tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385830122024-03-19T04:47:42.987-04:00Mrs.T's Christmas KitchenI love Christmas and the idea of planning and preparing for it all year long! Here's where I'll post recipes, gift and craft ideas, and random thoughts from my Christmas kitchen.Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.comBlogger1277125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-65444205545031885362024-03-06T15:37:00.000-05:002024-03-06T15:37:12.256-05:00A very vintage paper plate<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EgaNaOGb0F1_zUsG6MfYNHS_Z7r1aCMIfGQPS2I2IuIJnULt8U65008BxgfDovI_VmCivIqsyaNREPkA1eMvfqikJirIBr_rkzA74FCaJG_0A-OYMfc6g_K22sPtC6erR8rTPm_oApKXFC6icW0Q-l_uSxo1OBk_KtEtFESNjZYNZrof4IcsWA/s3674/101_2936.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3379" data-original-width="3674" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EgaNaOGb0F1_zUsG6MfYNHS_Z7r1aCMIfGQPS2I2IuIJnULt8U65008BxgfDovI_VmCivIqsyaNREPkA1eMvfqikJirIBr_rkzA74FCaJG_0A-OYMfc6g_K22sPtC6erR8rTPm_oApKXFC6icW0Q-l_uSxo1OBk_KtEtFESNjZYNZrof4IcsWA/w400-h368/101_2936.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> Yes, this is one of two I found in a plastic bag at my childhood home. My mother stored Christmas items in special attic storage areas. In this particular one were things like holiday tablecloths, both paper and plastic, placemats, holiday napkins, table runners, packaging for kitchen gifts, and more, in addition to festive paper plates.<br /></p><p>Most of the items were newer, from the 1980s and 1990s when my parents hosted many a family get-together. I brought many of these things home and added the usable ones to my own stash.</p><p>Fast-forward to December 2023 when my hubby went looking for a Christmasy paper plate to put some cookies on. He brought me the plastic bag containing the two vintage paper plates, noting that I probably didn't want him to use these. </p><p>He was so right! I had forgotten all about them!</p><p>Isn't the wintry village scene with the horse and sleigh the sweetest thing ever? I love the silvery rim that makes it resemble an actual china plate. </p><p>I won't serve food on this plate, of course. I'll display it, perhaps even with a real plate behind it for stability. And I gifted the second plate to my daughter, for the same purpose.</p><p>Ah, vintage Christmas! Positively swoon-worthy! 🌲💕</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-14226374930493511942024-02-26T14:19:00.000-05:002024-02-26T14:19:19.774-05:00A few more delightful thrift store finds<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjNpQLaUODT9fdqI3JidUfXiq_kuTDEsqCr7gwskIJICtL0LZ-5oi3ivvjxRl95pogL-WkO-Tm39mHtvRd6ksRPfhmiigS28buI0pdxXK4KoJkFpzCYKN9tkaMmfjkBS-nsZSHmmXisVg9STJKumjRrPwRskzccdeGr8XzINfZBYRKIWjHUggaQ/s4608/101_2480.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjNpQLaUODT9fdqI3JidUfXiq_kuTDEsqCr7gwskIJICtL0LZ-5oi3ivvjxRl95pogL-WkO-Tm39mHtvRd6ksRPfhmiigS28buI0pdxXK4KoJkFpzCYKN9tkaMmfjkBS-nsZSHmmXisVg9STJKumjRrPwRskzccdeGr8XzINfZBYRKIWjHUggaQ/w400-h300/101_2480.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p> It's a special blessing that our local thrift stores have sections specifically dedicated to Christmas and that they maintain these rooms/areas year round! The Christmas ornament above is but one example. I bought a package of four, I think, for only $2 or so. They are truly lovely.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARVCjjO-YfmKzVcDhiosan5roz9hBLefowr8UxMXGqkV9GMdjSkQrAS6PTQlDMwgAWT0hXuvoeoL-fUtZyJ_H1mfBijr6Qp_lKy5jsEmL0LjNDQM71XC6iBAY4rTC8KigmmOqWRSuFiS_5Fjx36JDLN0yUdrkDX-CyJgRDWv9eO8hTOOVfXXygw/s4608/101_2967.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARVCjjO-YfmKzVcDhiosan5roz9hBLefowr8UxMXGqkV9GMdjSkQrAS6PTQlDMwgAWT0hXuvoeoL-fUtZyJ_H1mfBijr6Qp_lKy5jsEmL0LjNDQM71XC6iBAY4rTC8KigmmOqWRSuFiS_5Fjx36JDLN0yUdrkDX-CyJgRDWv9eO8hTOOVfXXygw/w400-h300/101_2967.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I got the snowflake plate with the plan of gifting it to one of our daughters -- it will be filled with one of her favorite Christmas cookies, Sacher Tortes. She also loves snowflake themed items.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2rWBqCRdRrmAYpvlgqFz-b_HS2bf3-64QZg_vOH9H8_P9kFqrKey9GW1zotqMqXmafXCDxqK9GGB7yJ0pUlAFun6fHqW6-uTrulKKQKdmE8WfkuQ-CNMi3Xg13AnjZU0RhVCVBe-z0eflCKtxY9I2B111INK4h-O5llrFk1lL7QwRdo6Fyw0Kw/s3386/101_2953.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="3386" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2rWBqCRdRrmAYpvlgqFz-b_HS2bf3-64QZg_vOH9H8_P9kFqrKey9GW1zotqMqXmafXCDxqK9GGB7yJ0pUlAFun6fHqW6-uTrulKKQKdmE8WfkuQ-CNMi3Xg13AnjZU0RhVCVBe-z0eflCKtxY9I2B111INK4h-O5llrFk1lL7QwRdo6Fyw0Kw/w400-h319/101_2953.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I can always use another pie plate and I love unusual, decorative ones. I don't have any that are specifically Christmas themed. This is pretty, and was only a few dollars!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6i7jlZD8T6j_u4QkU0FVWDZo8SI0oiG8o2JiP8tSe60BL_uVp1PkqaKQHZxSMNpWlkFW0TUR9wq4VWZVbjcx9TCgiwjtAzE95tOpHjgdQuS_HV4cEJL0vAzOTHKFKabS11AlqA-7tsLN8Fw6yyEs7p6dWo_ExZK1RPUNH9Bz_oqdXPHcvvLLkiA/s2443/101_2955.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="2443" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6i7jlZD8T6j_u4QkU0FVWDZo8SI0oiG8o2JiP8tSe60BL_uVp1PkqaKQHZxSMNpWlkFW0TUR9wq4VWZVbjcx9TCgiwjtAzE95tOpHjgdQuS_HV4cEJL0vAzOTHKFKabS11AlqA-7tsLN8Fw6yyEs7p6dWo_ExZK1RPUNH9Bz_oqdXPHcvvLLkiA/w400-h383/101_2955.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This snowman shaped plate is fun. I'll fill it with someone's favorite cookies or treats and it will become part of the gift.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNEAcFE0F4C6ZUkTwHztsgCkcPCL8ZvhhXnuZaGLFSTHn263KU5QiVd6I-x9R-pzqZizU3jcowb-BiZpoKwXmPYG2PLCDO-TukeTFZ0s-fJVBd8YzsMcbHx_nXJTMJLVueC8rguM468jrtyGw6LFZDNL2nIMMcq0U3mebAVXj_5f43VLuBC6KgQ/s2650/101_2956.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="2650" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNEAcFE0F4C6ZUkTwHztsgCkcPCL8ZvhhXnuZaGLFSTHn263KU5QiVd6I-x9R-pzqZizU3jcowb-BiZpoKwXmPYG2PLCDO-TukeTFZ0s-fJVBd8YzsMcbHx_nXJTMJLVueC8rguM468jrtyGw6LFZDNL2nIMMcq0U3mebAVXj_5f43VLuBC6KgQ/w400-h388/101_2956.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And look at this pretty Christmas tree plate with the cabin scene and the falling snow! I'll keep this one and use it to bring cookies or fudge to holiday gatherings. There's a very small chip at top right, but the price was right so that doesn't bother me.<br /><p>Hope this look at some of my finds has been inspiring for you! Does your local thrift shop offer Christmas items all year round?<br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-35268315372411952702024-02-21T10:03:00.003-05:002024-02-21T10:03:47.397-05:00Thrift store finds with Christmas and winter themes<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xrCRoj9PxBOxvxARas4i9gMyePmmyrLetF3jgRYTTzt3MlL2YPkAzgfE-ariprMXlyfj2FJyGaHEnd9O0OnqjybZEiM2Poy_nxqgRi90Vt1cKZQ1S4y6k_dqQfX1rNq0wbDDb0mGskOPG8OwxeW96s_XT-xGHJPigUTOCQLN4v7-7tHV9LrSjA/s3352/101_2524.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3183" data-original-width="3352" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xrCRoj9PxBOxvxARas4i9gMyePmmyrLetF3jgRYTTzt3MlL2YPkAzgfE-ariprMXlyfj2FJyGaHEnd9O0OnqjybZEiM2Poy_nxqgRi90Vt1cKZQ1S4y6k_dqQfX1rNq0wbDDb0mGskOPG8OwxeW96s_XT-xGHJPigUTOCQLN4v7-7tHV9LrSjA/w400-h380/101_2524.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I always love to visit after-Christmas sales at our local stores -- mostly places like Walmart, Marshalls, Rite Aid and CVS, and even the grocery stores. I've found some great deals at these places and have written about them in the past.</p><p>But only recently have I considered our local thrift stores as a source for Christmas deals -- especially for things like decorations, lights, and dishes. One has a room dedicated to seasonal dishes. Another has entire Christmas section. I bought the snowflake plate at top in 2022 and enjoyed decorating with it. In 2023 I filled it with my daughter's favorite Sacher Torte cookies and gave it to her for Christmas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsRqwlO8Jk-9il9jIxuV1Brori0w2AhhHnpoiEhTWNDMo2VCtwu3oJ6d9SkIYboJiJO8OwMbwGtO1CQyqjsDFATh4O3o2Nx8X1zK7SH8MszBbsnQHsZVwROIiGIdIz1Jle1B0l6ttXbUFdiOcubAtrWt48yxj6tN1DJ5Gy0c5xmcnLiWaqYipHw/s4608/101_2518.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsRqwlO8Jk-9il9jIxuV1Brori0w2AhhHnpoiEhTWNDMo2VCtwu3oJ6d9SkIYboJiJO8OwMbwGtO1CQyqjsDFATh4O3o2Nx8X1zK7SH8MszBbsnQHsZVwROIiGIdIz1Jle1B0l6ttXbUFdiOcubAtrWt48yxj6tN1DJ5Gy0c5xmcnLiWaqYipHw/w400-h300/101_2518.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The beautiful pitcher above, a Hallmark design, came from a thrift store.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpG2fPwAe7SVTx3xnc8ko7qE-S5P4xBYm5eb3bQNjsBRn7iWbx696YO5DlqfagiOyEBaPWo6G6ovjwBFhfYRXlxDV15GysSMibPrh4OES3EbvcJshbMKph2QCWXnrvNiVinv08nGcH2N1QuMAZz0xqtqLj2WeRvE2befARVXTPshTUzFzhKuA3w/s3975/101_2521.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="3975" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpG2fPwAe7SVTx3xnc8ko7qE-S5P4xBYm5eb3bQNjsBRn7iWbx696YO5DlqfagiOyEBaPWo6G6ovjwBFhfYRXlxDV15GysSMibPrh4OES3EbvcJshbMKph2QCWXnrvNiVinv08nGcH2N1QuMAZz0xqtqLj2WeRvE2befARVXTPshTUzFzhKuA3w/w400-h295/101_2521.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Both plates in the photo above were found at a thrift store.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34ybi5PDKreqCHTZOPVridCuqRzBrvPHv33GMKHgYz5rgeM6izFJq8Yecun3Wp4jy4J5LGXOsub7u7HvumG6DeabfblhDrJHILvEIPgKKkr-ACKUFBH9BGJOW93fkabw6LVknz98RHcLqN8IXfpcQygLCFtN5Fm-S3P-2PNU9Z08yHGKT-DjoSA/s2306/winter%20log%20cabin%20plate.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2306" data-original-width="2263" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34ybi5PDKreqCHTZOPVridCuqRzBrvPHv33GMKHgYz5rgeM6izFJq8Yecun3Wp4jy4J5LGXOsub7u7HvumG6DeabfblhDrJHILvEIPgKKkr-ACKUFBH9BGJOW93fkabw6LVknz98RHcLqN8IXfpcQygLCFtN5Fm-S3P-2PNU9Z08yHGKT-DjoSA/w393-h400/winter%20log%20cabin%20plate.JPG" width="393" /></a></div><div>The log cabin plate is so sweet. I found a second one this year and tucked it away to use for gifting cookies next year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyU50ARD0rUYMfx-jQwN_rGkqMh2TILxHNbQCe2YbAOkFX6GLaLB9-AF60mIvfD1eemo0afg9jn7InY0Z1oHFrkfq7tqdW74N3c3UGP51RIGIPQjNRbo8wrB0n66xwh1D-JtwcRLUPZKn3dqbUYqvcj7ECDG4rg_K1QT4vXFLwlvmU3xOfKA5zXg/s592/Christmas%201959%20annual.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyU50ARD0rUYMfx-jQwN_rGkqMh2TILxHNbQCe2YbAOkFX6GLaLB9-AF60mIvfD1eemo0afg9jn7InY0Z1oHFrkfq7tqdW74N3c3UGP51RIGIPQjNRbo8wrB0n66xwh1D-JtwcRLUPZKn3dqbUYqvcj7ECDG4rg_K1QT4vXFLwlvmU3xOfKA5zXg/w336-h400/Christmas%201959%20annual.png" width="336" /></a></div>I found the vintage Christmas magazine above at a thrift store for $5!</div><div><br /></div><div>The mug below is a recent find. We're using it at our cottage. It holds a generous amount of coffee or hot cocoa!<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht06LkNBfEMDHACQwetDocIjPBi0Kep1dEVQAvhjxseQuxUx8XaJYW9_EOpYHRmKEKvEz82OpobPwTpZuWoREOAuqXJYbX0j9qvDcMjQJUkL95Tj8jG8sipRfA6_-MU-fFK1j-GgGRZZmNqHnTv3ZXeU5GsGUcvAakDrLgWy4s9i1ZNRECoFdORw/s3104/101_2952.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3104" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht06LkNBfEMDHACQwetDocIjPBi0Kep1dEVQAvhjxseQuxUx8XaJYW9_EOpYHRmKEKvEz82OpobPwTpZuWoREOAuqXJYbX0j9qvDcMjQJUkL95Tj8jG8sipRfA6_-MU-fFK1j-GgGRZZmNqHnTv3ZXeU5GsGUcvAakDrLgWy4s9i1ZNRECoFdORw/w400-h288/101_2952.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p>Hope you've been inspired by some of my Christmasy thrift store finds. There are a few more, so stay tuned!<br /></p><br />(Below, a closer look at that snowman plate. )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-iRpywnGOKSVn1WxJU27FGBXdZ16gca23FsHY3fs8tOo92puangm-tVq9pRiAc5xDzlwa73KSJOGWjepKIf8lsux5nXmrP0lk25T_CfokeCPg4oH23IrshVFuHF627LfPWSTGQ_3WicOci_QWjD0pHSlEsNAQ2x3Sr8nwb_0Ys2E_dBjWiy5ug/s3663/101_2523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3663" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-iRpywnGOKSVn1WxJU27FGBXdZ16gca23FsHY3fs8tOo92puangm-tVq9pRiAc5xDzlwa73KSJOGWjepKIf8lsux5nXmrP0lk25T_CfokeCPg4oH23IrshVFuHF627LfPWSTGQ_3WicOci_QWjD0pHSlEsNAQ2x3Sr8nwb_0Ys2E_dBjWiy5ug/s320/101_2523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-11017377945602889332024-02-13T11:43:00.003-05:002024-02-13T11:43:54.611-05:00A challenging Christmas jigsaw<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzM5hye_489p_R8w_1dHyRK0J52R3QPiLaMeGnmZTmoCMW-RS714_JuI2S-uMlHzDnVIpwGpNF3aL-EZCt_dwGWuwXmaeT9_lzZPw68ncrabs45qOZwBikN9eHuELhBPKO9NmI03I4rQ4KtZF0cUIG5lVBS4nuj2IxdW5nbQOGsZMq426ESp1mg/s4608/101_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzM5hye_489p_R8w_1dHyRK0J52R3QPiLaMeGnmZTmoCMW-RS714_JuI2S-uMlHzDnVIpwGpNF3aL-EZCt_dwGWuwXmaeT9_lzZPw68ncrabs45qOZwBikN9eHuELhBPKO9NmI03I4rQ4KtZF0cUIG5lVBS4nuj2IxdW5nbQOGsZMq426ESp1mg/w400-h300/101_2947.