"I'm dreaming of...

 

a white Christmas!"-

 

and something tells me, with two snows already this season...

 

we might just have one!!

 

I think Odie is even dreaming of a white Christmas!

(or maybe what treats he'll find in his stocking on Christmas morning!)

How about you, are you "dreaming of a white Christmas" too?

love & blessings,

Jill

Scenes from the "Baking of Christmas Cheer"

 

Act I :

"Christmas Pretzels"

 

 

 

something salty + something sweet = something simply delicious!

Preheat oven to 350

place pretzel squares on baking sheet, top with unwrapped chocolate kiss,

bake 1-2 minutes (until kiss begins to melt), remove from oven,

top with m&m pushed gently down in the center of chocolate kiss, 

chill in refrigerator until set.

 

Act II :

"Dreamy Chocolate Cookies"

 

soooooo incredibly yummy!!! Truly dreamy!!

21/4 cup all purpose flour                       1 cup brown sugar

               1/2 cup cocoa                                3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking soda                                    1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt                                   2 large eggs

1 cup margarine softened                     2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

-combine flour, cocoa, baking soda & salt in small bowl.

-beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar & vanilla extract in large mixing bowl until creamy.

-beat in eggs for about 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

-gradually beat in flour mixture

-stir in chocolate chips, & drop by rounded Tbsp. onto ungreased cookie sheet

-bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until cookies "puff"

 

Act III :

"Wrapping It Up"

and now off to deliver a bit of  "Christmas Cheer"!

 Happy Monday!

love & blessings,

Jill

Oh Christmas tree {plates}...

 

a new addition to our family room Christmas mantel...

 

beginning with two old plates that just seemed to need a little "extra something"...

 

and after receiving a simple dose of  "extra something"...

 

became the Oh Christmas tree plates!...

(well, the Jingle Belling- Oh Christmas tree- Oh what fun it is to remake your old plates- plates!)

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Many Blessings,

Jill

"Christmas & Cinnamon Cake"

 

just kinda goes together...

like "peas & carrots",

only in my opinion- much better and way more yummy!!

 

This is one of our family's favorites! (year-round)

Cinnamon cake! 

* just click the picture and enlarge to desired size then print- & enjoy!

Oh, don't you just love the delightful smell of cinnamon baking at Christmastime?

Happy Baking!

Love & Blessings,

Jill

p.s. I'm sharing this recipe with Edie's "Christmas sweet treats" party at Life in Grace!

pop-over, there are lots of delicious sweet treats to be found there!

It's beginning to look * a little * like...

 

Christmas!!

 we have begun a little "decking-of-the-halls"...

 

slowly working away...

while filled with great joy & excitement

as we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift of all...

the birth of our Saviour !

Oh! it truly IS the most wonderful time of the year!!-

Busy!- but, wonderful!!

Happy weekend to you!

Many Blessings,

Jill

It's Christmas time!

a time of "sweet" celebration...

shared with many "sweet" friends...

filled with lots of "sweet" treats...

and extra *special*  "sweet" surprises...

"sweet" memories made...

"sweet" moments shared...

all mixed together in the "sweetness" of the season...

and topped with the "sweetest" gift of all...

sent from above with love, 

a tiny baby wrapped in swaddling clothes...

and laid in a manger,

Jesus!

"For unto you is born this day...

a Saviour."

Luke 2:11

Wishing you a "sweet" Christmas filled with great joy and many Blessings!

Love,

Jill

an *UNexpected* break...

*quite literally!*

littlest Princess #2 was in a frightening accident with her horse a few weeks ago...

while she has been on-the-mend,

she has been working on her little Christmas gifts...

and in-between Doctor's appointments, basketball practices and games,

football workouts, a-million-and-one-home building decisions, birthday parties,

celebrating Thanksgiving, out-of-town company visiting, Christmas shopping,

cleaning up after septic tank back-ups in the house we are renting TWICE!,

desperately trying to catch-up and respond to all the *overwhelmingly* kind emails I have received-

so sorry if yours is one I have not yet reached! - I promise I'll be there soon!

AND replacing the dead battery in my car-( which died at football pick-up),

I have also been working on a few Christmas gifts!

(which I hope to share soon)

but mostly I have been counting my Blessings that with His mercy and grace

I am able to celebrate the wonder of this glorious season...

the birth of our Saviour!...

even with broken things and exhausting schedules!

Many Blessings!

Jill

and the stockings were hung...

the hustle and bustle slowing...

the excitement building...

precious family soon to arrive...

to join us for this most special celebration...

the birthday of our King!

Wishing you and your loved ones a most joyous Christmas!

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Many Blessings!

Oh Christmas tree!

Our tree is filled with lots of color...

and some sparkle too!

it shares little messages...

holds some of our favorite things...

ornaments made by the children...

they are the ones I cherish most and look

forward to seeing each year...

it's a very special tree to us-

a bright and happy tree...

our family tree.

and did you spot the painting below?

it's a surprise gift from my dear friend, Becky!

she is so talented! she just recently opened her darling shop...

filled with her beautiful work...

when I opened my gift I just cried- happy tears-

all the details of this painting have such special meaning!

(which Becky knew!!)

see the glitter??

Oh! it's just perfect!...

and it has already made this Christmas one I will never forget!

Thank you (again!) sweet friend...YOU are truly a gift!

Happy Monday!

Many Blessings!