Tuesday, December 22, 2015

It's Almost Time. . .

 
 The PACKAGES are wrapped. . .and under the tree. . .The BAKING is done. . .and tempting my SWEET TOOTH daily. . .The TURKEY is smoked and ready to be sliced. . .CHRISTMAS CARDS are in the mail. . .OUR OLD COUNTRY STORE shipped it's last loom for Christmas Monday. . .it's 'doors' closed until December 28th. . .and the HOUSE. . .well. . .it's fairly clean. . .(grin). . .Only a few items to pick up at the market. . .John and I will do the last minute prep on Christmas Eve. . .and watch WHITE CHRISTMAS while sipping sparkling cider and munching on goodies later that night. . .CHRISTMAS DAY will bring our guests. . .It will be a day to relax and to enjoy each other. . .I've come to TREASURE our PLAIN AND SIMPLE CHRISTMASES. . .
That's CHRISTMAS PRESENT. . .
 
 
Yet. . .I can't have CHRISTMAS PRESENT without remembering CHRISTMAS PAST. . .after all. . .we do live in an HISTORIC DISTRICT. . .
"Dear Mother. . .I am writing to you this CHRISTMAS EVE with a HAPPY HEART. . .I don't know what comes over me each year at HOLIDAY time. . .There is something MAGICAL that settles over our farms. . .Even the animals seem to sense it. . .You know how much I LOVE Christmas. . .CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
 

 
 Whether it's CHRISTMAS PRESENT, CHRISTMAS PAST,
or anticipating CHRISTMAS FUTURE. . .I suppose I'm ready. . .How about you?
 
To coin a phrase from John. . .
HAVE A GOOD ONE !!!!
 
 
 

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

My Secret Recipe for Quick and Easy Choco-P'Nut Butter Fudge

CHRISTMAS was never Christmas without Mom's HOMEMADE FUDGE. . .She made it the old way. . .on top of the stove. . .boiling SUGAR and CHOCOLATE and BUTTER until it formed a soft ball (never could get that technique down). . .Then taking it off the heat and 'beating' the fudge by hand until it began to harden. . .Next. . .the PECANS went in. . .and all was turned out into a greased pan to cool. . .It WAS delicious. . .I'm sorry to say, I never learned the technique. . .It was one of those things where Mom always did it and I felt no need to try it for myself. . .I'm sure there are plenty of RECIPES in the older COOKBOOKS but honestly I'm not tempted to try. . .not since I perfected a recipe that pleases myself and John and is always a hit at the church BAKE SALE. . .I've never divulged my SECRET. . .until now. . .
IT'S MY CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO YOU!
 
Takes 5-10 minutes of your time. . .and it literally melts in your mouth! DELICIOUS & EASY. . .
There are so many variations and possibilities using this basic recipe. . .For example, add miniature MARSHMALLOWS and drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper for a fudge-y candy.
I've also added COCONUT. . . M & M's. . .CHOCOLATE or VANILLA CHIPS. . .OATS (makes it healthier. . .GRIN). . .Let your imagination be your guide.
One more tip. . .If you like the BLONDE P'NUT BUTTER FUDGE, replace the chocolate icing with Vanilla. . .so RICH AND CREAMY. . .
Is your mouth watering? . .It only takes a few minutes to make this QUICK AND EASY FUDGE. . .So go on. . .TREAT yourself. . .It's CHRISTMAS. . .forget the diet. . . (wink)
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year


 

I have 'TONS'  of family CHRISTMAS MEMORIES. . .in the form of decorations. . .Christmas décor was the one and only thing that my MOTHER did not throw out. . .She was never a collector 'pack rat'  like my DAD and I were. . .She had TREE ORNAMENTS that dated back to my childhood. . .each year adding to them. . .I was always the crafty one who made ornaments every year. . .decorated packages to the point that the outside was as much a GIFT as the inside. . .Mom saved as many as possible. . .along with everything else 'CHRISTMAS'. . .
 
That time of the year at the Duncan home was so FESTIVE. . .A CHRISTMAS TREE in almost every room. . .PARTIES. . .BAKING. . .HOMEMADE GIFTS. . .Lots of WHISPERING going on. . .CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS at the church and school. . .ANTICIPATION for the BIG DAY. . .
 
The PRE-CHRISTMAS time was as FESTIVE as the actual day. . .
 
When CHRISTMAS DAY did arrive, our entire FAMILY--and extended family--came together. . .always at 'GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE'. . .which later became our home, too. . .and where the gathering continued for years so come. . .
 
I remember the WOMEN in the kitchen. . .putting the last touches on the Christmas feast. . .the COUSINS (all boys) sneaking off and getting into mischief. . .the MEN getting caught up on the recent harvest and politics. . .DADDY moving from room to room with his camera. . .taking photos and documenting the day. . .photos that would mean so much to all of us years later. . .
 
The house was ablaze with LIGHTS and CANDLES and JOY and CHEER and all those things we sing about every Christmas even now. . .
 
 
 
 
THIS CHRISTMAS 2015, I began pulling out all the boxes of MEMORIES. . .not only collected by MOM. . .but also the ones I inherited from my AUNTS. . .and my GRANDMOTHERS. . .Boxes and boxes of them. . .many of which will end up being donated to the museum. . .a Christmas past LEGACY for future generations. . .But there are a few outdoor ones I selected to display one more time. . .in CELEBRATION of my Mother's life.
You see. . .We lost MOM this day. . .eleven years ago. . .and DADDY the next year. . .No Christmas has ever been the same. . .Not the same. . .very different. . .and then--finally--it became a celebration once again. . .a CELEBRATION that cannot be enjoyed without Wonderful Memories of Christmas Past. . .but also in APPRECIATION and joy for Christmas Present
Although MEMORIES flood my mind. . .I am once again full of HOPE and JOY and CELEBRATION of the season. . .of family and present friends. . .Of continuing to make Christmas memories. . .And in it all,  recognizing this really is. . .
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

DECEMBER SPECIAL: More Mini Loom Gift Sets Available


 
Thought I'd drop in and quickly give a HEAD'S UP. . .I just posted six more MINI RAG RUG LOOM GIFT SETS. . .Hope to have a few 2N1 LOOM GIFT SETS later this week, too. . .Last week all were gone in 30 minutes!
 
 
The ELVES (me and Boo) were busy over the cold and rainy weekend. . .making more MINI LOOM GIFT SETS. . .and a few 2N1 GIFT SETS, too. . .The larger sets are not quite finished. . .and not all of the minis either. . .but I couldn't wait to put A FEW online for you. . .They are so much fun to make. . .but can be time-consuming. . .getting each little detail right. . .
 

 
 
 
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