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Back in December, feeling festive, Mr. T and I picked up two Christmas/winter jigsaw puzzles at our favorite thrift store. At some point in the holiday season, we decided to start one of them. Of course it is always a gamble of sorts buying a used jigsaw puzzle. We realized it was certainly possible one or more pieces could be missing, but the scenes were beautiful, and this one called Christmas Cottage was only $3.<p></p><p>What we found upon opening the box was quite a surprise. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuycMQnjKw6EGm40hECh5fBd1To2jtDiMag7ptWbW6YHwbajHvrIo3R6NqmSxyVAifQxBjig9RmWHla-eTKCb2mESPZULQdqIM-8Pr-Iyl1yl7MRlwSHqZQ90ZvAQ1Qk-v5zYaHtI2Qkdi6pt5PrvnZFvLT25HrHy99sc7zH-IikzVVOOImzpE_g/s4608/101_2945.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuycMQnjKw6EGm40hECh5fBd1To2jtDiMag7ptWbW6YHwbajHvrIo3R6NqmSxyVAifQxBjig9RmWHla-eTKCb2mESPZULQdqIM-8Pr-Iyl1yl7MRlwSHqZQ90ZvAQ1Qk-v5zYaHtI2Qkdi6pt5PrvnZFvLT25HrHy99sc7zH-IikzVVOOImzpE_g/w300-h400/101_2945.JPG" width="300" /></a> <br /></p><p>The person who donated the puzzle to the store had included a thoughtful note. He or she shared the information that the puzzle had a missing piece, but that this need not take away from the fun or the challenge of working the puzzle. The donor had taken a photo of the puzzle showing just where the missing piece should be. They even drew a blue arrow (visible in photo of their letter above) pointing out its location in the puzzle.</p><p>This was so helpful! This puzzle was definitely a challenge, but it was so beautiful that we enjoyed every minute of working on it.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNODJWU-8NQBvFdPS_4sut1jJQlVlNM1dnaZh71okp-V4j3p2sku5CL8f2MnKrwKLjtN6wKFN8tqiogXIlCtdBr1CQsLjPivQjvR6FTt2PezJL6NvxMlkwffoAjRHxKX3zzk01QoMVZy-NrGsCkl7e0YRVwVKDl6S7SMPnYOVhd85mpo0fB3GTA/s4608/101_2944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNODJWU-8NQBvFdPS_4sut1jJQlVlNM1dnaZh71okp-V4j3p2sku5CL8f2MnKrwKLjtN6wKFN8tqiogXIlCtdBr1CQsLjPivQjvR6FTt2PezJL6NvxMlkwffoAjRHxKX3zzk01QoMVZy-NrGsCkl7e0YRVwVKDl6S7SMPnYOVhd85mpo0fB3GTA/w400-h300/101_2944.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIq262lgU3DSxe9aOn6EzsUUWH7UDiQTkKDbxkN0P9CvByjGyDeW78sFJDx9UnlvmXMY9gEDEJO6rFga6x2do-m7vAvU5AhuE-dYhUh1NKLHuxOlU-YWPHrItafRyY-VP_I-jZZ8W-SYoEYOqeiq9AllLYAQX_lUuj1_HejkTfHQzSVmdxcyWsvQ/s4608/101_2943.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIq262lgU3DSxe9aOn6EzsUUWH7UDiQTkKDbxkN0P9CvByjGyDeW78sFJDx9UnlvmXMY9gEDEJO6rFga6x2do-m7vAvU5AhuE-dYhUh1NKLHuxOlU-YWPHrItafRyY-VP_I-jZZ8W-SYoEYOqeiq9AllLYAQX_lUuj1_HejkTfHQzSVmdxcyWsvQ/w400-h300/101_2943.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p>Such a fun thing to find in a thrift-store puzzle purchase. We got much more than $3 of enjoyment out of this. Now we are wondering what surprises might be in store in the second puzzle we bought that day! <br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-20257961108393793032024-02-10T12:21:00.003-05:002024-02-10T12:21:33.159-05:00A very unique Advent calendar<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-GQQxtVk0MI3ZVAjR7Zq3Z5jKYziaW6qVvQyJK1qoMf3WpNqpOW4DaLfvaNjVv8iDA_99GqvxA_mqNj-2F1mpdXeixZ8EG_vquKYoNNrce142ZS4jPM4IHvz5qT7iXMdL3azwqc_x8rKkYSgoqXEUnM7wuaXi11sbKwYIq74OGvMFcJ_hm0ovQ/s2798/101_2948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2798" data-original-width="2688" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-GQQxtVk0MI3ZVAjR7Zq3Z5jKYziaW6qVvQyJK1qoMf3WpNqpOW4DaLfvaNjVv8iDA_99GqvxA_mqNj-2F1mpdXeixZ8EG_vquKYoNNrce142ZS4jPM4IHvz5qT7iXMdL3azwqc_x8rKkYSgoqXEUnM7wuaXi11sbKwYIq74OGvMFcJ_hm0ovQ/w384-h400/101_2948.JPG" width="384" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> Recently I found this amazing-looking tea at Ocean State Job Lot, a discount store my hubby and I like to visit. They always have some very nice teas so I usually check out the selection. This tea Advent calendar by Clipper, with 24 "teas and infusions", was under $3. There were two boxes left so I bought them both. The "best by" date was the end of December 2023, but I've found those dates don't really matter when it comes to tea.<br /></p><p>The 12 flavors of tea (there are two of each) include Happy Mondays, Berry Burst, Rise & Shine, Hibiscus & Raspberry, Calmer Cameleon, Orange & Lemon, Love Me Truly, Snore & Peace, Green Tea & Lemon, White Tea & Raspberry, Lemon & Ginger, and Nighty Night. There are descriptions for the more unusual names -- for example, "Love Me Truly" is a cinnamon chai.</p><p>I've tasted Clipper teas before, and have enjoyed the ones I've tried. <br /></p><p>This would make a fun gift for a good friend who enjoys tea. You could pair it with a mug, like this one I recently found at the thrift store:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKFX7OTwUjYSUso5vbeZ3HzIKfLSWydsz-_-GhL7dnmkA-90or6W_m-0U6c0pWFGdinf7w92RENrOuEaWIOXHNtVazvIaMtAVTqyO5qLe8AnDdBPKSFGnP4rWAY3H8S1pvVTlQJvx1WywW76_ylvENGMzFpLYcRvXbGMUpLq8k5q4eRMmfQ6Zeg/s3561/101_2950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2406" data-original-width="3561" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKFX7OTwUjYSUso5vbeZ3HzIKfLSWydsz-_-GhL7dnmkA-90or6W_m-0U6c0pWFGdinf7w92RENrOuEaWIOXHNtVazvIaMtAVTqyO5qLe8AnDdBPKSFGnP4rWAY3H8S1pvVTlQJvx1WywW76_ylvENGMzFpLYcRvXbGMUpLq8k5q4eRMmfQ6Zeg/w400-h270/101_2950.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Or just keep it for yourself. It's a fun idea, however you choose to use it.<br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-9598971216018012142024-02-07T17:02:00.001-05:002024-02-07T17:02:55.379-05:00A sweet handmade Christmas card<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkudXyqQp7C8pooGVCSv1bmfxtknoEykqseCjYijx9kW_DYdVKVP6NLCkTEyZyISXn0mhpROs-QOjYF8LNBuHWOQeLbpPAXk-2tzN3N5EUVJEGdo7cAWf2F3xzFhCf7K0mLTt037oBC3Dxd0GZN0SzoLuc8KXg3EuoG1YNyhp2yHutwLpi6BFXg/s1763/handmade%20Christmas%20card%20by%20Tania.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1763" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkudXyqQp7C8pooGVCSv1bmfxtknoEykqseCjYijx9kW_DYdVKVP6NLCkTEyZyISXn0mhpROs-QOjYF8LNBuHWOQeLbpPAXk-2tzN3N5EUVJEGdo7cAWf2F3xzFhCf7K0mLTt037oBC3Dxd0GZN0SzoLuc8KXg3EuoG1YNyhp2yHutwLpi6BFXg/w400-h356/handmade%20Christmas%20card%20by%20Tania.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Here is a sweet handcrafted card I've saved from a few years ago, made by my Canadian friend Tania who is a crafter extraordinaire. I just love it and have saved it not only because it's so creative but because of the heartfelt message inside.</p><p>It's so simple and if I can find a similar stamp, I just might make some for next year. Tania started with plain white card stock and you can see she stamped this really fun saying on one side, and scalloped the edges of the card. Next to the saying she placed a textured paper rectangle with rounded corners -- so nifty -- which resembles wood grain. </p><p>Atop this is a piece of antique-looking cotton lace, a simple bow tied out of ordinary string, and a chipboard letter (in this case S, for the first letter of my first name). She gilded the edges of the letter a little bit.</p><p>The finishing touch is a few sequins in complementary colors scattered about, and then of course a handwritten note inside the card. Isn't it lovely?<br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-9632369235184463192024-02-03T08:59:00.004-05:002024-02-03T08:59:45.371-05:00And here's the actual kitchen gift list for 2023 ... <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8nxilqTkgF0MgGUbApDNGYp8I0kQW7Q9tXQawVEHlg9MOt-88AlZSJlSKnXx9yJKwtZ-caSt8OxrOcPX-vKWofvOT7KLmxt6UHofGX54afLvwJJX3WsVqDsro1aEePrrcCQZeksqHHzyo0uN_AR-7Fa3b7OabyQOYhnYELJUgEmZEb3g-xnSYg/s2064/2023%20tentative%20kitchen%20gift%20list.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="1332" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8nxilqTkgF0MgGUbApDNGYp8I0kQW7Q9tXQawVEHlg9MOt-88AlZSJlSKnXx9yJKwtZ-caSt8OxrOcPX-vKWofvOT7KLmxt6UHofGX54afLvwJJX3WsVqDsro1aEePrrcCQZeksqHHzyo0uN_AR-7Fa3b7OabyQOYhnYELJUgEmZEb3g-xnSYg/w259-h400/2023%20tentative%20kitchen%20gift%20list.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> Above you see the tentative kitchen gift list I made for Christmas 2023.</p><p>And, here's how things actually went in the Christmas kitchen gift department:</p><p>We made several batches of <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2010/11/chocolate-mint-crisps-favorite.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Chocolate Mint Crisps</b></span></a>, </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXCzt7KI7T3uCIxllSFsM2LyQswOYZbFq41f6JEZ_Gjq2q0Y5oJL6ZJ3shBA-6zPa3A445AQUYv9v0GmyWnWjWhU0-T1iEg0aiDfrRVp7JevIcYfrcwMeIjRevCWW-izTnxFBx4WoFPWnWsVKsxR-2pbKM7CQq705s0opkgcg76B_S0rBoCswVg/s300/chocolate%20mint%20crisps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXCzt7KI7T3uCIxllSFsM2LyQswOYZbFq41f6JEZ_Gjq2q0Y5oJL6ZJ3shBA-6zPa3A445AQUYv9v0GmyWnWjWhU0-T1iEg0aiDfrRVp7JevIcYfrcwMeIjRevCWW-izTnxFBx4WoFPWnWsVKsxR-2pbKM7CQq705s0opkgcg76B_S0rBoCswVg/w320-h320/chocolate%20mint%20crisps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2007/04/eggnog-logs.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Eggnog Logs</b></span></a>, </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH5YTUWM4zEDPQx0Gblhv-1ADpOjYE2sKuUXJCJSR2AuqdttEw5e0jfjEwQ36xYQC7a2hyphenhyphenpCtrrhoTIVU9cx4ESxhtyhV60edET4YWVWzewN7KnTKiQ5bw5gPCl2Xpr1Wi_aamqHdjUp7DT5M7PLphlahKDfDuS5_ksW1XkL6QcIIrqx-smP1nQ/s300/eggnog%20logs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH5YTUWM4zEDPQx0Gblhv-1ADpOjYE2sKuUXJCJSR2AuqdttEw5e0jfjEwQ36xYQC7a2hyphenhyphenpCtrrhoTIVU9cx4ESxhtyhV60edET4YWVWzewN7KnTKiQ5bw5gPCl2Xpr1Wi_aamqHdjUp7DT5M7PLphlahKDfDuS5_ksW1XkL6QcIIrqx-smP1nQ/w320-h320/eggnog%20logs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />and <b><a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2007/04/sacher-torte-cookies.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> Sacher Torte Cookies, </b></span></a></b><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> </b></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqOU_pLdSjf86jClgeQO6LkgSJdDTkEHF_ESILUfgCayWMo1dps1yfN0-XlAOOYMrgUHeR3RLpOaRjmXZ98NbD4oggpeNaEuAw5oCZHvrV4jQRv8w2b5a5UOLJYT7eOIV4qW4As6i8W3c5XAxkf9yTXjiqZ-HtxryuAZH2GIVC7TZBI6BUZwlVg/s2048/DSCN1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqOU_pLdSjf86jClgeQO6LkgSJdDTkEHF_ESILUfgCayWMo1dps1yfN0-XlAOOYMrgUHeR3RLpOaRjmXZ98NbD4oggpeNaEuAw5oCZHvrV4jQRv8w2b5a5UOLJYT7eOIV4qW4As6i8W3c5XAxkf9yTXjiqZ-HtxryuAZH2GIVC7TZBI6BUZwlVg/w400-h300/DSCN1412.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></b></div><b><b><br /> </b></b> so we would have plenty to give to people who enjoy them. Yes, these are all cookies on my cookie list, but I also place them on the kitchen gift list so that we can give certain people a tin or plate filled with their very favorite cookie.<p></p><p>One person adores <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2016/12/little-apricot-fruitcakes.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Apricot Cakes</b></span></a>, so I made a batch of those little loaves and gave her some for Christmas. I have two in the freezer still and will give her those for her birthday later this month.</p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzZiwzN_QY4V68IdZ5ryIN59Z9a5WTs-b0I-bqjqt5RS6DhLURgjClVNj_feo7OVLTsLURzlcuk4sEkdB6beJU2YQ1KYmrxGlAQEkuch1HpYfSO4NS34WYK84u6EPzhfH7RcfewY8qKh_EBv_IL3z_LRkPnPmFytNpQOpQjgyGpZrezW2DwBWAw/s400/DSCN1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzZiwzN_QY4V68IdZ5ryIN59Z9a5WTs-b0I-bqjqt5RS6DhLURgjClVNj_feo7OVLTsLURzlcuk4sEkdB6beJU2YQ1KYmrxGlAQEkuch1HpYfSO4NS34WYK84u6EPzhfH7RcfewY8qKh_EBv_IL3z_LRkPnPmFytNpQOpQjgyGpZrezW2DwBWAw/w400-h300/DSCN1414.