Hope it was MERRY!!! December 26, 2008

Hope your Christmas was wonderful and that you enjoyed your day as much as Duke did!  He LOVED what Santa left him under the tree!

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!!! December 24, 2008

How did it happen?  Can it possibly be Xmas Eve already?

I just wish it was snowing instead of raining right now!  Our snow is shrinking by the moment and I hear we’re in for a December “thaw” next week.  Just when the kids will be out of school and ready to play in the snow!

Whatever the weather is in your neck of the woods, I hope you enjoy a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and that the New Year brings you peace, joy, and good health!

(My favorite, “new” Christmas tree ornament, fashioned from found materials: a spiral shell and sea glass, that I found at a church fair this season.)

Snowballs Inside, Snowballs Outside! December 23, 2008

As promised, I’m posting some pix of our favorite Snowball Cookies.  As the snow/ice/rain/sleet swirled around outside this weekend, transforming us into a true winter wonderland (or a terrible, slippery/slidy mess–depending on how you look at it!) I finally popped a batch in the oven.

Trouble is, in a few moments, there were . . .

GONE!!!!

Fortunately, I did take my own advice and tripled the batch, so I have more dough in the fridge.  My 3 guys decided they like them best warm and when there were looking for some more last night, I popped another batch in the oven and they were again devoured at breakneck speed.  Problem is, at this rate, there will be NONE for Christmas!  But, they’re enjoying them now!  Hope you do, too!

Sunday Stroll: Northeast Kingdom!!! December 15, 2008

My weekend took me to an unexpected place: the icy, Northeast Kingdom!  I wasn’t expecting to post a Sunday Stroll and had a zillion things to do at home, but due to the necessity of checking on a questionable furnace at our family’s northern home during recent winter ice and snow storms, we made a mad dash to this polar wonderland.

Despite the -1 F temps, I totally enjoyed this experience—especially the incredible sights.  I know that everything will still be awaiting me at home, but it was well worth it!

Icicles galore!

 

 

Duke totally enjoyed himself, making his own kind of snow angels . . .

 

Fortunately, my multi-talented DH was able to clean a screen on the furnace and restart it before any pipes had frozen, and was also able to shovel snow. . .

 

 

 

After getting the chalet in order, we  took in some Christmas-y sights at a nearby, larger town . . .

 

 

 

 

 

and, then, enjoyed the fire!

 

 

 

 

GOOD NIGHT!

To see who else strolled this Sunday, visit the Quiet Country House.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like . . . November 30, 2008

OK, I just couldn’t resist trying out a new banner, that’s very Christmas-y, on this weekend after Thanksgiving, right before the first of December!

It was a tad ridiculous when I saw Christmas items in the stores before Halloween–and I was rather surprised when I saw the spruce on the green all lit up when leaving school one night–but now I’m ready for it.  I almost couldn’t wait to rip off the autumnal brown/orange/sienna tablecloth on the diningroom table, complete with cornucopia as soon as Thanksgiving dinner was served–OK, actually the next day–so I could garnish with some crimson and greens!

How cute is this little Charlie Brown Christmas tree?  Just couldn’t resist . . .

Just seeing the very first, few flakes of snow early this morning (which quickly dissolved into hail, then rain) helped put me in the mood!

I already had the white candles in the windows for Thanksgiving and a few white lights on the palm tree inside, but now I’m aching for a family viewing of Christmas Vacation or even Christmas with the Kranks.  My daughter has already warmed me to lose the holiday vest!  (Maybe it’s just the luxury of having had a few days home before I jump headfirst into school responsibilities and activities tomorrow and forget that it’s even December!)

What are you doing to change gears from autumn to winter?  Do you have some favorite traditions that your family likes to share as you usher in this magical season?  Please share . . .

What are YOU thankful for? November 14, 2008

I was inspired by Joyce, over at Tall Grass Worship, to reflect on all the many things we have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.  What a perfect opportunity to reflect and revisit some of my earlier “Thankful Thursday” posts.

To read about the women in my life that I’m thankful for, click on:

http://everydaywomanusa.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/thankful-thursday-2/

I’m also thankful for some simple things:

http://everydaywomanusa.wordpress.com/thankful-thursday/

To read about being thankful for ”going topless,” click here:

http://everydaywomanusa.wordpress.com/tag/thankful-thursday/

This particular Thursday, this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for all these things and more.  Mostly, I’m thankful that as the winds swirl outside, I have a warm fire to warm my close family as we enjoy a meal together and share memories of holidays past and when our grown children act like kids again.  I’m grateful when what all the news shows lately is gloom and doom, we feel safe and warm in our little family circle.  I wish the same for you and your family.  And who knows, maybe I can even convince my family to usher in the Christmas season by enjoying a classic movie like “Christmas Vacation” or “Christmas with the Kranks” over leftovers and dessert tonight.  Wait . . . let me get my Christmas vest!

What are you feeling particularly thankful for today?  Please share it here, or on your own blog by posting a link.  Enjoy the day and thanks for taking a minute to reflect with me!