Happy New Year!



Wishing all of my family and friends everywhere the very best the New Year has to offer!
Off to party with family!!

Enjoy,

Barb

Amazing how time flies at this time of year.

I have tried to bake but burnt everything...so it is a good think my husband (who loves RED meat) does the cooking come Christmas dinner.

I finally finished up all the shopping and wrapping and gift giving, I hope, and did not miss anyone this year!

It is a busy time and we tend to get lost in the true meaning of the season.

  So my wish for everyone this time of  year is to take a minute and reflect on all our blessings, hug and kiss the ones we love, keep a prayer in our heart for those hurting, and try to always find the best in everyone around us and the situations we might have to face in the New Year.

Merry Christmas to all!

Enjoy,

Barb

Festivus Miracle!!

 We did get some decorating done and I did have to make my fourth batch of Bavarian Mints!

My son loves these and he has been eating them non-stop.  I had made some for my brother who was in town last week, one of his favorites treats too.

Must be the holidays!

They are very simple to make and so delicious.

Here is the recipe.

  Bavarian Mints
1 pound milk chocolate
1 ounce square unsweetened chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate
1 can (14oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-9 drops of peppermint oil

In top of a double boiler melt chocolate, butter and milk together. Melt until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat stir in vanilla and peppermint oil. Pour into greased 9x13 inch pan. Let cool and cut into one inch squares.

This is the small bottle of oil of peppermint.

 I use to get it at craft shops but now can find it in my local grocery store. 

 A two pack cost about $4.00 here.  This could be found anywhere you could by candy supplies. 

 We eased up on the decorations this year because every year we say next year the weekend of Thanksgiving we are going to put up Christmas and yet every year it seems to happen later and later.

We normally have about 20-36 trees (mental that) but this year only 3 big trees when up. 

 This year we also put up the fake door with the sign that says "Santa use this Door" and the kids years ago wrote on the sign "DON'T USE THIS DOOR"! in red.

They were so afraid of fooling Santa that year and not getting any loot.

 The fun critters who come out every year!

 This is the main tree...all presents go here!

This will be the Boxing day tree so those presents will go there.

A Family tradition from my husband's side of the family.



 My kids have a holiday piano recital tonight and then no more practicing piano for a couple of weeks!

Now to finish up the shopping...my least favorite thing.  I am not a real good shopper.  I would rather be in my basement painting!

Happy Holidays and hope you all are ready and relaxing!!

Enjoy,

Barb

Winner of the Santa Ornament

We did get 4 trees up with lights on!!!  

My brother was in town so we had to party with him.  

Out to dinner with the whole family then we had him over for Sunday dinner. 

 Fun to be with family this time of year!  We even got a snow storm too!

Now to the Winner...

Jessica of Blessings in the Country is the winner of the Santa Ornament!

Thank you to all who entered and shared my giveaway.

Blog Friends are some of the best in the world and now I have met some new friends from far and near!

Thank you all for your friendship and support!

Jessica I will contact you for your address.

The celebration continues through until December 16!

Click the photo above to take you to the page of fabulous creations!

Enjoy your day,

Barb

National Pearl Harbor Day

My grandmother was an elementary school teacher and one day when I was at her house being "bored" she handed me a book called "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom.

 I was hooked.

Listening to my grand's talk about how they lived during WWII was fascinating to me. 

I had a life of comfort, I had food, we had a car with tires, I was not in hiding, I did not live in fear.

My grandmother gave birth to my mother in August of 1941. The thought of having a 4 month old baby and your country goes to war is beyond me.  Then knowing those young men in your small community headed to war--would they return?

This all astounded me. 

My grandmother told me about this time in her life and she was so grateful to be living on a farm in Idaho.  They had food! 

So any and all books, documentaries, and movies about this period of time becomes a thing I have to read, watch, digest. 

 I feel a sense of obligation to read what these people went through, everything from the Pacific fight to the African desert to the Holocaust.

My life is so full...am I grateful enough, do I treat others with respect, would I have what it took to live during this period of time, could I risk my life by hiding some one?

No, I do not think I would have had what it took to do some of the things brave people did during that time period. 

I am so Thankful I live here and now.  Even if it feels so uncertain at times. 

These are some of my thoughts on this day, one of the days that will live in infamy. 

Today, December 7, is always a good day for me to reflect on my life, my freedoms and the comforts I enjoy in my life.

I have so many things to be grateful and thankful for!

 

Enjoy your day,

Barb

Santa Ornament Giveaway and Spirit of Christmas Celebration

Well Santa is coming to town! 

I am not sure if we will get our decorations up this year.  I am wondering if he will just leave them by the door if there is no tree.  I just do not know where the time has gone too!?!   I am surprised my kids are not even bothering me about getting the tree(S) up.  I think they know that is their dad's job.

So in honor of no decorations and thinking positive for one tree going up I am having a Santa Ornament Giveaway.  It is the ornament pictured above. 

Years ago I bought all these great ornaments from Robert's Craft, Provo Craft, Zim's, and Miller's Crafts (when they were all still in business).  I thought I had them all painted and sold.  Well low and behold the other day I found this lone little guy.  Out came the paint and it felt weird to be painting only one.  Normally it is in 6-10's.  So he is one of a kind.  I think the original artist is Rebecca Carter. 

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post to be entered.

If you are a new follower leave a way for me to contact you too. 

I will have one of my kids pick a name on December 10.

That is it.

  Wish me luck in getting a couple of decorations up for my kids at least!

The Spirit of Christmas Celebration is still in full swing!  

Some new items added and fabulous hand mades for gift giving to be had!

Click HERE to see all the great creations!

Enjoy your day,

Barb

Winner of the Painted Santa!

I want to Thank all of you that stopped by and entered my giveaway and then helped me promote it.

I would love to send each and everyone of you one of these Santa's but by the time I got them all done we would be long into summer!

So the winner is Lori of Apple Grove Treasures.

I used Random.org and was unsure how you do the screen shot. I have only used this site a couple of times.

 I normally use my kids but they were no where to be found this evening, or better yet ignoring me in case there was work involved.

Lori, I will contact you for your address.

Thank You to all my blog buddies!

Enjoy your day,

Barb