Christmas Ramblin'.....

You know that saying "be careful what you wish for..." Well, for those that wished for snow on Christmas, they got their wish! This is the wooded area behind our house and while it does look pretty here....it wasn't so pretty out on the roads! I heard that it caused some churches to cancel Christmas Eve services.  Lots of cars slippin' and slidin' off the roads and highways!

I hope you all had a great Christmas weekend.....blessed with lots of family & friends! Ours sure was!

John was home....Ely, Liz & Briar....all home! Ely & Briar both had to work for awhile on Christmas Eve so John, Liz & myself went to church for candlelight service then on out to my moms for our little gathering there.

Me & my siblings....yep, I'm one of seven, right smack dab in the middle!

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Ely & Liz had spent the night with us so we had our own family Christmas on Christmas morning.

Later in the day, we had some friends and family over and even though we all ate way too much, there are still a ton of leftovers in the frig!

Santa was WAY too good to me again this year.....a scarf, a set of embroidered flour sack towels (which are THE best towels), lotions, candles, a digital picture frame, Paula Deen cookbook and rolling pin, a large griddle and a NOOK! 

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Now, here it is Monday....back to the regular routine of the work week! However, our client cancelled on us today so I actually have the day off, so I will venture into town here in a little bit to run a few errands.

Enjoy your day!

Let the countdown begin...

We are getting down to the wire, aren't we? Just one more week! Unless you can take a day off of work or a night owl, this is the last weekend to make the final preparations for Christmas! I'm just about done with the gift shopping and all that I do have is wrapped and under the tree!  I've made a few goodies but not really knocking myself out this year.  Tonight I will decide just what I will make for the Christmas Eve and Day gatherings and get my shopping list all made out.  We will be keeping it simple again this year....with candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve followed with my families gathering at my folks then our own little family gathering Christmas Day. 

Yesterday, we had a bout with freezing rain!  Schools all around were closed....cars slippin' and slidin' all over!  I'm so glad I got to stay home!  I think we are in much better shape today...looks like the sun is going to shine!  I have to wear my seamstress hat today then finish my gift shopping...but first, chores!

Enjoy your day!

FUDGE.....

Baby, it's cold outside! Yesterday, I spent the day at home, my sister and friend were over and we made some Christmas goodies! Thought I'd share the recipe I use for fudge...since coming across this one, I don't use any other, not because I couldn't make it, I could...it's just that this one is SO good and SO easy!

FUDGE

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup milk-chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

3/4 cup chopped pecans

Place chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in microwave safe bowl....microwave 1 minute on high.  Stir well then place back in microwave for 30 seconds.  Stir well.  Add vanilla and chopped pecans, stir til well blended.

Line the bottom of 8"x 8" pan with parchment paper but butter the sides.  Pour mixture into pan and spread evenly.  Chill until nice and firm.  Remove from pan (you may need to loosen sides with knife).  Cut into chunks and wrap in cello paper.

Giftie idea: Instead of using a pan, butter the sides of holiday cookie cutters, place upside down on wax paper lined cookie sheet and fill cutters with fudge.  Chill til firm.  Wrap in a cello-bag. 

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Well, it looks as if the sun is going to shine today! Still cold but alot nicer than gloomy rain or winter mix!

Winter chores have begun...oh the fun of life on the farm! 

Missing church this morning....my whole week will be off now! Better get off this ol' machine and get myself busy.  Maybe I'll make up some more goodies today!

Enjoy your day!

Oh the Christmas rush.....

Well it's been over a week since Thanksgiving and my last post....and it's been a very busy week! The day after Thanksgiving, we went with friends to St.Louis to watch our Westran Hornet boys basketball team compete in the state championship game.  They lost the game in overtime by one. They've had an incredible year.....until this game, they were undefeated! Way to go guys! We are so proud!

Saturday, John and I spent the day together.....and it was SO nice! He needed boots so off we went to  Kleinschmidts Western Store in Higginsville.  Since we went the back way, so to speak, we went through Brunswick, where I finally got the chance to stop at the still somewhat new quilt shop, Sew Sweet Quilt Shop http://www.sewsweetquiltshop.com/

Awesome little shop...so much fabric, patterns and notions, scrapbooking supplies

and what most caught my eye was the cupboard full of WOOL fq's!
Well, on to Kleinschmidts for boots!

Then, since we were so close, we went on up to the plaza in Kansas City and had dinner at Buca di Beppo...an awesome little Italian restraunt! As we were leaving, the lights on the plaza were on....I love looking at Christmas lights!

 Sunday to Wednesday was spent cleaning and decorating! 

I thought I'd share a couple pics of my trees.... the living room tree...

This is my Santa tree in the kitchen....

Friday, I got to spend the entire day at home...even though I spent the day doing laundry, it really wasn't so bad since I had a cozy fire going, the lights of the tree, Christmas movies & I got to do some fun work...a stocking order, that's the snowmen in the pic below!

Yesterday, I braved the crowds and traffic to go Christmas shopping.  I got lots but still not done!  I did find the premier issue of Where Women Cook...created by Jo Packham. Can't wait to sit down and actually read it!  Then awaiting in my mailbox when I got home was the latest Create & Decorate! I'm gonna have to find some sit-down time!

I hope I haven't bored you with all the details of my past week!

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Today is our youngest son's 20th birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAR! WE LOVE YOU!

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Enjoy your day!