Merry Christmas

It's after midnight - it's Christmas!! There is something so special about this late night - or early morning - of Christmas. It feels magical. It is a special night! The night that Jesus was born!

It's been a busy day. We got so behind on Christmas preparations because of all the snow we've had this last week. It was officially measured at 16 inches. For somewhere that hardly ever gets snow that is a lot. Tuesday was nice and the roads were better so we ventured out to finish up last minute shopping along with everyone else in town. Christmas Eve we went to the Candlelight Service and then came home to finish up making goodies and wrapping presents. Both of our family get togethers have been postponed until Saturday due to bad roads. So we will get up tomorrow and have a quiet morning then go to my friend Kim's for a big Christmas dinner. I can hardly wait!

Merry Christmas to all of you! Thank you for being such a blessing in my life this past year!!!

Homemade Christmas - No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies

My mother used to make these all the time. They are easy, quick, and delicious! The perfect cookie to tuck in a handmade gift basket. Enjoy!

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
3 tbsp cocoa
3 cups uncooked quick oatsl
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter (optional)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

In a saucepan combine sugar, butter, milk and cocoa. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly, and boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Quickly stir in the oatmeal, vanilla, peanut butter and nuts. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let set until firm. Makes 2 dozen.

Homemade Christmas - Christmas Snow

I thought it would be fun to share a Homemade Christmas tip

I was reading through The Pioneer Lady's Country Christmas by Jane Watson Hopping. I came across this recipe for homemade Christmas snow. We used to make this to decorate our tree when I was little - it was popular in the 50's.

1/2 cup lukewarm water
1/2 cup plus about 2 slightly rounded tbsps ssoap flakes (Ivory Snow is the best - can you still buy this???)
Plain silver glitter, optional

CAUTION: Make certain that children in the home realize the snow is made of soap and should not be handled or played with.

In a medium-size mixing bowl combine water and soap flakes or granules. (Note: Only gentle flakes or granules will whip up to a meringuelike consistency.) Stir to dissolve, then whip by hand or with an electric beater until homemade snow looks like stiff meringue and holds its shape when spread along the branches of an evergreen gree. Dust with glitter if you wish. The moist snow will dry out overnight and cling tightly to the branches of the tree. Makes about 3 cups.

Preparing for Christmas

It's been so long since I've posted - I have a lot to catch up on! I got the last of my holiday shipping to my customers done today unless there are some last minute purchases. That sure felt good! Now I can start on Christmas preparations here!

I've had a horrible cold and was on the couch for two days. I slept all day on Monday and Tuesday but today I actually feel like I'm among the living again!

We're supposed to get from 5 to 8 inches of snow tomorrow so it will be a good day to get the tree up (yes, I'm very late this year) and get some decorating done. I got all stocked up on groceries today and will start baking in the next few days. Because of everyone's finances being extra tight this year we decided not to exchange gifts. We will buy for the children - my grandsons and Steph - and enjoy watching them open gifts. It's actually been very liberating! I haven't had to make dozens of lists, figure out what to buy, where I was going to get the money, fight the crowds, etc.

I will be making homemade goodies like cookies, fudge, and that kind of thing. I personally feel those are the best gifts anyway. They are gifts from the heart and it doesn't get much better than that.

I haven't been overly busy this holiday season but haven't sat down to visit other's blogs like I usually do. I'm going to spend time this evening getting caught up on what's been going on with my online friends. Tomorrow I will post pictures of our Christmas decorations!!!

Holiday Giveaway

My friend Kim is having a Holiday Giveaway on her blog, Mrs. Morris Art! Pop on over there, leave a comment, and you're entered. She makes the most beautiful things - ceramic drawer knobs, ATC cards, Scrabble Tile Pendants, and more! You know you want this Gift Certificate! The deadline is Sunday, December 14th.

Christmas Bazaar

Yesterday was the Hockinson Christmas Bazaar. I wore my new Holly Apron that I got from Grace (I featured her here on my blog - I love her aprons!) and it was so festive. The picture is not very good - I look like I'm worn out and I was! Four hours of sleep is not enough for a person my age! The day was fun but I sold less than half of what I did last year - not surprising given the economy. I'm grateful for what I did sell though. I met lots of nice people and made some new customers. I have lots of soap, lotion bars, and room spray inventory left over! I'm going to be putting sets together today and listing in my Etsy shop and on eBay.

It's a cold and rainy day here so I'm going to make some soup and homemade bread. Then I'm going try to get this house straightened up. It has been a wreck for the last week with last minute bazaar preparations. It's so bad I can't stand it anymore!!!

I hope that you all have a great Sunday!

Cobalt Blue Glass Giveaway

I love cobalt blue glass! Isn't this little hen adorable?? I've always wanted to collect these little hen dishes. Laurie from Laurie's Cobalt World Blog is having her First Annual Christmas Giveaway! How would you like to be able to choose up to $99 in cobalt blue glassware?? Just hope on over to her blog and enter! If I win I'm choosing this little hen!!! Please let her know that you found her giveaway through my blog. Have fun!