God Bless Us, Every One!

These porcelain dolls have yarn hair and stuffed bodies. See the gingerbread cookies in her apron pockets?

Running to the window, he opened it, and put out his head. No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells. Oh, glorious. Glorious.

`What’s to-day.’ cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him.

`Eh.’ returned the boy, with all his might of wonder.

`What’s to-day, my fine fellow.’ said Scrooge.

`To-day.’ replied the boy. `Why, Christmas Day.’ 

`It’s Christmas Day.’ said Scrooge to himself. `I haven’t missed it. The Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of course they can. Of course they can. 

Charles Dickens

...and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! 

And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!

Here To Stay Is A New Bird

Gone away is the bluebird,
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song,
As we go along,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Tea this afternoon was Peets fragrant Winter Solstice - a black tea with spices, vanilla and citrus. I used my cardinal cup that College Girl gave me last year. I lit candles and placed them on the little pull-out shelves on either side of the Queen Anne tea table. Along with cinnamon apple slices, I nibbled on a couple Peanut Butter Jam Cookies. They're easy to make and look so pretty, especially if you use a variety of jams. 

1/2 cup room temp butter, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 and 3/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In medium bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, vanilla and salt until fluffy. Add flour and baking soda, stir well. Shape dough into 48 balls, using a rounded teaspoon for each. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. (I use parchment). Bake 8-10 minutes. Immediately top each cookie with a Hershey Kiss OR use a wooden spoon handle to make an indent in the cookie center. Fill centers with a teaspoon of jam. Cool on racks.

I used apricot, boysenberry and plum jams in our cookies. We're trying to decide what to bake next. 

 

 

 

 

I use my dogeared old copy of Cookies  by Natalie H. Haughton whenever we want to bake up a batch of bars or cookies- every recipe I've tried has been a winner.

 

 

 

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

 

 

 

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Three Sleeps Till Christmas

Well, I am up late again tonight. I love the quiet of the wee hours. The last few days have been a mixture of cleaning, baking, wrapping and watching Christmas movies!

photo from classicforever dot blogspot

  We watched my favorite version of A Christmas Carol. This movie, released in 1951, is called Scrooge and features Alastair Sim as Ebenezer. It makes me cry ever time! I'm such a big kid at heart when it comes to Christmas. I love sitting in our living room with the lamps turned off and gazing at the tree twinkling with lights. I love Christmas music and can't wait for it to be on the radio, and I get excited to open the tiny doors each day on our Advent calendars! I also love finding nifty things to put in the stockings - they don't need to be expensive, just tailored to each person and fun!

It was revealed to me many years ago with conclusive certainty that I was a fool and that I had always been a fool. Since then I have been as happy as any man has a right to be.

Alastair Sim

We put out the last of the decorations, some of which we rotate using from year to year. We didn't use the candle carousel last Christmas, so we got it out and put fresh candles in the holders. 

 The heat from the candles makes the top propeller rotate, which in turn spins the bottom and center carousels while the toy soldiers on the top tier stand guard. It casts a lovely glow.

Before I forget, I have a couple more photos from Disneyland to share - these are from the Christmas Parade. Below are Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket.

The grand finale, of course, was Santa and his sleigh. I couldn't help myself - he waved and I waved back! You can see the Small World ride in the background.

 Back at home our new kitty has enjoyed surveying all the holiday preparation from under the Christmas tree - thank goodness he hasn't tried to climb it!

But after chasing wind up mice and playing with curly ribbon, he conked out in his bed - or should I say half in his bed? This crazy cat will sleep anywhere and once he's asleep, he's asleep. You can walk by him, carry on a conversation, and even move him and he stays asleep!

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A Few Of My Favorite Things

Did you know...

Fairy tales in Germany and Holland explain snowflakes as feathers that Holle, the Queen of Winter, is shaking out her mattress.

