New Year Fun!

Thank you so much for all your help tips and recipes for my Christmas steaks! I hope you are enjoying the last week of the year. We are getting new toys put away and preparing for a New Year's Eve get-together with friends.

Speaking of the new year, this is the perfect time for a peek through the past year of blogging. Just like last year, there is a Mr. Linky for you to join in, too!

Post the first sentence of your first blog post of each month. You can also add a favorite picture from each month. Here are mine:

~January~
Thank you to everyone who joined in the New Year blogging fun!



~February~
Happy February to you all!



~March~
Springtime is the land awakening.



~April~
Hello everyone!


~May~
The merriest month of the year arrives bringing with it sunshine, birdsong, apple blossoms, budding lilacs, and longer days to enjoy life as spring's promise is finally fulfilled.


~June~
"I Remember Laura"~My Special Quilts


~July~
Hot July brings cooling showers,
Apricots and gillyflowers.


~August~
We've had a very busy three days.



~September~
Happy September!


~October~
Listen! the wind is rising,
and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
now for October eves!


~November~
Now the autumn days are gone
Frost is sparkling on the lawn,
Windows winking cheerful lights
Warm the cold November nights.


~December~
Happy December!


If you would like to participate feel free to add your blog to Mr. Linky! Link back here, so others can join in the fun, too. I'll leave Mr. Linky up through the week. Don't forget to come back for Show and Tell Friday!

Happy Boxing Day!

Good afternoon! We had a wonderful Christmas with our family and now we are enjoying one of my favorite days of the year...Boxing Day. New toys, games, movies and leftovers! Speaking of leftovers, I cooked some really nice top sirloin steaks for Christmas dinner and they were so tough we could barely chew them. Luckily, Phillip's mom brought a ham! I cooked the steaks to 165-170F which was probably my first mistake.

Anyways, if you have any ideas on what I can do to make them edible, please share your "tough meat" leftover recipes! I'll be back soon with Christmas pictures.

Merry Christmas!

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.



So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.



While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.



And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."



Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."



When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.



When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:1-20

~Merry Christmas from my family to yours!~

Christmas Baking

Good morning! We have baked our cookies and treats and many are on their way to family right now. The rest are in our freezer for later this week.


~Gingersnaps~


~Whipped Shortbread~

We also tried several new recipes this year and all were a big hit...


~Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles~


More peanut butter truffles rolled in red sprinkles. The girls and I renamed them Sugar Plum Tuffles!


~Chocolate Snowballs~


~Brown Sugar Almonds~ They are so good!

There are links for the gingersnap and shortbread recipes. Scroll down on my main blog page for the other recipes. Are you busy with last minute Christmas preparations? I'm off to wrap presents!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles

Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles 

3/4 cup butter 

1 cup peanut butter chips 

1/2 cup cocoa 

14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk 

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cocoa, mini chocolate chips or sprinkles for rolling 

1. Combine butter, peanut butter chips cocoa and sweetened condensed milk in saucepan over low heat. 

2. Stir constantly until thick and glossy, about 10 minutes. Stir in vanilla. 

3. Chill for several hours or until cool enough to handle. 

4. Shape into 1 inch balls and roll in cocoa, mini chocolate chips or sprinkles. Store in refrigerator.

Chocolate Snowballs

Chocolate Snowballs 

2 cups sugar 

1/2 cup milk 

3/4 cup butter 

7 tablespoons cocoa 

3 cups quick oats 

1 cup finely chopped pecans 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Powdered sugar for rolling 

1. Combine sugar, milk, butter and cocoa in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. 

2. Remove from heat and stir in oats, pecans and vanilla. Cool to room temperature. 

3. Shape into one-inch balls and roll in powdered sugar. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container.

Brown Sugar Almonds

Brown Sugar Almonds 

3 cups whole almonds or pecan halves 

1/2 cup butter 

3/4 cup brown sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1. Arrange nuts in a foil lined 9"x13" pan. 

2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add brown sugar, vanilla and salt. 

3. Stir for one minute, then remove from heat. 

4. Pour over almonds, stirring to coat. 

5. Bake at 325F for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. 

6. Remove from oven and spread on wax paper to cool. Store in airtight container. 

Christmas Ornaments ~ Show and Tell Friday!

