some shopping and then went to a vampire wedding.  (Yes, again.  hee-hee!)  A fun, fun day!  Doug stayed at home with the kids while they had friends over and he worked on his own to-do list.  I got the great end of that deal!  Girls' Day Out!  I couldn't thank him enough when I got home!

One of the games we played today was the game that Liza gave Gracie for Christmas.  Discombobulation.  SO fun!  It's about $15 and worth every penny... if you love games and have no inhibitions. I can't wait for girls night out!

Carol also made an old recipe that we'd had years ago together, often, but had forgotten about.  It'd be perfect for New Years Eve!  The ironic thing was that I'd found the recipe a few days ago myself, too.  Neither of us had made it for years!

Broccoli Dip

1 finely chopped onion
3-4 stalks chopped celery
2-4 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 bag frozen broccoli

Sautee everything in about 1/4 cup butter.  Pour into crock pot and add 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup and half of a large brick of Velveeta.  Serve warm with Lime Flavor Doritos or Crackers or French Bread pieces.  Enjoy!!!  I'll photograph it when I make it later this week!  You'll love it!

I posted a word art quote on my blog recently from Pinterest.  I didn't realize that this was not appropriate, so a public apology is in order. I totally thought that things on Pinterest were to be shared.  My bad!   And I'll be more than happy to stand in the repent corner for my mistake!  So sorry!

A funny from Doug: (Just an hour before, we'd talked about how everything needed the convenience of a ringer so we could dial it, like when we misplace our cellphones.)  He'd brought everything in from the truck tonight when I got home.  Later, I asked, "Where'd my camera go?"  His response:  "Want me to dial it?"

Our big Thursday plan is to have dinner with one of our favorite people on this whole planet, Doug B., our friend who's visiting from Indiana!  Doug has to have one of the biggest hearts ever. He's a huge tease and he joked that I had "Tease me" on my forehead, so I was a recipient of many of his jokes.  Years ago, Doug B asked me how were were doing.  I decided to tease him in return.  It was a week or two before Thanksgiving.  I said that we were going to probably just pass on Thanksgiving because we couldn't afford it.  The truth was that we had 12 missionaries and another family coming for Thanksgiving dinner!  The next day, Doug showed up at our home with bags and bags of groceries for the makings of a huge Thanksgiving feast.  I felt terrible!  When I told him that I was teasing him, he said, "Well let's go find someone who needsit!"   Within 20 minutes, we were able to bless another family with his generosity!

Doug B is also the man who promised Liza, when she was eight years old, that he'd be there, whenever, wherever  when she married in the LDS Temple.  A week before Liza's wedding, almost 14 years later, Doug called to tell us that he was on his way.  He drovehis ragtop Jeep across the country during a blizzard to be here in Utah for Liza's wedding.  He spent the night before and left shortly after the ceremony.  We {heart} Doug B!  I'm not sure who's more excited to see him, my Doug or myself!?  Liza was verysad when I told her that he was coming to town and that she'd be missing him.  When Kelly picked Zaylee up, her first response was "I want to see him!!!"  The kids all love him too!

Speaking of Zaylee, we gaver her her own little Christmas.  It was so fun to hear about her new toys from Santa.  She opened a pair of "Hello Kitty" socks from us and said, " THANKS, Gwammie!!!  You got these socks for me??  They're soooooo beautiful!"  Then, a puzzle.   "My own puzzle?!??  Thank you!!"  Then, she opened her new polka-dot bedding and fuzzy pink pillow.  And tossed it on the ground.  Next?  We cracked up.(It was what she'd told me she wanted.)  Then, later, she came into the gallery, where I was working on a puzzle of my own.  "Gwammie?  Santa bwought you that puzzle?"  I love having her in our home!  She's a hoot!

Loving this Christmas break!  Loving life! It's just plain good!

Find a beautiful place and get lost!

 

 

after the thrill is gone

I caved.  I admit.  I talked the kids into not wanting to sleep under the tree one last time and within two hours, my home had forgotten that Christmas was yesterday. We didn't, but the home did! Everything is put away neatly, the house is clean and feels oh, so clutter free.  I absolutely love every decoration twenty four hours before, but the next day, I'm ready to clean! 

Doug is always amazed that I can put away in two hours, what took me three days to put out.  It's so much less work to undo!  He also doesn't get why it bothers me so to leave everything up, but for me, it's like this huge task calling my name, waiting to be done.  I can't relax until everything is away, and then, it's time for me to take it easy!  Now, to set up the card table and do the annual winter puzzle!

I found this awesome idea on Pinterest a few days ago.  Use 8 ounce bell tumbler shaped clear plastic cups to store your Christmas balls. A layer of cardboard between each layer of ornaments. (I used the styrofoam cups for different shape ornaments.) After the decorations were put away, I read that you are supposed to glue the cups to the cardboard.  Oops, I didn't do that.  Then, I noticed on the top layer of my bin, in the picture, that one of the cups had turned over on it's side.  BUT.  The top layer was more than just cups.  It had other decor for that tree, as well, so that probably was part of the problem.  But, this idea is wonderful!  Putting tree ornaments back into the boxes that they came in is a pain!  A perfect, simple solution!

Here's the recipe for that nummy breakfast souffle that I made for Christmas morning brunch.  Try it, you'll love it!

French Toast Strata

1- cups french bread (I used one loaf)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
8 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
2/3 cup cream  (I used whipping cream, but the original recipe called for half&half)
3/4 cup maple syrup 
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pound Jimmy Dean Sausage

powdered sugar
more maple syrup

Eight hours before:  Brown the sausage and crumble.  Drain and set aside.  Cut one loaf of french bread into 1" cubes.  Spread evenly into a lightly greased 9x13 baking pan. Pour the sausage over the bread.  In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth.  Add eggs, one at at time, whipping in between each egg.  Add milk and cream, syrup, salt and vanilla.  Mix well.  Pour egg/milk mixture over the bread and sausage. Cover and put in the refrigerator overnight. 

In the morning, remove from the refrigerator, and let it sit on the counter, at room temperature, for thirty minutes.  Bake in preheated oven, at 350 for 40 minutes or until golden brown and a knife comes out clean.  Pour maple syrup over the baked strata and then sprinkle powdered sugar over top of that.  (I didn't pour the syrup on the baked strata.  I served it with syrup on the side, so that everyone could have the sweetness that they preferred.  Being married to GranolaMan, this works.)  SO SO NUMMY!  ENJOY!

Tuesday plans... finish our Pirates of the Caribbean Marathon, games and lunch at Carol's, some more pondering about 2012 goals while working on the puzzle, a possible date with Doug and Tom Cruise and more "chillin'".  I changed out my Franklin Planner to 2012 and noticed that next year's Christmas break doesn't start until Monday, Christmas Eve, which means that if he's on the same work schedule, Doug will have almost two weeks off for Christmas Break!  I'm looking forward to that already!   One last thought... is it me or are the Pirates movies confusing?  ;)

Christmas 2011 ~ It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

It wasn't white, but it was beautiful!

Christmas Eve morning, I decided to take some pictures of the kids for one of Mom's gifts, a cute frame, before we went over to her home. We'd planned on having a photographer friend take family pix while Liza was here last week but when Doug got so sick, the shoot had to be cancelled.  The kids were more than happy to pose, at the last minute and Mom was thrilled.

We spent the afternoon at Mom's for "Nana's Christmas".  Mom really outdid herself!  VERY tasty food and then awesome gifts.  Doug and Quayd passed out on Mom's couch for a quick nap after gift opening and eating waaaaaay too much, while the girls, Mom and I gabbed.

Afterward, we came home to try our new gift game.  It will definitely become a permanent fixture in our holiday traditions!  Christmas Eve afternoon is the perfect time to play the game because it took half an hour to open the gift, then an hour and a half to stop laughing about it.   Almost as funny, was when the babes woke up on Christmas Eve morning and discovered this gift under the tree.  Quayd said, "Uh, Mom, did you get a little carried away there?"

 Oh. My. HECK!  My mother is competitive!  We invited her to play with the kids and watching her was as fun as them!  Seriously, this game is a must for every family!

We were all still full from Mom's lunch at dinner time, so we simplified the meal and "ate ourselves into a coma", as Doug puts it, again.  It was just the five of us, which is a first in the babes' lives.  We, actually, quite enjoyed being just us all alone.  Following dinner, we went into the living room, as always, for Doug to share the Christmas message.  He always does such a beautiful job of "likening" the story of Christ's birth to us today.  The kids listened intently.

After Doug's message, it was time to open the jammies.  This year, the girls asked about every fifteen minutes, "When do we open our jammies?"   No more surprises for them.  They've got it all down, as to what happens next.  Traditions are a wonderful thing!

More laughs before bedtime.  When Doug's around, there are always laughs.  Lots of them!

And then there were some more laughs.

After we got the kids to bed, I had to laugh when I walked into the gallery and found Doug napping on the LazyBoy, wearing my mother's stocking on his right foot.  I think it started as a joke, but he was so tired, he fell asleep before he finished the joke.  I still laughed!

Christmas morning, every one uf us woke up SICK, feeling all the same symptoms that Doug had all last week.  Fevers, barking coughs, sinus headaches.  Lovely.  We felt that we should not pass it to the rest of the ward, so we ended up staying home from church.  Christmas on Sunday is my favorite, so I was the most disappointed about the situation.  Sadness. But, even in a lower gear than normal, we made the best of it.

On Christmas Eve, Denise called for a recipe and while I was looking it up, I happened onto a recipe that just "flipped my trigger".  I bagged all previous plans and prepared a breakfast souffle that was to die for!  It's a must try!  Recipe tomorrow!

Quayd was really starting to worry that he wouldn't get an iTouch because he' heard me tell Liza, when he mentioned a song that gets on my nerves, "And that's why he's notgetting a Touch." Fooled him!   He was the last one in the family to have his own iPod.  Later in the day, we all agreed that next year, we'll have a non-electronic Christmas.  (Until they announce something else that's new and wonderful that we don't think we can live without.)



ZJ brought Doug and I to tears with her reaction to her "best" gift...a sewing machine.  It was so much fun to watch her as she opened her stocking stuffers ~ pins, scissors, a tomato pin cushion then a container to store them all... she's so crafty, that it was a natural gift for her. She teased that I'd bought it all for her so that she'd leave mine alone, but never did it occur to her that she'd get her own sewing machine!

She also spent the day asking me, "Now, Mommy, tell me again why don't we sew on Sunday?"  I'd taught her a while ago that my grannie always said, "Every stitch you sew on Sunday, you unpick with your nose on Monday."



Since Grace stepped off the bus from girls camp in June, she's been enamoured by a girl in our ward who'd brought her guitar to camp.  Gracie spent the afternoon sitting on the floor with her very own guitar, which was wrapped and tucked into the rest of the gifts so well since day one that she had no clue until we pulled it out from under the tree.  Immediately, "It's my guitar!!!!"

Santa was good to me this year too!  Fun stuff!  Doug and I received a fondue pot as a wedding gift...back when dinosaurs roamed the earth.  It was the kind you had to fill with alcohol and try to regulate the heat. It never worked.  I gave up and tossed it.  Guess what we're having on New Years Eve?!

Go-Go didn't seem too interested in the gifts, but he loved the little bites of  turkey, ham and sausage throughout the weekend!



We enjoyed skyping with Liza and Buddy while they opened their gifts from us. They started some new traditions of their own, spending their first Christmas away from both of their families. Christmas Eve at the Mesa LDS Temple, seeing the spectacular lights.  Kelly worked most of the holiday, but celebrated bigtime with Zaylee on Christmas Eve.  We talked with Dale on Christmas Adam.  My dad called a few times.  Doug's mom called.  Technology is a great gift during the holidays!

