Christmas Pillowcases

A set for my youngest to match his Turtle quilt.

A set for my oldest to honor his dice collection.

A set for Mina and Stan to match their Christmas quilt from last year.

One single for Loni because that is all the fabric I left from her cat quilt.

'Tis the Season 25 - Merry Christmas!

A picture of the boys in front of the Christmas tree is a tradition each year.  They get up and goof around and pose while I snap pictures hoping for a decent one.  When I was reviewing this year's pictures, I realized they told a story.  Here is the story:

The Angel appeared to the Shepherds and they were terrified.

The Angel said "Do Not Be Afraid," but these particular shepherds had been told not to talk to strangers.

 

 

 

 

 

The heavenly host appeared with the Angel, and then these two shepherds said "Alrighty then!"

Merry Christmas everyone!

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Ratty Robe has been replaced!!!!! 

My youngest gave me an awesome robe for Christmas. It feels better than ratty robe ever did!  

It is not green, but it is a pretty purple which is a complimentary color to green.  

Love it!  Not one single hole. 

'Tis the Season 24

 

"Tis the Season 23

Did everyone tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas?

My 1964 visit with Santa.  I was 4.

'Tis the Season 22

This was one of my favorite Christmas shows when I was young.  I think it first aired in 1968. 

'Tis the Season 21

I remember watching this Christmas Special when it was released in 1977.  I am a huge Bowie fan so I really like to replay this.

'Tis the Season 20

I have been listening to a lot of YouTube Christmas videos while printing at work.  I really enjoy the Celtic Woman videos.

Great Night with the Girls

I had a horrible, horrible day, but tonight was a girls get together, and as always my girls came through in cheering me up.  Thanks Jenn, Gina, and Loni.

'Tis the Season 19

Of trying to remember where I hid the gifts I bought at the beginning of the year and gift wrapping.  The wrapping used to stress me out until I found out there was a cheerful humming elf in my family.  

It is so odd to hear cheerful humming along with the sound of cutting of wrapping paper.  When I wrap gifts I am usually increasing my naughty word vocabulary.  

'Tis the Season 18

I love being with my family at Christmas time.  I am happy to say I never missed a Christmas with my parents.  I know the day will come when I won't be able to be with the boys at Christmas because they will have their own families and will their own lives, but for now we are all together.  Last night Loni hosted family Christmas at her new home. The beautiful new home was full of love and laughter.  Mocha did not come out for any of the fun, but it was probably overwhelming considering she is just getting used to the house.

'Tis the Season 17

A lot of my friends are doing their holiday baking.  I used to do a lot of baking during the holidays for parties, Raymond's work buddies, neighbors, etc., but it seems most of my friends are on diets or restrictions for health reasons, so I just don't bake at all now.  

My mom baked up until the last couple years of her life.  She baked on a weekly basis. When my brother and I were growing up there were certain recipes mom only made at Christmas.  Two of those recipes were her Mexican Orange Candy and New Orleans Pralines.  I don't like pralines of any kind, but I loved the candy.  

Her recipes were in several cookbooks in KY.  I think I will share the two above here:

New Orleans Pralines
2 c. white sugar
1 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 T. butter
1 c. brown sugar
2 T. white syrup
2 c. chopped pecans

Boil sugar, milk and syrup to soft boil stage.  Add pecans, butter, vanilla. Beat until creamy. Spoon onto waxed paper. These spoonfuls will form a small disc, so allow room in between.  You can top with half a pecan in the center of each praline.  

Mexican Orange Candy
3 c. granulated sugar
Grated rind of 2 oranges
1 c. nutmeats (black walnuts or pecans)
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 c. rich sweet milk
1/2 c. butter

Melt a cup of sugar in a large kettle (6 quart capacity).  Scald milk in a double boiler.  When sugar is melted to a rich yellow, add hot milk, all at once.  Keep stirring.  Mixture will boil up quickly, so you must use large kettle. Add 2 cups of sugar to this mixture stirring until dissolved.  Just before it is done, add orange rind, salt, butter and nutmeats.  Beat until it is creamy; pour into a butter pan to cool.  

(The recipe doesn't say, but I remember a 9x13 pan and once it is cool you cut the candy into squares)

'Tis the Season 16 Supplemental Post

I just discovered Chocolate Egg Nog!!!!!

One of My Favorite Christmas Pictures

Raymond and Me - Christmas 1981 - We were married January 2, 1982

'Tis the Season 16

For eggnog, spiked or not.

'Tis the Season 15

Let us never forget those that are suffering at this time of year. 

It is important that we reach out to those who have lost loved ones, are tending to a sick family member, are dealing with their own illness, have lost a job, or have suffered any of a million other things that can make this time of year difficult.

We can easily get lost in the shopping, baking, cooking, card writing, and the general hustle and bustle of the holiday and forget that person next door who is lonely and frightened by events that have taken place to rock their lives. A phone call, card, or extra little gesture can really make a difference.  I know. I have been the person that needed to be carried through a holiday.  

So take five minutes and make a difference in a life. 

'Tis the Season 14

18 years ago I was blessed to receive for the second time the best gift of all.  The one that keeps on giving.

My youngest!

He still likes chocolate.

He no longer plays with his feet.

This might be the last time he slept!

He is still adorable~

Wish his dad could be here.  He would be so proud!

Happy birthday!

'Tis the Season 13

Unfinished presents!

Can't post pictures because then everyone would know I waited until the last minute to make their gift!

'Tis the Season 12

I love reading Christmas stories all through December.  It helps me set and keep the mood in my mind when the hustle and bustle gets to be too much.  It doesn't matter if you read classics or the newest fiction on the shelf, as long as it warms your heart.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

 

 

 

 

Debbie Macomber Angels at Christmas or any of her Christmas books

The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson, or any Christmas selection by this author

'Tis the Season 11

All I want for Christmas is to be with my family.