Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Merry Christmas - This n That

Yuck - look at our weather today. And tomorrow will be 80% rain but the weatherman is calling for a slight chance of rain for our Christmas day (that is so far - subject to change). It is rather warm for this time of year but the cold front is coming down to cool us down over the next day or so.



I hope you all are having a nice day even if the weather is nasty where ever you are. Are you ready for the holiday? This is a busy time of year and with it often comes stress due to just trying to so much. I used to worry about making sure my kids had enough presents of the things they asked for and things I thought they needed. Always thinking are they equal. Wouldn't want to do more for one than the other. My stress consisted of getting dinner on the table. Trying to see everyone I needed to. Since the children are grown I don't worry so much. It is what it is and that is all I can do. And that is how I see it now.

I was thinking of doing something different than the traditional Christmas dinner we ALWAYS have. Was thinking of grilling steaks and all the fixins. Maybe.

I stopped in the local Goodwill and I was happy to find these plates. They will be perfect in my red kitchen when I get it done. I am going to hang them on the wall.





I ended up with lots of pecans this year. Roasted these and they are very good. Melted 1/2 stick of butter, mixed in 1 tea of sugar and poured over the nuts. Sprinkle with salt and bake at 225 for about 30 minutes stirring every 15 minutes. Increase the heat to 250 and bake for 40 more minutes stirring every 10 - 15 minutes. Let cool and enjoy.

I have done lots of baking and candy making this year. Loving the memories that is coming with the baking this year. Haven't done this much since my kids were home and my kids would get in the kitchen and help me out. My butter cookies with the icing on it - well let me say they taste way better than they look. Butter cookies, shortbread and PNB cookies. Butter cookies here http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/the-neelys-butter-cookies-recipe/index.html  - Gina and Pat Neely's recipe. Of course Gina has these cute little piggy cut-outs. I sliced mine. Gina loves her little piggys I tell ya. The icing on the cookies is a first for me. The cookies turned out ugly with absolutely not color so I decided to add some. Needless to say it didn't turn out the way I wanted but they taste super good. I flavored each of the three icings with lemon and butternut and third with caramel flavoring. The shortbread cookies here http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/shortbread-cookies-recipe/index.html and Ina makes some good cookies. I added butter flavorings to all my cookies in addition to the vanilla.


 Fudge, Martha Washington Balls, PNB fudge, Snowballs.

 Took this sky pic last week and just wanted to share a prettier sky pic than the one at the beginning of this post.


I just had to share my house babies. Sorry about the poor pic quality. These two don't sit nicely for photos. In fact Buddy will hang his head when he sees the camera. go figure.
 This one still doesn't have a name but I think Kitty will do. She answers to Kitty and nothing else - well she does answer when I shake the cat food bag. She is running toward me.

Wishing each and eveyone of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Hope you have the best family time this year. Be safe out there. I will be traveling on Friday and Saturday and I'll be watching my speed. (got pulled over for speeding yesterday and talked my way out of a ticket and got a warning. I was doing some smooth talking too and pleading for him not to spoil my perfect record).

17 comments:

Blue Creek Home said...

Yuck is right! Our Alabama weather is anything but Christmas-like!!!
I am sitting here with the doors open and the fans on! What I would give to light up the fire while I listening to Christmas music.
Your goodies all look so yummy - we are all going to have to take out a loan just to buy pecans!!!
We are having a non traditional meal as well - prime rib with a few holiday sides.
Wishing you and yours a joyful Christmas.
Rhonda

Carol said...

The sun is finally shining today here in Oklahoma. We started a new Christmas dinner tradition a few years ago by having grilled steaks now everyone looks forward to it.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Carol

Sunray Gardens said...

Love the plates, they will look fantastic. The goodies loo wonderful and your dog and cat are adorable.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Susan said...

Those plates are awesome! They will look great in your kitchen. Your two little buddies are so darn cute!
I hope you have a great Christmas Becca!!! Merry Christmas dear friend!

Kay said...

Today in SoCal it is in the mid-50's so far and very sunny and clear outside. Isn't it cool what we can find at the thrift stores? Hope you have a nice holiday.

Kay

imac said...

Enjoyable and tasty post my friend.

Lea's Menagerie said...

We are having a non-traditional Christmas meal - Breakfast at IHOP on Christmas Morning!
International House of Pancakes is one of the few places here that will be open on Christmas.

I absolutely LOVE those red plates.

Merry Christmas!
Lea

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Becca, We've had the rainiest December here than we've had in years and years...

Love all of your goodies... The pecans call my name more than the sweet stuff... My problem is that I eat too much of those wonderful things... This year, I'm dieting --so am trying to stay away from those delicious goodies. Dang...

I used to get my share of speeding tickets... Marrying George helped me to SLOW DOWN some since I haven't had a ticket in years... ha

Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy

Far Side of Fifty said...

Merry Christmas Becca! Those plates are going to look great in your kitchen..I like Red..so cheerful..be sure and post photos when you are done! :)

HolleyGarden said...

Travel safe! I love your red plates! I have never seen any like that - I think they will look great in your red kitchen. I think a grilled steak sounds wonderful. I have done different things over the years - just snacks, Italian food, Mexican food, now it's beef tenderloin, who knows what 'tradition' will be next? I have learned it's just one meal, so don't stress over it. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

We have the snow this year for Christmas. You made a lot of yummy treats. Enjoy time with those you love. That's the best part of any holiday!

Connie said...

We had fog all morning followed by rain today, but I really didn't mind. I'd still prefer that to snow or ice.

The pecans and your cookies and candies all look so good, Becca. You've been very busy!

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas! :-)

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Have a wonderful Christmas, Becca!

Lona said...

Same old rain we have had here every week too Becca. It is getting to the point that even that nasty white stuff would be a change of pace. LOL! Your cookies and candies look so yummy. Those plates will be just such a pretty touch to your future red kitchen.
Wishing you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas Becca.

Kyna said...

I'm totally not ready for Christmas.

I should be out shopping and/or wrapping presents right now, but instead I'm on the computer.

I'm just not feeling it this year. I've been yelled at and hung up on by customers too many times in the last month. Really doesn't put me in the mood.

Plus it's been so warm! Rainy at times, but warm. Doesn't feel like Christmas.

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Your pecans look yummy...we have been crackin some too...we were lucky and got some free ones. Sounds like it might get better by Christmas with the high in the mid 50's:) Would love to have you come by and shop with me at my new shop..I'm located in Cotton City Antiques in Mobile. hope you have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Blessings,
Linda

Diane said...

Sorry Becca somehow I missed this post. I hope that you had a good Christmas, and I wish you health and wealth for 2012. God bless Diane

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