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Today, I am going to share some of my favorite Christmas ornaments. I love birds, and have several on our tree, including this robin.


The girls and Benjamin each have "First Christmas" ornaments.






My email friend, Cathy sent me this beautiful homemade Victorian ornament.


And my friend, Lady Farmer made me these sweet acorns and oak leaves. They even have real acorn caps!


Lastly, since we are all on the computer right now, how about a "mouse surfing on a mouse" ornament! :0) Thank you for taking a look at my show and tell!

Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

If you would like to join in, please leave your *permalink* below, along with your first name only (this makes the list easier to read). If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting. Have fun!

Show and Tell Friday will take a break next week for Christmas. Join in the fun again, on January 2!

Gingerbread Cookies

For Family Night this week, we made a big batch of gingerbread cookies.




I gave everyone lots of dough.






Then, let them loose with icing, sprinkles and chocolate chips!





Gingerbread Cookies

1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup melted butter
½ cup evaporated milk
1 cup molasses
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all purpose flour

1. Combine the sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda and salt.
2. Add the melted butter, evaporated milk, molasses and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Stir in 1 cup of flour at a time. The dough should be stiff enough to handle without sticking to fingers. Add up to ½ cup additional flour if necessary.
4. When the dough is smooth, roll out ¼ inch think on a floured surface and cut it into cookies.
5. Bake on greased cookie sheets in a preheated 375 F oven for 10 to 12 minutes (ours took around 7 minutes).


Let me know if you make some too!

Paper Crafting Thursday

Paper Crafting Thursday is taking a break until January 8th, but I wanted to announce the winners from last week. Congratulations to Scrapdolly and Tami! Please email me your addresses and I'll get your prizes in the mail.

Christmas Tea Time

Thank you so much for stopping by on the Christmas Home Tour and your sweet comments! I enjoyed seeing everyone's decorations, too.


My friend Revee and her two girls are coming over for a visit today, and I have my Christmas tea tray ready.










We are having gingerbread cookies for dessert.


I made extra special ones for her girls to take home.


Have you tried any of the Celestial Seasonings holiday teas? We love Gingerbread Spice and Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride the best. Cookie recipe coming soon!

Christmas Home Tour! ~ 2008

Welcome to Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes! This is my 3rd year participating and it's always a lot of fun!


I've got brownies in the oven, so come on in...


Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care.




Our tree is decorated with white lights, gold ribbon, red bows, candy canes, and lots of family ornaments.


Let's make our way into the dining room.


I've tucked in red and white poinsettias on my teacup shelf.


Lots of Christmas touches on my hutch.









Lastly, my Christmasy kitchen.










Don't forget to grab a Buckeye Brownie before you go. Here's the recipe if you'd like to make some, too.

Buckeye Brownies

9x13 pan of your favorite brownies. (I used Ghiradelli's triple chocolate mix)
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup plus 6 TB. butter, softened and divided
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Prepare, bake and cool your brownies.
2. Mix together powdered sugar, 1/2 cup of butter and peanut butter; spread over brownies. Chill for 1 hour.
3. Melt together 6 TB of butter and chocolate chips in a saucepan over low heat. Spread over brownies. Let cool. Cut into small squares.


Thank you for stopping by and be sure to visit Boomama for more home tours! Merry Christmas!

Show and Tell Friday!

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Today, I am sharing some of our special Christmas treasures. I enjoy new decorations, but the ones we've had for many years are my favorite.


My Nana gave me this snow globe when we visited Canada last year.


A friendly snowman that rests on top of a door frame. I got him shortly after Phillip and I were married.


My mom always put these Victorian Christmas bunnies out at Christmas time and now they live at my house. :0)




I have a weakness for Advent and countdown calendars. This one has little pouch with velcro candy canes, sleighs, teddy bears and more.




Another countdown calendar that I got from Avon over 10 years ago.


And finally, our Nativity sets that remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. We have one on our entertainment center and another under our Christmas tree. Thank you for taking a look at my show and tell!


Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

If you would like to join in, please leave your *permalink* below, along with your first name only (this makes the list easier to read). If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting. Have fun!



Links are now closed. Please join us next week!

Homemade Christmas Card ~ Paper Crafting Thursday!

The winners of last week's paper crafting are Shelley and Chestnut Hollow. Please email me your addresses and I'll get your prizes in the mail!


Welcome to this week's paper project! Most of us are probably busy with Christmas preparations, so this is a simple card...you only need scrapbook paper and ribbon!




Another version.


You will need a blank 5 1/2" x 4" notecard.


Cover with a 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" piece of scrapbook paper.


Cut a 4" x 1" strip of matching paper.


Along with three small circles of scrapbook paper. The size will depend on the pattern.


Glue to paper strip, as shown.


Cut a small slit at both ends of strip.


Thread a length of ribbon (I forgot to measure, but enough to wrap around card and make a bow) through slits.


Position strip on the front of card and wrap ribbon around card (through the middle). Glue strip in place.


Tie a bow and send to a friend!

~More Homemade Cards~


Here are a some Christmas tags I've made recently...






Items can be found in my Etsy Shop!

Paper Craft Fun: Post any kind of paper craft (card, bookmark, tag, banner, journal, etc.) on your blog between now and next week and come sign Mr. Linky. Next Thursday, I will draw two of the names and the winners will receive supplies for a homemade card: blank notecard, envelope, and an assortment of scrapbook paper, stickers (or stamped images), and ribbon. Link back here in your post, so that others will know where to join in the fun, too!

Thank you for stopping by! This will be the last Paper Crafting Thursday until after the New Year.


Links are now closed. Paper Crafting Thursday will resume in January; please join us then!

Christmas Living Room

Thank you for your comments on my Christmasy front porch! This is the third year I've hung the skates on the front door and so far no broken glass (fingers crossed!).


Today, I am showing you around our livingroom.


Our village nativity set is on top of our entertainment center.


Along with a lamp, cinnamon stick candles, a small cottage...


and woodland deer.




I bought a roll of live greenery at Walmart for under $9.00 and used it on the mantle, fireplace, entryway, kitchen hutch and front porch.


A cozy corner and a basket of our favorite Christmas books.


We had fun decorating our tree with gold ribbon, red bows, favorite ornaments and lots of candy canes.



Thank you for stopping by for a visit!

Christmas Front Porch

Welcome to my Christmasy front porch!


I hung my childhood ice skates on the front door and added greenery, berries and a gold bow.




I've had the snowman lanterns for many years, and the rustic star garland was a yardsale find. I wrapped it around the evergreen wreath.


And had a little leftover for the table.


Some of you will recognize the sleigh from last week's show and tell!






Thank you for stopping by and taking a look at my front porch. I hope you have a wonderful start to your week!

Weekend Chit~Chat

Thanksgiving has been over
at least a week or two,
but we're still all eating turkey,
turkey salad, turkey stew,
turkey puffs and turkey pudding,
turkey patties, turkey pies,
turkey bisque and turkey burgers,
turkey fritters, turkey fries.

For lunch our mother made us
turkey slices on a stick,
there'll be turkey tarts for supper,
all this turkey makes me sick.

For tomorrow she's preparing
turkey dumplings stuffed with peas,
oh I never thought I'd say this--
"Mother! No more turkey...PLEASE!"
-Jack Prelutsky, It's Thanksgiving, 1982


Last week we worked our way through the Thanksgiving leftovers.  We had plenty of creamed peas and Phillip's mom used them as the base for a delicious turkey shepherd's pie.


And a turkey pot pie.


I made a big pot of turkey soup with dumplings and there's enough broth in the freezer for another pot of stew, but for now we are taking a break. :0)


All the pumpkin pie is long gone, but my sister, Amy opened an Etsy shop and sent me a box of Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread and Espresso Caramel Candies.


Be sure to stop by and drool over all her goodies!


We've had a very quiet weekend at home. Daisy is recovering from getting spayed and I've been doing some online Christmas shopping.

We have all of our decorations up, so I'll be sharing pictures this coming week!

Christmas Sleighs ~ Show and Tell Friday!

