To Ring in the New Year

Things you need...

a little family
a few friends
a sweet puppy
a couple of snacks
a selection of games
a kiss

and...

a grateful heart for the blessings of the past year
a thoughtful remembrance for loved ones
a reflective mind for lessons learned
a hopeful spirit for the year to come
a peace that passes understanding

The Things of Christmas

The decorations get put back in the attic...

But, the spirit, stays in your heart. :-)

"Why not learn to enjoy the little things -

there are so many of them."

~Author Unknown

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Books in Winter" by Jessie Wilcox-Smith

Supper Menus
December 29th-January 3rd

Monday
kung pao chicken, white rice, passion fruit jasmine iced tea, chocolate raspberry lava cake ~ and yes, I'm trying to create PF Changs at home ;-)
Tuesday
beef stew, lettuce and tomato salad, dinner rolls
Wednesday
take out pizza
Thursday
hoppin' john, jalapeno cheese corn bread
Friday
cheese tortellini, garlic bread sticks, caesar salad

"To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment

than almost anything else in the world."

~Charles Dudley Warner

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"American Homestead - Winter" by Currier and Ives

A Surprise from Mr. H.! :-)

I LOVE this thing!!!

Thank you Mr. H.!!! :-)

Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Christmas Breakfast Casserole 

12 servings

4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
1 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked and drained
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 green onion, chopped
1 cup baking mix
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 eggs
3 cups milk

Combine hash browns, sausage, bacon, green pepper, 1 cup cheese and onion. Transfer to a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Whisk biscuit mix, salt, eggs and milk; pour over the top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Enjoy!

What is December 26th?

a little bit of sleeping in
a little bite of Christmas breakfast leftovers
a little lingering over a cup of coffee
a little playing
a little crafting
a little tidying
a little Christmas candy
a little knitting
a little laundry
a little game playing
a little movie watching

Not really much of anything, but very nice! :-)

A Merry Christmas

to all!

One of My Most Favorite Christmas Traditions

Kissing Mr. H. under the mistletoe ;-)

It's a Wonderful Life

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

and all through the house...

Just in Time!

Completed poncho ~ finished with only hours to spare!

It is a Christmas gift for a friend that is often cold. :-)

White Christmas

Busy Hands

While Mommy's hands have been busy knitting,

some other little hands were busy making...

...the cutest little puppets I've ever seen! :-)

Love them!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

What do I want for Christmas,

And what does my heart most desire?

The warmth and worth of true friendship,

A neighborly chat by the fire;

The wealth of a small child's laughter

And his trusting fingers round mine...

Just give me these blessings for Christmas

And the presents may all be thine.

What do I want for Christmas

And what does my heart ask for me?

The privilege of living for others,

Like the Christ child, unselfishly.

The wealth of seeing a morning

All golden with warm sunshine...

Just give me these blessings for Christmas

And the presents may all be thine.

What do I want for Christmas?

Gifts of deeper worth

Than those adorned with tinsel

And singed with wit or mirth;

Gifts, like dew in the mornings,

To fall into this life of mine...

Just give me these daily blessings

And the presents may all be thine.

~Mrs. Paul E. King

Christmas Ideals

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Season of Peace" by Bill Breedon

Scenes from a Christmas Kitchen

Linked to - Christmas House Tours 2012

Knitting against the clock...

Will she make it???

A Christmas Story

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Christmas Cards

"When Christmas comes again

'Mid holly wreaths and snow,

The precious gift of friendship

Takes on an added glow.

With each Christmas card we write,

We see a dear friend's face

And treasure each fond memory

That time cannot erase.

Though many miles may separate

Our paths down through the years,

Dear friends are always close at heart

When Christmastime is here.

Abundant love is tucked inside

Each Christmas card we send,

And with it there's the silent prayer:

God bless you always, friend."

~Kay Hoffman

Ideals Christmas

"I treasure all my Christmas cards;

They mean so much to me,

Each one from someone special whom

I'd so much like to see.

Some come from friends I don't oft see,

They live too far away,

Their cards are like a friendly smile

That brightens Christmas Day.

The message each one brings to me

From friends on my own street,

Is like a gift that's wrapped with love,

Each one a yuletide treat.

I'm thankful for these lovely cards

That come to me each year,

These precious notes of friendship with

Their greetings of good cheer.

And I wish for you this Christmas all

The joy the season brings;

Peace, good health, and lots of love,

The best of everything."

~ Lela Meredith
Ideals Christmas

A Christmas card for you!

Happy First Day of Winter!

"Winter is the time for comfort,

for good food and warmth,

for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire;

it is the time for home."

~Edith Sitwell

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Bringing Home the Logs, Winter Landscape" by Currier and Ives

Cheesy Bacon Bites

Cheesy Bacon Bites
4 servings

1 8 ounce can refrigerated crescent rolls
1/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
2 tablespoons chopped onion
3 ounces softened cream cheese
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Mix bacon, onion, cream cheese and pepper together. Remove crescent rolls from package and leave in the shape of two rectangles, pressing together triangle seams. Spread mixture over the rectangular shapes and roll long-ways. Cut each roll into 16 pieces and place on cookie sheet. bake at 350 for 15 minutes until lightly brown. Serve warm and enjoy!

These are so yummy! Wonderful as appetizers and they also would be delicious on a brunch buffet.

Our Annual Couples Christmas Party

There's nothing I like more than hosting a party!

For several years now,

we've hosted a get together for dear friends

at Christmastime.

For treats...

... and a gift exchange!

~ ornaments for the ladies ~

~ white elephants for the gentlemen ~

This year, my dear friend Giggles brought me a wonderful handmade picture frame which I love! Thank you again Giggles!

Mrs. H. and Daisy say "Merry Christmas everyone"!

Party Cheese Balls

Party Cheese Balls 
2 cheese balls

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 jar (5 ounces) sharp cheese spread
1 jar (5 ounces) pimiento cheese spread
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
dash garlic salt
dash minced onion
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
assorted crackers

Combine first eight ingredients; beat until blended. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes or until easy to handle. Shape into two balls; roll one ball in pecans and one in parsley. Cover and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers and enjoy.

During the holidays, I like to serve cheese balls with Pepperidge Farms Entertaining Quartet crackers. :-)

Christmas Candy - Buckeyes

Buckeyes5 dozen
1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, mix butter, peanut butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar to form a smooth stiff dough. Shape into balls using 2 teaspoons of dough for each ball. Place on prepared pan, and refrigerate. Melt shortening and chocolate together in microwave. Stir occasionally until smooth. Remove balls from refrigerator. Insert a wooden toothpick into a ball, and dip into melted chocolate. Return to wax paper, chocolate side down, and remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set. Enjoy!

Christmas Coffee Bean Chocolates

My chocolate Christmas candies are a little different this year. ;-)

Can you guess why?

Mr. H. told me that Starbucks was selling

chocolate covered coffee beans...

...so I dropped a coffee bean in each mold
as I was making candies! :-)

Mmmmm!