A Holiday in Review....

I am not sure what my deal was this LAST year but I could not get it together.

We had a hard time getting the decorations out and up. 

Then it seemed as though time started to fly by especially once the kids were out of school.

I did get Christmas gifts bought, wrapped, delivered and even helped out Santa for about 2 minutes.

Had an extended family Christmas Eve Party and even got the Luminaries up to guide the way for the Christ child!!

So Christmas comes and it is snowing!!  A white Christmas!!

For Christmas dinner we had my brother, his wife and 3 kids from Texas here and my folks .

It was very enjoyable!

 On Boxing Day we went to my sisters and the kids had a blast sledding down the mountain to the south of their property. They were outside for more then 4 hours and try as I might we could not get them to even come in for hot chocolate.

A view from my sisters front window--bit snowy.  Coming home that night was a bit tricky with all the snow and mountain passes.

 

My folks ended up with sewer problems so that was a bit of a nightmare with all the extra guests.

Next freezing temperatures, hoping no pipes break, then came the sick kids and husband, YUCK.

My little niece and nephew into the Urgent Care for ear infections, but sewer and pipes at my folk's house are holding!  Good News!!

We had a great New Year's Eve Party at the local church hall to save the strain on my folk's house.

My son and husband went Curling at the Olympic Oval to help ring in the new year and I aimed for bed early. Did not happen!

 

But with all this I did get to see "Les Miserables" and "Lincoln".  Very rare for us to go see movies but these were in my opinion very good.  I did not even know the story line of "Les Miserables" so it was really a treat to see one man's humanity for others.

School started today and I am for sure not ready...neither are my kids and now everyone is sick again.  My son is home from school running a fever.  Yippee!!

 

But I have a good feeling about 2013! 

This year I will get it together!

(My only goal!)

Enjoy your day!

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