No rain today, so Handyman and I repotted our Ficus tree. It tipped over in the Santa Ana Winds during the weekend and its large container cracked. I watered it well so it will be heavy and stable if the winds kick up again this week. Handyman then finished putting up the Christmas lights on the roof. They look so festive and sparkly! Later, I toasted a slice of fragrant panettone to go with my afternoon tea.  

Our recently adopted cat loves the scent of toast - and, as we have now discovered, the taste too - so as soon as the toaster was going he appeared with his cutest share-with-me face. He regularly appears when we sit down to eat, especially if he detects toasted bread! He is quite food driven so it was easy to teach him to shake hands. Now if I could just teach him to stay out of the Christmas decorations.

He is only 9 months old and already bigger than our other adult kitty. I'm guessing he is going to be a pretty big fella. I snapped a photo of him helping to change the Santa advent calender hanging in the kitchen...

 Got all the wrapping done? Finished your tree? I'm still working on those things. Meanwhile, I think I will toast up another slice of panettone!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

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Favorite Things

First the Western Scrub Jay landed on the hummingbird feeder next to our window in order to peek into the kitchen - he and his mate wanted peanuts! They didn't mind the rain. Taking matters into their own hands...er, wings...they squawked, then waited patiently for someone in our household to toss a few peanuts onto the patio table.

 

Now the only thing left to do is pick up each peanut and assess which is best. By 'best', I mean biggest and heaviest. 

  

They flew away with the best ones first, but eventually all the peanuts were gone. A little California 'liquid sunshine' didn't dampen their spirits!

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You're Going To Love It

 

It's Greek To Me

It's time to pull out your most festive teacups!

Classyoption dot com

Isn't this Queen Anne Noel teacup lovely? I like the elegant handle and golden snowflakes.

Classyoption dot com

I'm also fond of details like a bit of the design on the inside rim, aren't you? It's a treat to see red berries and a Holly leaf as you sip your morning cuppa.

Classyoption dot com

 This morning I started my day with something new - Pumpkin Greek Yogurt from Trader Joe's! It's seasonal, so dash into your local TJ's if you want to try it.

 

 

I prefer Greek yogurt because it is thicker and less runny than regular yogurt, almost like pudding. This pumpkin yogurt was creamy and delicious! 

I added almonds and a sprinkling of cinnamon.

   I also made some whole wheat sourdough toast.Our toaster is on the fritz, so I had to cut the long slices of sourdough in half and the edges got a bit over done. Can't wait until our new toaster arrives: we ordered a Tfal long slot toaster on Cyber Monday. I like being able to toast 4 small pieces or two long pieces of bread at the same time.

Only 10 days until College Girl finishes her finals and Christmas break begins. I'm so excited!

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How Did it Get So Late So Soon?

 

I'm fond of Advent calendars and have collected a few over the years. I also collect toy soldiers, so you can imagine how excited I was to find this dashing version with tiny doors that open! He stands guard on the mantle alongside toy soldiers of all types, as well as a small artificial tree bedecked with mini soldiers.

A quick search online explains a bit about Advent:

The word "advent" comes from the Latin "adventus" meaning "arrival" or "coming," particularly of something having great importance. For denominations that celebrate Advent, it marks the beginning of the church year. In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day and lasts through December 24. When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last, or fourth Sunday of Advent.

For Eastern Orthodox churches which use the Julian calendar, Advent begins on November 15, and lasts 40 days rather than four weeks.

Lots of fun things happening at our home this week. We celebrated Thanksgiving, started decorating for Christmas, and visited Disneyland. Here is a photo of the castle aglow with twinkling lights.

We even completed our Christmas cards today, so we'll have plenty of time to work on our annual gingerbread house once school finals are over.

 

How did it get so late so soon?

It's night before it's afternoon.

December is here before it's June. 

My goodness how the time has flewn.

How did it get so late so soon?

Dr. Seuss

Happy December!

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November Morning

A tingling, misty marvel
Blew hither in the night,
And now the little peach-trees
Are clasped in frozen light.