This shot of ZJ was one of my favorites.  To me, it said,"Life is good!"  We heard from the kids, probably twenty times each, "This is the best Christmas EVER!  THANK YOU!"  Even their prayers were filled with gratitude... and requests that we all get better quickly! 

Even with all of us being sick, it's been a perfect Christmas Day!  I'm reminded of the quote on my kitchen wall, "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be perfectly wonderful."
 Now, a full week of time together...Doug at home, kids at home, a fridge full of food, new movies to watch, games to play and time to do it all!   Merry Christmas!  Only 364 days til we do it again!  And if you don't count today, and you don't count Christmas Day and.....  Woohoooo!  
Indeed, life is good!

Life: It is about the gift not the package it comes in. 

Merry Christmas!

O holy night,
The stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of
Our dear Savior's birth!

wondering?

Previously posted in December 2008

Isn't Go-Go the

cutest little thing

you've ever

seen!? 

  

What happens to

a 50 year old

woman when she

lets her 25 year

old daughter do

her hair?

  

 

Is there anything

better than

catching

snowflakes on

your tongue?

 

Don't you just

love waking up to

this on a day that

you don't have to

leave home!?

 

Doesn't this tree  

speak Christmas?

And

last

but

not

least,

are  

you making this your reason for the

 season? 

  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

For unto us a child is born. 

 

some last minute fun ideas...

HAPPY CHRISTMAS ADAM!!

Today, a few last minute ideas in the kitchen, under the tree and with the family!  I hope you enjoy!

Denise has mentioned this for years and for some reason, I  never "got it" until today and now I can't wait to try it!  I am wishing I'd have done this while Liza and Buddy were still living nearby!

First, in advance, a gift must be purchased and wrapped.  The gift needs to be "generic".  Denise now does two gifts for this activity ~ one for the grands and one for the grown-ups.  She's used games, gift cards, cash, gadgets as the gift.

The gift is then placed in a larger box and wrapped like a normal gift.  Then, it's wrapped again.  And again.  And again.  Each layer of wrapping is different and difficult to open.  Denise wraps the gift in gift wrap, puts it inside a plastic shopping bag, then duct tapes it around and around, wraps it again in newspaper, shipping paper, gift wrap, more plastic bags.  "Layers" are taped around and around, tied with string, duct taped, electrical taped, masking taped, Scotch taped, you name it.  The package is ugly. Denise says that it's not even square anymore.  You can't tell what the original shape was. 

To play the game:  You will need the gift, a pair of dice and a pair of winter gloves.  Not mittens.  Not thin yarn type gloves.  Insulated, thick gloves, like snowmobile gloves.  Everyone gathers around the table and the first person rolls the dice.  Going around the circle, everyone takes their turn rolling the dice.  When the first person rolls doubles, they grab the gloves, put them on, grab the gift and begin unwrapping the first layer of wrap.  They unwrap one layer at a time and continue unwrapping.  As they are unwrapping, the rest of the players continue to roll the dice until the next person rolls doubles.  As soon as the next player rolls doubles, they grab the gift and gloves, put them on and begin unwrapping until the next person rolls doubles.  A layer at a time, the package is unwrapped until the final person who unwraps the actual gift wins!  The winner gets to keep the gift!  Denise says it's hysterical and gets pretty wild.

Here's a cute little quickie project, if you're looking for a last minute gift.  The fabric sheets are available at Office Max.  It's not transfer paper, it's actual fabric to print on.

Picture-Perfect Pillows from Country Living.com

Spark a trip down memory lane with an old family photo and cool printer-friendly fabric. To begin, scan and upload the photo to your computer, then place the image in an 8½" x 11" Microsoft Word document. Adjust the image as desired, leaving a half-inch border around it for seam allowance. Print onto an ink-jet fabric sheet ($9.99 for five 8½" x 11" sheets; amazon.com) . If necessary, trim the fabric, then cut a same-size piece of backing fabric, like linen or broadcloth. 

Pin the two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing. Stitch around the pillow along the seam allowance, leaving a four-inch-wide opening on one side. Use small scissors to clip the corners, then turn the pillow right side out. Push out the corners, iron out any wrinkles, and stuff the pillow with loose fiberfill stuffing ($4.33 for one pound; amazon.com) before blind-stitching the opening closed.

Jalepeno Poppers Made Easy!  (photo from pinterest)

1 can of Pillsbury Crescent dough

 cream cheese

 2-3 fresh jalapeños

bacon

Remove the seeds and dice the jalapeños. Slice the bacon into 2" slices and fry. Roll out the dough.  Cut each triangle in half.  Layer a small dollop of cream cheese, a bacon slice and jalapeno.  Pinch the corners of the dough together at the top. Bake 10-15 minutes at 350.  Enjoy! 

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.

enjoy!

First, a good laugh.   Liza called me just laughing out loud.  She said she'd been catching up on my blog and read the recipe for that Candy Cane Punch that I'd shared a week or two ago.  Well, we made it while she was here.  It was AWFUL!  NASTINESS!  It had lumps of Strawberry Jam floating in the bottom of it.  It was so sweet that it was unbearable.  It was "chunky".  Even the babes were not big fans.  So, why was Liza laughing so hard?  She said, "Um, Mom.  You might want to read the recipe and directions next time."  The recipe called for 20 ounces of strawberry jam to be boiled in Sprite.  I'd not read the instructions and had dumped the jam right into the punch bowl.  No wonder it was chunky!  Oh, for the love of Martha!  Note:  Even with the jam boiled, I'm thinking that this would be a great punch withoutthe strawberry jam.  We couldn't even taste it since it was so chunky.  So, there's 20 ounces of sugar that wasn't even necessary. Way too sweet! And no.  I won't be trying it again, even now that I do know the right way.  Oopsie.

And another quick chuckle...One afternoon, while Liza was here, we made a Hot Chocolate Bar.  Zaylee, 3, who always wants to be my little helper, had put Reeses Peanutbutter Chips, Red Hots and Marshmallows into the little cups of this snowman dish.  The next day, she opened some Hot Cocoa packages in her little 12 days of Christmas gift from Buddy's sister.  Immediately, she neededsome Hot Cocoa.  We poured the milk into the cup with the mix and put it in the microwave.  Zaylee was very concerned.  "But, Gwammie.  Look!  There's no treats in the snowman's feet."  She must think that this was a snowman with clown feet.  Aren't 3 year olds wonderful!?

Heaven, help me!  I made a giant batch of white chocolate covered Chex Mix and it just keeps calling my name from the kitchen.  Sometimes, it screams, "Get in here right now!!"  Other times, it softly whispers, "Sophiaaaaaa.  I'm waitinnnnng."  I am drinking ice water with it, does that counteract the calories?  If you've not made this holiday treat, race to the store and pick up the ingredients, whip up a batch and just watch the five pounds gather on your hips tomorrow.

White Chocolate Chex Mix

1 Box Chex Cereals (I prefer rice or corn chex)
1 large bag of holiday plain M&Ms
1 can salted peanuts
1/2 bag of pretzels (the curly kind, not sticks)
2 bags of White Chocolate Chips

Mix all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips in the largest bowl in your kitchen.  In a smaller bowl, melt the chocolate chips...Place the bowl in the microwave on the a low setting (I used 3 with a 10 being high) and melt, taking out and stirring every minute until they are melted.  The chips will be almost pourable.  The simplest way to spread the chocolate is to put it into a ziplock bag, seal the bag shut, then snip of a tiny corner of the bag and squeeze it onto your dry mix, stirring and tossing gently.  Store in a tightly covered container, if it lasts that long.  MMMMMM!

A quick sentiment that I shared on Facebook Wednesday morning. "Let it Go, Let it Go, Let it Go!" Tis the season to be FORGIVING! I've been thinking about this all morning...Most people are genuinely good and well intended. Give someone the benefit of the doubt and forgive them today. It will be the best gift you give to them and YOURSELF all season! Just sayin'.  I was quite surprised by the private messages and emails that I received about this status update.  Apparently, there are lots of people dealing with "issues" and wanting to let them go but not knowing how.  Seriously, Doug says often, "Just lower your expectations and let it go."  It's not always that simple, but why give your energy at this wonderful time of the year to anything but the good stuff! Let it go and move forward.  That's not to say that you have to let it go and jump right back into the fire.  But, let it go, move forward, with caution if necessary.  Life's too short to carry unneeded burdens!  Enough said!  

 The kids are out of school!  Doug gets off today at 3 and let Christmas Vacation begin!  Life is good!Merry Christmas Adam Eve!

In all of living, have much fun and laughter.  Life is to be enjoyed.  Gordon B. Hinckley

 

a little holiday this and that...

 A few holiday ramblings and I'm aiming for 7 hours of sleep! 

Fun Paparazzi party!  I have to laugh because we accidentally discovered a new treat.  And it's a strange one.  Chow-Chow and Cream Cheese on crackers.  Oh, how my hips will regret that discovery! 

A fun little Christmas idea that I just heard.  A couple, who could  afford generous gifts, choose to spend $20 or purchase four $5 gifts for each other.  They have a great time coming up with thoughtful, personal gifts for each other and spend the rest of their Christmas budget on their children and others.  And they stick to it and enjoy the challenge! I thought that this was a super idea, especially for a couple of newlyweds or students.  Whatever the dollar amount that could be set, it would be a fun challenge.  Love it! 

Wendy made these cute little "Kissmas tree" gifts with the kids last night.  It's an ice cream sugar cone, covered in a frosting (like the kind you use for gingerbread houses) and then Candy Kisses.  It couldn't be more simple and they are darling! 

Another fun treat, received from neighbor Sandy last night, I also saw on Pinterest.  Here's a great idea!

 

Here's a knock-off of my favorite item on Chili's menu.  Sad to say that it will be removed from their menu in January.  But.  This will do!  As cold as it is, every day is a soup day, but this is so quick and easy that it would be a perfect dinner over the next week while the kids are all home!  Cook simple, Play with the kids more!

Chili's Chicken & Green Chili Soup

3 chicken breasts
70 oz. chicken broth
2 cans cilantro and lime Rotel
1/2 - 3/4 medium onion, finely chopped
1 7 0z. can green chilis
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup lime juice

q bunch cilantro leaves only
1 cup uncooked rice
diced avocado
salt and pepper to taste

Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt, pepper and cumin.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.  Shred or chop.  In stock pot, cook onions in olive oil over med-low heat for about 8-10 minutes or until soft and translucent.  Add garlic and cook for one more minute.  Add broth, rotel, green chilis, lime hiuce and cumin.  Bring to a boil and simmer for ten minutes.  Add cilantro and chicken, simmer another five minutes.  Season with Salt and Pepper, and more cumin to taste.  Cook rice separately.  Ladle soup into bowls and and a spoonful of rice and avocado to the soup just before serving.

Another great Christmas breakfast treat and an oldie, but more than goodie recipe:

I use my own roll dough, but Rhodes Frozen Dough is what the recipe calls for.

2 loaves Rhodes frozen bread dough or roll dough
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 Tbsp milk
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 package of non-instant vanilla pudding

Thaw frozen bread overnight, then cut into pieces.  Scatter the bread pieces into a well-greased 9x13 pan or a bundt pan. Cook butter, brown sugar, milk, cinnamon and pudding.  Bring to a boil and pour over the bread pieces.  Set in the fridge overnight and back at 375 for 30-35 minutes.  Serve warm!

