Our Christmas Card

   Merry Christmas, my dear, sweet friends!  I wish I had a card for each and every one of you, but this is my last one!  Remind me to order more next year...  This is the front...

   This is the picture on the inside...

   And this is the tiny picture on the back of the card...

   When I was little, Christmas Eve was when we did all our celebrating.  Christmas Day was when we enjoyed our gifts from Santa.  We had a lovely meal, usually hosted by my darling Mona Mom (my grandmother).  Creamed Onions was one of my favorite dishes and she fixed them up perfectly- mmmm.....  We usually had wassail (spiced cider) and it made the house smell absolutely heavenly.  We also enjoyed smoked oysters along with shrimp dip and veggies before the meal.  My grandparents prepared traditional Swedish foods such as solta and lutfisk- as well as American favorites like ham and turkey- and pickled herring was purchased for those who desired a taste.  The Swedish dishes were not my personal favorites, but it was part of our celebration and took quite awhile to prepare.  Now our Christmas meal is not quite so elaborate, but enjoyed just the same.:)  Those past memories are precious to me, and will be shared as stories to my girls.

     I wish you all the merriest of Christmases and I look forward to sharing 2009 with you!:)

Always Nice to Come Home To...

   I came home to some really fun mail today!  I won a giveaway hosted by my lovely friend, Lindsay, in England and look what she sent us!  The biggest chocolate bar I have ever seen!  And all the way from England, too!  Thanks so much, Lindsay!  And thanks Jessica, for picking my name!:)

   Look at the darling card that she sent with it- perfect!

   I also won a giveaway from my new friend, Trish!  She has the sweetest things in her etsy shop and I LOVE her rings!  Trish sent me this lovely star picture which reminds me so much of the Star of Bethlehem...

   She was so sweet to send me all these precious rings, too!!  Aren't they darling??  I was supposed to win the beautiful pink ring in the front, but she was so generous and sent me some others to enjoy, too!  I LOVE this ring!  Such a gorgeous bauble of PINK!!!

   Thanks so much, Trish!  PLease stop by her shop when you get a minute!

I hated wrapping presents until...

  I discovered gift tags!  wow!  " A whole new world.." (think "Alladin" here) (A dazzling place I never knew...", etc.)  I am having such fun creating tags for all my gifts along with coordinating ribbon, tulle, etc.  I used to be a big believer in gift bags stuffed with tissue (always good for recycling, mind you) but NOT anymore!  Woo Hoo!  Stickers and glittered tag board letters are my new best friends.:)

   I am loving the "initial" theme.  "K" for Katie, "M" for Mandy, etc...

   In the past, I have hosted gift wrapping parties so my friends and I could get our wrapping done without little eyes peeking.:)  Snacks, Christmas "chick flicks", and lots and lots of decorative paper, ribbon, and tissue.  Talk about fun!!  Now that I have found this new "hobby" I will be posting a "Wrapping Party" next year!  Hope you can come!

Snack Time at the Movies

The girls and I are off to the movies with friends tomorrow!  Yippee!  We are going to see "Desperaux", even though we are only half way through the book.  Oh well...  It is turning out to be much much darker than I thought it would be!  Amy, you were right!  Hmmm...  Perhaps Jeff will build a fire tonight and we can attempt to finish it.  Let me tell you, it is COLD outside!  

   In preparation for the movies, Katie and I made some Ho Ho Holiday Snack Mix to share.  A lovely combination of sweet and salty....

   Just take a handful of this and cup of that and mix together in a big bowl!   Sorry Tristan, no red hots! 

   Don't forget the M&M's, right Robin?;)

Yum

   Oh, how I wish I had a picture for you!  Last night, the girls and I went shopping and dined at Mimi's Cafe for dinner.  This is an absolute necessity after a big night of shopping.:)  Anyway, I enjoyed the most wonderful salad!  It is part of their new "Just Enough" section of the menu and I believe it is called Balsamic Chicken and  Pistachio Salad.  YUM.  The salad consists of delicious roasted chicken, baby greens, strawberries, dried cranberries, feta cheese, tomatoes, pistachios and a fabulous balsamic vinagrette dressing!  If you have last minute shopping to do, and even if you don't, you must treat yourself!  The salad comes with a large-enough for 4 people- warm blueberry muffin or muffin of your choice and their signature bread basket...  They have really good iced tea, too.... :)

Start a New Tradition

   Today, the girls and I took these...

and these...

to our local animal shelter.  It's one of our Christmas traditions and we always look forward to going.  How I wish we could give all the dogs and cats a nice home!   We got our cat, Snookie, at a shelter years ago and he is such a great pet.  We fell in love with a couple of little sweeties today, too.  I could've sworn I saw a few of the dogs smile as they ate their snacks.:)  If you get some free time, or just want to escape the holiday rush, think of stopping by your local animal shelter.  The animals are so starved for attention and would love to see you...

There's a New Mouse in my Life

   And his name is not Mickey.  The girls and I started reading Desperaux last night and we are in love.  Kate DiCamillo has done it again.  We love all her books- Mercy Watson and Winn Dixie are some of our favorites, but this little fellow with the big ears has stolen our hearts.  It premieres in theaters this Friday, but you really should read the book first.  It's the perfect excuse to snuggle by the fire with your family.:)

Fancy Feet Kit

   This is a fun idea for all the ladies on your Christmas list.  You need a new paint can (Lowe's), scrapbook paper, rub-on letters, ribbon, embellishments and some free time (that's the tricky part!).  