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unwrapped</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBWpBMvz3r6oekYvmDZ4cH7vtx4gGEBGDBILIfgmASIjviTTovYJWEfhgCuq2iVDB-QxDANdtd480_w6Pbt8fWqZHihZDpEvHRq4Wt5plr0tTtNKw2NXCYr4ejMa_cvZ2n6KoLW9-FgOXRMyo_Ur4WcabCMBQ5PxJ3o7byI69pW8xrw1g9-oBDg/s2048/DSCN1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBWpBMvz3r6oekYvmDZ4cH7vtx4gGEBGDBILIfgmASIjviTTovYJWEfhgCuq2iVDB-QxDANdtd480_w6Pbt8fWqZHihZDpEvHRq4Wt5plr0tTtNKw2NXCYr4ejMa_cvZ2n6KoLW9-FgOXRMyo_Ur4WcabCMBQ5PxJ3o7byI69pW8xrw1g9-oBDg/w400-h300/DSCN1420.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrapped for gifting<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2007/04/special-holiday-fudge.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Special Holiday Fudge</b></span></a> is a favorite of my Nevada daughter, so a tin of that winged its way West.</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tn3b4DBaAdCsoRES-UJbCH3y-Qv0ZSv4uTqGdNQdSY6qv7rfJhzdzKvMCyi30YaEFvcGvaNEHKiRCkfjPV84bp44JnBPxKHGIKt7jTS6bHbLtRiVHSFs74FY6-FoEoPGl7pP4mjIudHGFUcrNrJIDP7-gZ01H1T9TyXexJ3m1MZlhBgpDuD5UQ/s244/raisin_chocolate_fudge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="244" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tn3b4DBaAdCsoRES-UJbCH3y-Qv0ZSv4uTqGdNQdSY6qv7rfJhzdzKvMCyi30YaEFvcGvaNEHKiRCkfjPV84bp44JnBPxKHGIKt7jTS6bHbLtRiVHSFs74FY6-FoEoPGl7pP4mjIudHGFUcrNrJIDP7-gZ01H1T9TyXexJ3m1MZlhBgpDuD5UQ/w400-h380/raisin_chocolate_fudge.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>And <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2023/12/christmas-granola-favorite-kitchen-gift.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Christmas Granola</b></span></a> is another must-make for gifts each year.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM75vtI9uOW8KPOwzKdTXEj5-ifX2GMZuuvbocE28gBWFiuH22sftlbldYt_q3sDm76-bKmr_2QGcXteVxtwAEzsZlLHzDszDjgw9-Nci_ZZfogREc8ePj-egHh0j3W0bKcVQDZB4Kadc8vksE6rk4Aa9jW70HU3sW9pgHMNKNHfoBVwKNAn8Opg/s4608/101_2933.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM75vtI9uOW8KPOwzKdTXEj5-ifX2GMZuuvbocE28gBWFiuH22sftlbldYt_q3sDm76-bKmr_2QGcXteVxtwAEzsZlLHzDszDjgw9-Nci_ZZfogREc8ePj-egHh0j3W0bKcVQDZB4Kadc8vksE6rk4Aa9jW70HU3sW9pgHMNKNHfoBVwKNAn8Opg/w400-h300/101_2933.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br /></p><p>The only thing I didn't do on this list was "muffins in festive flavors". A couple years ago I tried a new muffin recipe every month, with an eye to kitchen gifting. I had thought I would choose a couple of those for kitchen gifts this year, but that didn't happen, nor did it seem necessary. You can check "muffins" in the label cloud if you'd like to know more.<br /></p><p>So, voila -- the actual kitchen gift list, complete with links for your perusal should you be interested!<br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-70336761366413127442024-01-31T14:54:00.000-05:002024-01-31T14:54:08.783-05:00Actual 2023 candy list<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmPKgOUoo4toveIzYrvUB8lcydDpseVr-Rp7aSPqOboe8w65tr4zH7US6uKH_KVoEEqJwm23uru1GZa2GVJ51UUkAilHHiE7HyJGnrVPRf1R0dpi5HLVwUOn9GejYM8pnMUrCZZn8yMM5UcF-zCUN73BbeNWE1_Epd2sJSLOyaF18YVyK9g8VNA/s2076/2023%20tentative%20candy%20list.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2076" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmPKgOUoo4toveIzYrvUB8lcydDpseVr-Rp7aSPqOboe8w65tr4zH7US6uKH_KVoEEqJwm23uru1GZa2GVJ51UUkAilHHiE7HyJGnrVPRf1R0dpi5HLVwUOn9GejYM8pnMUrCZZn8yMM5UcF-zCUN73BbeNWE1_Epd2sJSLOyaF18YVyK9g8VNA/w198-h400/2023%20tentative%20candy%20list.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> So above you see the tentative candy list I made for 2023. </p><p>And here's a quick recap of the candy we actually made this past December.</p><p>We made Heavenly Delight, that chocolate and peanut butter layered fudge that is such a hit with everyone who tastes it. Many, many batches of it! In fact, my hubby just made another batch this past weekend, to bring some to our volunteer job and have some for a church fellowship dinner this Sunday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTK9opfbhe9GxB8surD-6RIiedOEyxxitUTHf-92L2Q1II6FZ8G-kEHHMPvf5k7uNOVWZhKjawOSPMVfY6oMaZtoiAkMfbTF7XESAX_uSbHpoOSNHjQbNVEN-p0TNqE-KElBBrnr6J-gJ1XGZldubaIgUuwgU0FOnvG9HCp0JTvejwYnJyjMRwA/s300/Double-Decker-Fudge_exps19596_RDHE10671D51A_RMS.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTK9opfbhe9GxB8surD-6RIiedOEyxxitUTHf-92L2Q1II6FZ8G-kEHHMPvf5k7uNOVWZhKjawOSPMVfY6oMaZtoiAkMfbTF7XESAX_uSbHpoOSNHjQbNVEN-p0TNqE-KElBBrnr6J-gJ1XGZldubaIgUuwgU0FOnvG9HCp0JTvejwYnJyjMRwA/w400-h400/Double-Decker-Fudge_exps19596_RDHE10671D51A_RMS.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>We made two batches of the Chocolate Dipped Orange Slices. There's just something about chocolate and orange flavors together that just says Christmas to us! 🍊</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fOD7ZgGhps19ST01AM584_kr3OhnrtFR5cWaoKJXQna-RzAM7uzsUo22GlJDArihLvWYKryy664TLO1m8FW96soMwFywUfxfRTlGYYkDResKLt9q8ZsGmAcENlda0yi-0m-vxRn0M3uSA2jQte4ax5hTl4gc37MlR3C7gvIpDRVcJQKgRDXeQQ/s400/orange+smiles+dipped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="400" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fOD7ZgGhps19ST01AM584_kr3OhnrtFR5cWaoKJXQna-RzAM7uzsUo22GlJDArihLvWYKryy664TLO1m8FW96soMwFywUfxfRTlGYYkDResKLt9q8ZsGmAcENlda0yi-0m-vxRn0M3uSA2jQte4ax5hTl4gc37MlR3C7gvIpDRVcJQKgRDXeQQ/w400-h226/orange+smiles+dipped.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>We made one batch of Special Holiday Fudge, mostly to send to our Nevada daughter who very much enjoys its special flavors of chocolate with raisins, pecans, orange and almond. I love it myself but would never make a batch just for me. That would be dangerous!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUIL8gejKNKyMDtPiFX7LLMXtH7iOD4RCiVblne20aU0ouCJaJw2JmwfMDL0YHNLNoNt_GHc73i7w-1txqJfsO2NicIh4bO1cYn4cx1dWGtV_TaLvopLbo1icMd5QUd-NRqsLpzciqjpSshoK3mF0YCXhGnw1miRipc21tuVc0GyJtvvkW0p1gg/s300/coffee%20shop%20fudge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUIL8gejKNKyMDtPiFX7LLMXtH7iOD4RCiVblne20aU0ouCJaJw2JmwfMDL0YHNLNoNt_GHc73i7w-1txqJfsO2NicIh4bO1cYn4cx1dWGtV_TaLvopLbo1icMd5QUd-NRqsLpzciqjpSshoK3mF0YCXhGnw1miRipc21tuVc0GyJtvvkW0p1gg/w400-h400/coffee%20shop%20fudge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I think we made 2 batches of the Salted Caramel Fudge. That is fast becoming a must-make candy for us at Christmas. Others enjoy it too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49cIw1EQ4Sfbxa1JJfRnTv7Z2iQqtUXZylo6xYj0v1RuAosywkwrqUf0zzLZJcBv6rorh8RyRpbq0YEQ7qKgzqeIlNHTYGQkVghskmRqls8QQX7Cq9-VwGkOXSTSGt5YgRHyaFQVxiugA6q8ndS4-37yRduPe6FdwukxyghejRlVyQr97nL07UQ/s844/salted%20caramel%20fudge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="565" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49cIw1EQ4Sfbxa1JJfRnTv7Z2iQqtUXZylo6xYj0v1RuAosywkwrqUf0zzLZJcBv6rorh8RyRpbq0YEQ7qKgzqeIlNHTYGQkVghskmRqls8QQX7Cq9-VwGkOXSTSGt5YgRHyaFQVxiugA6q8ndS4-37yRduPe6FdwukxyghejRlVyQr97nL07UQ/w268-h400/salted%20caramel%20fudge.png" width="268" /></a></div><p>And I did make one batch of the Date Confections (aka Casserole Cookies). They are such an old-fashioned holiday favorite, loved by many.</p><p>We didn't make Arlene Easy Fudge at all this year. We had planned on having the grandchildren make some, but ended up focusing on crafting!</p><p>And that's the 2023 Christmas candy wrapup!</p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-59151683284844279522024-01-10T11:19:00.001-05:002024-01-10T11:19:24.970-05:00The actual Christmas cookie list<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVFSaNVTPZ1-LUIGCnPmQBcBvwsHNMmjTbsjsJge9iy8_dT-LG_MqffBn5XApFMjvmDqfGRnPK0BSFiBCl6M4ylsAC0w25fbfdH2gfQp9RUMPdkGIrjXn3u2f_T3YiI_IiUj2hfpQ3B_hZnEe_YueIACLgqVnI4dm3Y3gBTSgs02TriKxYNfBdA/s2024/2023%20tentative%20Christmas%20cookie%20list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="1584" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVFSaNVTPZ1-LUIGCnPmQBcBvwsHNMmjTbsjsJge9iy8_dT-LG_MqffBn5XApFMjvmDqfGRnPK0BSFiBCl6M4ylsAC0w25fbfdH2gfQp9RUMPdkGIrjXn3u2f_T3YiI_IiUj2hfpQ3B_hZnEe_YueIACLgqVnI4dm3Y3gBTSgs02TriKxYNfBdA/w313-h400/2023%20tentative%20Christmas%20cookie%20list.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> I like to make a note of how closely I stuck to baking the Christmas cookies I've planned at the beginning of the season. Recall, at the beginning of December, Mr. T (who now does almost all of the cookie baking) had expressed the
thought that he would like to add one or two new recipes to the mix this
year. </p><p>He also suggested that perhaps there might be cookies that I would like to make personally. So I added on my old favorite Pepparkakor, which are cut-out cookies, which he has never
tackled. I added on for his benefit the Double-Drizzled Pecan Cookies, the
Peppermint Snowballs, the Gingerbread Brownies (all recipes I've made in
the past) and the Chocolate-Dipped Maple Logs (<i>which I thought I had never baked, but apparently in 2007 I did</i>). None of these cookies were baked, however, except for the last-mentioned Maple Logs. I baked them myself for an informal cookie swap early in December, and they were wonderful. I also made the Christmas No-Bakes as he has never tried that technique.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1vwu3MBMNQn6MJZF-KGs77qsOjJikdhVXxJpyvkOR9pZ2AOwG3U0FSpuHoTpKC7S87MTi-owQcfwoG9F-GGYWux-fHOORtJSUMZ6WcypU7k1Vx1S3G2OrX53K1FYmLfVLq3v9TAvtZPk0cNYw2YzfHZOIujYuGBoPJ7g8PvW2up18oLKOtckKw/s601/dressed-up%20no-bakes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="601" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1vwu3MBMNQn6MJZF-KGs77qsOjJikdhVXxJpyvkOR9pZ2AOwG3U0FSpuHoTpKC7S87MTi-owQcfwoG9F-GGYWux-fHOORtJSUMZ6WcypU7k1Vx1S3G2OrX53K1FYmLfVLq3v9TAvtZPk0cNYw2YzfHZOIujYuGBoPJ7g8PvW2up18oLKOtckKw/w400-h393/dressed-up%20no-bakes.png" width="400" /></a></div>For those who are wondering, here's the link to the <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2017/12/classic-no-bake-cookies-with-festive.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Christmas no-bakes</b></span></a>. I have dressed these up in all kinds of ways. This year I skipped the marshmallows, drizzled the cookies with white chocolate and sprinkled with red or green sugar. Don't think I got a photo.<br /><p>Mr. T baked two other varieties -- for one, Pumpkin Snickerdoodles, a recipe shared with him by this year's cook at the camp where we volunteer. Micah devised the recipe himself, and the cookies were a hit at the fall retreats. After acquiring the recipe, Mr. T was determined to bake these for Christmas. They are not a Christmas cookie in my book, but he did bake a double batch, I believe. </p><p>The other recipe was Gingerbread Coffeecake Cookies, which I blogged about <a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-new-to-us-cookie-recipe.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>here</b></span></a>. Oh, were those ever scrumptious! </p><p>I think that does it for the actual Christmas cookie list. Candy and kitchen gift lists to follow ... <br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-36355705814292382172024-01-01T04:00:00.019-05:002024-01-01T04:00:00.134-05:00Happy New Year!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l1ZRLqHsHf8PbGqaJZkeTHZPkC6SEY8SgrSjfrYdJ99npj8G7USas6ImN5WSUch4hWX4Vj98-HtP-SkToFb718Qmal76Jpix9vGJgThl18HltHGmZMitVSTO8saOf6SYlys5cVyiJJt1tEnMkqPY9eERNEwSlw0vI0Vg7b4bHULQ4VHOo5RGPw/s1600/old%20year%20ends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l1ZRLqHsHf8PbGqaJZkeTHZPkC6SEY8SgrSjfrYdJ99npj8G7USas6ImN5WSUch4hWX4Vj98-HtP-SkToFb718Qmal76Jpix9vGJgThl18HltHGmZMitVSTO8saOf6SYlys5cVyiJJt1tEnMkqPY9eERNEwSlw0vI0Vg7b4bHULQ4VHOo5RGPw/w400-h230/old%20year%20ends.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> Mr. T and I would like to wish all of my readers and friends a happy,
healthy 2024. </p><p>Every new year holds challenges, opportunities,
blessings, and even heartaches for each one of us. There may have been difficult days in 2023, but God was there for every one
of them, as He will be for every day that He allows in 2024. I'm
looking forward with hope and optimism to how He will work in the days
ahead. Like many of you, I'm praying hard for our country while moving
forward prayerfully with plans, goals and dreams for the new year. It
will be interesting to watch God work. <br /></p><p> May this year be one
of spiritual growth and encouragement for all of us!