OH!  I made the candycane punch that I posted last week on the blog, while Liza was here.  Here's a note to self.  Read the directions first!  I didn't boil the sprite and jam.  It had lumps of jam in it and was far too sweet for our tastes.   Next time, I'd completely leave out the jam and it would be pretty tasty.

A friend shared today that her married son and his young family were at Village Inn having dinner last week.  When they asked for their check, the server told them that someone had paid their check already.  They didn't know a soul in the building, but whoever did this had no clue that this was a struggling young couple!  Here's a little challenge... Even if it's just to pay for the gallon of milk that the woman in line behind you at the grocery store is about to pay for, try it.  You'll find that you'll feel better about that random act of kindness than you would opening any present under the tree!  Just sayin'.

Last day of school for the babes.  One more for Doug and we'll all be home together for almost two weeks! And the shocker:  Not one thing, other than church is on our calendar!  We plan on keeping it simple through the holidays.  Life is good!

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. 

Do you see what I see?

Well, I never made it back to the computer on Monday.  Monday, the day that I'd planned on a little "downtime" was anything but!  Doug, ZJ and I had a doctor appointment at first thing in the morning, I had lunch with Natalie at 11, errands until Zaylee came at 2:30, Family Home Evening and Dinner with the B's at 6 and in the middle of all that, I did some cleaning, three loads of laundry, changed our bedding and made a batch of homemade donut dough to take to the B's.   CRAZY day! 

A last few details of Liza's visit home:

Friday, Liza spent the day with Buddy's family, including going to SLC to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas performance and having dinner with Buddy's brother, Mitchell, who's been in Afghanistan for most of the last two years.  A lot of people asked me how I felt about Liza being gone for a whole day of our already too short visit.  I'd be lying if I said that it didn't bother me.  I didn't like it.  One bit. It was a sacrifice for Doug and I to bring her home at this time, so sharing her wasn't easy!  But, it made her happy and we count it a blessing that she loves his family and wants to be with them.  And when she told me that she'd been able to see her brother-in-law, Mitchell, it made my day too! 

The Corbridge Family Christmas party was Saturday Brunch. Aleece (Doug's youngest sibling) and Dee did a super job, with the help of their two newlywed couples and two younger daughters.  We had a fabulous meal, a super activity ~ a graham cracker house building/decorating contest.  TOO fun!  Our house was a total disaster but the kids had fun.  Having three builders in the family didn't give us much of a chance. ;)  We met at noon, instead of at night, like we've done over the past decades.  There was less rush, less stress about getting home late at night, worrying about weather and the change of menu to breakfast was super.  Doug and I host next year.  We've already announced the Ugly Sweater Contest and I'm thinking that we'll keep the daytime party idea rolling.  Loved it and it was perfectly timed for Liza to see the whole family, except a few cousins!

Liza and I made the most of every moment together, right up until it was time to go to the airport. I loved having her with us for church and my Relief Society lesson. We had so much fun catching up on games, cards, gabbing (like we don't do that anyway) and just hanging out.  On Sunday, after church, I prepared all of her favorites for her last meal at home... it was a sort of South meets West.  I served roast beef and gravy, funeral potatoes, hushpuppies, chowchow, pretzel salad and peas.  (Buddy's allergic.) After goodbyes were said to her siblings and Dad, we picked up Denise and headed to SLC airport.  (96 miles) I was grateful that Denise rode with me since Doug has spent most of the past week in bed with pneumonia!  He was sick the whole time she was here and even missed the family party.  The antibiotics are finally kicking in and I think he'll still be alive for Christmas!  HAPPINESS.

Saying goodbye to Liza was hard, as expected. I adore this child.  She may be almost 30 but she's my baby girl, best friend, favorite, friend, sister.  I bawled half way home and then off and on the rest of the way. 

Just a few blocks before dropping off Denise, we came upon a beautiful deer that had been hit by a car and had a broken back.  The doe was struggling so desperately to get up, but could only move her upper half in a circle.  I realized that my emotions were totally raw, but I couldn't stand the thought of this dear suffering.  I dropped Denise off, called 911 and went back to wait and make sure that someone would come and take care of this poor beautiful creature.  I was sobbing.  The UGLY cry.  The police officer arrived and told me that he'd take care of her as soon as I was gone, thankfully.  I just couldn't stop crying.  Then, at Family Home Evening last night, Stott had to make a comment about Bambi and now all I can think of is a little baby deer off in the field saying "Mother?" ;) 

I guess the reason I mention all of this is because it's pretty obvious that my emotions are near the surface.  I was also exhausted!  I'm ready for a few calm days and some time to just relax.  Being that the babes are out of school for the next two weeks, I'm doubting that we'll see much calm!  BUT, aside from hosting a Paparazzi Jewelry Open House tonight and the holiday, we've managed to keep the calendar relatively tame for the rest of the year.  I've not had a "product" party in years, but the jewelry was so dang cute and the price couldn't be better.  It should be casual and fun!  And it will be fun to just visit with friends and neighbors.

One last Liza comment.  Last night, as I was getting ready for bed, I had this little tinge of emotion, as I thought about Liza being tucked into bed safely in the room below me,as she had been the past five nights.  It was only a second and I realized that she was actually, at her home, tucked safely in bed in Arizona, next to her sweet husband.  I am so happy that she is happy.  She loves Arizona.  She loves the warmth.  She loves her job.  She loves Buddy.  On her first night home, while still at the airport, she said, "I miss Buddy."  I love that Liza was able to be home with us for a few days during the holiday.  But, equally, I love that she loves her life with Buddy and that they are moving forward in their own goals and aspirations.  (I just wish she loved winter the way we do because I don't think she'll ever come home again in December!  She no likee the cold!) I love my girl!  The joy.

Holy cow!  It's only a day or two till Christmas!  We don't count today because it's today and we don't count Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, so really it's only "a few" more days!  LOVE IT!  Tomorrow, a few more last minute recipes and a cute neighbor gift idea!  Life is good!

One more thought.  Seriously.  Even if you are not a Country Music fan, a must-have Christmas CD for your collection... Martina McBride's White Christmas Album.  OH MY!  It's wonderful!  Enough said!

Children laughing.  People passing.  Meeting smile after smile.  It's Christmas Time!  Soon it will be Christmas Day!

all too soon.

 

 It took me as long to drive home from the SLC Airport as it did Liza to fly home to Phoenix. She called from the airport carosel as I was pulling into our garage. She's home.  I'm home.  We're both exhausted.   I miss her already.  Immensely.  But it was a wonderful time together. More when I wake up.

good times

A joy that is shared is a joy made double.

The ABCs of a Corbridge Christmas

Previously posted in December 2009

I can count, honest. Just not in December! Doug teases me for the way that I count days until Christmas (or any upcoming excitement!) I don’t count today and I don’t count Christmas Day and I don’t count Christmas Eve because that’s part of Christmas... He teases "And you don’t count the days that you have to eat or the days that you wake up".... We can make Christmas only two days away with my counting. Seriously, I am a day ahead of schedule and I don’t know how it happened! Forgive my enthusiasm (or my blonde roots!).

Today’s entry is this week’s blog challenge... My ABC's of Christmas. Doug also added a bit of his own Grinch humor as I created my list... He had me cackling! Thanks heavens he was just in a joking mood and isn't really like that!

• A is for Advent Calendars, filled with candy and treats and Angels hidden all through our holiday home.  (Doug said it’s for "Ain’t ya glad Christmas is only once a year")
• B is for Baby Jesus, the reason for the season. (Doug said, "B is for Budget Shot to Heck")
• C is for Carols... my favorites - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Breath of Heaven and Mary, Did You Know?
• D is for Decorations, Decorations and more decorations!
• E is for eating, entertaining, excitement!
• F is for Family, Friends and Festivity!  (Doug said, "FINE!  Go ahead and buy it!")
• G is for that good feeling in the air for the whole month of December
• H is for Homemade goodies... Susan’s Toffee, Connie’s caramels, my own cinnamon raisin bread and apple cake
• I is for It’s a Wonderful Life and all of our other favorite Holiday movies...from Little Princess to Christmas Vacation to Home Alone
• J is for Jingle Bells, the sound never gets old
• K is for Kisses... that is Cordial Cherry Kisses, Peppermint Kisses, Peanut butter Kisses... Oh, thank you, Mr. Hershey!
• L is for Love, which is shown more than at any other time of the year and Lights shining everywhere  (Doug said, "L is for Let's go Sing Christmas Carols... NOT!!")
• M is for the Magic in the air!
• N is for Nativities
• O is for ornaments
• P is for picture perfect windows and presents
• Q is for Quiet, the one moment before everyone awakens on Christmas morning, the sound outside when the snow is falling, the thing I long for on the day before the babes go back to school.  (Doug said, "Q is for "Can we QUIT while we're behind?")
• R is for recipes, old and new, tried and true.
• S is for Santa, Snowmen and sweet scents of Christmas... Pomegranate candles, apples and cinnamon baking  (Doug said, " S is for Stop yourself, Sophia!")
• T is for traditions carried on throughout the years
• U is for all of the love, thought and energy that is wrapped and placed lovingly Under the tree
• V is for the beautiful Christmas Village under my mother’s tree
• W is for Wassail and Wreathes
• X is for X’s & O’s under the mistletoe
• Y is for Yummy things to eat and Yahoo, it’s Christmas!
• Z is for Zonked... that’s me the day after Christmas!

As you could see, Doug had some fun with my list too.  You'd have to know him to appreciate this humor because this man is the most gentle natured, easy going guy around.  So, coming from him, this was VERY funny!  Have a great day!

Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day.

Corbridge Christmas Traditions

PREVIOUSLY POSTED IN DECEMBER 2006:

Last fall, I created a scrapbook all about our family’s holiday traditions. It’s placed in the living room near the tree, just waiting to be opened! This album is filled with photos and tons of detailed journaling! (Imagine that!) My intent was to have looking through this holiday album become a tradition in itself! My last article in the magazine was all about this album and I couldn’t have been more pleased to end on this note. I look forward to adding to the album in years to come. I have to admit that I anticipate our holiday traditions more than the babes do the opening of the presents! Here’s some details of our Corbridge Christmas traditions:

• December mornings begin with moving the advent calendars, filled with candy and treats before breakfast... how could you not love that as a babe? Keeping up is simple because the babes won’t let me forget it!
• Each evening, we spend time by one of the trees playing games, reading stories or both. The lights and Christmas music in playing in the background makes the room warm and cozy. It’s not the same with the regular lights on!
• Twenty years ago, I made a special candle holder that has 12 candle cups on a circular base. Each year, I place12 white tapered candles in the cups. On the 12^th of December, we light one candle at dinner and eat by the candlelight. (It’s not very bright!) On the 13^th, we light two. Each night, we light one more candle. By Christmas Eve, with the light of 12 candles, the room is plenty bright (and warm). Each night, we discuss the star that would shine so bright that the entire world could see it, the shepherds could follow it to the baby Jesus, the significance of the light of Christ in our lives. Each night, a different topic regarding light and Christ. By the last night, the first candle lit is usually only an inch or two tall and the rest step up to the newly lit candle. This spiraling circle of light is a favorite tradition for our big kids. We retired this tradition a few years ago when Liza, the only child still at home, worked nights. The babes were too young to participate. This year, we bring out the candles again as the babes are old enough to understand and join in the discussions! I hope that it’s as meaningful as it was the first time around.
• Each year, we select a family to do something special for and never reveal ourselves as the givers. Over the years, we’ve left live trees decorated in ribbons and bows, meals in a basket, treats of all sorts, family night baskets complete with a movie, treats, popcorn and pop. The biggest thrill of it all is the actual ring the doorbell and run or call from the van from around the corner to say, "Open your front door! Merry Christmas!"
• We usually open one gift on Christmas Eve morning - a game or new movie, just to help occupy antsy children throughout the day!
• On Christmas Eve, after our candlelight dinner, we gather in the living room for Doug to share the story of the birth of the Savior, usually lasting about 3-5 minutes and then, each year we rotate, someone places the baby Jesus into our first Nativity. It’s been a tradition since the year that Dale had just turned 1 and Doug’s mother gave us our first Nativity. (We call it the Chocolate Nativity because many people have asked if it is!) After the Nativity, we open one gift, which is always new Jammies. Santa’s bells are usually heard outside about that time, meaning, "HURRY to sleep so he doesn’t have to come back!"
• We leave cookies and milk for Santa and he usually leaves a little behind.
• On Christmas morning, the first person awake, no matter how early it is, starts calling out loud, "Merry Christmas!" until everyone is up. Hair is brushed and then everyone waits at the bottom of the stairs together while I turn on Mannheim Steamroller, the Christmas lights and get the cameras ready. Everyone walks up the stairs together with the camera flashing every step of the way.
• We all open our stockings at the same time.   (Stockings are a whole other blog entry!)
• Presents are opened one at a time, taking turns from the youngest to the oldest. Everyone has the same number of gifts (or is supposed to).  I do not use gift tags on most gifts. Each gift is numbered on the tape on the back seam of each gift. I keep the numbered list in my planner. Doug removes them from under the tree,one at a time, as I check who it belongs to. (Every year, at least one gift gets opened by the wrong person because I wrote down the wrong number. I’ve already listed one gift twice this year, so something is not recorded!)  Until Christmas morning, everyone leaves the gifts under the tree alone because no one knows who’s is who’s. Up until Christmas morning, they guess and pick which gifts are theirs.  Everyone is always certain that the biggest belongs to them! On Christmas morning, it’s fun to see and hear the expressions of "I knew this one was mine!"
• Santa only brings one or two items (usually the impossible to wrap) and fills the stockings. The most wanted and best gift is always the last gift that gets opened. A couple of reasons.... 1) selfishly, Doug and I get to be the hero instead of the bearded man in the red suit... 2) It’s much more fun to keep the anticipation and excitement up until the very end! 3) Opened at the end, they can take as long as they want to examine and play and discover every detail because no one else is waiting for their turn.
• We stay in our jammies all day long, have our tradition brunch and watch movies, nap and play the rest of the day. The meal is prepared  and the table is set with the fun Christmas dishes the night before, so that we only heat and serve in the morning.)
• Leftovers, relish trays, cheese balls, partyfood from the Christmas Eve feast are ready for snacking and munching all day long.  Moms shouldn’t have to spend Christmas day in the kitchen!
That’s our holiday traditions. My own quote: 


"Traditions are the magic of Christmas!

blonde moments, a few laughs, a few tears and a few calories!

Liza, Denise and I were having lunch at Chili's, talking about Buddy's Masters Degree Program possibly meaning that they'll move to Florida next.  Without thinking, Denise asked, "Which is closer?  Arizona or Florida?"  As she said it, she realized what she'd said.  We all did the "air map".  "This is us.  We are here.  AZ is here.  FL is here."  We laughed and laughed.

Later, we were talking about nuts.  A neighbor has shared some amazing fresh walnuts from their tree.  FABULOUS!  Denise said, "Of all the nuts, I'd have to say that walnuts are my least favorite.  I've never thought that they were very good, which is really strange because I love pecan pie."  Um.  PS.  Denise.  Pecan pie is made of pecans, not walnuts.  Again. We were laughing out loud.  Two very blonde moments from Denise.  Maybe you had to be there, but we laughed a lot today.

Thursday's agenda for Liza and I included lunch at Chili's, Breaking Dawn with Denise and Kelly, some shopping, getting Liza's wedding ring cleaned and inspected, some of Liza's Christmas shopping, some clothes shopping, dinner with Denise, seeing Kelly's new home and a jewelry party at Carol's.  Fun stuff!  My favorite moment of the day was when we arrived at the theater, where Max works.  Max is Liza's brother-in-law, who if you remember, was in a coma at this time last year, after being broadsided by a pickup truck.  Here's their "hug" hello, through the "box".  Loved it!  (We did get real hugs when we went inside!) I'm so glad that Liza loves her in-law family so much!

Friday, Liza will be spending the day with Buddy's family and then attending the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert in SLC.  We won't see her all day long.  I'm feeling like the very good mother to share my daughter for a whole day of her trip!  Truth is, it's killing me to have her here but not here for one second.  But, she's excited to see Buddy's family too.  ;)  Thursday's gift was music...the Breaking Dawn Soundtrack, Adele and some Christmas music.  Loving every minute of our time together!

Now, a little Christmas.  I'm absolutely dying at the thought of all the fun of  the season being over in just nine days!!  I've been so focused on Liza coming that I've not really counted the days until Christmas!  And now, it's almost here!

When we returned home, I found a delicious plate of cookies and these darling gloves waiting for me, a gift from my visiting teachers.  I LOVE these gloves with the felt and lace flower!  Wouldn't they be a fun gift for the teens to share with their friends.  Great idea!

This recipe from Pinterest via wonderful friend, Katie.  She says they are a MUST TRY!

 

 

Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped (or use chocolate chips)
1 cup chopped Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses (or use crumbled candy canes)
2 ounces white chocolate

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with nonstick spray. Line bottom of pan with long strip of 9-inch-wide parchment paper, leaving overhang on both short sides of pan.

2. Whisk flour and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually beat in sugar. Continue beating until mixture is light and fluffy, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla, then egg yolk. Gradually add flour mixture, beating on low speed just to blend.

3. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls into prepared baking pan, spacing evenly. Using moistened fingertips, press dough to form even layer over bottom of pan. Pierce dough all over with fork.

4. Bake cookie base until light golden brown and slightly puffed and edges begin to come away from sides of pan, about 30 minutes. Place pan on rack; immediately sprinkle bittersweet chocolate over. Let stand until chocolate softens, about 3 minutes. Using small offset spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate over top of cookie in thin even layer. Immediately sprinkle chopped candy cane kisses over (or candy canes).

5. Stir white chocolate in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. If it's too tough and thick to stir, add a tiny drizzle of vegetable oil or 1/2 teaspoon of shortening to thin it out. Remove from over water. Using fork, drizzle white chocolate all over cookies. Chill until white chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.

6. Using paper overhang as aid, lift cookie from pan and transfer to work surface. Using large knife, cut cookie into irregular pieces.

Tips: *DO AHEAD Can be made 1 week ahead. Store in refrigerator (or freezer) in airtight containers between layers of waxed paper or parchment paper. Can be stored in the freezer for several weeks.

That best portion of a good man's life; his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.

Liza's home!!!

Totally un-Christmas post today, but it's my best Christmas present of the year!  Liza is home for five days with the family!  HAP.PI.NESS!!!!

It's been an interesting day, to say the least.  I couldn't sleep at 4AM because I was took excited about the day ahead of me. I got the kids off to school and fifteen minutes later,  FIFTEEN minutes later, they walked back inside the house.  Apparently, it was so dark that Gracie didn't think that her bus was herbus, so she didn't even try to get on it.  ????  So, rather than walk home right then, she waited until Quayd's bus came and then, not wanting her to walk home alone in the dark,  he stepped off the bus and walked her home.  Which means both of themmissed their buses, which means I had to get dressed and take Quayd six miles north to his school then, back to Smithfield and three miles south to Gracie's school and back to Smithfield again to get ZJ ready for school.  I was notamused.  BUT.  I also appreciated that Quayd protects his sister.  B the time we got back, ZJ announced that she was feeling nauseous and she ended up staying home, hugging a bucket.  Thankfully, Mom and Wendy are both right here! 

 

By the time I drove to Logan, it was blowing and snowing and sleeting.  I headed to Secret Haven at the Rock Loft and just melted when I walked inside to see their lovely pretties everywhere!  I took tons of pix to share and just drooled the entire time I was inside.  Next a quick stop at the Bakery next door to buy Marilyn some of her favorite cinnamon roll mix and off to the big city.  It snowed most of the afternoon. I was able to do some fun shopping.  An hour in the Sandy Taipan, which is quite different than the Layton Taipan where I usually shop. 

A few other little shopping stops and then a lovely visit with Aunt Lucille, who I just adore.  ADORE!!!!  The receptionist said to me, when I told her who I was there to see, "OH!  She's my favorite lady here!  She's everyone's favorite!"  I said, "That's how anyone who knows her feels!"  She said, "She's the most amazing woman I've ever met.  There's no one like her."  I said, "Oh, yes.  There is.  You'll have to meet her two sisters because they are three peas in a pod.  I love that I wasn't alone in my adoration of this very very youthful 80 year old wonderwoman!  She's just plain delightful.

After Aunt Lucille's, I headed straight to Gardner Village to meet Marilyn.  I was excited to stop inside the store and visit for a moment with one of Doug's cousins, Debbie, who is also a favorite Corbridge!  Marilyn and I had a tasty dinner and lots of chat. And Marilyn gave me a few darling little gifties too boot, including her jalepeno jellies! We hit a few of the village shops and said our goodbyes so that I could head to the airport to pick up my girl!

Liza's plane landed right on time and I waited curbside by the baggage claim area in the truck.  I could see her through the window as we said on our cellphones, "We're in the same state!  We're in the same city!  We're in the same airport!  We're breathing the same air!!" all while waiting for her luggage to come off the carousel.  When she came across the street, I went running and met her in the middle, "Let's parrrrrrtyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!"  A woman was standing there looking at us as we hugged and did our little triple mwah-mwah-mwah routine.  The lady laughed at us and Liza said, "She really missed me."  The lady gave the "I can tell" approval.

After several texts and calls from Doug, ZJ, Buddy, Kelly, we were on our way in the snow on a slippery I-15 and Liza said, "We should stop at Target and see if we can find the new Cranberry Shasta pop.  I cut across four lanes and we were at Target.  Then, we saw a Pier One.  We hadto stop there since it was our favorite store in Logan and it closed.  Liza's whole house is Puer One.  It brought back memories of her wedding.  After our second full walk-through, I asked is she was ready to go.  "Not yet."  So, we did some looking.  Fun stuff!  No one was around to take our picture.  Sadness.  But, we had fun.  Pictures or not.  That will come later in the week!

Then, we gabbed the whole way home and some more while she unpacked.  She was very surprised and excited to see the basket on her bed, filled with gifts, labeled one for each day that she is here.  "For me?"  A big hug and "I'm coming home more often!"  Yes, please!  (Her first day's gift was a cute red and white snowflake fleece blanket.  I figured she'd need it while she's here since she's always cold!)

It's late and we've got a list of things going on tomorrow.  She can't wait to see Zaylee and Kelly.  ZJ woke up when we came in, which I knew would be the case.  It's so good to have my girl at home!  If we did nothing but sit and play cards and talk all week long, it would be perfect, but we have tons planned. I'm loving every minute in advance!  life is so dang good!  If it were any better, I'd have to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming!

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

lovin life!

This morning, we woke up bright and early, got the babes off to school and then Liza and I headed into Logan.  She decided to schedule a physical with her favorite doctor, since she's here in town, then we grabbed Costa Vida lunch to go, so that we could be home in time for Zaylee and Kelly to come.  We had a quick visit with Kelly before she left for work. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing games with the babes, baking bread, making homemade pizza for dinner and having a little Hot Cocoa bar.   Kelly arrived to pick Zaylee up just in time for a quick bite with us at the end of dinner and then we gathered around the tv for Survivor.  Bedtime for the babes and more games for Liza and I.  A fun, casual busy day. 

