Isn't it Romantic?

I love these cherubs, they are perched on a window sill in the foyer.

This beauty was a Christmas gift from Bob several years ago. Sometimes he can be soo romantic!

A table full of love... peonies, Victoria Bliss Magazine, Kisses and Candles

Cupid's Kiss

Catching Up

Last Sunday was Rudolph Day, and the only thing that I did Christmassy was to watch the last 15 min. of Christmas Vacation (HBO was playing it - maybe they celebrate Rudolph Day too!). I had a terrible headache and basically slept the day away. However, on Tuesday I did manage to add new addresses to my Christmas Address book. You know what I'm talking about, the torn addresses from envelopes that you jammed into your books at Christmas because you didn't have time to write them down - all of those:)

I did get my Turkey Day task accomplished on time. I had a huge pile of recipes torn (hmmm... this seems to be a habit) from various magazines. I tossed those that I knew I would never make, even though they sounded wonderful and organized the keepers. They will be added to my personal recipe collection only after the receive the seal of approval from my men!

I made a cornbread stuffing recipe from America's Test kitchen that was a two step process. First I made the cornbread and cut it up to dry out overnight, the next day I made the stuffing. He said, "Hmm, it's good, tastes like stove top." I said, "Stove top, that takes like 5 minutes to make!" He said, "Yeah, but this tastes just as good."

I've been making Valentine's and will share those soon. Meanwhile I leave you with this vintage beauty...

Although Christmas is over...

I'm still seeing red...

Mark Your Calendars with a Red Flag:
Thursday, January 22 is Turkey Day. My plan is to go through a pile of tasty sounding recipes that I've accumulated since November and decide which to try between now and Thanksgiving .

Don't forget this Sunday, January 25th is Rudolph Day! Take some time on Sunday to do something Christmassy. I'm going to get out my Christmas notebook and do a recap of Christmas 2008, so that I can better prepare/plan for this Christmas ~ which by the way is only 340 days away! There are new lists to make and I'm ready baby! I also plan on reading Magical Holiday Home's (http://magicalholidayhome.com/) January's book pick: "Twas the Night Before Christmas (it's more a poem than a book, so it's very do-able - for me at least).

And, don't forget to celebrate Great Pumpkin Day on Saturday, January 31st. Not sure what my plans are yet, but hopefully something fun!

What's in a name?

I've decided to simplify my life in many ways. The way that I blog being one of them.

Last year I entered the world of blogging and was instantly hooked ~ there's nothing like writing a post and having someone leave a comment. And then when people started following my blogs - WOW!

I started with this blog and added 2 more, each focusing on different holidays/seasons. However, I've decided to combine them into one blog. I will continue to focus on the same issues but having one blog to update instead of three will make things much easier for me.

Why The Old Parsonage? Well, it's where we live of course! Our house was originally the parsonage for a local Church. We are only the second owners since the church sold it. The house was purchased from Sears and Roebuck, yes they actually sold homes (for additional information http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/index.htm). The house was delivered (un-assembled) to the property by horse and wagon. Neat hunh! I absolutely love telling the story. There was an actual photograph of it being delivered, but unfortunately it disappeared with the last owners.

A little light reading?

Not sure how many of you out there know about Magical Holiday Home (http://magicalholidayhome.com/), but they have a Rudolph Day Book and Movie Club.

Each month on the twenty-fifth members post their comments, thoughts, and reflections about books and movies. The book and movie are both picked the month before to allow plenty of time for viewing and reading. Members suggest the selections and the 2009 picks are listed below.


January 09

Movie: While you Were Sleeping Alternate kid pick: Frosty The Snowman

Book: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore


February 09

Movie: The Family Man Alternate kid pick: Muppet's Christmas Carol

Book: The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck


March 09

Movie: White Christmas Alternate kid pick: All Snowed in in the House of Mouse

Book: Shall I Knit you a Hat? By Kate Klise


April 09

Movie: A Christmas Story I think kids of all ages will watch this movie.

Book: A Christmas Story: The Book That Inspired the Hilarious Classic Film by Jean Shepherd


May 09

Movie: Love Actually Alternate kid pick: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

Book: Gift of the Magi by O. Henry


June 09

Movie: Elf Alternate kid pick: Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer

Book: The Christmas Box ( or The Christmas Box Collection) by Richard Paul Evans


July 09

Movie: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Alternate kid pick: Garfield’s Christmas

Book: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson


August 09

Movie: Fred Claus Alternate kid pick: Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Claymation)

Book: The Great Santa Search by Jeff Guinn


September 09

Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life Alternate kid pick: It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

Book: Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans


October 09

Movie: Scrooged Alternate kid pick: Mickey’s Magical Christmas (Snowed in at the House of Mouse)

Book: A Christmas Secret: A Novel by Anne Perry


November 09

Movie: The Preacher’s Wife Alternate kid pick: The Little Drummer Boy

Book: Probable Claus by Jon L. Breen


December 09

Movie: Four Christmases Alternate kid pick: Mickey’s Twice upon a Christmas

Book: On Strike for Christmas

Anyone planning to attempt this schedule?

