Christmas Won't Be The Same

We just hung the stockings we will need this year for Christmas, and I think that really made me realize how different Christmas is going to be this year. Last year we needed 9 stockings and this year we need 4. That is really kind of depressing because it means we will have 5 less loved ones to spend this special holiday with. Megan and Scott will be having Christmas with Scott's family in Canada, and Steven is living in Texas and can't afford to come home. Our two foster daughters, Megan and Joyce will be going to live with their dad on Dec. 24th. Don't know yet about Chris, but I doubt very much he will choose to be with us either.

On a happier note, we got some Christmas shopping done today. I do love shopping at Target. At least we pretty much know what we are getting everyone, so that is a big thing. We got our tree decorated yesterday and it looked nice except for the dark spot in the middle where the lights died. We bought more today, so that is ok. Our two cats must have had quite a rowdy time last night, because there were ornaments on the floor this morning and sadly, the ornament Steve has had that belonged to his Grandma, and is older than he is, was broken all over the floor. He was sad over that to be sure. The tree skirt was in a bunch out from under the tree and had to be all arranged again. The cats have both been scolded and have promised to behave better tonight..LOL

My hubby is busy baking the cutouts that got mixed up on Sat., and we just didn't have the time to finish until today. We have planned and easy supper consisting of pancakes and eggs and possibly sausage (not sure we have any). The kids love that and so do we actually...plus it is pretty simple. :o)

Relaxing Sunday

Wow, we got quite a bit of snow overnight, and it is blowing. I told the kids that if it had been a school day, they probably would have had a snow day. Actually it is a great day to decorate the tree and the rest of the house as well as baking some Christmas cookies.

One of the blogs I follow is a culinary one and they had the most awesome sounding cheesecake bars listed today. We are quite fond of cheesecake at our house, so I think I am going to try these. Here is the link if you care to take a look. http://desertculinary.blogspot.com/2008/12/white-chocolate-raspberry-cheesecake.html

So anyway, I think today is a great day to just relax and do some fun things with kids. I need to go check out my monkey fabric as someone e-mailed me about making one in an adult size. They had seen the child sized one I have listed. I don't think I have enough fabric left, but I will check and see. :o)

Goodies for the Christmas Season

Our daughter and her hubby are here from their home in Canada, and they were talking about fudge and how much they love it. They have gone to the craft show for a bit, so I decided to make them some Penuche fudge. Our whole family loves it and it is so easy and fool proof, that I thought I should share it. You can have it all finished and cooling in about 15 minutes as long as your walnuts are already chopped. So here is the recipe. If anyone tries it, let me know how you like it. It is just as good or better than the kind you cook on the stove and have to use a candy thermometer. So here it is.

Penuche Fudge

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
2/3 cup butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk (NOT EVAPORATED)
1 1/2 teas. vanilla

1) Spread the walnuts in a glass pie plate and microwave uncovered on high for 6 or 7 min. stirring three times, until lightly toasted.

2) Line an 8"x8" square pan with tin foil (bottom and up the sides) and lightly spray with Pam or something like it.

3) In a 2 1/2 or 3 quart microwave safe glass bowl melt the butter in the microwave.

4) Remove from the microwave and stir in the milk and brown sugar until well blended and microwave uncovered on high for 7-9 minutes and is a med. caramel color. Stir at least 4 times while it is cooking.

5) Remove from microwave and beat with an electric mixer for 3-4 min.

6) Add the toasted walnuts and beat for another minute until the mixture is shining.

7) Pour into tinfoil lined pan and spread evenly.

8) Let cool and lift it out of the pan, removing the tinfoil and cut into pieces.

I store in an airtight container in the fridge.

No More Stress

Yup, the stress is off. All my stuff is at the craft show which opens Sat. from 9 am till 4pm. Rachel and her best friend Amanda will be sitting there all day for me, so now I can just relax and not feel like I have to be sewing and getting more things made. The girls are excited about running my table and I am excited to have them do it. LOL I think all the spots were taken so it should be a really good show. I had a huge piece of Christmas fabric to cover the two tables I rented, but when we got there, the tables were in an "L" shape. A very nice women helped us figure how to do the corner so I wouldn't have to cut the fabric. It actually worked out quite nicely. Now the girls just need to set the things out tomorrow morning. We didn't dare set our stuff out for fear of something getting stolen. Our table is the first one right by the door when you walk in, which is an awesome spot. That means we will be the last table they see on the way out. This is good because I always check out everything, and then go back and buy. Tomorrow I will let you know if it was a success or a flop. Either way, it only cost $15 for the two tables so it was worth it. :o)

Hashbrown Potato Casserole

I just e-mailed this recipe to my oldest daughter as she requested. I got to thinking it would be a great recipe to share, especially with the holidays fast approaching. My mom makes this every year for the family Christmas dinner she hosts either right before or right after Christmas. She serves it with chicken cor. don .bleu and green bean casserole. It is always a hit. For this reason, my children call it Christmas casserole, but believe me, it is good any time of year. Give it a try and me know what you think. :o)

HASHBROWN POTATO CASSEROLE

1 - 2 lb. frozen hashbrown potatoes or shredded

3/4 stick butter

2 cups sour cream

small amount dehydrated onion

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 can cream of chicken soup (cream of mushroom works too)

1 teas. salt

1/2 teas. black pepper

Mix together and place into a greased 9x13 pan


Topping

2 cups crushed corn flakes
3/4 stick of butter, melted

Mix and spread over potato mixture and bake uncovered and bake at 350 degrees about an hour..

Not much time

Well, I just don't seem to have enough time in the day. I have been working hard getting things made for the craft show this weekend. There are so many things I would like to have done. On top of that, this is the busy time for my business with people doing their Christmas shopping. So, when you don't see a post on here, or at least much of one, you will know I am just too busy. LOL

Steve and I are usually pretty much done Christmas shopping by now and we are no where near that. We don't even have our tree up yet and that usually goes up the weekend after Thanksgiving. Once we get through this weekend, hopefully we can get on track.

I wanted to wish my sister-in-law good luck today as I believe she took her pharmacy assistant exam. I would be willing to bet that she aced it. :o)

Hurts

As a parent, no matter how old your children get, you wish you could spare them the sorrow and pains that come in life. When you are in the middle of the sadness, you forget that these are the times that help us all grow in our christian faith and these times help us to become more compassionate to others.

Our daughter and son-in-law lost the baby Megan was carrying this weekend. I wish there was a way to take their pain and disappointment from them, but it isn't possible. The important thing is for them to know that their family and friends love them and support them. They don't have to go through this time alone and we are all here for them. :o)