Here's everyone gathered around Zaylee playing with Liza's iPhone.  Doug was in tears laughing at this ap called Office Jerk.  Listening to Zaylee cackle as she threw the pie was a riot!

With Doug's schedule, Liza didn't see her dad until after work tonight.  I'm not sure who was happiest!  Liza made me laugh when she shared that she was telling a friend at work how her dad gives her mom a foot massage every night.  She said it occurred to her, as she told the story, "I get footrubs from Dad every night too while I'm there!"  And she got her first one during Survivor.  (Doug really should have been a masseuse!)

Thursday's plans include shopping, lunch, a matinee, a jewelry party and visiting.  A busy day!  It's so much fun to watch the babes with their big sister.  Everyone loves Liza!  Wednesday's little giftee was three pair of fuzzy socks.  Liza is quite excited about her little gift basket.  I'm so glad that I was inspired to do that!  We're trying to cram as much of her favorites ~ food, fun, friends and family ~ into her time here!  Loving it!

Now, let's talk a litlte Christmas:

We're making this tomorrow!

 Pomegranate Salad

2 or 3 pomegranates, seeded and peeled
4 sliced bananas
3 apples
1 cup chopped pecans
1 pint heavy whipping cream (not Cool Whip)
Sugar

Toss and coat the pomegranate seeds with sugar until sweetened to taste.  Let set for 30 minutes while sugar dissolves on fruit. Combine remaining ingredients.  Fold in the whipping cream. 

Marilyn gave me some tasty jalepeno jellies and this great idea for serving it.  It's cream cheese with jalepeno jellie poured over it and a little cilantro and other veggies to garnish.  TOO CUTE!!!  And seriously, if you've not tried this... just straight cream cheese with the jelly poured over it and crackers, you are missing out!!! I had to share:

It's 11:30 and I'm exhausted!  When I went in to lie down with Zaylee until she fell asleep, I did too!  I came out a bit later and Liza asked, "Did she take that long to go to sleep?"  No, I did!"  I need my rest because tomorrow, my big girls and I are attending a vampire wedding.  ;)  Life is good!

Enjoy more!  Endure less!

On the first day of Christmas.... It's here!

My favorite moment of the day was when Liza said, "See ya tomorrow!"  Woohoooooooooo!  I'll be heading to SLC today for a big day before the big moment... meeting with Doug's amazing and wonderful Aunt Lucille (who's husband passed away a few weeks ago) and then shopping and dinner with Marilyn before picking Liza up at the airport!  It will be an awesome day!!  HAPPINESS!!!!

Just a few other things and I'm off to bed.

I have peeked here and there at Pinterest for the past few months but accepted an invitation this past weekend and Oh. My.  Love, love, love it!  There's no need to ever purchase a magazine again!  It's incredible and amazing and wonderful!  Now, if I could only get it to upload my photos!  I don't have time to play with it till next week, but I feel a new addiction coming on!  For the best and most fun in holidays, check out Pinterest.com!

 

As if we didn't have enough to do in the next 12 days, here's a few other ideas to make some fun memories:

1. Drive around town and see the lights, Sing some of your favorite songs together, end the drive with some hot cocoa!  (That's what we did for Family Home Evening last night!)
2. Take some non-traditional pictures in front of the tree or house decorations
3. Cut out snowflakes together.  Hang them someplace all together in your home.
4. Buy a Christmas coloring book, Cut the pages out and pass them around the room.  Color them with a brand new box of crayons.  Deliver them to all the senior citizens you know with a bag of apples and oranges.
5. Make a Christmas ornament
6. Make Candy Houses.  Instead of gingerbread or graham crackers, frost tiny milk cartons and decorate!  Here's Grace and her house when she was 7 years old!  Time flies too quickly!
7. Pop some popcorn, get your jammies on and watch a christmas movie with the whole family!
8. Go to your local "pie" restaurant.  Order one slice of each pie on the menu, give everyone a fork and sample them all together!  Tie a candy cane with a generous tip!
9. Make cookies for Santa Claus.  Write him a letter...instead of listing what you want, tell him what you've done to make you deserving of your wish list this year!  (A great self-esteem builder for kids!)
10. Go to a Christmas Tree lot, pick out and purchase a tree, tie bows on all of the branches, deliver it to a friend or family who may not have a tree yet or is having a tough time anonymously.  Ring the door bell and run! 
11. Have everyone in the family choose five "gently used" things that they could live without and donate them to a local thrift store!  (Great for making room for the new and also benefiting those less fortunate than you.)
12. Read and discuss from the New Testament, the "real" reason for the Season.

And here's a fabulous recipe that I'm dying to try while Liza is here this week, also from Pinterest:

Candy Cane Punch

    2 jars (10 ounces each) strawberry jelly 
    2 liters lemon-lime soda, divided 
    2 quarts peppermint stick ice cream
    Miniature candy canes, optional

In a large saucepan, melt jelly with 2 cups soda. Chill the jelly mixture and remaining soda. Just before serving, place 6 cups ice cream in a punch bowl. Gently stir in jelly mixture. Add remaining soda. Add remaining ice cream by scoopfuls. Garnish with candy canes if desired. Yield: 3-1/2 quarts.

Counting minutes and blessings today!  Life is WONDERMOUS and GOOOOOOOD!!!!  Enough said!

MAGIC IS SOMETHING YOU MAKE! 

Donut Night

It's been a busy and productive weekend.  Friday, Doug ended up working all day, so Ikept busy all day working at home and tended Zaylee in the afternoon.  Datenight was dinner at Chili's and half a movie with Stott and Wendy.  It was too late to finish it up, so we called it a night.  Saturday, we dejunked Quayd's entire room, Gracie studied her Sacrament Meeting Talk (she did a super job, in this mama's humble opinion) and we stayed home checking off to-do's all evening.  Doug repaired the kids shower and my kitchen sink, delivered a Christmas tree to Kelly and made a grocery run for a few items while he was in town.  LOVE productive days like that!  Especially in December!

Donut Night was a success!  This year, MaryAnn invited us to have it at her home.  She has a basketball court, rockclimbing wall, gym downstairs, so this was perfect for the kids!  We never heard a word from them, unless they were eating.  They had a ball!  The women talked TV, food, church and holidays all night long.   I'm not sure what the men talked but we didn't see much of them either, unless there was food involved.  It always amazes me that the donut making process goes so quickly with so many helpers in the kitchen.  This has certainly become a perfect December tradition!  For my sweet 95 year old friend, Norma's donut recipe, check my cooking blog.

  As I've mentioned before, MaryAnn is my decorating hero, so I was thrilled to emjoy a little holiday spirit at her home, as always.  Gracie said, "She's very decorative, like you, Mom."  I WISH!  BUT, what a compliment that Gracie put me in the same category! 

This is one tradition that I'm hoping Carol and I continue to do, even when we don't have kids around.  I can see us now... two old ladies, "You cut the holes, I'll fry em.  Please pass a Coke."  (snicker.)

A few other little ramblings:

• Liza is already packed and I'm counting hours!  SO SO happy to have my sweet girl home for a few days!  Although I'm sad not to have Buddy come too, I'm so excited about our alone time together.  This is my Christmas gift from Doug and I'm planning on being attached at the hip every moment possible for the entire five days! 
• Speaking of my amazing and wonderful son-in-law, Buddy called with good news that he has an internship with the Harlem Globetrotters, beginning in a few weeks.  (Not as a player, but working on the business side of things, which is what he's studying.)  I had no idea that the Globetrotters are based out of Phoenix.  He's quite excited!  I had to get on YouTube and show the kids what the Globetrotters do.  I'm quite proud of Buddy!  But, that's old news, isn't it?  We heart Buddy!
• I keep forgetting to mention that Liza has discovered a replacement holiday drink since Pomegranate 7-up is no longer being sold.  She's loving it!  I've yet to find it in our valley but will be on the lookout while in Salt Lake this week.  Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash made by Shasta!
• Tomorrow, lunch, Denise has asked for a little help with something, Zaylee in the afternoon, and getting Liza's room all ready, finishing up a few odds and ends and watching the clock until Tuesday!!!  Life is so dang good!!!

And a quote, directly off MaryAnn's mud room door.  I love it!

Tis the season to be jolly...

Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.

Tis the Season to be Jolly!

 Previously posted in December 2008.

Yesterday, I spent most of the day with my friend, Anne, who I absolutely love!  Her home is lovely, just lovely.  She's been having some health issues and so I got to help her decorate her home.  We hung garlands in her entryway along the banisters and outside on her porch railings.  Then, I put the lights and berries on her fresh tree.  On top of all the fun, we had lunch and we got in hours of visiting.  It was the best!  She kept thanking me for what I was doing and I kept thanking her for letting me do it!  How lucky am I to get to decorate for someone else too!  Loved it!  I may even go back in a few days and do some more finishing touches, if she's still not up to it and willing to have me back!  She had beautiful things to decorate with and I loved it! 

I was impressed by the beautiful family heirloom treasures, preserved through generations, beautifying her home throughout.  We are all .  I commented about how very different people are in their decorating tastes and styles, as I moved some 75 year old candleholders from the mantle to place the garland.  They were magnificent pieces of art, handcrafted in the 1930s by a great-aunt.  She showed me other pieces in her home that were equally unique and special to her.  In thinking about it later,  some homes are just  filled with the latest and hippest goods from stores that I adore, such as Taipan, Rodworks, Sugar and Spice.  And other homes are filled with cherished heirlooms and precious memory-filled keepsakes like Anne's.  Mine is a bit of both. 

A few weeks ago, another friend,  speaking of trends, mentioned that the icicle lights are no longer the cool thing to have but now it's giant colored LEDs.  I thought  I love the icicle lights hanging down over my home and that's what we're going to have because that is what I LOVE ~ cool or not!  Holidays are such a personal thing.  Doug and I grew up with such different backgrounds and the holidays is one of the places that our differences show the most.  He has slowly come my way over the 32 years that we've spent together.  BUT.  The simplicity of his upbringing and the over the top ways of mine are still blatantly obvious as we plan and organize our holiday season each year.  Thankfully, he lets me have my way on most of it and enjoys the ride, as long as I avoid Doug's "four letter word" ~ d-e-b-t!

Growing up, my step-dad's home was the Chevy Chase  "Christmas Vacation" lit home.  People would drive from miles and cars would line up for blocks to see it.  Dad was on the news every season being interviewed about his lights.  It was amazing.  Dad loved Christmas and I think that I caught his spirit, for which I'm grateful.  We don't have fifty thousand lights on our home.  Ours is a simple few strands, a lit tree in the bay window  and netted lights over my front bench, which I pray every day for fresh snow to keep the bench lit up under the blanket of snow.  Simple.  But.  It speaks to us!

 A long way to my point but...just because the neighbor has that a house like my dad's, we don't need to.  Or just because Martha Stewart has the holiday happening of the year, we need to try to match hers. Do and have and celebrate what speaks to you and don't worry about the neighbor or the over the top friend or even the Scrooge down the street.  Like with my friend, Anne.  Her beautiful antique treasures fill her home with the spirit of Christmas (and all year long) because it's what she loves and it's beautiful.  Like another friend of mine who would never use a thing in her home two years in a row during the holidays, it's what makes her happy.  It, too, is beautiful and her family enjoys it that way, which is fine!  So the point...Don't spend a second fretting that you aren't "up to par" in your holiday decorating, traditions, activities, giftgiving, etc... Remember what Christmas is really all about and make your own celebration unique and special in a way that makes you and yours happy.  THAT is, in my opinion, the most important key to happy holidays!! 

