Waiting for Santa

I believe in Santa Claus - it’s a song by Kenny and Dolly that I love listening to each and every year much to my family’s chagrin.

I’ve always had the heart of a child when it comes to Santa.  The idea of a man whose sole purpose in life is to give gifts to children warms my heart.  Think about it!  He braves the North Pole weather, employs the help of tiny craftsman, builds a workshop solely for the purpose of making things to give away (not for profit), travels the world making sure each and every child has the opportunity to share their Christmas wishes, and then spends a day out of his life each year making them all come true. 

I know there are debates on whether Santa is a good thing for children.  Some argue we shouldn’t lie to our kids about someone who doesn’t exist.  However, I would argue, he does exist.  Not in person, but in the spirit of love and charity and giving. 

I get excited each Christmas Eve because Santa Claus is coming to town.  It’s evident on Christmas morning when children’s eyes sparkle, their hearts fill with joy, laughter fills the air, and youngsters bask in the glow of receiving wishes come true that Santa has been there.

Yes, Christmas is about Jesus.  He is the greatest gift ever given.  His message is of love and giving.  Santa is just a personification of that message for the young and the young at heart.

Ho Ho Ho – Merry Christmas!

Chocolate-Butterscotch Peanut Clusters - Super Easy

Yep, still making holiday goodies.  My kids love chocolate-butterscotch peanut clusters.  They are a family favorite that gets made several times during the holiday season.  One reason is they are delicious.  The other is that they are really, really easy to make.  This is a fun one to do with the kiddos.

Here's what you need:

One package of semi-sweet morsels

One package of butterscotch chips

One jar of dry roasted, salted peanuts

  Yep, that's it!

Melt the chips in the microwave - I do one minute, stir, and then thirty second intervals until they are melted and smooth when stired.

Add the jar of peanuts and stir.

Drop spoonfulls onto a cookie sheet and place in the refrigerator.

When they set, place them on a plate and store in the fridge.

Delicious!

The Best Snowball Cookie Recipe EVER!

It just isn't the holidays until I make snowball cookies. I make a batch for my husband's work, a batch for friends and one (or two, or three) for us.

I made three batches last night so hubby had some for work. Of course, any that broke, I was forced to consume! They are calling to me this morning. I made the mistake of eating one - and now, for some reason, every time I need to go somewhere in the house, it requires a pass by the kitchen for a cookie. Yikes!

Here's a pic of the cookies - note the conspicuous corner that is depleted - yep, guilty!

My mother used to make these cookies. She got the recipe from her family friend - Mrs. Berdine. Now I have it. They are by far the best snowball cookies I have ever tasted, and, being a big fan, I've tasted many!

My gift to you - the recipe!


Mrs. Berdine's Amazing Snowball Cookies

3/4 butter softened
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
6 tbs confectioners (powdered) sugar
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:

Cream butter until very light and fluffy
Beat in the milk a little at a time until it is all taken up
Add vanilla
Slowly add confectioners sugar then flour
Add nuts

Roll very small bits of dough between palms of hands to form small balls
Place on greased baking sheet and bake at 375 until lightly brown - about 12 - 15 minutes
Roll cookies in confectioners sugar while still warm

Enjoy!

The Evolution of the Christmas Tag

Last night, I finally got motivated enough to wrap presents.  This is my LEAST favorite part of the season.  Everything else I love, but wrapping, I dread.  However, it had to be done for two reasons.  First, obviously, they had to be wrapped to be gifted.  Second, I needed my closet back.

As I was buried under a mound of boxes, wrapping, tape and tags, I began to think about how our Christmas monikers have changed over the years.  What do you mean?  You ask. 

Well, when Scott and I first dated and later married, our gifts to each other would have tags that read like this:

When I gave a gift to my mother-in-law, the tag looked like this:

And, when Scott gave his mother a gift, the tag looked like this:

That all changed as our family grew.  As kids became our focal point, we were no longer Scott and April, but Mom and Dad.  We even refer to each other as Mom and Dad in daily speech.  This is a moniker we both cherish.  When Christmas time rolled around, it became natural to address our gift tags like this:

Of course, Peggy, Scott's mom, also evolved into Nana.  No longer do we call her Peggy or Mom, she's Nana.  So, all her packages read:

I don't know why this struck me so much, but isn't it wonderful to see our lives reflected on those little tags.  We go from being individuals to part of something so much bigger.

One day, my children will have children.  They will take on the Mom and Dad moniker on their tags.  So, our tags will once again change to something like this: 

I can't take Nana - it's taken.  Nini seems very hip to me right now - I just don't see myself as Grandma.  lol

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all the Mom, Dad, Nana, Pop, Nini, Poppa, etc.'s out there!

What is your Christmas moniker?

Wordless Wednesday - It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

Decorating is so much a part of the holiday season!  We usually decorate the day after Thanksgiving, but this year we weren't able to until Sunday.  It was still a blast, and now we're ready to enjoy the beauty of the season!

 

When do you decorate for Christmas?

