Christmas Down, Snowmen Up

I kind of wanted to get some space back into this tiny house of ours so I decided to put Christmas things away and bring out the snowmen who will be up until the end of February or first part of March.

I love my little snowmen.  If inanimate figures can have a personality, they sure do.  Each one is different.  Some are pretty, some are funny, some are cute.  

Anyway, here are a few of our collected and gift-given snowmen:

I'm sorry this is so dark, it's a cloudy day and our kitchen isn't very bright.

And now my very favorite:

Every snowman has a hat of some kind except this one.  Isn't he adorable?  : )

And, now we have our puzzle, reading, sitting room back.  : )  

Here is my April-themed cookie cover:

Kind of an April showers thing going on.

And, tonight for supper I'm thinking a little comfort food so it will be Tuna Noodle Casserole.  A lot of people would groan at that, but I try to make mine really creamy with homemade onion strings on top.  So good.  : )  I'll be serving steamed green beans and fresh orange slices with it.

The laundry and ironing are done for the weekend.  The house is dusted and vacuumed and the bathroom is clean.  I got a head start on a couple of my beginning-of-the-year projects (and finished them today).  One is transferring all the old calendar information on to the new (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) and the other is to make a household notebook with information any one of us might need in case of an emergency.

So, today I feel a little ahead of the game.  On Monday I will post our January to-do's if you are so inclined to do that sort of thing.

Thank you SO MUCH for dropping by again.  My posts aren't all that exciting, but they're still fun to do.  Hope you enjoyed it.  : )  God bless you.

Expectations

I wish I could say that we had the Christmas we planned, but it didn't exactly turn out to be that way. I had high expectations this year because Christmas was already going to be different for the three of us.  But EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I have expectations, it ALWAYS bites me in the gluteus maximus. Always.  And this year was no exception.  

I'm a planner.  I like to plan.  Flying by the seat of my pants is NOT me.  I'm not even good at being spontaneous.  But, I have a feeling I better start becoming that way.  In my wee little head, I'm thinking that everyone else feels the way I do about holidays or special events in that I want them to be......well, special.  Maybe "special" means different things to different people.  "Special" to me is a day out of the ordinary.  A day that is, at least, a little different than our typical normal day.  It wasn't. Is there any one else who makes the mistake of thinking about an idyllic Christmas and feels down when it isn't, or is it just me?  Oh, please, tell me I'm not alone in this!!!!   : o   

Anyway, it's over and now to go forward.  I have had a week of spending time in my crafting/sewing room making some items for my Etsy shop.  THAT has been VERY therapeutic.  There is something about working with my hands and sewing and designing that just takes me away and gives me some hope that I can do SOMETHING right.  : )  They are called seasonal cookie covers.  They are meant to be put on top of a plate of cookies (covered in plastic wrap) while sitting on the table waiting to be served up.  I say cookies, but it could be sweet bread slices, bars, candy, etc.  Anything that you can put on a serving plate.  Here are three that I have pictures of (I got the fourth one done today, but no picture yet):

This one is for January.

February.

And, of course, March.   : )

They're a lot of fun to make.  A bit time consuming, but that's okay.  Winter is always perfect to work on something like this.

Thanks for stopping by.  I do appreciate your visit.

I Wish You A Very Merry Christmas

The gifts are bought and wrapped.  The music has been playing.  Supper devotions are being read. The cards are sent and still being received.  The eggnog is in the fridge.  The candy is on the table. The plans have been made. 

We have been intent on not hurrying through this time.  We have taken days of just relaxing and reading or going out for a cup of coffee or window shopping.  I have, on purpose, kept the cookie and candy making for tomorrow and Christmas Eve so that it seems more of a treat.  So, because of that, I wanted to make sure to wish you all a "MERRY CHRISTMAS" now so that I can take time to cook and clean and bake and spend time with my family.  

I will be back after Christmas and share a few things with you then.

May you experience Jesus this Christmas.  May you give Him the time He deserves.  May you continue to pray.  May you continue to open the Word of God and read for yourself the wonder of His love.  May God bless you and keep you and give you peace this Christmas season.

Counting Down

Depending on whether you are Christmas Eve people or Christmas Day people, we are counting down to what will happen when.  This year we are doing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so there is much planning to do as far as food goes. 

