Randomness ~ Barn Kitty ~ Last Christmas Tree

It's raining here this morning, and the step is a sheet of ice.  Every dog did the "bambi splits" this morning.  Needless to day, the didn't go far to do their business.  
 
I can't really say I am writing out my new year resolutions, but I am randomly writing down a "wish" list of needs and other possibilities for this year.  Of course that is after a good strategic financial plan is in order.

Honestly, I told Hubby that if we only had one thing to reflect on at the end of 2015, I would be elated to write down

After-Christmas Clean Up ~ Tidbits

We did not get a nasty storm as predicted.  In fact, we did not get as much rain as I thought we would, and we got zero snow.  Today might be the last warmer weather day for a while, but no snow.

In fact, the sun is already shining here today.

I'm worn out with running here and there for gatherings.  We all sat around the front room last night and watched a movie, sipped hot cranberry punch, and nibbled on leftover food and cookies.

Merry Christmas!

I made myself one last handmade Christmas ornament. . .

A bit of baking ~ Dog Pile

Our 18 year-old was not agreeing with my cookie "cut back" and is busy baking in the kitchen.  She made the dough yesterday, and is already baking them.  At least she is agreeing to a select few, as I suggested.

She insisted on a few of our favorites.  One is a recipe called "Angel Cookies" but we use it for our "cut out" recipe every year (butter frosting).  

Week of Events

We had a computer blooper yesterday morning, so I did not get anything posted.  Sorry.  Not much going on here anyway.  Nothing exciting, funny, or interesting.  Although youngest had a duet in a recent school (in-school) choir concert. 

We haven't baked one Christmas cookie recipe this year, and I'll be honest.  I'm not missing it.  The sugar that is.  The girls tell me they will make a few recipes to take with us to gatherings, but we'll see.  I do need to get buckeyes made, as it is the only thing my Dad asks for, for Christmas.

(2012 cake I baked and frosted)

 

Youngest has a birthday in a few days, and we haven't baked a homemade birthday cake for two years now.  She's opted for alternatives, and this year asked for a peppermint pie. 

In Search of . . .

Yesterday, right after I posted, I went in search for something on the internet.  I can't even remember what I was searching for at the time, but remembered clicking on "images" for another search and wound up finding another crochet pattern I want to make.   I'm pretty sure I was not looking for patterns.

Sigh.  Another pattern that requires a color I do not have.

Double sigh.

And then there was the triple sigh for finding another project when crafting journal if full already.  

Count down . . .

Here's a few more Christmas items around the house this year.

Handmade Christmas Ornament ~ Infused Honey Update

Although these can wait to be finished, I did get one done for photo sharing purposes.

Here's this year's next (I say next, because I'm always making more than one) newest Christmas ornament:

Warm Weather ~ A Peek at Decor

Hubby and I got more wood split, hauled and stacked.  Our warm weather day was about to turn back to cold, so we worked hard.  We cut more than we typically do in one day, so I was happy.  

Crazy Weather ~ Scaling Back the Holidays

How cold is it?

Cold enough to freeze eggs in the coop overnight.  Not just one, but three.

Thinking Christmas 2014 in February? ~ Hot Ginger Tea

Don't throw tomatoes at me just yet. Ha ha!  I found this wonderful book at our library.  It's full of edible gift ideas (many that are brilliant ideas for handmade/homemade Christmas gifts), and there are a few that I plan to try early this year.  Just sharing in case you are looking for new ideas.

Oven Overtime

( mugs that were a gift from my 19 year-old)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  I knew I was in trouble, when I heard the coffee cup hit my nightstand at 6:00am, and the curtains where carelessly tossed open (despite it was pitch dark outside, ha ha!).

Christmas Traditions

We have a family tradition here on Christmas Eve.  Although it's too early to post a photo (and I am not sure the family would appreciate it if I did photograph them, ha ha!), but I gift everyone with new jammies.  

We open them before bedtime, and wake up to open gifts in brand new jammies.  It's fun, and one thing our family enjoys every Christmas.  

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and God Bless

Let the Baking Begin!

My Christmas baking has begun.  It's official.  Drum roll please....

"You made buckeyes and you didn't save me any?!"  cried Hubby.

"Yes," I firmly replied.  "Out of sight, out of mind."

"Hmpf."

How to Make Fried Egg Candy

Items you need:

I did not specify amounts for this recipe, as you can pretty much make how many you desire.  It doesn't take a lot of white chocolate to make each candy.

Bringing Christmas Home

Upon leaving the campground last Monday morning, Hubby tells me the front store sells pop-up camper ornaments.

Can you hear tires squealing to a halt? 

Yup.  I made him turn the truck and camper around, and we bought the last one.  What was he thinking anyway.  Sheesh.  He should have bought it when he saw it.

Now, guess who is wanting us to camp at Christmas, so we can put a Christmas tree in the camper?

Hubby.

Sigh....

Do you think he's gotten bit by the "camping" bug?

Baking and Cooking with Lard ~ Chocolate Cherry Crunches

(The upper two on the right were made with a half cherry and the others a whole cherry)

Another future goal of ours, is to raise pigs for meat, and of course have lard.  

I spend a lot of time researching ways to utilize something before we raise it for food. 

 

(Photo source: Amazon)

I have found this wonderful book at the library (again, a great place to read books for free).  However, I may have to add this book to my personal homesteading library. 

I did not have enough dough to cover 24 whole maraschino
cherries.  I started to cut them in half, however, in the end, preferred the whole cherry in the cookie.  Next time, I need to use less dough per cookie.

These would be great for Valentine's Day or Christmas.

I am sure the debate over shortening and lard will continue for years, and doctors will have their opinion.  But when it comes down to it, it's about what's real and what's not real.  And of course, everything in moderation.

Merry Christmas!

I'm sharing my Christmas music box that hubby bought me several years ago.  The middle rotates as the music plays.

May you all have a blessed Christmas day!

Birthday Cake ~ Spaghetti Tacos ~ Christmas Eve Arrives

The kids were all doing their own thing, while I was in the kitchen frosting a birthday cake for our youngest daughter.

 I got a little crazy with the frosting - ha ha ha ha!  I guess that happens, when I have peace and quiet and frosting bags in my hands.

I added even more after I took these photos.  And when it was finished, my daughter added plastic cats to the top center of the cake.

Her requested dinner was spaghetti tacos.  They are pretty good too.

Christmas Eve arrived way too early this year.  I plan to slow this day down as much as possible, hug my kids more often and hug our pets more often.  Hug my parents more often, and put my perspectives on a more prudent path in life.