Playing a little catch up!

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had a nice Christmas!  It's hard to believe we are already into another year. I had a nice break, had a good Christmas and enjoyed time with family.  Here's just a little recap of that time. (Sorry - lots of pictures!)

Laura, Aaron and girls, and Heather and Andrew came over on Christmas Eve for our family Christmas.  We tried to Skype with Andy and Nikki, but had all kinds of technical issues and had to make do with talking on the phone.

The girls are always happy to see Uncle Andrew and Aunt Heather.

We always read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve.  This year I found a book that told the story in kid language.

The girls both loved this car for their dolls.  The lights go on and it plays music when you hit the horn.  :)   Behind Alaina's head is one of my gifts - an Instantpot!  Do any of you have one? I'm looking forward to making some new things.

Here's another sweet gift we got.  This cute container is full of photos, drawings and notes.  Laura did one of these last year for us, and we just took the last photo out, so we were thrilled to have a new supply.  Our kids are so good to us!

For the past few years I've been making photo books for Laura and Aaron of each of their girl, using all the pictures I take of them during the year.  I enjoy doing it, and it's a nice way for them to remember some of the things we do together.



On Christmas day, my whole family came over; 23 people in all.  It fills up the house!

 Here's most of the group, at tables lined up in our family room downstairs.

After we ate some of the grandkids hung out in the living room for awhile.

We playing some fun games using plastic cups.  There was some fun competition and lots of laughter!

Here's another picture of most of the group.

My Dad and stepmom opening one of their gifts.

Alaina and Ruby opening one of their gifts from Great-grandpa and Great-grandma.

In the meantime - this is what it was doing all day.  And it continued for most of the week.  I'll tell you more about that tomorrow.

Cooking Tuesday!

I usually do my recipe posts on Thursday, but I plan to take a break after today, so I thought I would share one more recipe for the year.  After this, I'll be taking a break and will see you in the new year.
I wish you all a blessed Christmas and thank you for your friendship here!

If you're anything like me, you are quite busy this time of year.  On top of the shopping, wrapping, cooking and cleaning, you have parties to go to; and sometimes you need to bring goodies to share!  Well, I have the perfect recipe for you today.  This is a fudge recipe that is beyond easy, plus it looks very pretty and it tastes good!

Peppermint Fudge

3 cups chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
crushed candy canes

Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
Place chocolate chips and condensed milk in a bowl.  Microwave for 2 minutes.  Remove from microwave and stir, then add peppermint extract and stir.
Microwave for another 30 seconds, stir and pour into 8x8 pan.
Smooth out fudge and sprinkle crushed candy canes over top, then use back of spoon to press them slightly into fudge.
Refrigerate for several hours, then remove and cut into small squares.
Enjoy!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Several years ago we got a new Christmas tree. Our old one was looking shabby, and I was ready for a smaller one.  We got a smaller one, but when we got it up, it looked so much smaller in the room than it looked in the store.  We used it for several years, but were always bothered by how small it seemed.  Last year we saw one on sale shortly before Christmas and thought it looked just right for us - 5 1/2 feet tall, but skinny, so it would fit into our living room better.
This year it's up and I really like it. Not too big, not too small!

Here it is, in the daylight with the lights off.

And here it is, all lit up!



I wanted it to have an old, natural feel, so it's decorated with white lights and lots of white ornaments.  Here's a few pictures showing what's on it.

 This is an ornament that I helped Bob's sister make when we were first dating.  It was a kit, and she was doing them for a sale. We both thought they were so ugly, and I really laughed when she gave me one for Christmas that year.  It's hung on the tree every year since then.

 This little angel is one I made for Sunday school teachers when my kids were young, and I made one for us too.

This was made by one of my former residents.

The same lady made this bell. She was very talented and I enjoy remembering her whenever I see these.

 I have several of these cute little birds scattered around the tree.

I have a set of the vintage looking ornament.  They aren't very big and look so cute on the tree!

These are more favorites - some of Bob's carved Santa's.

I have floral picks tucked in all over the tree to fill in empty spots.  Some are the burlap curls and some are these mini pine cones.  I really like the natural look it gives.

We have one more tree in our house. This one is in the family room downstairs.  It doesn't get decorated - it already has pine cones and berries, so it's very easy to set up!  Bobs old family nativity  set sits next to it.

What about you? Do you have a real tree?  Is it a big one, or have your downsized too?