This is what I've planned:

Christmas Eve 

Punch

Eddie Wings (my husband makes these)

BBQ ribs

Smoked Oysters

Sliced salami

Cheese ball with assorted crackers

Pickles and olives

Plate of cookies and candies for dessert

Christmas Day (Brunch)

Cherry Coffecake

Ham rollups

Deviled eggs

Dairy potato bake

Grapefruit halves with a maraschino cherry in the middle

Milk

Orange juice mixed with gingerale

Variety of Keurig drinks

I don't even want to think of the calories in all this!  : o

We aren't doing stockings this year.  It just gets to be so much and we've all agreed on cutting back on stuff this year.  But, for those of you who are, here is a list of some ideas in case you still need to get a little something (for young and old - you decide):

*playdoh

*bubble bath

*socks

*books

*gift cards

*drill bits

*mini flashlight

*wallet

*tape measure

*USB flash drive

*beef jerky

*stickers

*lip gloss

*nail polish

*fruit snacks

*matchbox cars

*crayons

*earrings

*travel games

*stuffed animal

*glue sticks

*markers

*watercolor paints

*disposable camera

*earbuds

*perfume/cologne

*keychain

*hand lotions

*hand sanitizer

*memory card

*knitting needles/crochet hooks

*fancy soaps

*seed packets

*single-serve coffee packets or tea bags

*votive candles

*chocolates

*combs

*book light

*pencil sharpener

*deodorant

*toothbrush/dental floss

*snacks

Wow.  After posting these, it kind of makes me want to do it again!  Hmm...................  : )

Well, not much more to post.  It was just pretty much a typical Tuesday of paying bills, menu/grocery list, and keeping up with laundry.  May you have a good rest of this day.  Thanks, again, for stopping by - you are ALWAYS welcome.  

Renewing Your Love For Jesus

By the time Saturday evening rolls around, I'm thinking about the week past and try to summarize it. What happened, who we had conversations with, what were our feelings towards situations, how did we handle everything, what could have been done differently, where did we go, what did we do.  And then all the emotions that go with it - happiness, sadness, humbleness, tears, fears, worry.

The past week had it all.  And every morning, by the light of the Christmas tree, I pour all this out at the feet of Jesus.  Because I can.  Because the Bible says I can.  We are to come humbly and boldly to the Throne of God.  He knows it all and He saw it all, but He wants us to say it out loud.  Like C.S. Lewis said - "Prayer doesn't change God, it changes me."  And I don't know about you, but I need to be changed.  The wrong words often come out, the bad feelings often arise within me, the not-so-good thoughts often haunt me.  And Jesus is just The One to help.

Christmas is all about Jesus.  His love for us.  But, sometimes, I'm afraid that because we've heard it all before it gets a little watered down.  It becomes too familiar and loses it's meaning.  We go through the motions without really feeling it.  We read the Christmas story and we can say it by heart. We sing the carols and know all the words.  But do we fully realize what Jesus did for us?  Do we awaken in the morning having that feeling of being taken care of?  Do we yearn to be alone with Him?  Do we hunger and thirst for His Word?  Or, is it because we do this every year that we have lost the awe and wonder of God's perfect plan of salvation for mankind?

I pray that this Christmas of 2016 will be the Christmas that we all go back and renew our love for Jesus.  To try and remember when we were lost and without Him and compare that to how we are now found and he is Emmanuel.  ALWAYS.

A Celebration and Cookie Baking

We celebrated my husband's 70th birthday yesterday.  It was a very nice day.  : )

This is what was served!  All-you-can-eat crab legs.  With garlic mashed potatoes and Caesar salad.

And we found these personal cake slices at the grocery store and thought it would be fun for each of us to have a personal slice of cake since we each like something different.  My husband is the German chocolate guy, I'm the lemon lover, and our son is totally buttercream.  Who needs a restaurant?  : )

When I had a little time from party plans, I got to my gift wrapping.  It's all done now.  : )

A side table with the sweets.

Oranges and cinnamon simmering on the back of the stove helps to put a holiday fragrance in the air.

And, lastly, sugar cookie cutouts was my job this morning.  They are cut out, baked, and in the freezer.  Ready to be frosted and decorated when needed.  : )

And that's what's been going on the past couple of days!  Thank you for dropping by - I hope all of you are doing well.  God bless.

