Christmas is here!

 The packages are all safely delivered under the Christmas tree...

 And Cookies are made and ready for serving...

 We watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and shed holiday tears...

 And the table is set for the anticipated dinner and cheer...

 Already we did a little Christmas unwrapping when Kara and Ben came calling...

 We shared laughter before Kara went on her Nebraska adventure...while I tried to keep her warm with cowls, gloves, and a felt hat for the upcoming cold weather...

 Maggi the doggy already stealing my slanket...

Here's wishing everyone the Merriest of Christmas...hope you get all that you're wishing for!

Cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Usually, it's my daughter Kara who is so talented in baking cookies, but thought I'd give it a try again...it's been many years since I've made cookies on my own, but was thumbing through my very old Mrs. Field's Cookies cookbook, and thought I'd make these:

 So in the oven they went after mixing the flour, sugar, butter, and eggnog together...

 They didn't turn out too bad...doesn't quite make the picture in the book, but I did sprinkle with nutmeg!

 Cooling them off for the cookie jar...tasted them, and they taste ok to me...a little on the crunchy side for kids, though!

Tomorrow, I'll try to make some cinnamon swirl cookies.  The dough is chilling in the frig.

Christmas is almost here...

 I think I'm almost ready...my basket of completed knit and crochet items...just not quite sure who is going to get what!

 Already Santa has arrived with presents under the tree...the little helper above is guarding so that no one gets a head start.

 Ah, and my Christmas dog keeping warm under her pink baby blanket.

 Mrs. Claus was needlepointed well over 30 years ago by me.

 Christmas candles sure give a warm and cozy feeling.

 And the tree looks so festive along with the lovely live wreath giving off pine fragrance.

So ready or not, let Christmas come!

Deer Doggy...

It's time for Maggi the Beagle Doggy to get into the Holiday spirit...nice, fleece jacket that happens to have a reindeer hoody on it.
Yes, we're having fun here...mommy's got a treat for me.
Ok...I want another treat...
This is making me sleepy...
Oh! Is that Santa Claus?? I better be good...

Last Night of Hanukkah...on to the next Holiday!

I've so enjoyed keeping up with this...so pretty and festive.


Now it's on to Christmas and for planning and shopping...
and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive...

I'm Keeping Up...

I started lighting the Menorah at Hanukkah when my youngest son expressed an interest about three years ago, and I've been lighting the candles ever since...it's just so comforting for some reason...like being part of something bigger than myself. I like learning about the Jewish religion and trying out their traditions.
After preparing latkes from a package mix, I decided to be daring and try to make homemade ones. These were definitely "a labor of love" as one of my Jewish girlfriends always says about making these messy concoctions! Actually, if it would all stay in the pan, it would be fine, but I partially decorated my kitchen, but I think it was successful for my first attempt.
And I didn't forget the apple sauce and the sour cream...
What looked a tad hopeless did finally brown and crisp up as tasty latkes! Basically, the recipe was simply shredded russet potatoes (about two), a couple eggs, and some finely chopped onion. I also added a bit of fresh pepper and garlic powder.
Here they are...pretty tasty, but I felt like something was missing from them, so in search of other recipes...I did see that some ask for matzo meal, so might try that next time. Also saw some criticism of recipes containing flour and milk since that wasn't "kosher," so will stick with as close to authentic as I can. Many variations out there, but the above were basic and good and were thoroughly enjoyed.

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah and may miracles abound!