One other very important thing to tell you all about. Heidi over at Dreams Intertwined is having a one year anniversary giveaway. Be sure to stop by and post a comment to be entered to win!http://dreamsintertwined.blogspot.com/

Pre Christmas and a straggler

Before leaving for TX, these two love birds had Christmas with us!

Joe cool in his cycling glasses.

Christmas Pj's.

The straggler Kitchen photo that was supposed to be in my last post.

Christmas Kitchen

A tray full of cookies and goodies to share with a neighbor.

The antipasti platter that I made for Christmas Eve.

Whoops, this wasn't supposed to be with this group of photos.

Kitchen counter with ceramic tree my MIL made 22 yrs ago with some vintage matrishka (nesting dolls) dolls from Russia.

A nativity scene on the Hoosier.

Christmas Eve

Sitting on Grammy's lap!

Schooch bug with this year's snow globe. She started collecting them last year.

What young girl gets excited about an apron and a handmade recipe book? Miss Puddin' that's who. I took a big risk, but she was thrilled!!!

Christmas Day Photos

Family Ties

Ahhh young love!

Favorite present ~ What a goober!!!

7am - such a trooper!

Energized

A lot of people become depressed or say they feel let down after the holidays. I never feel that way. When January rolls around and the decorations are taken down and put away (by the way, I still have quite a bit up inside and everything is still up outside) I become energized. I love to clean, polish, move things to new spaces and redecorate ~ this is the perfect time to do all of that and more!

And just think we have our January Rudolph day to look forward to!

I promise to upload holiday photos with my next post.

Happy New Year

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season filled with family, friends and love.

Our Christmas was terrific...

Christmas Eve we went to my brother and sister-in law's house and had a great time with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends, In-Laws, Nieces and Nephews. It was great! The weather was 65 and rainy:( But at least we didn't have to travel in snow and ice (as in years past).

Christmas day I got up at 6 to get the turkey and breakfast ready. Bob got up around 6:30 and then Bryan got up around 7 with a little coaxing from me (wink wink). My MIL (mother-in law) came over for a quick cup of coffee and was then off to the rest of the families. My parents got here around 10:30 and around 11:00 Adam called from TX. We exchanged gifts and sat around gabbing. My parents left around 12 to go to my brother's. We had dinner around 1:30 so that Bryan could go over to Chelsea's.

And, I'm ashamed to say this, but I didn't get out of my pj's all day - first time ever!!

We spent New Year's Eve at home and were in bed by 10:30pm. I guess we are officially the old folks?! I made a delicious pork roast studded with garlic and cooked with sauerkraut on New Year's Day. Does anyone else make pork and sauerkraut on New Years Day? It's supposed to bring good luck. I'm not sure if I believe the wives tale, but we like it so I continue to make it.

I took the tree down today - it looks soo bare! The tree was really starting to dry out and I didn't want the tree fiasco from last year to happen again. So now it's sits all forlorn out at the curb, waiting for Bryan to take it to the township tomorrow. I'll slowly take down the other decorations this week. But it may take me awhile...I have to go back to work ~ack!!! After being off since Christmas this will be a big culture shock.

I'm thinking of changing the purpose of this blog. At this point I have 3 blogs, all separate holiday prep and talk. But, I think that I may simplify into 1. Thoughts?

I'm joining Beverly and other fellow lovers of pink for Pink Saturday. Beverly at How Sweet the Sound puts hours of work in to hosting Pink Saturday so that we may all enjoy a little pink each and every week. Thanks my friend!



She's given us a little leeway with the color pink these past few weeks, so I'm showing a bit of new red kitchen goodies. Every year I get a new Christmas apron and this year's is wonderful. It's burlap with a beautiful red stitchery of holly and berries.


Now, you all know how much I loved my French oven from last Christmas. I used it at least once a week.



So this year Santa surprised me with a skillet and a braising pan to match in the same wonderful red. I must have been a very good girl.

And last but not least I got a great new cookbook by Nigella Lawson. Mmm... the recipes sound wonderful. I have another of her recipe books and it's my goal to start at the beginning of that book and work my way through the entire book, making each and every recipe, wish me luck! And, I wish each and every one of you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!