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Today I am sharing some Christmas items that I found at my local thrift store. I love sleighs and was so excited to get this one for $4.00.


I'm not sure how old it is, but it is very sturdy and well made.




Another little sleigh in my kitchen. I filled it with pinecones and cinnamon sticks.






And lastly, some sweet figurines that I set up in my kitchen window. I found them a few years ago.










Thank you for looking at my show and tell!

Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

If you would like to join in, please leave your *permalink* below, along with your first name only (this makes the list easier to read). If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting. Have fun!



Links are now closed. Please join us next week!

Homemade Cards ~ Paper Crafting Thursday

The winners of last week's paper crafting are Nancy and Wanita. Please email me your addresses and I'll get your prizes in the mail!


This is such a fun card to put together. It's not as complicated as it looks; basically you need three very similar prints.


A new baby version.


You will need a 5" x 5" notecard.


Cut a 4 3/4" square of scrapbook paper and glue to front of card.


Cut two 3" squares of cardstock. Set aside.


Cut a 3" square from patterned paper and a 3" square from cardstock. Add stamp or sticker to cardstock.


Gently tear edges.


Glue to front of 3" squares of cardstock.


Cut a 4 3/4" x 1 1/2" strip from scrapbook paper.


Glue to bottom of card, as shown.


Glue 3" squares to front of card, as shown.


Tie a bow around card.


Send to a friend!

~More Homemade Cards~


Here are a few Christmas tags I recently made...





Items can be found in my Etsy Shop!

Paper Craft Fun: Post any kind of paper craft (card, bookmark, tag, banner, journal, etc.) on your blog between now and next week and come sign Mr. Linky. Next Thursday, I will draw two of the names and the winners will receive supplies for a homemade card: blank notecard, envelope, and an assortment of scrapbook paper, stickers (or stamped images), and ribbon. Link back here in your post, so that others will know where to join in the fun, too!

Thank you for stopping by!


Links are now closed. Please join us next week!

Tissue Paper Christmas Wreaths

The time is here for gift wrapping, baking and lots of Christmas crafts! Our first project was Tissue Paper Christmas Wreaths.


Grace and Emily made them with their Faith Keepers group last night and then they made more today, with Benjamin joining in.

You will need:
~Small paper plates
~Tissue Paper
~Glue (we used Mod Podge)
~Glitter
~Ribbon


Cut the green tissue paper into approx. 2" squares.


Cut out the center from paper plate.


I also removed the outer rim.


Roll each square into a small ball.


Dip in glue and attach to plate.


Repeat until your fingers hurt. ;0)


Now you are ready for your ornaments.


Different colors are always fun, too.


Glue to wreath.


The best part...adding the glitter!


Loop a length of ribbon around wreath and tie a knot at the top.


Wrap a bow around ribbon at the top of the wreath.


Thank you for taking a look and let me know if you make some of your own!

Celebrate December!

Happy December! Thank you so much for the Thanksgiving wishes. We've had a whirlwind long weekend and I haven't had a chance to visit everyone, but will be stopping by soon!


We had Phillip's family over for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time together. We've been finding creative ways to use up the leftovers and a big pot of turkey soup is next on our list.

I thought I would share some pictures of what we've been up to. I've also included pictures and poems from a couple of Ideals magazines I found at the thrift store.


A gingerbread house made with Nana.

Deep in the forest where all dreams come true
Is a gingerbread house just waiting for you.
Its roof is a mixture of sugar and spice
And the chimney is made of everything nice.
~Patricia Mongeau

The stained glass windows are flattened gumdrops!


Mr. Squirrel wasn't the only getting a Christmas tree...




A tray of goodies to munch on while putting on the lights and ornaments.


Nana dipped gingerbread cookies in melted dark chocolate.




Where the rarest joy held reign,
And the chimney roared amain,
With the firelight like a beacon
Through the frosty windowpane.
~James Whitcomb Riley




Hitch up the horses, climb in the sleigh;
Cover up warm for we're off today
For a Christmas at Grandma's house...
For an old-fashioned Christmas
like those long ago.
Ernest Jack Sharpe


I hope you all have a wonderful start to this new month!