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!

Sweetest Christmas Puppy

~ Miss Daisy~

So happy under the school room Christmas tree...

Chicken and Rice Soup

Chicken and Rice Soup
8 servings

2 tablespoons oil
2 carrots, sliced
1 small onion, chopped finely
2 stalks celery, chopped finely

garlic, to taste
pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
1 box chicken stock
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
2 cups cooked rice

Saute carrots, onion, celery and seasonings in oil until tender. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add chicken, rice, and water to cover; lower heat and simmer. Serve with a selection of cheese and crackers and enjoy!

Mr. H. hasn't been feeling well this week. I was so happy when I discovered I had the needed ingredients on hand today to prepare this soup - it is his favorite when he's sick.

Linked to Jam Hands Recipe Roundup August.

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

and behold,

everything is softer and more beautiful."

~Norman Vincent Peale

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Christmas Carolers" by John McNaughton

Gaylord Texan!

A quick trip to Dallas on Sunday to visit with great grandparents,

and a last minute stay at the Gaylord Texan for a treat!

Thank you Mr. H.! :-)

The Gaylord was just beautiful at Christmastime!

There was a real life size gingerbread house!



And a sweet little Christmas town.

The "Alamo".

And lots of lovely lights!

Homespun Garland

I've always wanted to decorate a Christmas tree

with popcorn and cranberries.

I decided to start small. ;-)

This evening I made a popcorn and cranberry garland...

for my tiniest little 18 inch tree.

It was so fun!

And siting by the fire,

stringing popcorn and cranberries,

felt very "little house-y". :-)

Supper Menus
December 15th-20th

Monday
leftovers from family Christmas party
Tuesday
out for supper
Wednesday
chicken and rice soup, cheese, crackers
Thursday
Jessica Simpson's chicken and dumplings, lettuce and tomato salad
Friday
hosting couples Christmas party
Saturday
homemade pizza, caesar salad

Christmas Tour of Homes

Today I am participating in ~

Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes 2008!

Kimbas Open House Party
and

Hooked on Holiday Houses Tour

Be sure to stop by these fun sites. :-)

Welcome to Heritage Schoolhouse! :-)

I appreciate you stopping by and...

...I hope you enjoy your stay!

I like to decorate with red and gold
here at Heritage Schoolhouse,

and lots of Santas. :-)

Come along with me, and I'll give you a tour. :-)

This is the children's tree in the school room,

aka the dining room. ;-)
All of the ornaments that they have made are hung here.
The ornaments they get each year from their grandmother and grandfather are also displayed.

My daughter gets Santas,

and my son gets snowmen. :-)

Grandmother was also the creator of these heirloom stockings.

They are so beautiful and intricate, that some guests don't realize they are cross stitched until they are up close!

My daughter's stocking...

...and son's.

My treasured Christmas dishes are displayed in the hutch.

There are several Santa's here, too.



The Christmas decorations at Heritage Schoolhouse
are not complete until the antelope,

the whitetail,

and all the antlers have been decked out for the season. ;-)

My favorite room to make "Christmasy" is the kitchen!


I like to do a lot of holiday baking!




Please help yourself to a cookie!

Some favorite Heritage Schoolhouse recipes this time of year are...

Double Drizzle Pecan Cookies

Italian Biscotti

Chocolate Billionaires

Sugar Cookies

Thank you so much for coming to visit!
I am looking forward to visiting lots of homes on the tour. :-)

Merry Christmas from Heritage Schoolhouse! :-)

"...behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10