Recently in Christmas Category

Christmas cactus begin to bloom.

 

This is the first time mine has bloomed. I have had it for three years. I gave up on it after last year. I plunked it into a pot, stuck it in a window and watered it when I remembered. No pampering or coddling. My reward for its neglect are those gorgeous pink and white blossoms.

I guess I am like Momma Walton in The Homecoming and long for flowers in the dead of winter.

I want a red velvet dress and pearls. Isn't she gorgeous?

I NEVER can make it through this song without tears.

It is that time of year again when I begin to put together my Christmas baskets.

This is what I have so far -

Pepper Jelly

Crabapple Jelly

Dried Rosemary

Dried Thyme

Dried Mint

Dried Parsley

Crushed dried red chili peppers

Black walnuts (from our trees)

A homemade ornament - as of yet unknown

Maybe some homemade beer

If the chickens are laying there will be a gift box of fresh organic eggs

The goats should still be making milk and there might also be quarts of homemade yogurt

Also homemade cheese

I am also thinking about a loaf of fresh crusty bread

I have no idea what else

Any ideas?

Would you like to have some if not all of the above in a nice pretty basket during the holidays?

I am all about the homemade gifts. I know some people will call us cheap and feel slighted but those are the people who have no idea the efforts it takes to make things from scratch with them in mind.

Now, fill up my comments with ideas and suggestions.

Please.

And thank you.

post published early Christmas is my most favorite time of the year -if you hadn't noticed by now. I anticipate its arrival and plan and work to make it the most special time of the year for my kids. I want them to grow up with the excitement and joy that I had as a child. I think once again I pulled off a huge success and each of the children and my sweet husband are pleasantly tired yet happy and contented. This year I myself had a wonderful time and was pleasantly surprised by the gifts I recieved. We had seen the way MommaK had incorporated her tv into her kitchen and I explained to Steve that is what I had in mind for our kitchen ultimately when it was finished (a day that looms far ahead into my future). He has often questioned my I want a tv in the kitchen and seemingly tried to convince me I really did not want it. Finally I told him I want it because I want it and no other reason. Seeing MommaK's seamlessly incorporated and attractive TV and DVD bedecked kitchen he took that and ran with it. Steve gave me a flat screen TV and DVD player for the kitchen. I spend so much time in the kitchen. I often get frustrated that I can barely hear what they are watching in the livingroom or have to run back and forth to keep up with something I wanted to watch while having to cook supper or when I have things going on the stove. So, it was indeed a perfect and satisfying gift. Just after Thanksgiving I had gifted myself with the Walton's season 1 and 2. This year for Christmas someone listened to me and I have Little House on the Prarie Season 1 and 2 as well as the Premeire show that preceeded the TV series. My mother continually questioned me as to what I might like as a gift and when I saw the book I knew it would be the most perfect gift for me. She gave me "A Little House Collection". I am just tickled with it. I had contemplated buying it for the kids several times and now I have it for myself. I also got a new copy of Little Women. I LOVE that book! I also love the movie. So while I take a break between Christmas and New Years I will be putting my feet up and enjoying my Little House Series and my book along with several other gifts of chocolate, wine, lounging sets all the while burning that stack of firewood and watching time slip by while my baby plays at my feet and tries to walk more than a step at a time. We will eat leftovers and/or simple meals and finish off the baskets of sweets and treats and cakes. We will also take cold medicines, use up hundreds of tissues and jars of vicks. I have no idea where this cold came from! At least it waited to hit me AFTER Christmas. Thank you all for dropping by and wishing us well during the Holidays. I wish you all Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Chanuaka, Happy Holidays, and Seasons Greetings. I apologize for being late in wishing you all well. As we have had a housefull of guests since the Thursday before Christmas. I have had little more than 5 minutes a day to get online. Most of my posts were written last week knowing I would have little or no time and all I would have to do it hit the publish button.

Pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate and rolled in pecans and crushed pepperment candies are great for parties or to have out for munching when you have visitors over. Over boiling water slowly melt some chocolate chips. Remember to stir often. The chips will begin to melt and will melt quickly. Turn off the heat. Dip the pretzels in the chocolate and roll the tips in nuts or crushed peppermints. Cool on wax paper. These make a great hostess gift when packaged in cello bags and tied with a ribbon. For gift giving I use the long elegant pretzel sticks. I use both white and dark chocolate chips. I roll them in peanuts, pecans, crushed peppermints, or cinnamon candies. It is an easy gift and a handmade gift. Handmade gifts are wondering to give and receive. There also went to MommaK's holiday open house.

I guess am doing a 12 Days of Christmas Desserts or maybe a Treat Yourself for the Holidays Idea guide. Not sure which but I have been photographing a lot of the stuff happening in my kitchen this week. This treat is a black forest type trifle which is always a big success when served. Rich dark chocolate cake soaked with cherry brandy. Layered with Cherry jam. And chocolate pudding. And whipped cream. The same layers are repeated again. Then topped off with a shaving of dark bittersweet chocolate. This dessert went to the holiday open house given by the lovely MommaK on sunday afternoon the week before Christmas.

This is a quick and easy treat you can make all year long for your children. It makes having a treat of ice cream a little more special. Over boiling water slowly melt some chocolate chips. Remember to stir often. The chips will begin to melt and will melt quickly. Turn off the heat. Using a pastry brush paint a coating of chocolate around the upper part of the cone. Sprinkle with a bit of colored candy, crushed mints, crushed cookies/candy bars, or nuts. Anything you like. You can even stick miniature marshmallows on them. Invert onto wax paper. It takes a while for the chocolate to set and cool to a hard coating. Fill with ice cream and serve. You can also fill these with candy and wrap in cello bags and give as party treat or token gifts to children during the holidays. They are sure to love them. They are also great for birthday parties. These cones went to the lovely MommaK's holiday open house party.

King James Version (KJV) Luke - Chapter 2 Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:2 ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:12 And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:17 And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2:18 And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart. Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. blueletterbible.com