Gift idea:  Here's a darling and inexpensive gift idea.  How cute is this?!  It's simple and quick to just score and fold the cardstock, add a few embellishments and tuck the holiday socks into their place.  I'll definitely be picking up some holiday socks after Christmas for Gracie and ZJ to make as their friend gifts next year.  It would also be a fun thing to do and attach a gift card for their teachers!

Bright idea:  I love this idea, also suggested as a tradition at our Sisters Senior Single Family Home Evening Monday night.  This family gathers together once in December to make homemade donuts.  The children help in decorating them and then they deliver them to friends.   How fun is that?!  We are going to do this next Monday night with my friends Carol and Jamie and their families.  It's going to be the replacement activity for making snowhouses that Carol and I have done together in years past.  I'll have pix to share Tuesday!v  (Donut Night 2011 is this Sunday night!  We can't wait!!!)

Good food:  I'd planned on making this dish for breakfast this morning, but we had unexpected company drop by last night, which was a blast!  So, I never made it back to the kitchen last night and we're having oatmeal today instead.  But!  This is a tasty, tasty breakfast and so quick and simple to make!  It could be a great Christmas breakfast treat! 

Reason for the season:  Short and sweet today.  Realize that with only a week until the big day, make time today have a conversation with your family or a friend about the Christmas Season and why we celebrate it and really listen.

Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'.

five golden things....

Happy Friday!  I was so frustrated last night after spending an hour on the blog and having it freeze!  I apologize for the Blast from the Past in the middle of the week yesterday!

After a crazy day, dealing with a few of life's little roller coaster type bumps and by dinner time, I needed to laugh.  So, I called three friends, they came over for cards and treats and laughs.  JUST what I needed!  A great and super simple treat that we devoured....

1.  Spread an 8 0z. block of softened cream cheese onto a plate.  Pour some jalepeno jelly over the top and spread it.  Serve with crackers.  It doesn't get any more simple and seriously, it's plate licking good.  LOVED IT!    It was good to just gab with the girlie-girls.  Loved it!

2.  Speaking of laughing, I've shared the Old Spice commercials before on my blog.  I love this man.  He's a riot.  He is not only very beautiful to look at, with that smile, but he's hysterical.  And apparently, there's going to be several new clips every day this month.  Doug and I were laughing out loud.  Watch this one and then follow the others after it for some good laughs!

3.  Wednesday evening was our ward Relief Society Christmas Social.   A lot of work and preparation had gone into the evening, all about traditions.  One tradition was something spiritual and wonderful.   Each year, before the family goes into see what Santa brought, they gather the children in their bedroom and say a prayer, offering thanks to Christ for his life and all of their blessings.  Wendy share that this helps to remind them what Christmas really is all about.  I loved this idea!  LOVED IT!  This year, we have church for one hour on Christmas morning since it falls on a Sunday.  I, personally, love when Christmas falls on a Sunday.  The music sounds more beautiful and has much more meaning to it, in my opinion!  I say often that Christmas should always fall on Sundays!

4.  Another little holiday tip.  For years, before Donut Night, we gathered together with Carol and fam to make Christmas Candy Houses.  (Like Gingerbread houses without the gingerbread.)  Then, for the next few weeks/days, I'd have several candy houses cluttering up the kitchen, shedding on the countertops and causing sticky fingers.  (My favorite thing about Donut Night is that it's not Gingerbread House night!)  The activity is fun,  BUT, after the fact, not so much. And if you have more than one child, especially, the holiday projects can take up a lot of already "busy" space.  Let them enjoy it for a day or two, then, take a pictureof your child with the project, let them eat the candy right then and there and be done with it!  There's no rule in  Santa's book that says Candy Houses and Christmas Projects must be kept through the entire season. Just saying. Gracie had a blast making this Candy House at her Young Women's Activity this week.  It's "outtahere" today!  ( I know it sounds a little Scroogey, but if ever there's a time to not let the clutter take control, it's when our homes are overflowing already with decor and gifts and extra food needing contained and and and...

5.  The "Perfect Gift" myth can cause much stress during the holidays... One big way to "Destress" a bit during the holidays is to stop focusing on that perfect gift for everyone on your list.  Simplify.  Every gift doesn't have to be "the" gift!  This causes less stress on the brain and on the checkbook!  Here's a few ideas or "how tos":

• Talk with your close circle of friends, those that you usually exchange gifts with, and agree not to exchange gifts for Christmas this year and to celebrate birthdays instead.  That one decision, alone, can save you hours, by not having to find "the perfect gift" and big bucks!  And seriously, your friends are stressing too...they'll appreciate it the relief, as well.
• Give cash or gift cards.  These days, funds are tighter than they have been in years for most Americans.  Most people would love X amount of dollars to just spend on themselves however they'd like.  Bonus:  They can do the browsing and shopping instead of you!
• Organize a gift exchange.  Rather than buying a gift for every individual in the office, or every sibling and their spouse and children, arrange for an exchange where you only have to buy one nicer gift for one rather than all.  In families, a family gift is fun!
• Ask!  There's nothing at all wrong with asking someone "What would you like me to give you for Christmas?"  Have them suggest a few things and go shopping from there.  You'll know that they are getting what they want! 
• I've shared this before but years ago, when Doug and I were first married, he quickly figured out a great way to shop for his wife.  And I've appreciated it ever since!  Doug keeps a "Sophia's Want List" page in his planner.  Anytime I happen to see or mention something that I'd love to have, Doug writes it down.  Right then and there.  He doesn't wait until I'm not around because it will be long forgotten.  He'll write down, "Electric Fondue Pot @ Kitchen Kneads - $60." and date it.  Then, whenever it's gift-giving time, rather than walk around clueless, he pulls out his trusty list and chooses items on the list, scoring bigtime husband points with every gift he ever gives me!  It's been fun through the years to see the things crossed off that he's given me.  Occasionally,  he'll ask if I still want this or that so he can scratch it from the list.  I keep a list like this for everyone in my family and close friends all year long asI notice them.  Things like "Note:  Denise needs new dishtowels.  Carol needs a place to hang her jewelry."  It works!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Enjoy every moment!  I'll be enjoying and counting down the hours until Tuesday night at 8:05 when Liza steps off that plane!  Less than 108 hours!!  Happiness!!!

If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away.

oops

I had today's post all set to publish and Typepad froze!  At 12:07AM, I called it a day and gave up.  This morning, rather than a new post, a blast from the past.  Sorry!  Life is good... even with technical difficulties!

I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus!

  ZJ got the giggles this morning remembering something that Quayd said over the weekend and wanted me to blog about it.  (I love when they tell me things that I need to blog!)  Quayd had eaten more pie than all of us put together over Thanksgiving weekend and with each piece, he had about half a can of whipping cream squirted on the top!  The boy LOVES whipped cream!  As Quayd was finishing off the last piece of the second banana cream pie, he said, "If someone shot me today, whipped cream would be everywhere!"  He's may be right!

Bright idea:  Having a party?  Paper bag luminaries will brighten the way for your guests'arrival.  Google Luminary Images for some fun ideas!  To make them, you will need white or colored or brown lunch bats (10x5-3".  votive or plumbers candles and sand.  Backs can be decorated before filling with sand if desired.  A paper punch can be used to great a design of wholes or cut small snowflake designs along the top or sides of the bags.  Keep the openings small so that wind does not blow through them.  Fold the bag down about 1" for additional strength and add about 2" of sand.  Place the candles in the center of the sand making sure that the candles will not touch the edge of the bag.  Place 3 feet apart on sidewalks and light. Never use them below dried shrubbery.   Photographed here is a tin can luminary from Salt Lake City's LDS Temple Square, one of the most beautifully lit places in the country during the holidays.  (We're going for Family Home Evening next week and I hope to share lots of pix from our experience!)

 Good food: Carol's toffee beats any hard toffee I've ever tasted!  It's made from soda crackers, much easier to make and sure to become a holiday favorite for anyone who tries it!  Go figure!

Gift idea:  Open a savings accounts for the children on your Christmas list.  Banks do not require children's savings accounts to have a minimum balance, so it could be opened with as little as $5.   The savings passbook can be included in stockings or wrapped as a gift. It can be the beginning of something that you can add to at each event of their lives and you can encourage them to add to it in the future themselves.  Children get so many toys and games from everyone around them, so here's a chance to be practical and offer a valuable lesson that could be remember far into the future. 

Reason for the season:We've all been blessed in so many ways. Show your gratitude for your own abundant blessings by thanking every person that you encounter today while out and about.  Thank the cashier for working hard so that you can shop.  Thank your server by leaving a generous tip (an extra $5 on top of the normal tip could make their day!), write a note on the receipt that says Merry Christmas!  Pay for the person in line at the drive-up window behind you at Wendy's or get in line behind a young mom at the grocery store.  When the cashier rings theirs up, say, "Just add that to mine." and say, "Merry Christmas".  Offer to help a senior citizen unload their cart or open their door.  Offer your seat on the bus, in a plane or a crowded doctors office so that a family can sit together.   And with each gift of gratitude and service, remember that wonderful gift we have all been given and celebrate on December 25th.

Sentiment:ZJ woke up extra early this morning, giggling as she told me that her teacher had played the funniest song she'd ever heard in her life... It was a song where Mommy was kissing Santa Claus and then Mommy even tickled him!  She said that the other kids all thought that it was real and that Daddy would get mad but ZJ knew better because she knew that meant Mommy was just kissing Daddy so that Daddy would like it "just like you and Dad, Mom!"   I found the song online and played it for her this morning and Gracie came running in from a sound sleep, "MOM!!  WE heard that song in school yesterday only the Daddy was kissing Mrs. Claus!" 

We started goofing around on the internet, listening to Christmas music and singing  along with the Chipmunks "Please,Christmas, don't be late!"  then Rocking around the Christmas Tree and so on...the fun songs.  I had laundry and all of the other things that I like to get done sending them off to school.  I try to do all of my list so that I can get my walk in before I shower and head to town for whatever else is on my list each day.  Today, my busy Christmas to do list is bigger than normal.  BUT.  We sang.  Not one other thing got done before school.  We sang.  And giggled.  And my to-do list was still there. 

I checked the clock and sent them off to get to their morning routine.  Then, ZJ came out of her room, dressed in a shirt that was about two sizes too small.  A summer shirt worn over top of a long sleeved shirt.  She wore this shirt all summer long and it fit.  She's grown so much and so quickly!  This shirt was the perfect reminder for me... the dust and the laundry will wait until I get back this afternoon.  The toilets will still be there without their morning cleaning.  The poptarts, because I didn't start breakfast early enough, were just fine. I doubt the girls will remember that Mommy cleaned the toilets before school or what they had for breakfast, but they will remember that Mommy sang Christmas Songs and giggled with them.  This is such a busy time of the year.   Make the moments count... with memories that matter, not the ones that won't!  Enough said!

Take time to smell the poinsettias!

Oh! By Gosh, By Golly! Be jolly!

I am a cleaning fool this week!  Today, I conquered Gracie's bedroom and the downstairs bathroom.  Organizing, dejunking, rearranging.  Loving it!  I am always amazed at how much "stuff" can end up under a bed that is "promised" to be clean already!  I'm also amazed at how I see things that "some people" never even notice!  Needless to say, we've got things clean and ready for whatever Santa brings!  Tomorrow, Quayd's room and the coat closet.  It doesnt' take much to make me happy!

