Merry Christmas!

Jesus, the reason for the season

37 Years Together Today!

Happy 37th Wedding Anniversary, Mom and Dad!  We love you!

Act of Kindness

A couple of weeks ago, as EZ was recuperating from bronchitis, and I was battling one of the worst cold/sinus infections I can remember, we awoke to the sound of leaf blowers. Lo and behold, some amazing friends from our church, ranging in age from about 12 to 85, were in our yard blowing and raking an acre's worth of leaves on a chilly Saturday morning! 

Let me tell you, we have ALOT of trees and there is simply no way we can keep up with the leaves as they continually fall this time of year. As more and more grass and ground became visible, the walls of leaves began to grow! EZ insisted on joining them...that is him in the right foreground with the backpack blower on. They all spent 2 1/2 hours, raking, blowing, and hauling leaves. We hardly recognized the yard when they were finished, and were deeply touched by this act of kindness. During the course of EZ's battle with Multiple Myeloma, we have experienced the very best in people ...generosity, self sacrifice, unconditional love, tenderness, understanding and compassion. We feel undeserving and truly blessed.

Cabin Readied for Christmas

As soon as Thanksgiving passes, we like to start decorating for Christmas! We share ownership of the cabin with four other couples, and whatever family is there the weekend following Thanksgiving hangs the decorations. This year it was our turn! Special memories always flood our minds as we place each ornament on the tree. What a joy it is to travel to the beautiful NC mountains in December, often with a dusting of snow, to ready our hearts and home for the celebration of Christmas.

The tree and mantel are decorated, the garland is hung and now on to the table and bedding...

Hoping it looks like this next time we visit...

Before we knew it our time at the cabin was over, and we were heading back with the live tree we picked out on top of the car. There's a whole lot more decorating to do! Just love this time of year.

Grandpa's Workshop

Recently EZ took each of the twins down to his workshop to create a "toy" out of wood. They loved it and so did Grandpa! (They've actually done this twice now.) What joy he finds in doing little projects with his grand kids, especially if wood and nails are involved. Guess that's part of what Grandpas are for, and we are so grateful to see tools in his hands again, doing what he loves and making memories!

 
Presenting...a little bed, a race car, a house, and another race car. Crazy facial expressions in this line up!

Time for Christmas Cookies...

Wanted to share two cookie recipes with you today; one that is fun for the kids or grandkids, and the other that is one of my holiday favorites, yet very simple and delicious. Made both of them this week and they definitely passed the taste test!

Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer Cookies

Idea from my Pampered Chef Consultant Lydia Martin

Ingredients:

Nutter Butter Cookies

Pretzel Twists

Brown and Red M&M's

White Frosting

 Instructions:

Assemble the ingredients and make your reindeer...it's that easy!

Ginger Spice Cookies
recipe from Paula Deen

Ingredients:
3/4 C Butter flavored Crisco
1 C sugar, plus more for rolling
1 large egg
1/4 C molasses
2 C flour
2 t baking soda
1 t ground cinnamon
1 t ground ginger
1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 t salt

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silpat...or don’t line them at all :) With an electric mixer, combine shortening and sugar and cream until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add the egg and the molasses and beat until completely incorporated.

Sift or whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt, then add to the mixture. Stir until combined. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar. Place on cookie sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just set around the edges and you start to see “crackling” on the top.

Don’t overbake! You want to keep them nice and chewy-soft in the middle.

Yield: about 4 dozen

Wordless Wednesday - Let's Go Play at the Park!

Boonetown Times in the Great Outdoors

From taking walks in the neighborhood, to hiking the mountains, and sitting around campfires, nothing beats the great outdoors, morning noon and night (especially when trying to get five little ones to burn off some of their boundless energy)! Fresh air and family...it does the heart good!