Our Fly Boy

He's the cute blond in the middle.

'Tis the season for hugs, kisses and colds - I guess. I'm thinking that all those hugs and kisses from family and friends, has led to my demise. I have been sick since Monday and it has slowly gotten worse. They say 7 days coming and 7 days going right?


At least I have my new pink Croc slippers to keep me warm and toasty. I just want to be able to breathe through my nose and sleep through the night without waking up in a coughing fit. I've never owned Crocs before and wasn't sure when I opened the bag - not really a true fashion statement. But I must say that they are comfy.


Which is good, because apparently Santa thought I might like a regular pair in black too. They are supposed to conform to your feet and ease strain. So DH, er ah, I mean Santa thought I might like a pair for when I'm in the kitchen for hours on end. I'll let you know how they feel.

Are you making pork and sauerkraut for New Year's Day? It's supposed to bring those who it eat good luck. What are your traditions for New Year's?

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Good Times

We had the most wonderful Christmas Eve, Day and the Day after. Time spent with family is a most treasured gift, don't cha think?


This is Fly Boy and Miss Chelsea. She's such a little Barbie doll - we love her to death. Don't they make a cute couple?


This is my brother and the love of his life. To think just last year how devastated he was by the divorce and now he's flying high on love!

These are some mischievous elves that always have a good time - my Aunt Cathy and my Mum.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas! The countdown is on for Sunday when our fireman comes home for a visit!

God is good!

Our manger (I made it 21 years ago) doesn't have the baby Jesus in it yet. He will appear on Christmas morning.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Old Saint Nick


Has anyone else bought cinnamon scented pine cones? I love to intersperse them with regular pine cones from the yard. They smell wonderful and a bowl full of pine cones is such a simple decoration in itself.


I leave the pine cone filled bowls and baskets sitting out all winter. And, if you put the container near a heat source (we have old fashioned radiators) the smell just swirls around the entire house.


The paper house 2 photos up was my Nan's. She had several, but this is the only one that survived over the years. And it's not in that great of shape. It was smashed when I found it in a box of Christmas decorations. Try as I might, I cant get it plumped up completely. Although I haven't taken it apart either, I don't want to ruin it.


I finished up at the supermarket yesterday. I'm making tequila shrimp, and spinach dip to take to my parent's Christmas Eve, along with a huge cookie tray. For Christmas breakfast I'm making a ham and asparagus strata, it's so easy to prepare the night before and I just pop it in the oven in the am.


We're having turkey and all the fixin's for Christmas dinner. We eat an early dinner 1-pm so that everyone is free to visit other families and loved ones in the afternoon. Eating this early also means early clean up and the rest of the day can be spent just relaxing and enjoying.

What's on your menu for the holidays?

I told you it was coming...


We're all set. I have 3 birthday's to do things for this week too, so being super organized really helps. Tomorrow, I'm delivering 2 cookie trays to my aunts and uncles. We'll see them on Christmas Eve at my parents but I like to take them to their houses. That way it's some more one on one time.


Tuesday is my cousin Pam's birthday. I just finished wrapping her birthday/Christmas gifts - I got her a pizza stone, an NCIS tee shirt and an Elvis Holiday CD collection. We're as close as sisters and she lives within walking distance. And, we do walk...one of us will call the other and then we leave the house - meet halfway and then walk around our high school. So, I'm headed over there tomorrow night to celebrate a bit early.


Tuesday is also my BIL's birthday - 50yrs! He's the first of our generation to hit this milestone, so you know that we're busy busting on him:) Then Christmas Eve is Pam's daughter Kristine's birthday, just another reason to celebrate.

I'm hoping to post more holiday decor photos this week, so please bear with me. Wishing you all the joys of the season!

Welcome Christmas into your Heart and Welcome to The Old Parsonage!

(ignore the dust on the window ledge - how embarrassing)

All is calm here.. Just finished buying my last minute gifts last night. I just need to go to the supermarket tomorrow and I'm ready! Our President gave us off Christmas Eve! I'm psyched about that, we usually have to work a half day. I plan on making sticky buns for breakfast and just relaxing the entire day! That night we are going to my Mum and Dad's for a family party.


I love it when we all get together. There is so much laughter it's wonderful. The only people missing will be Alison and Nicole - divorce stinks! They will be spending Christmas Eve with their Mom, but Chuck gets the on Christmas Day.


Beverly asked us to share our favorite holiday music for Pink Saturday this week- mine is White Christmas. And, that's what I'm hoping for. Just a little you know, to make it festive.

