Christmas Goodies

My grandma Ruby always made lots of homemade candies for Christmas.  Fudge & divinity were my favorites. She always brought a big tray of her goodies to our house.  She also made my most favorite cake ever, red velvet cake.  She always topped it off with a plastic poinsettia.  No silk flowers back then.  

I have never made candy for Christmas.  Here's a recipe I would like to try this year.

Crock Pot Candy

source Pinterest

Crock Pot Candy

Ingredients

2 pound white almond bark

4 ounces German chocolate bar

12 ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips

24 ounces dry roasted peanuts

Instructions

Add all ingredients to slow cooker. Let cook on low for 1 hour without messing with it. After an hour, stir to combine everything. Allow to cook for another hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Drop spoonfuls of the candy onto wax paper and allow to cool completely.

I think I may substitute pecans for the peanuts

These Christmas cookies look so festive.

Holiday Cake Mix Cookies

source Pinterest

I already have candy & a cake mix.

Holiday cake mix cookies

yield: 2 dozen prep time: 10 minutes cook time: 9 minutes per batch

Ingredients:

1 box white/vanilla cake mix 15.25 oz.

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 eggs

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup mini M&M's candy

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix together the cake mix and baking powder, set aside. In a small bowl whisk together the eggs, oil, and vanilla. Add mixture to the cake mix, beat with an electric mixer until well blended. Add M&M's (reserve small amount to put in the tops to make them pretty) stir in with a wooden spoon.

2. Roll in to 1 inch balls and place them 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Use reserved M&M's to press randomly into tops of cookie balls for decoration. Bake 9 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

My Christmas baking mitts are ready.  I need to get busy!

Carol 

He's Back

Our giant, 8 ft, inflatable, Santa, is back in our front yard.  The snow is gone & yesterday's weather was perfect for bringing out 'Giant Santa'.

Needless to say . . .

Emma & Ethan . . . 

were super excited!

Carol 

Words That Inspire

The Light of the World is Jesus
~Philip P. Bliss (1875)

The whole world was lost

In the darkness of sin,

The Light of the world is Jesus!

Like sunshine at noonday,

His glory shone in.

The Light of the world is Jesus!

Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;

Sweetly the light has dawned upon me.

Once I was blind, but now I can see:

The Light of the world is Jesus!

No darkness have we

Who in Jesus abide;

The Light of the world is Jesus!

We walk in the light

When we follow our Guide!

The Light of the world is Jesus!

Ye dwellers in darkness

With sin blinded eyes,

The Light of the world is Jesus!

Go, wash, at His bidding,

And light will arise.

The Light of the world is Jesus!

No need of the sunlight

In Heaven we’re told;

The Light of the world is Jesus!

The Lamb is the Light

In the city of gold,

The Light of the world is Jesus!

Wishing you a day filled with light . . .

Carol 

11 Days

We did a little Christmas shopping this morning.  Most of our shopping has been online.  We shopped for stocking stuffers at $ Tree, Christmas cards at Hobby Lobby & a few essential items at Sam's.  The stores weren't too crowded, but the traffic was crazy.  I think most people were headed to the Mall.  We steer clear of the mall most of the time.  In fact, I don't think we've been there in several years.

I'm very thankful our shopping is complete.

Good luck to you if you're still working on you shopping list!

Stay safe & warm!

Carol 

Christmas In The Kitchen Window

My favorite window in our house is the kitchen window ledge right above my sink.  I always decorate the space for seasons & holidays.  

During the Christmas season I have a beautiful view of the light display across the street.  The entrance to the subdivision is so pretty & the first house is always decorated beautifully.

Santa, the baker is showing off his sweet treats.

This little gingerbread man light is so fun.  I added more gingerbread friends & an ornament of some mice enjoying cups of hot chocolate.  

More gingerbread friends are staying warm by this snowy candle.  In front is an ornament that belonged to my dear Mother.  She always baked up yummy treats for Christmas.

^Carol 

I'm linking with . . .

Rockin' Around Three Christmas Trees

Thanksgiving evening, while we were putting up our Christmas trees,our grandson, asked me a question.  "Nana, why do you have 2 Christmas trees?"  I told him that we like having 2 trees because it's fun.  He seemed satisfied with that answer.  I also reminded him that we would be putting up the little tree for him & his sister another evening.  

If you read my blog regularly you know we have had issues with the lights on our trees.  That's why we couldn't decorate them Thanksgiving evening. 

Well, finally the trees are decorated after we replaced light bulbs & added new strings of lights.

Rockin' Around Three Christmas Trees

9 foot tree in the living room

Our new $5.00, felt tree skirt is from $ General.  

These are some of my favorite ornaments on this tree.

I think I show these 2 Hallmark ornaments every year.

This Hallmark ornament from sister Mary in 1989 reminds me that I used to play tennis in a ladies fun league. 

7 1/2 foot tree in the piano room

It is filled with more ornaments that bring back memories.

"seasons greetings" made by our son

cross stitched by me

sewn by me 32 years ago

ceramic boat made by Grandma Ruby

grandkids tree with flashing lights

Santa tree topper

quote by Santa

Note to self, 

"Maybe next year we'll decorate one Christmas tree."  

^Carol 

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

I have been collecting Santa Clauses for years.  This is a small sampling of that collection.  

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Jolly old St. Nicholas, Lean your ear this way

Don't you tell a single soul, What I'm going to say;

Christmas Eve is coming soon; Now, you dear old man,

Whisper what you'll bring to me: Tell me if you can.

When the clock is striking twelve, When I'm fast asleep,

Down the chimney broad and black, With your pack you'll creep;

All the stockings you will find Hanging in a row;

Mine will be the shortest one, You'll be sure to know.

This Santa is not in my collection, but I just had to share.

This is a beautiful Santa necklace that my friend, Rosemary, was wearing at a Christmas luncheon last week.  When I asked here were she got it, I was blown away when she said she had painted it.

Sorry this is a little fuzzy.

You are one talented lady, Rosemary!  

Love your smile!

^Carol 

Away In A Manger

  We display several Nativity scenes for Christmas.

I think the first Christmas song I learned was, Away In a Manger.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus

laid down His sweet head

The stars in the sky

Looked down where He lay

The little Lord Jesus

Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing

The poor Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus

No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus

Look down from the sky

And stay by my side,

'Til morning is nigh.