Natalie and I raced up to the Richmond Pepperidge Farms Cookie Outlet/Plant.  It was Mint Milano Day.  Mom asked while she was there yesterday and they told her that she should come early or they'd run out.  Natalie and I were stunned that they were gone in fourminutes!!!  My new favorite, however, are the Pepperidge Farms Gingerbread!  Pretty tasty!

Here's one of my favorite things about Christmas... collections.  I've got snowmen, nativities, St. Nicks, and this is one of my favorites...Trees!  This year, the trees are not seated in the midst of a lit garland because I used the garland elsewhere.  But, when standing on the ground, it's up above my china hutch and you could never really see that garland anyway.  I love a little collection of anything Christmas!  Start a collection today! 

I was deciding what to make for dinner and rediscovered one super chicken recipe! 

Sour Cream Chicken

12 Chicken Breasts.  Dry with a paper towel.  Mix one Packet Italian Dressing Mix with 16 oz Sour Cream.   Coat the chicken breasts with sour cream mixture.  Then coat with crushed cracker crumbs.  (I usually use Keebler Club or Ritz.)  Place the coated chicken on buttered cookie sheets. Add chunks of butter on to top of the Chicken Breasts. Bake at 350,  covered for 1/2 hour.    Remove cover and continue baking for another 1/2 hour.  SO GOOD!  Enjoy!

From friend, MaryAnn's last year blog, I loved this idea!  Perfect for a dinner party! I've got lots of little rings that go on stemware, but I'll definitely be using this idea in the future.  I can see it at my next Witches Brew already!  (minus the snowflakes, of course!)  But, today, I'm thinking red and white!  love it!

As requested, here's the recipe for jello popcorn.  This would be a great treat for a kids party or make a fun treat for kids to share with their friends.  I'm picturing the Christmas M&M's poured into the mix before baking!

 Jello Popcorn

one huge bowl popped popcorn (I used airpopped, but 2-3 bags of microwave would do it)
1 cup light Karo syrup (Lonica called for twice as much but that's what I had on hand)
2 cups sugar
1 large box of Jello (I used lime for green popcorn)
4 tablespoons Butter (optional)



In a sauce pan over medium heat, combine corn syrup, sugar, and jello. Stir until everything is dissolved and bubbly (about 90 seconds of a full rolling boil, stirring constantly). Stir in the butter, if desired. Pour over the popped corn and stir quickly to combine. Enjoy! Spread on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.  Bake 10 minutes at 350.  Remove from oven and stir.  As it cools, it will become crunchy. 

And here's a tradition that I highly recommend this season.  Whether you have a houseful of kids or it's just you and your sweetheart, gather the blankets and pillows, pop some popcorn, get a bottle of bubbly (sparkling cider, at our home) and spend the night sleeping "under" the Christmas tree. Share memories of past Christmases, Make some new ones! 

 This week is whizzing by!  Relief Society Christmas Socail tonight!  Datenight!  Gracie speaks in church on Sunday.  Preparing my own lesson for week after next.  All this plus get ready for Liza!  She's almost here!  I can't wait! Enough said!

Remembrance, like a candle, burns brightest at Christmastime.

crazy, busy and lovin' it!

A handmade gift from my wonderful, amazing and talented friend, Natalie!  Is this fabulous or what?!

We woke up to minus four degrees yesterday and today is predicted to be colder.  Crazy!  I'm well-known for my love of snow, but I'm not nearly as found of extreme cold!  Today, I may just stay home and keep warm!  Denise is away for the week with her husband on a buisness trip. 

Yesterday, aside from lunch with Natalie, I shopped most of the day, alone, finishing up almost everything but a few stocking stuffers for Grace!  Happiness.  I had Zaylee in the afternoon and never had a free moment until after 9PM.  CRAZY!  Family Home Evening, thanks to Gracie's planning, was a fun little activity, making out Christmas lists of what we all want for Christmas and what we can do to give Christ a birthday gift.  I thought it was cute that she wanted ten on each list.  After hearing the lists, I'm quite pleased because I've scored big with my shopping accuracy!  Quayd's list was short and sweet.  And iPod Touch and the last Harry Potter BlueRay DVD.  He had all ten of the gifts for Christ, including being kind to his sisters and keeping his room clean all the time for a whole month.  Happiness!

As of midnight, everything is wrapped and under the tree, except Zaylee's gift, which needs a big box!  My gallery can be cleaned and return to normal, instead of Christmas Central!

Speaking of giftwrapping.... this year, I've chosen one wrap for each of the kids and will be using no tags.  Every year, we try something new to keep them guessing until Christmas morning.  The past few years, I've created silly names for the kids and put the tags on the gifts but no one knows until "the moment"!  It's hysterical to listen to them guessing, certain that  the "snowflake" wrap is "mine" for the moment because they like the shape or size of the package.  Tomorrow, they are certain it's that they "red wrap is mine".  It's just another way to make it fun and for us, it works.

One other idea that I suggested a few years ago... wrap your stocking stuffers now, as you buy them!  It's a good way to save on giftwrap because you always have those little pieces trimmed off the big packages.  Wrap them now and store them in one gift box for each person in the family.  On Christmas Eve, you won't find yourself up all night wrapping all those tedious little packages.  Just open the gift box and transfer the gifts into the socks... stockings only take a few minutes to stuff!

Cake balls are all the rage these days.  I found this idea a few years ago and love it!  And seriously, it couldn't get ANY more simple! Purchase a cheesecake. Using your melon baller, make cheesecake balls. Put a sucker stick into each ball. Freeze on plate for about 30 minutes. Remove and dip in melted chocolate, drizzle with caramel or raspberry glaze. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the finished product. Freeze until serving! Oh, my, my! Simple. Tasty. As Martha would say, "It’s a good thing."  For some really sweet ideas (pun intended), Google Christmas Cake Ball Images.  Oh my!

A stocking stuffer idea: Carol has done this for years and I forget every year until she mentions it on the day afterChristmas. When you are purchasing your stocking stuffers, include a couple of the mini serving-size boxes of your child's favorite cold cereal.  They can open them and snack during the gift opening instead of just munching on candy and treats at 6 in the morning.  They'll love it and they'll have something to keep their tummies in check until brunch is served.

Recipe: Christmas Crunch - Another simple and tasty idea!

Gently mix and toss:
1 box Rice Chex
1 bag Pretzel sticks or small squares
1 pound bag M&Ms, in Christmas colors, of course!
1 can salted roasted peanuts or cashews

Melt white chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.  Pour over mixed snacks and gently toss.  This is a great treat to take to the office or share with your neighbors in those fun little buckets or containers found at Target's Dollar Spot!

And one last personal note:  ONE WEEK UNTIL LIZA IS HOME!  It doesn't get better than that!!!

There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions.

Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas! It's the Best time of the Year!

Before I talk holidays, a few weekend ramblings... We woke up on Sunday morning to a fresh blanket of still-falling snow on the ground.  It was one of those beautiful, gentle falling storms...the kind that makes you just want to sit inside by the window with a hot cup of cocoa, a blanket and a book.  We didn't stay inside at all, but it was that kind of morning.  I'd love a storm like that every single morning from now until March 1st!

Huge happening for me: On Friday morning, I mentioned to Doug that my six year old camera has been having issues.  It's never given me a bit of trouble, until recently.  The lens has started to freeze and doesn't adjust and it's slow, slow, slow.  I assumed that it was just tired rechargable batteries.  Doug did a little preventive maintenance on it and put in fresh batteries.  It was still totally misbehaving, like I'd told him.  And then.  FREEZE.  It died. Totally died. After much troubleshooting, Doug sent me to Best Buy to have the Geek Squad look at it.  Dead.  And there I stood, at Best Buy, in tears, grieving over the passing of my trusty Canon. I was devastated! Long story short.   Denise called and knew something terrible had to have happened.  She said, "You'll have a new one before the day's up.  I know you."  After many tears, several prayers and a little miracle, I am now the proud owner of a brand spanking new Canon camera and oh my, I am in love!  Photographing my December tablescape was a dream!!  HAPPINESS!!  Stayed tuned!


Carol's tree....  Carol and I spent much of the weekend thinking about her tree.  She'd purchased the lime green glittery tree decor but it needed something else to make it pop!  White balls, ribbon and trim it was!  Sunday afternoon, after a nummy dinner,  I finished putting the finishing touches on her tree and I love it!  White was just perfect!  I could decorate a new tree every day in December!  (And to be honest, I've thought of a few January trees too!)

Carol and I have traditionally spent a day out of the valley shopping for gifts and holiday decor in December.  We've had overnighters and all-day long sprees over the years.  This year, we made it a three day affair...spending Friday in Layton, Saturday more shopping and the amazingly wonderful performance of the American Festival Choir and then Sunday, dinner and decorating.  Lots of fun!

A mama moment:   Sunday was Fast and Testimony Meeting.  (This, in the LDS Church,  is a once a month event where members can, at will, stand and share their own feelings about gospel principles, the Savior, their feelings and testimony.) During the meeting, Quayd was shaking, his legs were bouncing.  He was wringing his hands.  I finally asked, "Are you okay, Lovebug?"  He nervously said, "I have to go up there" and explained that he had been touched by the testimonies already spoken and the he felt impressed to do the same.  And he did.  My tender-hearted boy stood and spoke with conviction, sharing his deepest feelings.  During Sunday School, one of the Bishop's counselors came to me and said, "What about that Quayd?  He's really something."  A mama moment indeed. I do love this boy!

Another rambling:  The Belt, Part 2.  When Doug was helping me bring in gifts from the truck after my shopping trip with Carol, he noticed that his belt was in my purse.  I'd taken it along so that I could get the right size this time.  He pulled it out of my open purse and asked, "Babe?  What's my belt doing in your purse?   Wait?  Did you take it along as a weapon?"  Oh, that man.  Too too funny.

A little holiday fun...

• This weekend, Doug and the kids and I spent about four hours dejunking the storage room, the laundry room and ZJ's bedroom.   I'm talking seriousdejunking.  Doug took a van load of "stuff" to the Deseret Industries (the LDS GoodWill).  It's a crazy time of the year to do this type of a project but it's great for two reasons...1.  You are making room for the new that will be coming into your lives over the next few weeks.  And 2.  There are many people who can benefit from your old "treasures".  Making this... a perfect time to do it and share!  Even if you only give fifteen minutes a day for the first ten days of December, it's a great way to "prepare" for the holiday!  It also teaches your children about giving and sharing.  ZJ was a bit teary about a few items but she opted to give them away to good homes rather than just keep them stuffed in her closet.  Tuesdays To Do List includes Gracie's, Quayd's and our bedrooms.  Try it!
• A new addition to our hot cocoa bar menu:  Hershey's Cherry Chocolate Cordial Kisses!  A must try!!  Maybe I should list a new item every day this month.  A cup of cocoa a day keeps the winter blues away.  Quote by Doctor Sophia.  ha!
• Speaking for hot cocoa...I had several emails asking me about the chocolate spoons made for my nieces wedding a few weeks ago.  They are very simple to make.  Here's how. I used chocolate "wafers" from a local kitchen store.  Melt chocolate in a double boiler or boil a pan of hot water and then put a glass container of chocolate chips or chocolate into water.  Remove it from the heat and let the chocolate melt.  (NOTE:  DO NOT GET WATER IN THE CHOCOLATE.) If the chocolate hardens again, just reheat the water and put the bowl back into it.  OR melt the chocolate in your microwave on the lowest setting.  The double boiler method is much safer, as far as not over cooking the chocolate into a dry mess.  Once the chocolate is melted to the point of being able to stir it, dip clear plastic spoons into the chocolate, completely covering the mouth of the spoon.  Tap gently to let the chocolate drip off the spoon back into the pot and place them "spoon" up in a coffee mug.  The chocolate will harden in minutes.  After about a half an hour, the chocolate spoons can be put into plastic bags and tied with a cute ribbon.  (I bought the bags at Kitchen Kneads too.  They were about 1 1/2" x 3" bags, just the right size to put the spoon into the bag and tie it around the handle with a cute ribbon.  $4 for 100 bags.  These make a great neighbor gift... hot chocolate mix, a couple of mugs and chocolate spoons.  Perfect! 
• Denise called for a recipe a few days ago and I'm craving Christmas breakfast already!  Here's a great Christmas breakfast recipe that I've shared before but it is well worth the reminder!  Think ahead.  Christmas morning is less than three weeks away!