Wild Turkeys And Christmas Shopping

I couldn't wait to show you these pictures.  These are 2 of 14 turkeys that came into our backyard today!

Do you see the one in our crab apple tree?  And the three sitting on the fence?

And another two sitting on another fence.

And more!

I suppose this wouldn't be such a big deal if we lived out in the country, but we live in a first-ring suburb of a major city.  We just don't see things like this!  It was kind of exciting at first, but when they started to stay all day and started roosting in our trees and on our fences and walking around like they owned the place, it started to feel a little, well, creepy.  : o

It's late afternoon and they're gone now (we noticed them all taking a walk down the street and going into a neighbor's yard).  Where in the world did they come from?  Strange.  LOL

And, as of about half an hour ago, I am done Christmas shopping.  That's it.  Let the wrapping begin!

The sugar cookie dough is waiting in the fridge to be rolled out and cut out and baked (and tonight might be a good time for that since we are in the frigid cold now).

While out, we picked up a take out and bake at home pizza for this evening so a night off from cooking.  : )  And that is all I have for today.  I hope you are doing well.  Thanks again for stopping by.

The Christmas Blues

A decorated pinecone from our son when he was in kindergarten and a wonderful ornament made by my friend, Violet.  : )

I thought I could get through this Christmas without the blues, but I can't.  Try as I might to act as if I'm happy and contented, I just can't get over the feeling of being down.  There is just WAY too much happening in our lives and in the lives of others to be joyful about.  I know joy is a choice.  We CAN choose to be joyful no matter what the circumstances, but, really, sometimes joy seems downright inappropriate.  When there are family problems, death of family members, friends going through such difficult things, unemployment, and personal struggles, it's more of a heavy sigh.  All the Christmas music in the world, all the beautiful decorations, all the lights, all the presents and the good food, doesn't fill those parts within that ache and hurt.  They can't fill the loneliness.  They can't make someone well again.  They can't bring back the people you miss.  They can't pay the bills when there is no money coming in.

But those things - the music, the decorations, the lights, the presents, the good food - will help SOMEONE.  In a time when thinking of others is important, the things we do at Christmas doesn't necessarily mean it's for us.  It doesn't necessarily mean that it will make me joyful, but what if it brings joy to my husband?  Or our son?  Or our friends?  Or, our neighbors?  What if they, like us, are going through a difficult time and need something of beauty to look at and enjoy?  I looked up the definition of "enjoy" and read - "to have for one's benefit."  So, though I may be down about all the circumstances that are upon us right now, I need to give myself permission to feel it and work through it and continue to bring it to the Lord in prayer and read His Word for insight and comfort.  I need to keep on with everything "for the benefit of others."  

AND, I need to remember Luke 2, verses 10 and 11 - "But the angel said to them 'Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great JOY (emphasis mine) that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'"  And then pray Psalm 51, verse 12 - "Restore to me the JOY (again emphasis mine) of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

May you find peace for your souls as you go about preparing for this Christmas.  Thank you for stopping by.  

At A Loss For Words

The snowmen seem to be very happy indeed for the overnight snow.  : )

Christmas seems to bring such a mix of emotion depending upon how well we are doing or what we are going through at the time. Because of that, I really do find myself at a loss for words.  So, instead of saying what I think and how I feel, I will give to you today a few things that God says in His Word.  

*"Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40: 28-31

*"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41: 10

*"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."  Isaiah 43: 1 & 2

*"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."  Isaiah 46: 4

*"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind.  Is anything too hard for me?"  Jeremiah 32:27

*"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him...."  Nahum 1:7

*"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17

"Word Of God Speak"

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

[REPEAT CHORUS 2x]

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay

I hope that you will open God's Word today and let it speak to you.  Whether you are feeling weary, hopeless, lost, sad, fearful, or joyful, happy, and hopeful, the Lord has an amazing way to meet you where you are.  Go to Him.

God bless you today.  

From Our Home To Yours

Very few outdoor decorations this year.

It's a snowy Saturday today.  The house is warm.  "O Holy Night" is playing in the background.  I just finished a mug of hot chocolate and perused a Victoria magazine.  I will go into the kitchen soon and do a little baking so the house smells good and will settle in this evening for a Christmas movie.

