25 Days of Christmas........goodies!

White choc with peppermints on top


White choc with oreo crumbs on top


Dark choc with white choc stripes


Cocoa choc with oreo crumbs on top

Every year we make lots of goodies for our friends, neighbors and family. We usually make pretty much the same thing each year but this year I'm going to try a few new ones. So last night I worked on Oreo Truffles....coming up with a few different ones. And they are dangerous....oh my, so good! I quickly packaged them up and put them in the frig out in the garage. Out of sight, out of mind huh? maybe......

Today I will be making Buckeyes....my family's favorite. I'm also going to make pecan cups and Russian tea cookies. What started out a making cookies with my kids when they were little has turned into a pretty big production. We probably give about 35 gifts of goodies to people.

later......

25 Days of Christmas......decorating

this is what I look at as I wash dishes....shiny...I love shiny!


cute snowman hanging out in the dining room


another new one this year...tall sparkly stuff from Michaels


New this year.....wreaths on my dining room hutch.



A few of the nutcrackers standing guard over my wine.


I probably get as excited about decorating for Christmas as I do over having Christmas and waking up on Christmas morning....uhh, did I really say Christmas that many times in one sentence.

I have always started my decorating the day after Thanksgiving. But this year, I decided to do it earlier for a couple of reasons. One, I was going to be keeping my 4 yr old grandson that day and two, I love my decorations so much that I just didn't want to wait. To me, it's like Christmas morning opening up each bin (that is properly labeled with each room....

And every year, I buy even more. But that actually works out well for my daughters. As I buy more and change up how I decorate, they get some of my older things to decorate their house so it works out great.

I cannot understand people who don't decorate and choose to "skip it" this year! There is nothing like coming home from work and turning all of those lights on. It's so warm and comforting and just makes me smile.

later.......

25 Days of Christmas.....the Elf

I have seen on many blogs about the "Elf on a Shelf".
and it is written like someone just came up with that idea a couple of years ago.
which I totally don't understand because I'm 53 years old and my mom told us this story back when we were little. She had these little pixie elves and she would place them throughout our home. We knew that these elves were spies for Santa and they would report back any bad behavior. Santa threats are just the greatest when your kids are young......I learned this when I had kids! Some of my kids best behavior occured during the month of December! So I'm wondering how old is this story?

anyway, when we were older and had our own homes and kids, my mom gave each of us one of those elves from our childhood. Mine, his head is about to fall off but regardless, he sits up on my mantle every single year. I love him as it brings back childhood memories. My mom always made Christmas time in our home the best! Most all of the traditions that I have with my kids came from what mom and dad did for us!

probably one of the reasons it is my favorite time of the year!

later...

25 days of Christmas....

I'm copying an idea from my sweet niece's blog...
http://www.memoriesbymallory.blogspot.com

from her blog.... "I thought it might be fun to try and do my own 25 days of Christmas, and blog about a different Christmasy thing everyday in December up through Christmas. I hope I'll be able to keep it up!" And go check out what she has already posted.

Of course, I'm late since this is the 3rd but I'll try to do a Christmas post every day.

So my first will have to do with the reason for the season.....the birthday of our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
When our children were young, they loved singing Happy Birthday to Jesus every Christmas eve and Christmas day. And sometimes it was a little hard to explain why they were receiving gifts from Santa when in fact it was Jesus who should receive the gifts on his birthday. But I told them that our love for Jesus and our love for each other is Jesus' birthday gift. And to carry that love all year in our heart is all that Jesus has ever wanted from us. And I think they do...my kids are full of love for God, family, friends and life. Yes, they still enjoy the gifts from Santa, but they know the real reason for the season.

later....