 This morning College Girl cooked up a pot of old fashioned oatmeal. It was the perfect thing for a chilly November morning! I like mine with toasted almonds, prunes and a drizzle of honey and milk.

 It was so dark and overcast that I lit a candle before I poured the tea.

 How do you like your oatmeal? With milk? Do you add a sprinkle of cinnamon like we do?

Upon the apple branches
An icy film is caught,
With trailing threads of gossamer
In pearly patterns wrought.

by Evaleen Stein 

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Winter Wishes

 Haul out the holly
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now...

 

It has been overcast, rainy and blustery and I love it! I was so excited when I turned on the radio and discovered that KOST FM is now playing Christmas music. As I listened to We Need A Little Christmas I worked on another card using Treasured Times Sweet Christmas stamp. You can see the easel ornament card I made with this stamp here . This time I started out with a bank white card which I cut into a house shape. I covered the house and roof with paper and used a bow topped gift for a chimney. Next, I placed the stamped image behind a die cut frame, added trees and a deer. I finished it off with some Stickles  on the snowflakes and deer antlers.

For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet

And we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
We need a little Christmas now!

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Some Girls Are Just Meant to Fly

A few weeks ago I won some 'candy' from a blog hop featuring Scrapmatts, and I decided to take a break from making greeting cards in order to create a 12" x 12" scrapbook page. Time flies, and it seems it's been awhile since I made a layout! College Girl provides ample photo ops for me and I am behind on scrapping some of my favorites.

On this page I did some border stitching and wrote

 If pictures say 1000 words, why do yours leave me speechless?  

 

This photo was taken as my daughter was leaving for Pref Day during her sorority's Fall Recruitment and she is wearing her kite necklace.  I used Kappa Alpha Theta symbolism: a kite, a punch to depict Pansies, and part of 1 Corinthians 13:13.

I also used Scrapmatts floral scroll, painted black, and the mini word 'admire'. College Girl is dedicated to her studies and I admire her well earned achievements.

During the past two weeks I have been cleaning house, Christmas shopping, toured a 100 year old home, visited Disneyland's Thor exhibit and still found time to walk. I am determined to get my daily walks, especially with the holidays on the horizon. Anyone started Christmas decorating? That's next on our agenda.

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I used my Verve stamps to make this get well card for a dear friend. She is an avid tea drinker and I thought the 'feel better blend' was perfect for her. I dry embossed the hugs and kisses and used Mary Engelbreit paper. I blended a little Distress Ink Spun Sugar on the embossed card stock and finished it off with pink bakery string.

I think I have recovered now from a full day standing outside El Capitan theater on Monday in Hollywood. Whew! Handyman, College Girl and I went to our first-ever movie premiere, and it was for Marvel's Thor II. By going to the premiere, I mean standing alongside the red carpet for the cast and crew to walk by as they head into the theater. I have to edit the photos, and then I will share what we did and who we saw.

 

 College Girl is a huge Marvel fan. Tonight she and I are going to see the opening of Thor 2, The Dark World. We hear the movie is fast paced fun with some surprises. Can't wait to see what happens with Loki.

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Holiday Cheer

I woke up with a cough and low grade fever- boo hoo! But I wanted to be one of the first to say Happy November! Can you believe we are on the downhill slide to the holidays? 

 
 I've started on my Christmas cards and wanted to share this easel ornament version I made using Treasured Times stamp #616-S, called Sweet Christmas. The November Challenge at Treasured Times, which runs through the 14th, is to use four different shades of the same color and some bling. 

  I used a variety of greens on my 
ornament easel card - sage, lime, grass, evergreen - and colored the image with my Zig Water Pen and Distress Inks.

 

 I also used a snowflake punch with gold glitter paper and a pine needle border punch on the card. 

I cut the ornament shape out with my Cricut in 3 graduated sizes to layer behind the cute Christmas boy and girl. The flowers are K & Company and Prima, and I found the narrow gold tinsel string at Target. If you want to see more Design Team cards go here.

Anyone else working on home crafted Christmas cards or gifts?