Christmas Gift Giving - E-readers for In-laws? Help!

This year I’ve seriously been considering getting my in-laws an e-reader like a Kindle or Nook.  They both love to read, but eye-sight can be an issue at times.  The Kindle lets them increase the font size putting less strain on the eyes.  We have an older Kindle that we use all the time in our homeschool.

The problem is that they don’t have internet, thus no wi-fi.  Now, that can be resolved by getting a Kindle with wi-fi; however, it’s a bigger investment.  We’re talking the difference of about $60.  If we’re going to go that expensive, (to me that’s getting to be an expensive gift), then the Kindle Fire that includes a browser for getting online and is color is only $199.  BUT – no 3G, back to the Wi-Fi dilemma.

Add to that, my husband doesn’t think they’ll really take advantage of it, especially if they have to seek out wi-fi to use it.  (Remember my resolution to give only meaningful gifts this year?)

I tend to think there is plenty of wi-fi availability these days so that it could be easy for them to use.  They can download books at our house and would have the online capabilities for the occasional times when they want it.  It’s not like they are going to want to surf daily.  Or, who knows, maybe they will.

What do you think?

1.        Get a Kindle (or if there’s a better e-reader out there – please tell me!) that has no wi-fi and let them download at our house

2.           Get a Kindle with 3G so they can download at home

3.           Go big and get a Kindle Fire

4.           Start thinking of something else

The problem is that they already have everything.  It takes a lot of brain wracking to think of something they’d really like.  We’ve been hit or miss the last few years, but technology is one of the areas they don’t have much.  It’s worth the investment if they’ll use it, but if it ends up in a box (like the digital picture frame), then that’s not money well spent.

Do you use an e-reader?  How about your in-laws or grandparents?  Does getting online make all the difference?  To 3G or not to 3G, that is the question?  lol

The Present Trap

Yes, it’s the holidays!  One thing I love is giving gifts!  There’s so much fun in picking out just the right gifts for the people in my life and giving them.

The problem is that I tend to fall into a trap; this is especially true with my immediate family.  I buy those special gifts and get them wrapped and under the tree.  Then, I look at the tree and think – gee, it’s a little slim.  Back I go shopping.  It’s at those times that my ability to discern the perfect gift from the perfect sale is faulty.  This sale is great, and, well, they might like a neon orange shirt, and I DO need more under the tree. 

Yes, I’m guilty of buying gifts to wrap.  Those gifts that end up in a closet unused.  I have no problem with people returning my gifts, but, often, they don’t.  Sigh!

Of course, I’m not the only one.  We receive many of these “filler” gifts from family as well.  (Think bright pink slanket or leopard print leisure top – shudder!)  The intentions are good, but, in the end, money has been wasted and the only real joy comes from the unwrapping, not the receiving. 

Those special gifts are still treasured, but those “bonus” gifts are piled around and forgotten.

Here’s my dilemma – I feel like people will be disappointed if I don’t show up with piles of presents, but in my heart I know that they will only enjoy those special gifts I’ve put so much thought into.  

This year might just mark a change in direction for my gift giving – I want to give, but I also want friends and family to love what they receive.  Restraint, balance, discipline – I’m gonna try. 

Do you fall into the present trap?  How do you make sure your giving isn’t about quantity but about really sharing the joy of the season?

Tis the Season to Think about my Holiday Cards...

Yes!  November is here!

I know you all already know how excited I am to “officially” be into the holidays! From November 1st all the way until Christmas Day, I am in holiday mode!

One of the first things I start thinking about is my Christmas cards. It’s time to make sure all my addresses are current, to make sure I have addresses for new friends, and to check the list (yes, check it twice) to make sure we won’t forget anyone.

Choosing the perfect Christmas card is not a task I take lightly. Do we include a picture? Should I write a newsletter telling everyone what’s been going on? Would a store bought card do the trick or should it be personalized?

This year, I get to participate as a blogger in Shutterfly’s holiday card promotion. How exciting is that? Shutterfly offers 748 different Christmas cards to choose from! Don’t believe me – take a look… In addition to that, they even carry cards for Thanksgiving. I hadn’t thought about Thanksgiving cards, but what a great way to tell others that they are one of the blessings you are thankful for? I may have to put that on my agenda for next year!

My favorite section, however, are the Christian Christmas cards. It’s always important to us as a family to honor the Reason for the Season as we reach out to friends and family both close by and far away. Without Christ, the season would have no meaning.

These are the three that we’re considering (with our family pictured, of course! Lol) Which one would you vote for?

Option 1 - This is nice because of the statement and room for one family pic

Option 2 - This one give us more room for pics and focuses on family



Option 3 - Love the message and the cool blue focus on the tranquility of the blessed night

Help me decide - which one do you like best?  Leave me a comment with your favorite... 

The coolest thing? Shutterfly is offering 20% off all holiday cards just go here - http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery .

However you celebrate the holidays, may God Bless You All this holiday season and always! Let the holidays begin!

**** Shutterfly compensated me for this honest review…