I'm learning that the kind of Christmas's we yearn for don't just happen. We have to make it happen.  The week has been busy with errands and keeping up with the housework and that is all good, but in order to slow down and enjoy Christmas there has to be some point where we say "enough" and just settle in and settle down.  That's what we're trying to do today.  : )

I hope you can take the time to settle in and make Christmas a little slower and little more meaningful by putting the lists away and not worry about whether everything will get done. It will.  It always does.  And I hope you have a wonderful Sabbath tomorrow.  We will have a special Christmas choir at church so we're really looking forward to that.  Whenever I hear a choir, I feel like that's the way it will be in heaven.  Always singing and praising God.  Wonderful.  : )

Another puzzle finished.

I moved the tree to the corner of the room (like I said before, I'm ALWAYS moving things around).

God bless you and your weekend.   : )

A Day Of Rest

Yesterday morning (at 4:45 to be exact) I woke up with vertigo.  I have had this in the past so it's not that unusual but it put me on the couch for the day.  So, I called yesterday "my day of rest."  When vertigo happens to me, it's a quick thing but it leaves me not feeling so well for the rest of the day. There is sensitivity to smells and light and sound and it kind of zaps my energy.  Not great timing amidst the busy-ness of December, but I'm learning as I get older that when I don't feel well, it's definitely time to just slow down or stop altogether for a while.  : )

Fortunately, I do feel better today and in just a little bit, we'll be going out to get some Christmas shopping done.  I have made my lists and I've checked them twice so we're set.  : )

I thought of another Christmas giving idea that I wanted to share with you.  Have you had your car serviced during the past year?  One thing that we like to do is to take a hot pizza to the service station around lunch time for them to enjoy.  They're always surprised but so appreciative.  You might want to add some soda pop as well.  : )

And then, one last thing before I go.  I don't know how many of you have ever watched "The Great British Baking Show" on PBS.  I was hooked.  I really liked it.  Well, now (if you are at all interested in sewing), there is the Great British Sewing Bee!   It's not on our PBS stations, but it's on-line.  I've watched one season so far and, to me, it's fun to watch.  Unfortunately, they sneak an inappropriate line or two in, but it goes fast and they don't dwell on it.  But it certainly has motivated me to keep on trying to improve my sewing skills and be less afraid of it.  : )

Well, I think that's about it!  I hope you can enjoy this day and be encouraged to do something (even if it's just one thing) today to create beauty for your yourself, or those you love, in your home.

"And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' "  2 Kings 6: 17  Let's continue to pray this prayer for others today and throughout the Christmas season.  Pray that the Lord will open eyes that have been blinded by the world so that they may see Christ and be saved.  That would be THE BEST Christmas present they could ever receive this month.  : )  May God give you blessing and peace and encouragement and hope.  Love to you all!!!!

Keeping Up With Christmas Plans

Pretty angel.

Actually, I wasn't going to post because I'm always afraid of the mundane for anyone who reads it, but, then I ask, why not?  Go for it.  : )

The thing about December and keeping up with Christmas plans is that everything else needs to be done at the same time.  The laundry just doesn't throw itself into the washer and dryer.  The meals just don't appear at the table.  The floors don't miraculously stay clean.  And I don't have the groceries dropped off at the front door.  Then to add sending out cards, shopping for gifts, wrapping gifts, baking special goodies, etc., well, it's tiring to say the least.  But I still can't imagine not doing it.

Yesterday afternoon I sat down with hot chocolate in the mug and Christmas music playing and wrote all our Christmas cards in one sitting.  That is a first.  : )  But now I know that it's done and can relax a bit on that one.  I keep asking myself every year if this is something I want to keep doing and the answer is always a resounding "yes."  I, myself, love to go to the mailbox and find a card so I just assume that others do as well.

This morning during my time of making the menu and grocery list, I also took extra time to find the recipes for the little baking that I'll be doing.  In a past post I had mentioned that the three of us talked about what our favorite things are and we each came up with a specific baked good.  It has to be Grandma's Nut Goodie Bars (which is really a candy), the old-fashioned sugar cookie cutouts (it wouldn't be Christmas without them), and the Peanut Blossom cookies (you know, the ones with the Hershey Kiss in the middle).   So, that makes it pretty easy.