</p><p><br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-22433009701129543872023-12-31T04:00:00.061-05:002023-12-31T04:00:00.148-05:00Thinking about a new year<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQs3nMuctiF4ms2j5MoGhYYXCvckjJHKAeDd77q0SLVILajxAWQxgdLnxKJrbCKYx5Mlw4afZMO8Pr8MfqHbZJxkXxBKTIU-snC0plaaxWbE0v39jjcVidmWN4n6k03nO0a3R0GUfYqwL6JcSWu8JBDyBX3sl2z0aWmVpde7uQwide8KUJ3AZRQ/s362/God%20bless%20thy%20year.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="241" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQs3nMuctiF4ms2j5MoGhYYXCvckjJHKAeDd77q0SLVILajxAWQxgdLnxKJrbCKYx5Mlw4afZMO8Pr8MfqHbZJxkXxBKTIU-snC0plaaxWbE0v39jjcVidmWN4n6k03nO0a3R0GUfYqwL6JcSWu8JBDyBX3sl2z0aWmVpde7uQwide8KUJ3AZRQ/w266-h400/God%20bless%20thy%20year.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Here we are on the eve of a new year. I'm not sure how 2023 flew past
as it did, but it's gone. In place of a Sunday Scripture for today, I thought I'd just share a little about spiritual goals for 2024.<br /></p><p>New Year's is when we typically consider goals
or resolutions for the coming year. I prefer goals, personally. It
seems to me that resolutions can easily be broken (and discarded), but a
goal is something you can keep working at even if you fall a little
short of it at times. Even if you don't fully realize a goal, you make
progress toward it. When I set goals for a new year, spiritual goals
are always included, along with physical and relational ones. </p><p>One important thought to keep in mind with goals for any new year is that, as Hannah Wilwerding so eloquently pointed out on her Instagram account <a href="https://www.instagram.com/herbiblicalworldview/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Her Biblical Worldview</b></span></a>, 2024 is not our year. It's God's year. As she wrote, "Just like <b><span style="font-family: Playfair Display;">every year is God's year. He just allows you to be a part of it. He holds our goals. He guides our footsteps. He establishes our plans. He directs our lives. May this be the year we serve God over serving ourselves.</span></b>"<br /></p><p>Our former pastor of many years always taught us (and very
accurately, too) that there is no standing still in the Christian life.
We're either moving forward or we're moving backward. That has always
stuck with me through the years and I have seen it proved true over and
over. </p><p>So aiming for ongoing spiritual growth is very, very
important and I find the start of a new year to be the perfect time to
make a plan for it. As the old saying goes, if you aim at nothing,
you'll hit it every time. So in every area of life, I try to aim at <i><b>some</b></i>thing, no matter how small it may seem.</p><p>I
haven't fully formulated my spiritual goals for the coming year, but a friend and I are working on memorizing the book of James, so learning chapters 2 through 5 will be one. I read through the Bible
last year, but this year I am planning to work my way through Charles Swindoll's <i>Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life</i>. So that's another. And I've begun the Bible study <i>Stand Firm</i>, concerning the armor of God, so there's one more.<br /></p>May I encourage you to aim for greater spiritual growth in the New Year? You will not regret having done so.<p>(My dear friend Vee, now with the Lord she loved so well, added the following when I wrote a similar post on my Kitchen Table blog last year: </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Almendra;">"He is the vine, we are the branches. He is our source. We can no more
gain spiritual growth without Him than we could will ourselves into life
itself. He Who began a good work in you is able to complete it.
Philippians 1:6".</span></span></p><p>And she was absolutely right. There is no way we can have spiritual growth -- no way we will even have a desire for it -- without a relationship with our Lord and Savior.)</p><p>Happy New Year, friends!<br /></p><p> </p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-24393023040004209772023-12-30T04:00:00.021-05:002023-12-30T04:00:00.136-05:00A festive dishcloth<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvoQz1DiNNDJmXIXSdFZrUQ8d4LPAeyF87jj7iF-svBgkwzdF59wECSyvEf6XzUsknVBokXdewZJ9Yw5wCgLfu6kB2RDioyxl75XEQ_qfGCUSRcPXxcdceMu_EhO3EDnAshZDC9K9AwuhhtylsGu1XBOrB_xX_7Dpu8St7O6zy82GWG7sw70C2Q/s3488/festive%20dishcloth%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3488" data-original-width="2144" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvoQz1DiNNDJmXIXSdFZrUQ8d4LPAeyF87jj7iF-svBgkwzdF59wECSyvEf6XzUsknVBokXdewZJ9Yw5wCgLfu6kB2RDioyxl75XEQ_qfGCUSRcPXxcdceMu_EhO3EDnAshZDC9K9AwuhhtylsGu1XBOrB_xX_7Dpu8St7O6zy82GWG7sw70C2Q/w246-h400/festive%20dishcloth%202.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><p></p><p> Well, really, why <i><b>shouldn't </b></i>one have a festive dishcloth or two?</p><p>This pattern, by Dori at <b><a href="http://theredfeedsack.blogspot.com/2019/12/crochet-dish-cloths-giveaway-and-free.html" target="_blank">The Red Feedsack</a></b>,
has become my new favorite. If you follow the link to Dori's
blog, you will see that her dishcloths are mostly in solid colors. I
really like that better -- it has a simplicity that I really love -- but
I have made many with variegated yarn because I have odds and ends of that to use up.</p><p>I've also found that if I keep up with laundering dishcloths on a very regular basis, i.e. light colors with light laundry, darker colors with dark, I don't need to use bleach to feel that they are clean and thus, the colors are not much diminished, although they do fade ever so slightly with each wash.<br /></p><p>This Christmas season I wanted a simple project to have in my bag if I was stuck waiting somewhere or for quiet evening moments at our cottage. I decided to work on dishcloths in red and green. I had several partial skeins of the Christmas variegated yarn and decided to use that for the edging.</p><p>This red one is the only dishcloth I managed to finish, but I'm happy with how it turned out and have started a green one as well. <br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-11182768554652597902023-12-29T04:00:00.042-05:002023-12-29T04:00:00.340-05:00Christmas Granola -- a favorite kitchen gift<p> <span style="color: #330000;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjtIyvb-hRS_y0V-j5NiFQ198c0Qf5AOOdjJFsHtgYkecx92l5dWYd1Ftw9bEzUMm-X34eoC20Q4y3qZxrJizWzWqXr-1cVwjBORw5gxj352LqBnudv3NqNyiuc5k_mkjwGb5tH2UqjiB3XgVEVi6OKsiL7CdnYhFbeK7BcySap5FTxX_Ni97lA/s4608/101_2933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjtIyvb-hRS_y0V-j5NiFQ198c0Qf5AOOdjJFsHtgYkecx92l5dWYd1Ftw9bEzUMm-X34eoC20Q4y3qZxrJizWzWqXr-1cVwjBORw5gxj352LqBnudv3NqNyiuc5k_mkjwGb5tH2UqjiB3XgVEVi6OKsiL7CdnYhFbeK7BcySap5FTxX_Ni97lA/w400-h300/101_2933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Above, you see a pretty wooden tray I received in a gift swap earlier this month. It made a perfect repository for some completed kitchen gifts -- in this case a canister and two jars of Christmas granola. This is basically just my regular granola recipe with pistachio kernels and dried cranberries added in. I have tweaked this recipe in a major way over the years.<br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #330000;">CHRISTMAS GRANOLA<br /><br />4 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats<br />1 1/2 cup flaked coconut<br />1/2 cup sunflower seeds<br />1/2 cup sliced almonds<br />Cinnamon to taste<br />Nutmeg to taste<br />1/2 cup butter, melted<br />1/2 cup maple syrup or honey<br />2 tsp. vanilla<br /> </span></p><p><span style="color: #330000;">Pistachio kernels to taste<br />Dried cranberries to taste<br /><br />Preheat oven to 300º. In a large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, seeds, nuts, and spices.<br /><br />In
another bowl or a large measuring cup, combine the melted butter, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla and mix well. Pour over the dry mixture and stir to
combine thoroughly.<br /><br />Transfer the mixture to a greased 13x9-inch pan and bake at 300º for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.<br /><br />Remove
from oven; stir in pistachio kernels and dried cranberries, and let cool before storing. </span></p><p><span style="color: #330000;">For everyday use, I would store granola either in a plastic bag inside a recycled oatmeal
canister, or in a large plastic container intended for cereal storage.</span></p><p><span style="color: #330000;">However for gifting at Christmas time, I would use either quart mason jars or a Christmasy canister or tin. The adorable canister at top was a deal at Ocean State Job Lot for $2.50. The quart jars were actually being returned to the recipient, who had given us maple syrup in them.<br /></span></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-30992588096717348662023-12-28T04:00:00.056-05:002023-12-28T04:00:00.138-05:00A creative gift wrapping idea<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYwGaFZKuzjXW8tCNGpzVJHST09crvgzIeR68lBxIxp7KYusK1P8-ZNFOP2ztlhs33rua93h5V3QNjBTEVQDhne6gNHpYFW9FDwl5vPZ8-VcdwlKosbhyphenhyphenyEnbBJzrGKtj81fihlS671f035pPoNCs2gFpU4B1nZVjFpfRawRD4XUIeTxSes5qvg/s657/laughing%20cow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="657" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYwGaFZKuzjXW8tCNGpzVJHST09crvgzIeR68lBxIxp7KYusK1P8-ZNFOP2ztlhs33rua93h5V3QNjBTEVQDhne6gNHpYFW9FDwl5vPZ8-VcdwlKosbhyphenhyphenyEnbBJzrGKtj81fihlS671f035pPoNCs2gFpU4B1nZVjFpfRawRD4XUIeTxSes5qvg/w400-h318/laughing%20cow.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> I needed just one more small gift for our nine-year-old local granddaughter. I got to thinking about a snack she loves -- Laughing Cow cheese. I guess there's something about unwrapping those little individual wedges of cheese that she finds fascinating. So that gave me the idea to get a few packages of Laughing Cow and a box of crackers for that one remaining gift that I needed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-b_fXNQMl7nIthKRDLeNWWwsw3vWAQxOhY8HUuXZq6iUmmh4lTeoeRDPfp9B_ziRNd1HB5hxn-h0Vv3NKKmZZthYRS3r32bhfZ6q663VPhvO7E0FUm_J4RWbKAYFocbbDsqNQqUokeUIjpEmTyaxbhzrETbyKHb9hCTCKosv2Nw4Jd_tqvL8kg/s646/club%20crackers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-b_fXNQMl7nIthKRDLeNWWwsw3vWAQxOhY8HUuXZq6iUmmh4lTeoeRDPfp9B_ziRNd1HB5hxn-h0Vv3NKKmZZthYRS3r32bhfZ6q663VPhvO7E0FUm_J4RWbKAYFocbbDsqNQqUokeUIjpEmTyaxbhzrETbyKHb9hCTCKosv2Nw4Jd_tqvL8kg/w306-h400/club%20crackers.png" width="306" /></a></div> Unloading the grocery bags at home later, I was struck by something. The round cheese packages and the rectangular cracker box gave me an idea for wrapping them together and making them look like ... maybe a little girl? Maybe a snowman?<p></p><p>You know how sometimes an idea can sort of percolate in one's mind? I found myself thinking about this one in my sleep, and the next morning mentioned it to my husband. His wheels also began to turn, and you see the result:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uT41WkCQX3EWY0lCoIEOBE9jG7U7_H8dsryU_KNF7q74QP5Abar3s4PRm3G3VESZJcN6YMzZZ8JhuUpBZ01RWWi5MPxlH1Mk3nTB-ZtG4t0LpoyUVGMzWUV5UWL6ue7l6-sCikruCkqLj8NwHv9HbWSGRl_y_4ERAdAzNm8uH4zWp5Yv_ehPeQ/s4608/101_2931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uT41WkCQX3EWY0lCoIEOBE9jG7U7_H8dsryU_KNF7q74QP5Abar3s4PRm3G3VESZJcN6YMzZZ8JhuUpBZ01RWWi5MPxlH1Mk3nTB-ZtG4t0LpoyUVGMzWUV5UWL6ue7l6-sCikruCkqLj8NwHv9HbWSGRl_y_4ERAdAzNm8uH4zWp5Yv_ehPeQ/w300-h400/101_2931.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>A simple felt hat, scarf and mittens combined with a plaid-wrapped cracker box did the trick. You can't see it, but there's a green jingle bell at the tip of the cap. </p><p> My hubby used a wooden paint stirrer, held in place with red duct tape, on the back of the whole construction to stabilize it. </p><p>Rounds of white card stock covered the ends of the cheese containers, and I drew a snowman face on the front one -- there are two packages of cheese here. I had bought three, but it just wasn't going to fit right atop the cracker box. So I wrapped the third in tissue paper and tucked into a sparkly tiny gift bag I had. You can't really see this either, but I cut another green mitten from felt and glued it to the side of the box so it sort of looks like the snowman is "holding" the handles of the gift bag.