   I filled mine with these goodies:  nail polish, nail polish remover, a pumice stone, lavender foot soak and other individual lotion packets (Wal Mart- in the pedicure section by the nail polish removers), moisturizing socks, toe dividers, and a nail brush.

   Add ribbon to the handle...

   And you're ready!

Chicken and Corn Chili

   This is a delicious and low-cal chili that we really enjoy at our house.  It's like a nice, thick soup with a tiny bit of a kick!  I made some last night for dinner and we finished it up for lunch today.:)  Yummy with hot cornbread or rolls...

Chicken and Corn Chili

1 large onion, chopped

1 rotisserie chicken, cut into bite size pieces or shredded

2 cups chicken broth

1 3/4 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 can diced tomatoes with jalapenos, drained

1 1/2 cups frozen corn

2 cans Great Northern beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

2 TB stone ground cornmeal

Combine onion, chicken broth, cumin and cayenne pepper and cook until onion is softened.  Add remaining ingredients (except cornmeal) and cook over medium heat.  Gently mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken chili.  Stir in the cornmeal.  Simmer for about 15 minutes so it's gets nice and warm and then enjoy!  Easy and soooo yummy!

Doodle Bugs and more Giveaways!

   Doodle Bugs has the CUTEST paper goods such as address labels, stationery, personalized stamps, etc.  They are having a giveaway right now, so stop by and leave a comment to win!  Please tell them that I sent you, because if you win- I win too!  Yippee!  Good Luck!

ALSO!!!  Trish is having a giveaway on her blog!  Stop by and check out all her lovely items!  I have my eye on her Cotton Candy ring!  It's mine- all mine!!:)

The Family Stone and The Holiday

   This is what's showing after the kiddos go to bed tonight.  Have you seen it?  Would it be good to watch while eating brownies?:)  And...

   Love, love, love this movie!!  If you have not seen, you must hop in the car and go rent it.  Right now.  And stop by Sonic for a Cherry Coke while you're out, would you?  I rented it one night and had to return it before I finished it.  I liked it so much, that I went ahead and bought it to see the ending!  So, my question is, if you have seen it- Would you rather live in Cameron Diaz's gorgeous Hollywood mansion or Kate Winslet's darling English cottage?  And Lindsay- Is your town anything like the one where Kate lives in the movie?:)

Oh My- Sweet Potato Pie

   Growing up I despised sweet potatoes.  Yes, I would like a bit of the marshmallow off the top, but that orange glop- well, no thanks.  Then I met my husband and discovered a whole new world!  The sweet potatoes of yesteryear, lacking brown sugar and butter, were just plain- wrong.  

   This recipe, my friends, will be your new favorite.  Yes, indeedy.

Sweet Potato Pie

Filling:

3 medium sweet potatoes

1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 can evaporated milk

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

9 inch pie shell

Topping:

1 stick butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped

Easy steps for filling:

1-Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2-Cook potatoes until soft.  Drain, peel, mash potatoes.  Add sugar and butter while hot.

3-Slightly beat eggs.  Mix with evaporated milk.  Combine with potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.  Mix thoroughly.  Pour into pie shell.

Easy steps for topping:

1-Melt butter.  Add brown sugar and pecans.  Cook for 2-3 minutes.  Cool.  Sprinkle over pie.  Bake for 40-45 minutes.

While you are indulging yourself, don't feel too guilty.  Remember that sweet potatoes are "a nutritional bonanza bursting with calcium, potassium and vitamin A."  It says so on the front of the recipe card.  Makes me feel better...:)

Fun for All!

   The girls had a blast at their American Heritage Girl's Christmas party the other night.  They played fun games...

   Got to see their buddies...

   Went Christmas caroling at a local nursing home...

   Gave out flowers to the ladies and gentleman there...

   It was a lovely evening, for everyone!:)

Survivor Finale

   Robin- If you did not watch last night- stop here, Sweetie!   

   Last night BLEW ME AWAY!  Who would have ever thought that Sugar would give Matty her immunity idol??!  She is one amazing young lady.  Yes, good should triumph over evil, but on the game of Survivor this is not usually the case...

   Matty is my own personal favorite as he is like the little brother I would love to have.  He never says anything bad about anyone (even RANDY!) and is just a sweetheart.  I know he has to be the most amazing personal trainer, encouraging people to do their best- and truly wanting them to succeed.  LOVE him.  BUT...

   Bob and Sugar are amazing in their own right.  Sugar has PLAYED the game beautifully, much more than anyone would have ever thought.  Plus, she has a heart.:)  And Bob has won a ton of immunity challenges and proven that he is truly a Survivor with his ability to built, cook, and teach others to survive- and even thrive- in the wilds of Africa.

   Who do YOU want to win??

Reindeer Cookies

Yum...
  Yum...
   YUMMY!  Reindeer Cookies!

   You need Nutter Butter cookies...

   Chocolate Chips..

   Pretzels- and don't forget the white frosting (use it as the "glue" to make all the pieces stick!)

   And mini M&M's!  Use red, if you want to make Rudolph.:)  Mini M&M's are found in the baking aisle, by the chocolate chips.

   The girls and I made these treats for their American Heritage Girls Christmas party.  They went quickly!:)