And our stockings will hold twelve small gifts to be opened every day until the 12th day of Christmas on January 6th.  This will be different for us too.  I'm hoping this will help ease that "let-down" we all feel after Christmas Day celebrations are over.  We're really trying to lead up to Christmas Day and THEN celebrate instead of doing everything now and having nothing left to do.

For a person who resists change, there is a LOT of change this year.  But maybe it's time.  We'll keep holding on to those few things that remain constant, but we also need to try some things a different way.  If it works maybe it will become our new way of doing things (God willing), and if it doesn't, then we'll know and remember not to do it next year.

I've noticed that on almost every news break on Christian radio, there is some town somewhere here in the U.S. who is trying to take Christmas away (like they really can) so I have an idea that I wanted to remember to share with you.  My husband and I still enjoy driving around looking at lights and when we notice a yard that has a manger scene up we try to write the address down and send a card of thanks for keeping Christ in Christmas.  It's one way to encourage one another to show what the true meaning of Christmas really is.  I hope you'll give it a try where you live.  : )

Well, that's all folks!  I hope I didn't make you yawn too much.  LOL  May God protect you and guide you and give you a Christmas peace.  Thanks for dropping by - you are ALWAYS welcome.

Tis The Season For ....... Giving

An heirloom Christmas ornament handed down by mother-in-law.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

The spirit of giving is a wonderful thing.  I think Christmas, more than any other time, brings that out in us.  It's that feeling down deep inside that says maybe I can make a difference in the life of someone.  Even if it's just one person.  Even if it's just one act of kindness shown.  Even if it's just a kind word said.  It's always sad to me when someone is so surprised by a kindness done to them. What would this world look like if everyone thought of someone else every day instead of themselves?  To get up every morning with the goal of helping someone in one way or the other? There are a lot of people where you might be the only person they come in contact with during the day.  How could that contact be something of great joy and encouragement and hope to them?  There is great loneliness that maybe you could help alleviate if only for a moment.  Just a little something that tells them you care.

Here is a brief list of how we all might be able to reach out and touch someone today and in the days to come:

*Pay for someone's groceries.

*Take flowers to your dental office, your doctor's office, a nursing home, the person who cuts your hair, etc.

*Pay for someone's breakfast, lunch, supper (especially if they are eating alone).

*Put change in vending machines for the next person.

*Give groceries to the food shelves.

*Leave a VERY generous tip to your server.

*Smile and say "hi" - (this doesn't sound like much, but it REALLY is).

*Tape a gift card to a gas pump.

*Hand out gloves and mittens at a bus stop.

* Hide dollar bills around the Dollar store.

*Volunteer at a soup kitchen.

*Drop toys or games off at a homeless shelter or hospital.

*Donate coloring books and crayons to the clinics or hospital.

*Leave a bottle of detergent at a laundromat.

*Buy hot drinks for the bell ringers.

*Buy gift cards for cancer patients.

*Make baby blankets for the maternity wards.

This is just a small list of things we all can do to brighten someone's day.  The miraculous thing about giving to others is that we forget about ourselves.  If you're the one that's lonely or sad, giving is just the thing to get you out of that.  There is nothing like getting the attention off of ourselves and on to others that heals the hurts.  Give it a try!!  But you'll have to be careful - it's addictive.  Giving grows and you'll find that you can't stop. 

God bless you and this day.  : )

December To-Do's

A sign that our, now adult, son made when he was around 8.  It still lights up after all these years!  And, being Mom, I HAVE to put it up every year.  : )

It was a nice day today.  A calm day.  It started by thawing some bread dough for one of the new recipes I made tonight for supper.  (I will post the recipe below)  And then made my pizza seasoning mix for the pizza sauce to go with what I made.  (Again, recipe below)  Lastly, I wanted to serve fresh vegies with dill dip so I had to make the dill dip ahead of time.  (You guessed it, the recipe will follow the other recipes)  : )

I also had some laundry today along with a LOT of ironing.  But I cut the ironing short (ironing only those items that were absolutely necessary) because I really needed to do something crafty today. So, I pulled out the paper crafting supplies and sat for awhile making some cards while Johnny Mathis sang his little heart out.  Silver Bells, O Holy Night (my favorite), Winter Wonderland, The Christmas Song, The First Noel...........  Love it.  : )

I don't know about you, but when December arrives I don't want a list of more to-do's, so the list is very short and are what we're already doing just getting ready for Christmas:

*keep baking, making/buying gifts, and wrapping

*decorate

*stock up on salt and sand (for those of us living up in the north country)

*have your car serviced, if necessary

*polish any silver that you might use for entertaining (I have none, so this is easy)

*wash any china that you might use for entertaining (this I do have thanks to my mom)  : )

*plan the parties/get-together's (make menus, write out lists, shop for what you need)

The three of us talked this over right before Thanksgiving and have decided to keep everything simple this year.  We each picked one baked good we enjoy and I will bake those.  We are limiting the amount of things we're buying.  We wanted the decorations to be pretty but simple.  And to not be fancy.  I can do that.  : )

Now.  As promised.  Those recipes which I mentioned above but said they'd be below.

STROMBOLI

16 oz. loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/4 lb. pepperoni, sliced

3 oz. sliced provolone cheese 

1/4 lb. thinly sliced ham

1 Tbsp. melted butter

pizza sauce

Preheat oven to 375.  Place bread dough on lightly greased baking sheet.  Pat to a 15" x 10" rectangle.  Arrange mozzarella cheese lengthwise down center; layer with pepperoni, then provolone, and ham last.  Moisten edges of dough with water.  Bring each long edge of dough to center; press edges together securely to seal ends.  Brush loaf with melted butter, and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool a little and then slice (an electric knife works really well for this).  Serve with pizza sauce on the side to dip the slices into.

PIZZA SEASONING MIX

1/2 tsp. onion flakes

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp. oregano flakes

1/4 tsp. parsley flakes

1/8 tsp. basil

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. salt

Combine and add to 8 oz. tomato sauce.

The Stromboli was a huge hit!  It really was very good and so quick to put together.  We actually thought that we liked it better than pizza.  Yippee!  A new recipe to add to my collection.  : )

And I know everyone has a dill dip recipe, but I'll add it anyway:

DILL DIP SEASONING MIX

Mix together - 2 tsp. onion flakes, 1 Tbsp. dill weed, and 1 tsp. seasoning salt

Add to - 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup mayo, mixed together.

Combine well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  I cut this in half for us because it makes so much but it's great for a party.

I think that's about all I have for today.  Not too exciting but nice.  I will close for now, jump into the jammies, grab a blanket, and read the Christmas book I've started.  May God feel close to you in all your work.  I still encourage you to stay in prayer and keep reading His Word.  I think sometimes at this time of year, we feel we don't have time for that, but I guarantee that if you put God first, He will give you the time.  : )

It's Beginning To Look A Little Like Christmas

Some calendars are so pretty, I just have to save the pictures.  : )

First the weather report - over 50 degrees yesterday with heavy rains and then hail.  Today still cloudy (I guess we won't see the sun until Friday), cooler but still mild for this time of year.  We look outside and it doesn't look like Christmas outside, but I'm trying on the inside!  : )

I went around the house with camera in hand to show you what we've been up to:

angel cuties

my "fireside" reading area

a new winter puzzle (isn't it beautiful?)  thank you, Violet!  : )

the Keurig corner

on top of a small bookcase

a wreath my husband made - I just added the burlap bow and greenery

an old creche handed down by mother-in-law

our tree (without ornaments yet) - we went with a fake tree this year - this area of our house used to be our dining area but we turned it into another room so to speak and thought a tree would like nice in here.  It does cozy it up.  : )

our decorated rooms from the front door

cute refrigerator magnets (again, the thanks go to Violet!)  : )

I thought that would be about all you could handle in one day (haha).  

I finished up our menu and grocery list and am doing something a little different this week.  I brought out the special Christmas cookbooks:

(can you tell I really like Gooseberry Patch cookbooks?)  : )  I bought each of these at the thrift stores as they are pretty expensive full price.

Anyway.....I took a new recipe from each book to fill out my menu with this week.  Things such as:

*Cranberry meatloaves

*Stromboli

*Baked shrimp

*Italian pot roast

*Beef and barley soup

*Creamy mushroom and ham ravioli

I'm looking forward to this - but I also hope we like them.  : o

And the last thing for today, was to bake cookies for our Bible study tonight:

Molasses Crinkles - the house now smells a little like Christmas.

That's it for today.  The days certainly fill up but it's a blessing.  I wish you well and may God bless your homemaking efforts.  : )  Thanks for dropping by for a visit.