Christmas Eve

I believe this is the sweetest version of the Christmas Story I have ever seen.

I hope you enjoy it.
I especially love Mary and Joseph, the star, and the glow sticks.
I absolutely love the glow sticks:)
Make sure you turn playlist off to fully enjoy it.

Tomptar and More

Found just in time for Christmas...

Guess we will have to make some Glogg now :)

The Baking Begins

This summer when Dave found my Irish Blessing plate, he also found cookie stamps that once belonged to his Mom.  I knew that when he found them, I would make sure  I baked a batch of cookies using those stamps.

Although I never met Dave's Mom, he has told me that she loved Christmas and loved baking and cooking for the holiday.  I think she really just loved taking care of her only child and son. 

So in honor of her Swedish heritage and my children's love of shortbread, I decided to make the shortbread using the recipe that came in the accompanying book...  

 
I prepared the cookies as directed and used the sheaf of wheat stamp.  Isn't it funny how a 35 year old box of cookie stamps can conjur up so many memories from the past and establish new ones at the same time?
I hope your night is filled with magic and memories also :)

It's Up and Decorated

We put our Christmas tree up earlier than we ever have and I like it.  I just love looking at the twinkling lights and all the ornaments that I have collected throughout the years.  Each one has a special memory associated with it and it brings me closer to what I believe Christmas really is - connection to those we love.  

This weekend we prepare treats for those we love. 

Have a great day :)

At the Feeder

My dogs love to go outside and investigate.

However, when it is as frigid as it is right now, they are content to just sit on the ledge by the fire and watch the birds.

We make sure that our feeders are full of seed during the winter months. 

The birds need the nourishment and everyone in our house enjoys watching them...

We have a great variety of birds.
We have finches...

Cardinals...

                      

Red bellied woodpeckers...

Chickadees...

And downy woodpeckers...

to name just a few.
Go fill your bird feeder and see what shows up.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Bringing In the Tree

Here they go rejoicing...

Bringing in the tree...

My boys...
Gotta love em :)

No Charlie Brown Tree Here!!!

Dave, DJ, and I went out this morning in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

Yep, folks (Lori) that's me - sans the makeup, cute hat :) 

It's the weekend....

What do you expect?

Anyway, we searched far and wide and found it.
The perfect tree...

Did I hear ooos and aaahhs?
I thought so:)

And it's cut and paid for ;)
More fun tomorrow...
DECORATING IT!!!
YAY!!!

Who Knew?

Who knew that the Wii and Netflix were such great friends?

Dave did!!!

That's who!!!

Now we're cooking with gas :)

Merry early Christmas to us :)

A Glimpse Of

My world this Sunday night...

Hope all is well in your corner of the world :)

Peace...

Walking Through

A winter wonderland...

Can you hear the sleigh bells rings?
Are you listening?

Marcia's Baking

My kids were home for the Thanksgiving break.  And, at least at my house, that means that more kids are at my house or my kids are out and about going to little get togethers at their friend's homes.

That also means "Marcia's baking"  and I love it.

For example, last Friday night went down something like this.
DJ:  Marcia's baking.
Friend:   Haahhaaa.  That's great!!!
Me:  Ask them if they want cookies or fudge.
DJ:  Cookies or fudge?
Friend:  Ummm, thinking.  Cookies.
DJ:  He says cookies.
Me:  Cookies and fudge it is.
And all was well in my world.
And their world too, for that that matter.
I have added the chocolate chip cookie recipe to my ever growing recipe page above :)
I hope you enjoy them!!!

Our First Snow Fall This Year

We woke up to this beautiful sight Saturday morning...

Reminds me that I have to get the kids together and take the annual Christmas card photo soon.
I am thinking a photo of the two of them on the bridge will be wonderful :)

Good Bye Dear Friend

You were, and always will be, our snake chasing, beautiful girl...

1996 - 2010

Rest in peace, my love.
We all miss you more than any words can express.

Thank You Mary Engelbreit

For...

Putting it all in perspective and keeping it real :)

It Is the Night Before Thanksgiving

And All Through the House...

The Creatures are Stirring...

But not a mouse - no definitely not a mouse - not allowed in my house!!!

The Mixer is Whirring..

And Suzie is Purring...

All in the Hope That Thanksgiving Soon Will be Here...

And the Scraps From the Feast Soon Will be Theirs...

This sad poem has been brought to you by the letters S, V, and M.

(Snoop, Suzie, Violet, and Marcia :)

Are You Looking At Me?

Let me clarify...

   

"Are YOU looking at me?"
Cause if you are :)

Shopping Locally

Can result in wonderful moon cookies disguised as pumpkins and fall balls...

A cookbook filled with favorite local recipes.
A handmade ornament that will soon adorn my Christmas tree.

Amaryllis that remind me of peppermint candy.

And Yankee Candles that will fragrance my house throughout the holiday season.

Those are a few of my finds from yesterday. 
Guess you will have to wait until Christmas to see the rest :)

Somethings a Bloomin

My Christmas cactus is blooming and that means two things in my house:

Thanksgiving will be here before you know it

and

Christmas shopping has to be done...

I best get a move on baking and shopping then :)

Shop first, bake second.

Shopping and baking - Does it get any better than that?

I think not :)