Wishing you all the joys of the season!

Cookie Overload

All done, just in the nick of time...19 different kinds of cookies and 4 kinds of candies. I am so happy when I'm in the kitchen with a cute apron tied around my back (RJ usually gets me a new one for Christmas every year) - Christmas carols playing on the vintage styled radio and baking Christmas cookies and other treats.


I really haven't eaten that many - just a few odd looking or broken ones here or there. I took a huge tray to work yesterday to share with everyone. They all seemed to love them - that makes me happy too!


Fly Boy passed his written test with the FAA - 96% out of 800 questions!!! Now he just needs to schedule his practical - the actual flying part of the test. He's hoping to get it done before he comes home for Christmas. We are so very proud of him!


Can't wait to see him, it's been since Thanksgiving. Although with cell phones we talk at least a few times a week. I try not to over do it and call too often:)

Our Fireman is getting here on January 2nd (I actually started to cry when he said that he booked his flight), he's low man on the totem pole and couldn't get off for Christmas. Jade won't be able to come because the students will be back in school and she'll be teaching. Hopefully we'll get to see her real soon.

Well my friends, I hope that you are all enjoying this wonderful holiday season. Hopefully I'll be able to visit now that the cookies are finished. Enjoy!

My Absolute Favorites



These are by far my most favorite Christmas decorations after the Christmas tree and the things that the guys made us. I started collecting the toppers about 8 years ago. They are all vintage except for (1) from Pottery Barn in the very back.


After I carefully unwrap each one (they are so fragile, I usually lose at least one per year ), I put them in clear glass candle holders - wax dots for candles hold them in place. Then I layer them with white lights and add the fresh greens as a final touch.


I have to step up my baking... some of the people who ordered cookie trays want them Saturday by 4pm. Apparently they want to take them to parties this weekend. I'm thinking that I get done what I can and what's not on the tray they will never know - right?

Beverly asked us to share our favorite holiday movie for Pink Saturday this week- mine is hands down "It's a wonderful life." And you know what? It truly is!

Enjoy the season!

Belsnickle


This is one of my favorite Belsnickles. He's a reproduction, but still...just look at his face. The boys or I should say men know one of my favorite antique dealers quite well after all these years:) They usually get me one every year!


It has been soo cold and windy here the past few days, I was afraid that my fresh greens would blow out of the containers on the porch. I'm hoping to snap a few photos to share of the outside today- hopefully the sun will be out.

The cookies are coming right along, (2) more batches last night after work and hopefully (2) more tonight. And, you are all right, the house smells wonderful!

Wishing you all the joys of the season!

A Blue Christmas?



Not really. Just some Eldreth Pottery that I grouped on the kitchen window sill. Just need a dusting of snow outside the window to make it look a little more Christmas-y.


Someone thought they should have their photo taken too. This is Miss Alley Cat. She also goes by Alley Gator Mashed Potator and Tator Tot (shortened to Taties - long a and long e).

I started baking this weekend, but had quite a few interruptions (all good) so I didn't get as much done as I had hoped. My goal is to bake/make (2) things each night and finish up this weekend with an explosion of baking this Sunday. I have a Christmas Party Thursday night and a slumber party here with (2) of our nieces on Friday night...I'm thinking I won't get anything done these (2) nights, but oh what fun we'll have!

Do you bake for the holidays?

Found 'em


I found the missing box of Santa boots. For some reason that tub was not with the other Christmas tubs, it was across the stairway. Hmmm...perhaps the elves were up to some mischief?


Beverly asked us to share a favorite Christmas Christmas for Pink Saturday this week. This recipe for Peanut Butter Melt-away Fudge is so simple and tastes fab! Just like it's name, it melts in your mouth.


Peanut Butter Melt-away Fudge

12oz Creamy Peanut Butter
1# ea White Chocolate Melting Wafers
1# Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers

Microwave 3 min. Stir well. Put in 9 x 13 dish. Rest 2hrs at least, cut and enjoy!


I start my cookie baking and candy making marathon tomorrow, so I may not be around too much this next week.

Wishing you all the joys of the season!

Dear Santa

(photo: Kevin Hoffman)

Is this not the most adorable angel? Little Miss Ava is just 2years old and the sweetest little thing. Ava is my friend (from my Stampin' Up! group) Charlene's granddaughter. Can you guess what she's asking Santa for this Christmas? A violin! They go to the contemporary service at Church and someone there plays the violin. You can bet that she'll get one too!

Wishing you all the joys of the season!