Wishing everyone a fantastic 2011 – full of peace, good health and prosperity. Time to brush off those New Year’s resolutions, yet again and start anew!
After all of the holiday festivities, I’m looking forward to getting back to my old routine – and hoping to blog and bead once again. 🙂
…..don’t forget to say Jack Rabbit!
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Welcome, Christmas 2010!!! What a joy these days been, when the boys slowed down for moments – in the midst of Nerf battles – to be present in all that the holidays encompass……decorating sugar cookies, painting plaster village houses and Nutcrackers, decorating the tree, listening to Christmas songs nonstop, and reminiscing about Christmases past……
May the spirit of Christmas fill your hearts, and may you experience true moments of joy and contentment. You have given me a special gift, by visiting my blog throughout the year….I do appreciate all who stop by whether you leave comments or not. I am so thankful for your support and friendship in my little corner blog land.
I’d like to share a few tree trimming memories with you, and snapshots of a few favorite ornaments on our tree. I wish I could stop by and see your tree too, for those of you who have one up!
Ornament for the ArtBLISS Yahoo group ornament exchange - ceramic by Summers Studio
A salt dough ornament I made way before we got married. Go Navy
Our first Christmas together - Monterey, CA
The first of many Baby's First ornaments....can't resist the sentimental ones
A handprint reindeer. We love to make a handmade ornament or two every year.
Angel made from tiny hands and a foot
One from the annual White House Christmas ornament collection
Popsicle stick snowman....with birdlike features
An angel my parents brought back from England
Everybody loves a classic candy cane reindeer!
Thank you for stopping by (you’re a saint if you made it to the end of this post!) and I wish you a warm and safe holiday weekend!
Froehliche Weihnachten
Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Feliz Navidad
Mele Kalikimaka
Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Joyeux Noel
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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Today was the perfect day. Two words: Bead Therapy! I hit the big Gem show with my friend Lori, and 4 hours later we were going strong. It is wonderful to go with someone who is not only patient (I can be indecisive), and knowledgeable. Every time I turned around, Lori was engaged in conversation with someone new discussing everything from bead design ideas to how to oxidize silver. People are drawn to her…..me too. 🙂 A fantastic break from they every day. When I came home, my husband said I should do that more often (ah, he didn’t see the damage yet though!).
What a busy week it has been…. with Christmas traditions and activities in full swing. I’ve enjoyed reading your holiday stories too as I begin to emerge from hiding. I’ve been avoiding my computer, while working on a deadline that I was able to meet, just in the nick of time. Meanwhile, my kids have been busy decorating Gingerbread cookies with their Aunt, and Gingerbread houses with old friends….. Then there was our Christmas card photo shoot…thank goodness for self-timers! If you look closely at our family shot, you’ll see why this one was re-shot (how do you get 4 boys to look at the camera at the same time?). The cards will be going out -again- just in the nick of time. Does anyone else feel like they could use an additional week before Christmas? This is my favorite holiday and it is approaching so fast. I wish I could slow down time so I can savor Christmas just a bit longer….
One last picture….I’m going to add these to our list of Christmas traditions. There is always room for a new one! Have you ever heard of Guittard chocolate? These are slice of heaven. And way too easy to eat right out of the bag. 🙂 I picked up a package of their mint chocolate chips recently and tried the Polka Dot Cookies….YUMMY. Just like eating a brownie in the shape of a cookie, with creamy mint mixed in. Try them if you can find the chips at Safeway,World Market, or your local grocery store!
Polka Dot Cookies
recipe from Guittard
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups Guittard Green Mint Chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In top of double boiler over low heat, melt the semi-sweet chips and butter, stirring constantly until smooth. Set aside to cool. In small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until light. Blend in melted chocolate then dry ingredients. Stir in green mint chips and chill for 10-15 minutes or until stiff. Drop by well-rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes; cookies will be soft in the centers but will firm up as they cool. Yeilds approximately 4 dozen cookies.
What are your holiday traditions? What are you baking this season? 🙂
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