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyvECVc8M4UnYgCJ2E2g5b00pws7VM3HexhyxAhabmO8cK_DtWPky5EYvmLDTaRIWRhuq0UYyIOCA8_QtkFgAnZY2Eb9lgLd6RkhVdWpYAnjlA0nNOj4AcBwt_zOxAsebMDKtAi7gXwSCdzHNgssFn2rNBH7dJ16b9gCWo0MZkSJdMEzMv0EYWQ/s4608/101_2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyvECVc8M4UnYgCJ2E2g5b00pws7VM3HexhyxAhabmO8cK_DtWPky5EYvmLDTaRIWRhuq0UYyIOCA8_QtkFgAnZY2Eb9lgLd6RkhVdWpYAnjlA0nNOj4AcBwt_zOxAsebMDKtAi7gXwSCdzHNgssFn2rNBH7dJ16b9gCWo0MZkSJdMEzMv0EYWQ/w400-h300/101_2934.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>This simple gift went over far better than I could have hoped. Ari had so much fun with it and it really kept her guessing. (I had put a note on the tiny gift bag saying to open that part last, as it could have given the whole thing away.) And she was as delighted with the contents of the gift as she was with the packaging.<br /></p><p>I have no idea if this might be a wrapping idea anyone else might use, but thought I would share it just for fun!<br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-48024320292481083512023-12-27T04:00:00.027-05:002023-12-27T04:00:00.143-05:00A simple little craft<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUfl_7dRtbL8kIjbd2VAo6ib-0GZwuFCptpQ620xnC0pUCqwxK6mI1uNSK2YhgrTzxu5LATEeZKXihX4KKVuGhPJM_cHadibw4DC_IQZc6DkwFBw0Z9Lo9Xm74UUkwifZPR_ZuqQ44bDCN7kn9NSYemgi3o0WK051fwsYF8DBl4Y14ASJXLbIJg/s842/Screenshot_2023-12-26%20Attributes%20of%20God%20Verse%20Card%20Set.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="842" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUfl_7dRtbL8kIjbd2VAo6ib-0GZwuFCptpQ620xnC0pUCqwxK6mI1uNSK2YhgrTzxu5LATEeZKXihX4KKVuGhPJM_cHadibw4DC_IQZc6DkwFBw0Z9Lo9Xm74UUkwifZPR_ZuqQ44bDCN7kn9NSYemgi3o0WK051fwsYF8DBl4Y14ASJXLbIJg/w400-h315/Screenshot_2023-12-26%20Attributes%20of%20God%20Verse%20Card%20Set.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> Scripture verse cards on particular topics seem to be quite popular these days. I own a couple of sets myself, one that I purchased and one that was gifted me. You can see a collection of them here: <a href="https://thedailygraceco.com/collections/verse-cards" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>verse cards</b></span></a>. </p><p>One set of cards that I was gifted came with a little wooden stand to display the individual cards in. I could see that this would be especially helpful if one was trying to memorize a verse. The ones from Daily Grace don't seem to offer a stand as an option.</p><p>I was planning to gift a set of the Stand Firm cards to friends to accompany the matching Bible studies. I really wanted to include a simple little stand.</p><p>One day in my craft room I happened upon a bag of wood slices with a slot in each one ... my hubby had made these for me years ago to use in a VBS craft. Inspiration struck. I tested a card in the slot and yes, it fit. </p><p>So I embellished the wood slice just a bit with some simple trims:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-GdqriuqNWzBjiudSwe4q8FXHp1v2Gj2_OAn0BnL9BQQIPz0bpJc2En-xbv90aoQ4pe_VP__toKw0-GXqXfi8pOaSOmchNHiTWP5SezmBb0KmZqkdLLmxNlkbx9MnfLgnFafupXspuc2HXO6nH-mPnQ8l7_qCknT7gIFrjAnh8GIv2aof_vIkg/s2550/101_2929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2478" data-original-width="2550" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-GdqriuqNWzBjiudSwe4q8FXHp1v2Gj2_OAn0BnL9BQQIPz0bpJc2En-xbv90aoQ4pe_VP__toKw0-GXqXfi8pOaSOmchNHiTWP5SezmBb0KmZqkdLLmxNlkbx9MnfLgnFafupXspuc2HXO6nH-mPnQ8l7_qCknT7gIFrjAnh8GIv2aof_vIkg/w400-h389/101_2929.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I'm so pleased with how this little project turned out! I will be making more of these.<br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-68407988607031748902023-12-26T04:00:00.005-05:002023-12-26T04:00:00.140-05:00And now, for a gingerbread coffee syrup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6odit_OhPBLKZPb8dKlEzC1ceMsQptgCgnx1s_CJI9gBIpyMaHtYeQ_CPetBfc7LfVispx0mFI05LqKjkrJihArrTab6De-cvkaAirVs5k9M2glcLw13nD_AHPcVa-HQfxWyqPNeftVsW6DPdpBAJJlofdJIbNg7S48QksUoq6whRVpesbZbkQ/s1920/coffee-7677416_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6odit_OhPBLKZPb8dKlEzC1ceMsQptgCgnx1s_CJI9gBIpyMaHtYeQ_CPetBfc7LfVispx0mFI05LqKjkrJihArrTab6De-cvkaAirVs5k9M2glcLw13nD_AHPcVa-HQfxWyqPNeftVsW6DPdpBAJJlofdJIbNg7S48QksUoq6whRVpesbZbkQ/w266-h400/coffee-7677416_1920.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The other day my hubby and I enjoyed a gingerbread coffee in the cafe at our local grocery store. This is a flavor we tried there last Christmas season and we liked it so much, we made a note to go back this year -- hopefully more than once. And we would love to sip a similar flavor at home, too!<br /></p><p>After our peppermint mocha syrup was such a success, we decided to try a <a href="https://madaboutfood.co/gingerbread-latte-syrup/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>gingerbread syrup</b></span></a> from the same site, <a href="https://madaboutfood.co/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Mad About Food</b></span></a>. </p><p>Mr. T made this up on Christmas morning and it really is delicious -- I'd say equally as good as the peppermint mocha one. He thinks he likes the gingerbread even better. Definitely worth a try if this is a flavor you enjoy!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-35481358180765646922023-12-25T11:25:00.001-05:002023-12-25T11:25:34.815-05:00Merry Christmas!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCClHEVz953vtyn1KG31GBxoaM2Onpg0tYAv7IFUvSfHCT7wVBhi4VCJxM_ViyJf-Ifty604_h4s0FNN5t_tW5Ti_v_J6aHXVys-evXQ9hC8kACeUKOEDMUob_J3QgrkNcQJyFybyGSS2K1lCX95fUKV36KL_j3NWPcncG5HpDlnGPR_oR1x0cEA/s1872/merry%20&%20bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1872" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCClHEVz953vtyn1KG31GBxoaM2Onpg0tYAv7IFUvSfHCT7wVBhi4VCJxM_ViyJf-Ifty604_h4s0FNN5t_tW5Ti_v_J6aHXVys-evXQ9hC8kACeUKOEDMUob_J3QgrkNcQJyFybyGSS2K1lCX95fUKV36KL_j3NWPcncG5HpDlnGPR_oR1x0cEA/w400-h304/merry%20&%20bright.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP0-dkPmaWfB1SnHHJi74ahZiPw1UBUVpJ7VJSBHiOBrq6-Hv_Zm-pVoVvjG5B90oho_hpGdMMBwW1UhHI4y_YR4I7y_ZsojSrpH4TA-I3Hw3Wg4KP5Vxm6dgmcCtMYdPxVYD0_9gqelkW6RFFmc-UlHlsJbmXSH45cKRXjyHtPI5kwO4srndRA/s932/A%20Happy%20Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div> Yes, here in the T's Christmas kitchen, all is merry and bright. Although we do not eat Christmas breakfast (intermittent fasting) we will have some type of festive meal for lunch and we are preparing some celebratory food for our Christmas dinner later at our daughter's home.<p></p><p>My hubby just tried out a recipe for a gingerbread coffee syrup with I plan to blog about tomorrow. It's very good!</p><p>I have Ranch House Chicken in the crockpot to take along for dinner. Our daughter is preparing a roast and mashed potatoes. I'm also bringing this <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Merry-Berry-Salad"><b style="color: #990000;">Merry Berry Salad</b></a>, so the cranberries are awaiting being blended into a gorgeous cranberry vinaigrette and I will assemble the salad in a few hours. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtc9uvKPuNMUCou3UpnFLP7fNpw6KDpLvyRwPUyqctnU6W1hM9xb-vb_z0vZ-x3aRdf20KDC82VQ4j-gMW1GaTMQkcS533VubxgU9uT9YyYVuI2A6p1scLNfGbazag-T530HuEcTTXz6ZBH4gd1v5XXF19pWavtaZbYHdxrGy0VD3e0tJOt1puvA/s300/merry%20berry%20salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtc9uvKPuNMUCou3UpnFLP7fNpw6KDpLvyRwPUyqctnU6W1hM9xb-vb_z0vZ-x3aRdf20KDC82VQ4j-gMW1GaTMQkcS533VubxgU9uT9YyYVuI2A6p1scLNfGbazag-T530HuEcTTXz6ZBH4gd1v5XXF19pWavtaZbYHdxrGy0VD3e0tJOt1puvA/w320-h320/merry%20berry%20salad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> We'll also be bringing a cookie tray and are putting the finishing touches on some last-minute food gifts. <p></p><p>Hope everyone is having a lovely Christmas so far as we celebrate the very greatest Gift ever given -- our Savior, Jesus Christ!<br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-75820571925921280472023-12-24T04:00:00.089-05:002023-12-24T04:00:00.141-05:00Sunday Scripture<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURNtgbVrtdamEDsljTPeYBcXwDM9_xXbgLZiXhgZ4Mlg2S-7qB_xg1DoqwcwB-d_yvU7i2TwFqkRYxcCkOMpCaVbMHHcnpMZb36g2dctrAhDohbTpxob0CtrFW1Tcnfbfwb6vsjlJE3LWJdc_IeDUjGZmpjUcKo5YV5YyNLD89HNuepC0qLU4xw/s1080/Revelation%201-8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURNtgbVrtdamEDsljTPeYBcXwDM9_xXbgLZiXhgZ4Mlg2S-7qB_xg1DoqwcwB-d_yvU7i2TwFqkRYxcCkOMpCaVbMHHcnpMZb36g2dctrAhDohbTpxob0CtrFW1Tcnfbfwb6vsjlJE3LWJdc_IeDUjGZmpjUcKo5YV5YyNLD89HNuepC0qLU4xw/w400-h400/Revelation%201-8.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>As mentioned last Sunday, I'm doing special Christmas related Sunday
Scripture posts throughout December again this year. Back in 2020 I had worked through <a href="https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/11/peace-be-still-a-31-day-christmas-prayer-journal/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal</b></span></a>,
from Women Living Well. Last year, I used some of my simple
study from this book as Scripture posts for December. I have
decided to do so again this year, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it
interesting for all of my readers. I will take two from each week's
study to use one each on my blogs, and maybe next December use more of
them.</p><p>Also -- note that this simple study does not use the SOAP
method as my studies usually do. This one includes a verse for the day,
a thought for the day, a reflection
question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day. I
tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to
answer the reflection question in the prayer, but of course you can use
these any way you want to. I hope perhaps some of you will want to study out these verses in more depth for yourselves.<br /></p><p>Here goes with the study for Week 3, Day 17! <br /></p><p><b>Verses for the day:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
(Revelation 1:8)</span></p><p>I chose to look at several other verses in Revelation as well.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Almendra;"> "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, and what thou seest, write." (Revelation 1:10-11)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">"And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." (Revelation 21:6)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and the first and the last." (Revelation 22:13)</span></p><p><b>My study: </b> <br /></p><p>God is the beginning and the ending. <br />He is.<br />He has always been.<br />He is to come.<br />He is the Almighty, the Mighty God.<br />He is in sovereign control. He has a plan, and His purposes are always for our good and for His glory.</p><p><i>Believer's Bible Commentary</i> tells us:</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Kotta One;">"The Lord Jesus introduces Himself as the Alpha and the Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet), the Beginning and the End. He spans time and eternity, and exhausts the vocabulary of excellence. He is the source and goal of creation, and it is He who began and will end the divine program in the world. He is and was and is to come, eternal in His being and the Almighty in power."<br /></span></span></p><p><b>Reflection question:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Are you facing something difficult today? How can you trust Him more, knowing that He is in control and He loves you?</span><br /></p><p><b>My prayer:</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: Courgette;"><span style="font-family: Calligraffitti;"><span>"Dear
God, I am so thankful that You are the mighty God who has always been and who always will be. You are in sovereign control over the past, present, and future. You have a plan and a purpose in all that You allow, and Your purposes are always, only good. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Courgette;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calligraffitti;"><span>"It;s very hard to grasp how the situations we are in as a country can possibly turn out for the best, but Your purpose is good and You are working all things after the counsel of Your own will. We can trust You complete;ly -- and we do! I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."</span></span></span><br /></span></span></p>That's the Sunday Scripture for the day. Hope it was a blessing to you!
