Saying good bye to Jo

From Left to right: Sara Jo (Steve's Mom) , our grandson Winston, Steve, and our daughter Elizabeth.

I just wanted to post an update of what has been happening with us in this season.  We lost Steve's Mom after Christmas, from a battle with cancer.  Our loss is heaven's gain; we know that she is rejoicing there with Jesus and all her loved ones that have gone before her.  She will be greatly missed by our family, as she was a precious Mom, grandmother and great grandmother.  She was also a wonderful homemaker that inspired myself and my daughters with all of the ways that she made a home beautiful, practiced hospitality and cooked such delicious meals; she has had a great influence on our lives.  Our daughters and grandsons and our oldest son Nathan are here right now; such a joy and comfort to have them.  I have been a way from blog land for a short season as we have been in the midst of these things,  but today a little of the "normal" is beginning again. I will be back shortly, with a fresh start to a new season, and look forward to visiting with you all then.

 Blessings to you all.

Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas

I do love to mull over our family Traditions when the Holidays com around, Christmas Eve Dinner is no exception. When I was growing up, my Mom would usually make a special seafood meal such as Bouillabaisse or Linguini with White Clam Sauce for Christmas Eve, she was really a good cook.  We often said she was a gourmet cook and we did love those gourmet meals. My mother-in-law often made New England Clam Chowder for Christmas Eve, and it was always something everyone looked forward to. As we raised our children, Christmas Eve dinner was different almost every year, and it became a bit of a tradition to thinking up something different each year. We often did something ethnic: Raviolis, Stuffed Shells, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tamales, Shredded Beef Burrito, Enchiladas, Empanadas, Piroshkies, to name a few. Some of those choices have to do with our love of every variety of food, and some have to do with the ethnic variety in our family, which is quite large. Whether you love something simple, something gourmet, something exotic, ethnic or ordinary, there is a special memory that we all attach to Christmas Eve dinner, which always merits a little thought and pleasure in the imagining.  Here are some of the ideas I'm thinking about for Christmas Eve dinner. 

Meatball Sandwich Muffins

Stuffed Shells

 Empanadas  :

 My daughter in law's family make these at Christmas time, and they are just delicious. Himilce's family has their own recipe, but it is very similar to this one that I linked.

Shredded Beef Burritos

Chili Relleno Casserole

Reuben Sandwich Muffins

Calico Pie

and a few more ideas with links:

Beef Tamales

New England Clam Chowder
Spaghetti with White Clam Sauce
Ravioli's
Lasagna
Seafood Gratin
Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
Pierogi
Piroshki
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Beef Burgundy
Chicken Piccata


What are you all fixing up for Christmas Eve?  I would love to hear your stories and ideas. Wishing you a special week full of memories and happy preparations for a Merry Christmas.

Fresh Flowers in Winter

I  love fresh flowers any time of year, and yet in winter,  I crave them even more.  Christmas time is no exception.  They look lovely, smell wonderful, and add cheer to any room.  I bought some fresh flowers and greenery last week to decorate with.  They added the perfect touch to the  festivity for my dining room, living room, and kitchen.  We didn't put up a tree this year, because we will be spending Christmas with our daughters, but we did want a bit of that beautiful smell of Christmas and the cheery-ness of the season to enjoy.  These did the trick.  I bought a couple bags of greenery at the florist, that were full of Fur and Pine sprigs and small branch cuttings, of various winter type plants. It smelled just like a fresh cut Christmas tree throughout the house. I also picked up a variety of white and red flowers; the roses were as they always are in my heart "the Lovely Lady" of them all.

I don't have a lot of vases; going casual works just fine for me, so I improvised by using a few small vases and jars and filling as many as possible around the house.. with the main focus still being the dining room table.  I started with the greenery, and added in flowers informally arranged until all had run out The informal arrangements work well with our cowboy type of decor, adding just enough festivity to enjoy in the bright and pretty daylight to dusky evening candlelight.

Fresh flowers are a beautiful way to change up some of your Christmas decorating routine and also add a magical quality to any special dinner. I have found that a little splurge on fresh flowers during the winter months has a cheerful affect on my heart. What are some of the ways you all like to use flowers, and what are some of your favorite Christmas decorating traditions? I love your comments.

Oh, and if you are interested in online flowers, here is a link that I like: BloomNation, an online flower delivery service.

I pray blessings for you all this Christmas Season, and may your house be full of good cheer.

Homemade Christmas

If you're looking for a few ideas to make up some ornaments or last minute Christmas gifts, here are a few from seasons past.

Angel Lanterns

Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments

Chocolate Christmas Mice

Painted Christmas Bulbs

Magnetic Clothespin Airplanes

Bottle Cap Magnets or Jewelry

A Homemade Tea Cozy

Tiny Tin Treasure Boxes

Decorated Mirror

Little Silk Jewelry Bag

Have Fun Everyone!

December Cheer

Its snowing outside tonight, and there is a warm, fire crackling and snapping in the wood stove.  I have  a nice pot of soup on the stove and a couple of pies in the oven.  It is quiet and cozy, just Steve and I together.  A nice moment to catch up on a little blogging while dinner finishes cooking.  As the "snow" and "wood stove" imply, we are still in Colorado; perhaps some of you were wondering. Our Nathan and Himilce and the precious grands went home to North Carolina on Wednesday.  I tell you what, having them here with us these last few months has encouraged and blessed us so much; It was very hard to let them go.  I have no problem saying that we are definitely those type of parents that love to have our children and grandchildren around and about us.  

I've been doing a little Christmas decorating around the house. I also bought some flowers and greenery to decorate with.   We have some family coming in this week, and I look forward to cooking a nice Christmassy meal for them. Here are a couple more bits and pieces of our December:

Here is "Sugar Bug".  She is stirring the Laundry Soap that she and her Mama made this week; is this cute or what?

There is something so clean and lovely about homemade laundry soap.

f

We had a cookie decorating party last week....what a great time that was.

Pure childhood delight; to have complete freedom to the access of cookies, icing, sprinkles, and candies.... at least one day a year. 

Happy December Everyone. May your days be Merry and Bright.