    Tortilla Strata

10 flour tortillas
2 cups chopped ham  (I'll use sausage or bacon.)
2 cups shredded cheese
1 bunch green onions
6 beaten eggs
2 cups milk
1 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. milk

Mix ham, cheese and onions. Fill and roll into the tortillas (like enchiladas). Place in heavily greased 9x13 baking pan. Refrigerate over night. Bake at 325 for 1 hour, 15 minutes, covered with foil. Remove from oven and sprinkle more shredded cheese over top, if desired.

Happy Monday!  Have I mentioned that my loverly Liza-Lu-Lu will be here a week from tomorrow!  If you don't count today and you don't count tomorrow and you don't count the day she comes, that's only five days away!  I. Can.  Not.  Wait!  Enough said!

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world
in a conspiracy of love!

American Festival Chorus Christmas Performance

Let us have music for Christmas…
Sound the trumpet of joy and rebirth;
Let each of us try, with a song in our hearts,
To bring peace to men on earth.

Just the thing!

 This Blast from the Past entry was previously posted in December 2006.

 About fifteen years ago, I was asked to put together a display of holiday gift baskets for a Homemaking Night at our church. I decided that 101 would be the perfect number of baskets to assemble and for two weeks, I worked hard, creating exactly 101 gift baskets for the display. It was one of my favorite projects ever. I lost the original list on my old computer (Grrrr) but these are a few that come to mind easily and have been tried and used many times over the years!

It’s divisive in triggering thoughts and getting you going on some ideas for last minutes gifts and hard to buy for people. Your budget may allow only one or all or even more than what I’ve listed. But, put together in clever baskets and containers, these can be the beginnings of some fantastic and always to be remembered gifts! Most of the items can include some food items, which are great fillers, as well as an inexpensive way to add more to the gift and make it even more fun.

• For the movie buffs: DVD, microwave popcorn, 2 liter of pop, mix bag of miniature candy bars, wrapped in a fleecy blanket
• For the Working gal or busy mom: People magazine, Bath & Body Works bath essentials, candle, girlie bath towel, in a beautiful basket or a funky colored metal bucket
• For the outdoorsman: Foot warmers, hand warmers, new gloves, new beanie, favorite hunting or fishing magazine, Beef Jerky, nifty flashlight or cool tool
• For the campers: Flashlights, batteries, weenie roasting sticks, hot pad/gloves, first aid kit, bug spray, the makings for s’mores, all in a dutch oven or a cooler or 2 gallon thermos.
• For the gardener: Seed Catalogs, Garden Gloves, new hand tools for garden, all in a large clay pot with a bag of potting soil and fertilizer
• For the college student: HotPot or electric tea kettle, instant soups, cocoa mixes, set of mugs, cassette tapes and a mini cassette recorder for them to send messages back and forth to friends and family, all in a back pack that can be used for other purposes.
• For the person who lives away from family: a calendar with their entire family’s birthdays and celebrations, a package of homemade greeting cards all organized and labeled so that they can just write a message and sign their names, postage stamps, envelopes, pens, all wrapped up in an small desk trash can
• For the chocoholic: Hershey’s Kisses in several varieties, Giant Hershey Bar, Chocolate cookbook, Giant brick of white chocolate, Giant container of Hershey’s syrup, Hot Fudge Sauce, Oreo cookies, all sorts of chocolate treats all wrapped up on a cookie sheet or in a large mixing bowl
• For the small child: Dollar store coloring books, good crayons or markers, glue sticks, safety scissors and a picture frame or notebook with sheet protectors for finished projects in a little brightly colored organizing basket
• For the gourmet: A salt shaker and pepper grinder set, a few varieties of fancy pepper, a speciality cookbook , a unique cooking gadget from the cooking store, all stuffed inside the pockets of an apron or a utensil stone crock
• For the couple who both work lots of hours: Gift Certificates to a fun restaurant, gift certificate to a local spa or salon for pedicures or a massage together, an easy listening CD like Kenny G all wrapped up inside a nice blanket or tied to a bow wrapped around fresh new pillows
• For the Sports fan: A remote control pocket (To hang on the side of the Lazy-boy), a TV guide subscription, Sports Illustrated, a calendar with their favorite team, all wrapped inside a t-shirt or sweat shirt with their favorite team
• For the photographer: Rechargable batteries, a photography magazine or book, camera wipes for lenses, extra miniature containers to hold things in their camera bags
• For the pet lover: Doggie Bones, a doggie toy, a new collar or leash, a pet brush, a gift certificate for pet grooming, all placed in a small pet pillow
• For the reader: A BookLight to read by, a book mark, paperback or two of a favorite author, Gift certificate to a local book store, wrapped in a fleece blanket or a basket filled with chocolates or snacks
• For the music lover: CDs, sheet music for Piano to go along with( if they play), tickets to a local concert or performance out of their ordinary
• For the baker: A rolling mat, hot pads, an apron, a sifter, rolling pins of different sizes, all-in-one measuring utensils, recipe cards, packed into a great mixing bowl or baking pan
• For the Italian food or the Pizza lover: A Pampered Chef Pizza Cutter (there’s none better!), Fresh Dried Herbs, Romano or Parmesan Cheese blocks and a grater (like Olive Garden uses), a recipe book with pizza ideas in a chef’s hat or a red plaid tablecloth
• For the scrapbooker: An adhesive dispenser, refills, Journaling Pens, mechanical pencil and eraser, current scrapbook magazine or idea book.
• For the couch potato: A bag of chips, a 2 liter of pop, a universal Remote Control, TV guide, a neck pillow, a lap blanket
• For the babysitter : A child’s game like Chutes and Ladders or Candyland, bubbles, "Gak", a bag of candy treats, crayons and blank paper with templates, a hand puppet inside a portable clear carrying case for the kids to see what she’s bringing!
• For the Home office worker: A desk organizer, stapler, staples, paper clips in fun shapes and sizes, pens and pencils, sticky notes, glue stick, postage stamps and envelopes
• For the couple in love or newlyweds: A bottle of sparkling apple cider, two goblets, chocolates, a romantic movie, dinner gift certificates.


 

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas... and other thoughts of an insomniac

HAPPY DECEMBER! It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS! It's the most wonderful time of the year! Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it SNOW! Do you hear what I hear? Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock! Joy to the World! Deck the Halls with boughs of holly! Here Comes Santa Claus! Here comes Santa Claus! I'll be Home for Christmas! We wish you a Merry Christmas! This Christmas medley was brought to you by one excited Christmas-aholic! ;)

I posted this as my Facebook status in the middle of the night while I couldn't sleep!  It made me feel good!  It also got a Lady GaGa song out of my head! So much better!  Today, several friends have reposted it.  Laughing at that.  Oh my!  I've gone viral!

Today, we gave Zaylee the option of what we should do today and she chose "lunch at Chili's with Aunt Nisey!"  Smart child!   We stopped at ShopKo for a bit on the way home and Zaylee thought that this American Greetings card was the "ABC's"  Cute, huh? 

Wishing:  This had no calories!  Mom shared a childhood memory, yesterday, of her mother, Eliza, making homemade fudge and rolling it up into a log with a layer of peanut butter.  A few hours later,  Mom brought down her version to share and it tasted divine, but lacked in the "presentation".  She'd tried to make a roll but it was too gooey.  (She told me today that she'd added some water to thin it???  No one here minded what it looked like at all though.  I thought about it last night and came up with an idea.  Oh, how I wish I hadn't.  (I'm very close to my next weight goal and I think that these alone will keep me from reaching it until January!) AN YWAY!  I digress! I played with the recipe today and came up with what I think will be our favorite new recipe of the season.  It will have to be pretty hard to beat, if you're a Nutella fan!

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup Nutella

Mix until smooth.  Chill completely.  Roll into balls and roll in chopped pecans. (Note:  This recipe requires lots of finger and spoon licking! )  Chill and serve cold.  Walk an extra mile for the next three days. 

Mom mixed the first three ingredients, the sprinkled powdered sugar on a wax paper covered rectangular dish.  She then spread a layer of peanut butter, then a layer of nutella and rolled it into a log.

Dreaming:  While at lunch, Denise shared this awesome website .  You feed in some information about your child and receive an email link to a video from Santa designed just for your child.  The questions were pretty vague...first name, age, what they want for Christmas.  Seemed safe and harmless.  Zaylee's going to love it!  Cute, cute!  

Speaking of cute... until ZJ went to Kindergarten, all fall, she wore a little fleecy pumpkin beanie that I found at Old Navy.  Then in December, she'd wear a Santa Cap.  It was a great way to keep her little head warm and keep the hat on her without a fuss.  Not to mention that everywhere we went, someone had to stop her and tell her she was adorable.  Zaylee's turn began today!  I'm not sure which she loved the most... the hat or her Rudolph Hoodie,complete with "a very shiny (flashing) nose"!

Giving:  I received this cute email picture from best friend in Ohio today.  She and friends gathered and made over 70 snowmen last night.  CUTE!   Gracie received one of these last year, made from a Symphony Bar instead of a block of wood!  The only thing I've yet to find that's better than eating a Symphony Bar is making a cute snowman out of him first!  Wood...Chocolate... either way, they are delightful!  Thanks for sharing, Susan!

Wishing:  A little thought that crossed my insomniac brain last night.  I realize that money is tight for many these days.  BUT.  I was thinking about Kim, a local mechanic, who is honest and trustworthy and about my friends at Chili's, and my favorite cashiers at certain stores.  It's the thought that counts, so I'm going to bake a batch of brownies, wrap them up really pretty and deliver them over the next few weeks to those people who I call friends, who make life's every day tasks a little more pleasant!  Who do you know that deserves at least a little "I appreciate you!" gift during the holidays.

DREAMING!!!  Liza will be home in  11 days or 272 hours! 

Merry, Merry!! 

It's not the gift, but the thought that counts!

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!

I'm so excited for December, as always!  It's my favorite month of the year!  In my efforts to simplify my own life, I've got lots planned for the blog...some will be favorites from the past, some will be new, but every day will be filled with lots of festivities, recipes, tips and traditions!  Let's get started!

Twenty-five things I LOVE about December!

1.  Family

2.  Delicious Recipes!

3.  Gatherings with friends!

4.  SNOW!

5.  Decorations!

6.  Traditions

7.  the scents

8.  Giving!




9.  the MUSIC!



10.  The presents!

11.  Neighbor gifts and treats!

12.  The crafts!

13.  Christmas Break!

14.  The Books and Stories

15.  Shopping!



16.  Snowmen

17.  Snowmen!

18.  Nativities


19.  Donut Night!



20.  the quotes

21.  Sleeping under the tree!

22.  Stockings!

23.  The Countdown!

 24.   The Spirit everywhere! 

25.  The REASON FOR THE SEASON!

 

What are your favorite things about December?!

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another,
The warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other.