<p><b> </b></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-90345203072004004232023-12-23T09:59:00.003-05:002023-12-23T09:59:51.222-05:00Christmas Eve Soup, take two or three<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6CyaWR-fGO6EmjqiVNUbaLzJJBulaD9IK-76RJlxl16CrNi6nMfVP2L-cWCDKwWFxIWzPox7Oew-7dxOzgHtQIzfkrYyh3tdiZUUi16S_fdm9gKDO11DiLLPj_re-RfmkHzDQCFBpNXtZInfJPQMhEH-Zi9-0k21bpzr_SRif55BFj3VWgubXQ/s583/walkingtotown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="583" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6CyaWR-fGO6EmjqiVNUbaLzJJBulaD9IK-76RJlxl16CrNi6nMfVP2L-cWCDKwWFxIWzPox7Oew-7dxOzgHtQIzfkrYyh3tdiZUUi16S_fdm9gKDO11DiLLPj_re-RfmkHzDQCFBpNXtZInfJPQMhEH-Zi9-0k21bpzr_SRif55BFj3VWgubXQ/w400-h283/walkingtotown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p> For decades we have used the same recipe for Christmas Eve Soup. I've tweaked it a bit over the years so it is never exactly the same. In 2021 I tried a recipe that I actually like a lot better, that tastes just the same only better. I'd forgotten that I had posted about this over on my other blog in 2021, so having started this post I am just going to copy and paste here, and hope no one minds. (That one had no comments on it, so it's possible no one even read it! 😀</p><p>"Our Christmas Eve Soup is just a simple
creamy potato soup with some carrots and celery included, and with
crumbled bacon and shredded Cheddar cheese to sprinkle on top. We used
to always serve it with biscuit, rolls, corn muffins or some other type
of bread. In more recent years we have often served it with pizza. You
can find the recipe here: <a href="http://acrossmytable.blogspot.com/2011/12/delights-of-december-day-19-christmas.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Christmas Eve Soup</b></span></a>.</p><p>This year I am going to tweak it just a bit. A month or so ago, I tried a recipe from a Gooseberry Patch cookbook, <a href="https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/sunday-dinner-at-grandmas_gooseberry-patch/502534/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Sunday Dinner at Grandma's</b></span></a>.
This happens to be a cookbook which I received for free in exchange for
having a recipe published in it. You can also find it here at <a href="https://www.gooseberrypatch.com/gooseberry/products.nsf/v.weball/Sunday_Dinner_At_Grandmas_Cookbook_-_Now_With_Photos_-Itemp233?editdocument&lid=is_P233|cartprocess=tsearch" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Gooseberry Patch</b></span></a>. (Interestingly, it was a soup recipe that I had published in this book -- Cream of Broccoli Soup!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIsRBUK1GorQxd_VxZF5QeLoXAtQh3toWMkzicgbNnTvpjHHX7EdNZmyNSAAlo-kDoX5Ljk8z5G7ChDKfRpZOC9p6rg8-GRP0OpMGo_cNKXgzwkGIUn7upIGDm6XJJmTHEUdgL7M5KNhQNnB3EQd3Dli8efTFIx15z-vOra0dmmneIxsr2qa0=s390" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIsRBUK1GorQxd_VxZF5QeLoXAtQh3toWMkzicgbNnTvpjHHX7EdNZmyNSAAlo-kDoX5Ljk8z5G7ChDKfRpZOC9p6rg8-GRP0OpMGo_cNKXgzwkGIUn7upIGDm6XJJmTHEUdgL7M5KNhQNnB3EQd3Dli8efTFIx15z-vOra0dmmneIxsr2qa0=w205-h400" width="205" /></a></div><p>The recipe I tried recently, though, is Grandma Jo's Potato Soup. Interestingly, the ingredients are <i><b>almost</b></i>
exactly the same as our Christmas Eve Soup. But this soup was much
tastier! What is the difference? I've scanned the page from the
cookbook to show you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDaRTXh34nQGEZmYdLGJZHHDE8HXNCNAPQAuXhNFp0nlSR1KgCEjTAIUo-fx_crrbyL9i9HIHGUpkII5TmeUgvH96bjw1e4r0t-14t--eQQI_hWrQlKMi5dVy4dqd90rLcRAfhudsb0SIQIoHFYAwzICeH_IzPPfNuB1thLDBjisVmoVif0lo=s2721" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2721" data-original-width="1926" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDaRTXh34nQGEZmYdLGJZHHDE8HXNCNAPQAuXhNFp0nlSR1KgCEjTAIUo-fx_crrbyL9i9HIHGUpkII5TmeUgvH96bjw1e4r0t-14t--eQQI_hWrQlKMi5dVy4dqd90rLcRAfhudsb0SIQIoHFYAwzICeH_IzPPfNuB1thLDBjisVmoVif0lo=w284-h400" width="284" /></a></div> My
usual recipe calls for light cream; this one calls for evaporated
milk. The only other difference is that this calls for "onion and
garlic seasoned salt". I didn't have any of that, but I did have a
container of garlic pepper seasoned salt, so I liberally added that to
taste. This added zesty seasoning, plus the creaminess from the
evaporated milk, has to make the difference."<p><i><b>So this year, when we celebrated "Christmas Eve" for adult granddaughters last night, I again served Grandma Jo's Potato Soup instead of my usual. And I tweaked it even more in that I used a can of carrots instead of cooking fresh carrots along with the potatoes, celery, and onion. I added the carrots near the end, at the same time as the evaporated milk, so they wouldn't break up too much, being already cooked. I like this much better than fresh carrots, and it's so easy. </b></i><br /></p><span style="color: #274e13;">* The illustration at top is a scan of one of my very favorite Christmas cards, which features the Fred Swan painting<i> Walking to Town</i>.
To me it just says "Christmas Eve". I actually have a cross-stitch kit
of this design. Maybe this year I will actually get to it! *</span><p><br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-87241532557551606062023-12-22T04:00:00.151-05:002023-12-22T04:00:00.144-05:00Festive Friday five<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NdoV2pkqDl_Ox4afj_rmkavV_Z_5NsI1Y-zTCe_FSxbSC_pVJbjNUPf7rQb70L-WFTwP-3a7AUC6mPGZvXko5HafA8fTF7r3ShTwCEpm5lSn1NUh5UGzMcb-WWi2Ol7FcuM4DpET3c0x71qaOtT5sl1xNZog-vdrTUT9SMSk_O-TirIC8Y71hQ/s2064/1970s%20Christmas%20candy%20and%20cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="2064" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NdoV2pkqDl_Ox4afj_rmkavV_Z_5NsI1Y-zTCe_FSxbSC_pVJbjNUPf7rQb70L-WFTwP-3a7AUC6mPGZvXko5HafA8fTF7r3ShTwCEpm5lSn1NUh5UGzMcb-WWi2Ol7FcuM4DpET3c0x71qaOtT5sl1xNZog-vdrTUT9SMSk_O-TirIC8Y71hQ/w400-h271/1970s%20Christmas%20candy%20and%20cookies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> Just popping in for a quick post today. Time surely is flying by as we speed toward December 25! Just sharing five quick thoughts of things I'm enjoying this month.</p><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>* Christmas fellowship with friends</b></span>. Way back on December 1 we went out for breakfast with friends at a fun, new-to-all-of-us place. In the evening there was a lovely fellowship with our LOG (Ladies of Grace) group from church. Crackling fire, beautifully set table, yummy food, thoughtful gifts, cookies to swap and share ... it was all good.</p><p> On December 2 we enjoyed a nice Christmas party with my hubby's former coworkers on the logging crew. This is an event the company's owners put together each year in appreciation for their crew, and it's always a good time.</p><p>On December 9 we met up with friends for thrift shopping and Mexican food. These are folks we might not ordinarily see in December, so it was especially nice. </p><p>On December 19 we were invited for supper at the home of friends. ALL of their Christmas decorations were up (and I thought <i><b>I </b></i>decorated a lot. I don't.) so it was very festive and the meal was restaurant quality. The company -- our friends and their two adult sons -- was also most pleasant.</p><p> <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>* Special Christmasy times with grandchildren.</b></span> On December 8 we got together with four of our local grands for brunch, crafting, and ice cream sundaes. Tonight, we'll be exchanging gifts and enjoying a "Christmas eve observed" supper with our two oldest granddaughters.</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvuw3inS3kX15HGhoWzcwqo6yLKazLUa8l8ocszsfVJsVSNSMzdGsGA4h6yayFNhavWTlCnFwTYOx9aQoX9jjJJe3BAPn9T4X4xdX5Hdj_deBCqdlODEHopIW3No5w0T54oxlWqHTueZEP8U5z8Bh5Fbshyphenhyphen9suq2avwSaU2n1543caO0F9Sua0g/s4608/101_2498.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvuw3inS3kX15HGhoWzcwqo6yLKazLUa8l8ocszsfVJsVSNSMzdGsGA4h6yayFNhavWTlCnFwTYOx9aQoX9jjJJe3BAPn9T4X4xdX5Hdj_deBCqdlODEHopIW3No5w0T54oxlWqHTueZEP8U5z8Bh5Fbshyphenhyphen9suq2avwSaU2n1543caO0F9Sua0g/w400-h300/101_2498.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0vUe8JwQzue42nkSYsHMI7ITazlCaqaI3J4QjzAP3p45o3eaclv2E_KQGY5_9gmoOck6UFGdJGH5qIVcejyoRBU9qO24VkmYgvn70Zp8BryVI714InR7V2yy2VKIzBL-tsHC2mF3FK3haeqM51Pb4oInsFFgUtb5qSh5s52FhoidnmzaDsPp4w/s4608/101_2496.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0vUe8JwQzue42nkSYsHMI7ITazlCaqaI3J4QjzAP3p45o3eaclv2E_KQGY5_9gmoOck6UFGdJGH5qIVcejyoRBU9qO24VkmYgvn70Zp8BryVI714InR7V2yy2VKIzBL-tsHC2mF3FK3haeqM51Pb4oInsFFgUtb5qSh5s52FhoidnmzaDsPp4w/w400-h300/101_2496.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QcjlR6oQ0xw2TaxdE7GwiqnaJ460iBrF-vHP1vAy7vzIx1wIc_wIvGhIc1mwISGPYhUnIsXZK-9uljkK0_R4PKmiuRpIlsHrwzfpwmRyUjyvwRetvbqE5EPbgNrCmB3BX9RS-Yi9SV7pagVMm5D7AEGQszxeB3uljooOr7PghXyEix0sqj27DQ/s2048/DSCN1385.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1864" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QcjlR6oQ0xw2TaxdE7GwiqnaJ460iBrF-vHP1vAy7vzIx1wIc_wIvGhIc1mwISGPYhUnIsXZK-9uljkK0_R4PKmiuRpIlsHrwzfpwmRyUjyvwRetvbqE5EPbgNrCmB3BX9RS-Yi9SV7pagVMm5D7AEGQszxeB3uljooOr7PghXyEix0sqj27DQ/w364-h400/DSCN1385.JPG" width="364" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cream sundaes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNYL_ldp8tFDLHYvf8AgF4WVSBa7TUH5AopoPd7YpjLsKi2Fjdq4lHqiRNErWZdRg5BXWe_Qzklh5bWZkjScw0ckeoer17IZ5yfHpiQG_O3uVNfMBq8zgDw3_onHji_by2NbyXRkNYJ2Js-rEz-KiGuvJU2aoIDChOoOjwuWTlh61jLWo697UTA/s2048/DSCN1395.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNYL_ldp8tFDLHYvf8AgF4WVSBa7TUH5AopoPd7YpjLsKi2Fjdq4lHqiRNErWZdRg5BXWe_Qzklh5bWZkjScw0ckeoer17IZ5yfHpiQG_O3uVNfMBq8zgDw3_onHji_by2NbyXRkNYJ2Js-rEz-KiGuvJU2aoIDChOoOjwuWTlh61jLWo697UTA/w400-h300/DSCN1395.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This player piano played Christmas music and was a huge favorite with the grandkids. Alas, it no longer works.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> * Mr. T busy in the kitchen.</b></span> I can't even count all of the different cookies and candies that have emerged from the kitchen under the watchful eye of my hubby. Our unheated front porch is the perfect repository for most of the sweets being stored. Several cookie trays have already been given to friends and family, and others have been taken to various gatherings. I love to bake, myself, but I don't mind one bit that he is doing most of it.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdoxj1Lgcy0BtpzV61O-BO2bJFzGQK01NVDwDwll7x7Iqf_YCae1AETjdb-CC2Y5nXl73xumEVhZ2v9VvUHCqOgrTZQuaH07GR8pWrxpNfJGbgkTVkNyXZTuGH0KXiREeZ_Au8wCC29XFNNWylGRmaLNlX-ge4-kbfvmSTlQ4uAyp6SUF2koOEA/s1600/IMG_20221203_161044_burst_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdoxj1Lgcy0BtpzV61O-BO2bJFzGQK01NVDwDwll7x7Iqf_YCae1AETjdb-CC2Y5nXl73xumEVhZ2v9VvUHCqOgrTZQuaH07GR8pWrxpNfJGbgkTVkNyXZTuGH0KXiREeZ_Au8wCC29XFNNWylGRmaLNlX-ge4-kbfvmSTlQ4uAyp6SUF2koOEA/w400-h300/IMG_20221203_161044_burst_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">* Time to make a few handmade gifts.</span></b> I've made some Shutterfly gifts and a few other things -- though I never do as much Christmas creating as I would hope to. I did a little crafting when the grandkids did, and made an ornament I've been wanting to try for a long time, so that was a blessing for me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DV6qCaytYGzDeF77-81K_5chITatm3Lg3VORjMcO8DJcx70p8lvihdGK57P-JPz_MBhNKUYcHFDYYV0q1oH_Q28EZGphcJXCKIh4GO0IAWwSvq5BKl6cTdSHchyphenhyphen2AiCgZRiO_qav-5kT8h7qk9kV_YDbMwgxucWLp3xE-AaPtpY3S0m3a_2fXA/s4608/101_2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DV6qCaytYGzDeF77-81K_5chITatm3Lg3VORjMcO8DJcx70p8lvihdGK57P-JPz_MBhNKUYcHFDYYV0q1oH_Q28EZGphcJXCKIh4GO0IAWwSvq5BKl6cTdSHchyphenhyphen2AiCgZRiO_qav-5kT8h7qk9kV_YDbMwgxucWLp3xE-AaPtpY3S0m3a_2fXA/w400-h300/101_2917.