My “Aloha Friday” question this Friday is . . .
What favorite holiday traditions do you and your family enjoy?
In other words, what’s a tradition that you and your family hold dear, that without which, the holidays would just not be the same?
If you’d like to participate in more Aloha Friday questions, click on over to An Island Life for Kailani’s “Aloha Friday.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!
I HOPE YOU SPEND A WONDERFUL DAY CARRYING OUT THE TRADITIONS THAT ARE SPECIAL TO YOUR FAMILY AND MAKING NEW MEMORIES IN THE PROCESS!!! ALL THE VERY BEST!
As promised, I’m also posting the lucky winner of the “Pioneer Woman Cooks” cookbook give-away.
Congratulations to Kristin, who left the following message on December 13:
“Kristin Says: December 13, 2009 at 10:28 am e
I would love the book because I am not only a fan of Pioneer Woman, I am also a fan yours and your daughters blogs.”
Kristin~please send me an e-mail at: everydaywomanusa@aol.com to claim your prize! I’ll need a mailing address so that I can get your prize off to you ASAP! (I didn’t find any contact info. attached to your name, so please e-mail me and let me know.)
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR LEAVING COMMENTS; I WISH I HAD ONE FOR EVERY ONE OF YOU, BUT PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR GIVE-AWAYS IN THE FUTURE!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
“Everydaywoman” (aka Ruth)
I’m joining in on the Christmas Cookie Recipe Swap that Farmer’s Daughter is hosting at her blog. Why not join in by sharing the recipe of your very favorite Christmas cookie?
Believe me, a virtual recipe swap is way easier than the traditional cookie swap!
My very favorite Christmas Cookie has to be my own Mom’s Snowball recipe. I made these last night as we were awaiting the first big snowfall of the season. It just seemed like the right thing to do!
They’re easy, yummy, and they disappear quickly!
Mema’s Snowball Cookies
1 cup margarine
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans, chopped or ground)
1/4 teaspoon salt (I usually leave this out)
(Extra confectioner’s sugar for coating cookies)
Cream together margarine, sugar, vanilla. Mix in flour and nuts. Hand form into balls and bake in 350 degree F oven for 8-10 minutes. As soon as they come out of the oven, roll in a bowl of confectioner’s sugar to coat.
Yum, yum! Enjoy warm or cold (if they last that long!)
Although it took forever to arrive, the Blizzard of 2009 finally arrived last night and transformed our area into a Winter Wonderland . . .
Nature’s tree ornaments . . .
The Mermaid by the pool is a bit chilly . . .
With the temps predicted to stay as cold as they are, we’re guaranteed to have a White Christmas!
Hope you’re having fun wherever you are and perhaps you’re playing in the snow, too!
To see who else is strolling this Sunday, stroll on over to the Quiet Country House.
Snow began to fall softly as the North Pole Express pulled into the station, as if right on cue.
Children, bundled up in pajamas and hoods, clamored around the station, waiting to board Santa’s train.
Destination: North Pole!
ALL ABOARD!!!
As we traveled, our conductor told us Christmas stories and shared the story of the “Polar Express.”
The Baker served up the biggest and most delicious gingerbread cookies I’ve ever seen and tasted, along with creamy, rich hot chocolate. . .
A hobo even managed to sneak onto the train . . .
In the spirit of Christmas, we invited him to join us . . .
And, then, the main attraction. . . we reached the North Pole and Santa boarded the train!
Mrs. Claus even joined him . . .
. . . and some of the elves came along, too!
Santa offered the first gifts of Christmas to passengers on the train, as he held up a shiny silver bell from his sleigh . . .
The bell that Santa handed me makes the most glorious jingling sound . . .
As we headed toward home, Santa’s Christmas wish continued to ring in my ears, Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
To see who else is strolling on this December Sunday, head on over to The Quiet Country House.
Give my son a “manlift,” a fancy stapling gun, and loads of lights, and look what he can do!
The Waterwheel Barn is complete with chaser lights on the waterwheel, which makes it look like it’s spinning, and the icycle lights are the water running down the trough onto the wheel.
If only I could get him to do this for me at home. It’s usually me—by myself—dangling from a ladder as I attempt to hang white icycle lights around our house.
Are YOU in the mood for holiday decorating?
If there’s one movie you take your family to see this holiday season, make it “Marley and Me.” If you’re a dog lover–even a little bit–it’s sure to strike a chord with you!
Two pieces of advice, though:
I wasn’t really expecting it to be a tear-jerker, but by the end when the lights came on, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house–and it was a packed house!
We came home to give our two dogs, Duke and Eddie, a few extra hugs. Enjoy!
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!
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.)
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!
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Musings of an everyday woman . . . 
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