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>* Wallowing in nostalgia.</b></span> My Etsy shop is responsible for most of this, as it is filled with vintage goodies I remember from childhood. I should be busy listing all kinds of vintage Christmas things, but time is at a premium and I get moved to tears often enough as it is. The old <i>Ideals</i> magazines were such a part of Christmas at my grandmother's, and I have a large stash of them now myself.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk9zm7s1n0HS1qZnX-lEelPUEmGTOHs3ziHm1GTSZveq_NyRUtoUb0W8O3j-ThUcpgtF1YSFi1OsQrvjkVX-vKl40Oyq2QK5dmGWddvjhf7ISdO00FVoyzJIEPNmywRyfRMvOJnU1J-j0xay5J2ACyS994h3Hz_5mpq46vaz_I_bAPs_2qXnYfw/s1505/little%20girl%20in%20turquoise%20coat.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="1238" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk9zm7s1n0HS1qZnX-lEelPUEmGTOHs3ziHm1GTSZveq_NyRUtoUb0W8O3j-ThUcpgtF1YSFi1OsQrvjkVX-vKl40Oyq2QK5dmGWddvjhf7ISdO00FVoyzJIEPNmywRyfRMvOJnU1J-j0xay5J2ACyS994h3Hz_5mpq46vaz_I_bAPs_2qXnYfw/w329-h400/little%20girl%20in%20turquoise%20coat.jpeg" width="329" /></a> <br /></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMm1NIwQS11w4zVyU_4uMcs_xo06rbMlTykWbmZNJusa5jBSMJxplwfU0xEaNqqQVFX9_vcovZq_CPywy5XTOuK_LKCxm7QGogOfCQ4LUa43brdry58tUAoCcEL2_5wDOG1obTI66Gc6XKmLTuo_wrnwVEu5PqCkMv6gWFuv3yK3mSosoqybY2VQ/s2166/ideals%201955%20mailable%20greeting.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2166" data-original-width="1664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMm1NIwQS11w4zVyU_4uMcs_xo06rbMlTykWbmZNJusa5jBSMJxplwfU0xEaNqqQVFX9_vcovZq_CPywy5XTOuK_LKCxm7QGogOfCQ4LUa43brdry58tUAoCcEL2_5wDOG1obTI66Gc6XKmLTuo_wrnwVEu5PqCkMv6gWFuv3yK3mSosoqybY2VQ/w308-h400/ideals%201955%20mailable%20greeting.jpeg" width="308" /></a></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElG1aRytcX4B2dOdvx_o9CS7BrawtH35Xlf7wdSW671yrEtQMEAZvIwwnMDvL-5LEDsCHU5ltSnhRdlKLpqwaJczSRZkf6Y7kb8ZUlzE1HkvQNuaE2s0_nM0RzymeuEasuyMS6t9cH3Rs8IesyMcCGGxmgRQpzmRwRIeQ-VY7hWObt8brFN3M1g/s2286/ideals%201956%20mailable%20envelope.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1692" data-original-width="2286" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElG1aRytcX4B2dOdvx_o9CS7BrawtH35Xlf7wdSW671yrEtQMEAZvIwwnMDvL-5LEDsCHU5ltSnhRdlKLpqwaJczSRZkf6Y7kb8ZUlzE1HkvQNuaE2s0_nM0RzymeuEasuyMS6t9cH3Rs8IesyMcCGGxmgRQpzmRwRIeQ-VY7hWObt8brFN3M1g/w400-h296/ideals%201956%20mailable%20envelope.jpeg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Then some years ago I made a <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-to-make-christmas-memory-book.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Christmas memory book</b></span></a> for my adult kids. I included my childhood memories and also some from <b><i>their </i></b>childhoods. I had a copy of this memory book at our camp and have been reading through it lately when we've been there. Life has become so different in so many ways since then that it just hurts sometimes. I remind myself often that the important things about Christmas -- the facts of Jesus' birth and why He came -- will never change.<br /></p><p>And there's the Friday five! What are some special things you're enjoying this month?<br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-86666987517251365582023-12-21T04:00:00.064-05:002023-12-21T04:00:00.138-05:00Super easy meal for a busy day: Egg Roll in a Bowl<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV8xKt2NBMAM2gZ1KMvdhar03HRTPw7IqlnPudyBjXrCq82Q18F1e8TL08U8IxDipUv67Wvm9NmwwqqNLyPTx-qGIpZAx3_DwuJjo-hdYRFuWpqYaS3KsQ-Rvp9OEKtquJ96hM37523e9FoGaEyER5mOjsPrvMGP_bjK73oiTOuTno8-uyRvOOQ/s600/chinese_takeout-600x541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="600" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV8xKt2NBMAM2gZ1KMvdhar03HRTPw7IqlnPudyBjXrCq82Q18F1e8TL08U8IxDipUv67Wvm9NmwwqqNLyPTx-qGIpZAx3_DwuJjo-hdYRFuWpqYaS3KsQ-Rvp9OEKtquJ96hM37523e9FoGaEyER5mOjsPrvMGP_bjK73oiTOuTno8-uyRvOOQ/w400-h361/chinese_takeout-600x541.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> But, you're thinking: egg rolls need to be filled, and wrapped, and deep fried. How is that an easy meal?</p><p>It's easy because this is just the egg roll filling, or something that resembles it anyway, and it is served in a bowl. If you like, you might also choose to serve a side of some sort -- either vegetables or a salad. Not rice, because that would defeat the low-carb properties of this meal. And searching for low-carb recipes is what brought this main dish across my radar in the first place. </p><p>This recipe, if you can even call it that, is incredibly flexible. The basics needed would be ground or chopped meat (pork, beef, lamb, chicken, turkey or even ham); fresh vegetables like onion, celery, zucchini, green beans, etc.; and a package of coleslaw mix. And some seasonings like salt, pepper, soy sauce, garlic powder, ground ginger ... Ginger paste from the produce aisle works nicely too instead of the ground spice.<br /></p><p>If you are starting with ground raw meat, cook it in a large skillet, adding some bacon fat if necessary to keep it from sticking. Next, add in any fresh vegetables you like, sliced in bite size pieces or, in the case of zucchini or summer squash, in sticks about 3 inches long. Cook and stir the mixture until these veggies are nearly tender. You may wish to cover the skillet to hasten this process. At this point add the coleslaw mix and stir well. Continue to cook, adding more bacon fat or some butter if it seems necessary. Cook until the cabbage (and there may be carrots in the mix, too) is tender. Add in seasonings -- some garlic powder, ground ginger, salt and pepper -- and add soy sauce to taste. Serve piping hot.</p><p>I have made this with chopped leftover turkey, chicken or ham. When using already cooked meat, I usually begin the preparation with cooking the fresh vegetables in a little bacon fat or butter (I try to avoid seed oils). When the vegetables are tender, I stir in the meat, the seasonings, and maybe a little chicken broth and heat through before adding in and cooking the cole slaw mix. </p><p>This recipe comes together in less than a half hour and is really delicious. It has become one of my husband's favorite meals!<br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-86855288669670327902023-12-20T04:00:00.077-05:002023-12-20T04:00:00.134-05:00From the December archives, part 2<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KzXu0tWTaczmaKiun3fgTIdePt0Npl3HfuFWIGBdu2TokD142vcAxngGB8youEpK-9j4zV3NOBAWRDoTmLBJWB0VSIsT4oAQCo6ufWCBzYKk07PYJsaJuV8eBk04TqhuscFVce1ZFtcW7O1qb7S0iMermojEECtYzEP0j7E6R4cUO34zZoXcow/s1600/December%201965%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KzXu0tWTaczmaKiun3fgTIdePt0Npl3HfuFWIGBdu2TokD142vcAxngGB8youEpK-9j4zV3NOBAWRDoTmLBJWB0VSIsT4oAQCo6ufWCBzYKk07PYJsaJuV8eBk04TqhuscFVce1ZFtcW7O1qb7S0iMermojEECtYzEP0j7E6R4cUO34zZoXcow/w300-h400/December%201965%20.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Here's a second December archive post! Because I have so many years worth of archives (I started
this blog in 2007) I plan to do three archive posts this December, and
will do three different ones for my Kitchen Table blog. Today is the
second installment here in my Christmas kitchen.</p><p>From December 2013 I selected a couple of fun posts: <a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/12/december-6-oh-those-christmas-magazines.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Oh, those Christmas magazines!</b></span></a> and a <a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-quick-peek-at-our-mini-pinterest-party.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Mini Pinterest Party </b></span></a>that we had that December.</p><p><a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2014/12/lord-bless-cards-weve-written.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Lord, Bless the Cards We've Written</b></span></a> is a lovely little poem from 2014. Very inspiring.<br /></p><p>From 2015, you might enjoy <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2015/12/five-favorite-festive-cookies.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Five Favorite Festive Cookie</b>s</span></a>, especially if you are looking for some last-minute cookie inspiration.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Q-rB2ZNUx-VFwCrVjEY_34gIX07_6_gBr59WQKPIWf4spMknHKZmJzrJaeFi5JIo5vJw_9YfwV6-f66NdwjYGF83ZRqhZBh77uqZEb1pGauIhKBpnKChwhhcDT1-bM-gvG4Xjjadfy_ZcXVVSu8OGhxemwqDEqduRLF3nTPJbuth_mNpB_qcqA/s1350/dial%20a%20cookie%20press.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1350" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Q-rB2ZNUx-VFwCrVjEY_34gIX07_6_gBr59WQKPIWf4spMknHKZmJzrJaeFi5JIo5vJw_9YfwV6-f66NdwjYGF83ZRqhZBh77uqZEb1pGauIhKBpnKChwhhcDT1-bM-gvG4Xjjadfy_ZcXVVSu8OGhxemwqDEqduRLF3nTPJbuth_mNpB_qcqA/w400-h216/dial%20a%20cookie%20press.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2016/12/egg-casserole-for-christmas-breakfast.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>An Egg Casserole for Christmas Breakfast</b></span></a> is the post I selected from the 2016 archives. It's delicious and worth trying if you don't already have a traditional favorite.</p><p>From 2017, I chose two posts: <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2017/12/mulled-cranberryorange-juice.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Mulled Cranberry Orange Juice</b></span></a> is a festive warm beverage we love. And <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2017/12/does-your-christmas-season-look.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Does your Christmas season look a little different this year? </b></span></a> might be helpful reading for you or a friend for whom this is true.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBHFAe-Znc6Sd2roM9mBkJDyRDX6O1Qsm8BBufj1CbIDWONlpK5kpKLJpG8dHCwWe4SSHsDZixA-89Pw1Azbl6QQdV59w2-pNP3o9DuRucgDmCeOUOsI2oow8w7oG6u3aBFsJehqLJsKba879sdrdMXxZciabwREc2Sp6_v5YtliKwRUhF0R7sA/s574/Christmas%20coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="558" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBHFAe-Znc6Sd2roM9mBkJDyRDX6O1Qsm8BBufj1CbIDWONlpK5kpKLJpG8dHCwWe4SSHsDZixA-89Pw1Azbl6QQdV59w2-pNP3o9DuRucgDmCeOUOsI2oow8w7oG6u3aBFsJehqLJsKba879sdrdMXxZciabwREc2Sp6_v5YtliKwRUhF0R7sA/w389-h400/Christmas%20coffee.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>And from 2018, here is a craft idea to make <a href="https://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-fun-craft-project-glittery-little.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Glittery Little Trees</b></span></a> which would look lovely with a display of glittery little putz houses. While the grandkids were doing some crafting here, they came upon the stash of cut-open paper tubes I had saved to make these. I quickly looked up the directions and Ari made one. Sam took the basic instructions and made a tree, which he then wrapped with green yarn and decorated with gold cord. He even made a stump for the tree out of another tube and wrapped it vertically with brown yarn.</p><p>Hope these ideas from the archives are helpful to you!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-30802878143834441592023-12-19T04:00:00.005-05:002023-12-19T04:00:00.133-05:00A festive flavor: Peppermint Mocha<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeGYYVtRKjEZpe-PZkJ2T7sRDUvpHuGup740LcAGXPig7gGDL2Uw6zkmZcF0SB135JTiaZ8o9jF4oZaVmM5q9RrK1WWNYYZbaKCsuzDzODxNNo9yS_cW1ldP7S4Q_2NDh8TEimuOnFueZsKp_rHW7FUMMyvy0rOKi_imMm0RcXXL6ye0fziwmdw/s1920/pine-cones-2110283_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeGYYVtRKjEZpe-PZkJ2T7sRDUvpHuGup740LcAGXPig7gGDL2Uw6zkmZcF0SB135JTiaZ8o9jF4oZaVmM5q9RrK1WWNYYZbaKCsuzDzODxNNo9yS_cW1ldP7S4Q_2NDh8TEimuOnFueZsKp_rHW7FUMMyvy0rOKi_imMm0RcXXL6ye0fziwmdw/w400-h266/pine-cones-2110283_1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Terri Cnudde</b></span> from <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Pixabay</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p> Mr. T and I so enjoy this festive flavor, but we hadn't had the opportunity to have it this season. We usually buy a bag of the peppermint bark flavored coffee rather than using a flavored creamer -- it seems healthier -- and just enjoy this coffee with regular half and half. But this December we haven't been able to find the flavored coffee in our local supermarkets. </p><p>Back in November I had made a homemade pumpkin spice latte mixture that we really liked. So considering that, I decided to do a search and see if I could find a recipe for <a href="https://madaboutfood.co/peppermint-mocha-latte-syrup/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Peppermint Mocha syrup</b></span></a>. And after a little bit of looking -- Yes! And it has really simple ingredients like coconut milk (I substituted evaporated milk, as the recipe said could be done), baking cocoa, brown sugar, peppermint extract, and salt.</p><p>My hubby made up a batch on Saturday night and we tried it out in coffee on Sunday morning. Excellent! We found that just an iced-tea spoon full of the syrup (it really looks more like a thick sauce) is enough for a large mug of coffee. We then add half-and-half to taste, but it doesn't take much since there is already milk in the syrup.</p><p>I recommend this recipe if, like us, you are a fan of peppermint mocha flavor in coffee. (I realize many people are not!) It can also be made into a latte, but we are just using it as I described. Hope you enjoy this if you try it! <br /></p><p><br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-47239834973219020452023-12-18T04:00:00.073-05:002023-12-18T04:00:00.146-05:00From the December archives, Part 1<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3Ud0CYR0ej8Ayv12zBcsubmqduOKGzZn-aO5Rp95Uc7mE_VwaAwk6CbR556qEH7wTnwx1EjXCXvdR8PFdPfzBNp-57VNZOigQzi0fWT6NUuTPQv_nd2IkBcHX2xKNaez9aiWMck-gN7cegN0VOTbMHZ1p9Cqb3VhN4-S5-y70N5CMu_QfPqXiw/s377/December%2025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="298" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3Ud0CYR0ej8Ayv12zBcsubmqduOKGzZn-aO5Rp95Uc7mE_VwaAwk6CbR556qEH7wTnwx1EjXCXvdR8PFdPfzBNp-57VNZOigQzi0fWT6NUuTPQv_nd2IkBcHX2xKNaez9aiWMck-gN7cegN0VOTbMHZ1p9Cqb3VhN4-S5-y70N5CMu_QfPqXiw/w316-h400/December%2025.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><p></p><p> Sometimes it's fun to go back and do an archives post. And I have never done December archive posts. ot seems, although I've done them for other months. Because I have so many years worth of archives (I started this blog in 2007) I plan to do three archive posts this December, and will do three different ones for my Kitchen Table blog. Today is the first installment here in my Christmas kitchen.</p><p>From December 2007-- <a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2007/12/embellished-work-socks-make-nifty.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Embellished work socks</b></span></a> -- these were repurposed from my hubby's work socks and make beautiful decorative stockings to hang. I also learned that I apparently <i><b>had</b></i> tried that Chocolate-Dipped Maple Logs recipe before, since I said in 2007 that I had some in the freezer. The things we learn from the archives!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkabYSVwlA3p2W2X63I3z8RyyJUqlaerCDfmWz6WJZc5JE95Vi9wf_nMXywt3YDLeVvAaT2pE4h4L11GFEqn3qesq2iIRWSsFYhssbXDEMh2khed4ocxZS7PqAiq57Kj34-bdVEPU4C0rE4lnOvtk3FNaDGCU-DjB1Jdjy8D3MwHeH3Do3ubevjA/s432/garland-sock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="432" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkabYSVwlA3p2W2X63I3z8RyyJUqlaerCDfmWz6WJZc5JE95Vi9wf_nMXywt3YDLeVvAaT2pE4h4L11GFEqn3qesq2iIRWSsFYhssbXDEMh2khed4ocxZS7PqAiq57Kj34-bdVEPU4C0rE4lnOvtk3FNaDGCU-DjB1Jdjy8D3MwHeH3Do3ubevjA/w400-h300/garland-sock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>In December 2008, I apparently had the goal to post every day, but managed it only ten times. This was the best and most informative post of the lot: <a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/12/rag-garlands.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>How to make rag garlands</b></span></a>.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUJPyd7OshRmZNsZoaXfLgVM-Z3-tvOBf1YoNcreRwR2OAH0r4f8Nefwu9LF4zkEezVCznYK85cB_NKgkOc8mL3APbtmNQhTRn-hP5a_8eqToILu_8WsT-CfkWLWXCWF84ZvKaXGWWZm0sezUcaL16DiBzjMwgpQUmuWMWL6LLlTF3jfj5eDk2g/s432/rag%20garland.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="432" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUJPyd7OshRmZNsZoaXfLgVM-Z3-tvOBf1YoNcreRwR2OAH0r4f8Nefwu9LF4zkEezVCznYK85cB_NKgkOc8mL3APbtmNQhTRn-hP5a_8eqToILu_8WsT-CfkWLWXCWF84ZvKaXGWWZm0sezUcaL16DiBzjMwgpQUmuWMWL6LLlTF3jfj5eDk2g/w400-h300/rag%20garland.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /></p><p><a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/12/just-for-fun.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Just for fun</b></span></a> was a simple post from 2009 featuring a very whimsical vintage Christmas card. </p><p>From December 2010 come <a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2010/12/recipes-to-simplify-season.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Recipes to simplify the season</b></span></a> -- soups and stews and one bread machine recipe.<br /></p><p><a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-star-dishcloths-to-crochet.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Christmas Star dishcloths to crochet</b></span></a> is a favorite pattern I posted about in 2011. I've made loads of these over the years.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYYPKIltjZD6tOnHIJk6hadZh_zz9BiusBRpzgaHlXOut759mp4yFK8H-e1mNtxgGFlmyGWCtIJyjqRQAzJzWipoGqsZlK8EJqAgGH6H58urJOmOFHf__uzzFs0G5pRxeLPdfwLK5Q7fX47S42Un2LxXsrk7yj8CwtXAmHDCk5F_t7sPFP68wNA/s1183/Christmas%20star%20dishcloths.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1183" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYYPKIltjZD6tOnHIJk6hadZh_zz9BiusBRpzgaHlXOut759mp4yFK8H-e1mNtxgGFlmyGWCtIJyjqRQAzJzWipoGqsZlK8EJqAgGH6H58urJOmOFHf__uzzFs0G5pRxeLPdfwLK5Q7fX47S42Un2LxXsrk7yj8CwtXAmHDCk5F_t7sPFP68wNA/w400-h269/Christmas%20star%20dishcloths.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Lastly, from 2012, these <a href="http://mychristmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2012/12/glittery-paper-ornaments.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Glittery paper ornaments</b></span></a> were a fun project for me. I did stars, snowflakes, crescent moons, bells, trees -- and they have held up amazingly well stored in fluctuating attic temperatures over the years.<br /></p><p>So there you have it ... part 1 of my Christmas Kitchen archive posts for December! Hope you find something here you'll enjoy!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38583012.post-24780992341716303752023-12-17T04:00:00.115-05:002023-12-17T04:00:00.144-05:00Sunday Scripture<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWrM3Xi7XqjsIEc7pQouNny12espzfKnuBpnpGI16-5J3VwNazcRi18Y4gFmPMPb-SYxLt5rXJy166nT1_4Wah8kCwEoqsdfnbqc3NBdFuANC-HbAQoDgCT6EU1nUQa_2yNCUTZpi-O22reQYTvLFfvKvBcqDYPDgwjhm7KwcqR0W5EIuy_H9Kw/s1080/Matthew%201926.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWrM3Xi7XqjsIEc7pQouNny12espzfKnuBpnpGI16-5J3VwNazcRi18Y4gFmPMPb-SYxLt5rXJy166nT1_4Wah8kCwEoqsdfnbqc3NBdFuANC-HbAQoDgCT6EU1nUQa_2yNCUTZpi-O22reQYTvLFfvKvBcqDYPDgwjhm7KwcqR0W5EIuy_H9Kw/w400-h400/Matthew%201926.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>As mentioned, I'm doing special Christmas related Sunday
Scripture posts throughout December again this year. Back in 2020 I had worked through <a href="https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/11/peace-be-still-a-31-day-christmas-prayer-journal/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas prayer journal</b></span></a>,
from Women Living Well. Last year, I used some of my simple
study from this book as Scripture posts for December. I have
decided to do so again this year, using different posts on each of my blogs to keep it
interesting for all of my readers. I will take two from each week's
study to use one each on my blogs, and maybe next December use more of
them.</p><p>Also -- note that this simple study does not use the SOAP
method as my studies usually do. This one includes a verse for the day,
a thought for the day, a reflection
question for the day and space to write a prayer for each day. I
tended to look at the verse a little bit in depth, and I tended to
answer the reflection question in the prayer, but of course you can use
these any way you want to. I hope perhaps some of you will want to study out these verses in more depth for yourselves.<br /></p><p>Here goes with the study for Week 2, Day 11! <br /></p><p><b>Verses for the day:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who, then, can be saved?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible."
(Matthew 19:23-26)</span></p><p><b>My study: </b> </p><p>Here are some cross-references: </p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I prayed unto the LORD, saying, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and outstretched arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee." (Jeremiah 32:17)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Oregano;">"Is anything too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand become short? Thou shalt see now whether My word shall come to pass unto thee, or not." Numbers 11:23)</span></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Playfair Display;">"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear." (Isaiah 59:1)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Emilys Candy;">"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is there any thing too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27)</span></span><br /></p><b>Reflection question:</b><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">In what area do you need to trust God more?</span></p><p><i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>I wrote:</span></span></b></i></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>We're at a difficult point in history. It's an exciting (yet occasionally terrifying) time to be alive. We are asking God for divine intervention in our country's difficult situation and to save us from totalitarianism. We're also asking Him to intervene in the drastic measures that are threatening our way of life. He is the only One who can turn this situation around. I trust God completely to do what's best. That said, I'm far from perfect and I'm sure there are a number of areas in which I could trust Him more.</span></span><br /></p><p><b>My prayer:</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Courgette;"><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple;"><span><span>"Dear
God, I am so incredibly thankful that with You, all things are possible. I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that there is nothing -- <span style="font-family: Quicksand;">NOTHING</span> -- too hard for You. There is no doubt in my mind that You could change our situation in a moment with just a word. The poor handling of many issues is destroying the fabric of our society, of all that is good about our land. Lord, You know we are facing even harder times if You don't intervene. I pray that You will. Nevertheless, not our will but Yours be done, I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."</span></span></span><br /></span></span></p>And that's the Sunday Scripture for the day. Hope it was a blessing to you!Mrs.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392321745556290343noreply@blogger.com0