Yummm.....

 

 

 

 

My friend, Melinda, made us this amazing, wonderful, delish Coconut Cake for Christmas.

I love ADORE Coconut Cake.

Look at who else loves ADORES Coconut Cake?!?!

After Christmas Thoughts...

 

 

 

 

I haven't taken down the trees yet, i haven't touched the outside decorations yet, i haven't organzied anything yet. Instead, i've just kind of enjoyed these past few days after Christmas. I've loved just relaxing and looking at the tree at night with just the tree lights on, i've loved just sitting back and studying my Nativity sets, and i've really enjoyed re-reading all of the Christmas Cards that i've gotten. And of course, i've really enjoyed watching Emma with the tree and how she'll ask if she can touch the tree decorations...she is facinated with touching the ornaments, feeling them and naming them. Her favorite ornaments are the same ones i love: the Guatemalan angels, the beaded Guatemalan ornaments, the Snowmen ornaments and my growing collection of annual stars. She and i look at them every morning and evening...touching them, saying how pretty they are and then putting them back in their place.

I think that both Emma and i will be sad when i finally put those trees and ornaments away.

But the New Year stuff is right around the corner. Time for resolutions, new hopes and new joys for the New Year. Emma's birthday is right around the corner, too and she will be turning three years old. Amazing that my little one will be three years old! I sometimes look at Emma and know that in a few short years, well, she won't be a 'little one' anymore. She will have her own friends, her own likes/dislikes-->oh, wait, those are already here...and she will be growing into a new phase of her life. I can't wait to watch her grow...

...but i hope that she'll do it slowly. :)

A Santa Photo....

....umm, yeah. That's dear, sweet, stinky Pachi on Santa's lap. Santa looks completely thrilled, doesn't he? But Santa was a good Santa and Emma couldn't stop staring or giggling at him, so it's okay that Pachi was in the photo.

I do think, however, that we've learned our lesson and will not have our "traditional Santa and Emma photo done on Christmas Eve" ever, EVER, EVER again. Next year, i will be one of the FIRST ones in September November to get their child's photo done with Santa! Did you know that Snapfish will make cards for you of the Santa photo?!? How easy would that be?!?! And i'm so all for "easy"! The mall here is just too dang busy to be anywhere near it on Christmas Eve; so there's my plan for next year.

And now....we are getting ready for the New Year. I love New Year's Eve....so dinner needs to be planned, perhaps some more baking, and figuring out what we'll watch that night. Of course, the chance that i will actually be AWAKE for the the start of the New Year is slim, but, i have high hopes that i will be.

ah, yes....a New Year.

Christmas Day Photos...

A full, amazing, fun day....

Christmas Eve....

....and all is quiet. Emma is playing with her animals, my baking (for the most part) is done and most of all of the presents are wrapped. It is nice being at home as it's very windy outside; no snow or rain, just lots of wind. I think that a mug of hot chocolate later will be needed.

My Snowball Cookies turned out perfect as did my Mom's Angeletti Cookies. These are the two cookies that my Mom baked without fail, every Christmas. These are the things that make her closer to me. Her recipes, for some strange reason, give me comfort. Her birthday is tomorrow...so i am thinking about baking a Pumpkin Cheesecake as she loved Cheesecake. I sometimes worry that i hang on to these types of things, these memories, too tightly; the ache of missing her has not lessened at all. If anything, i am constantly reminded how much i miss her, how much i wish she was here to be a Grandma to Emma and see how much i love being a Mommy. I just can't seem to let my Mom go...i see her in the way i attempt to decorate, how i bake, how i laugh and how i love. I guess it's only natural to see the things i do in her; which is really ironic as i remember telling myself that i would NEVER be like her, that i would be a 'modern' woman (whatever that means...). It turns out that i am more like her than i ever thought.

Emma, well, is loving the Christmas trees, the lights, the music and decorations of the Christmas season. She doesn't 'get' a lot of things, but it is truly pure joy to watch her face light up when she sees Christmas lights or sings "Jingle Bells" in her off-key singing voice. I am stunned, at times, at how much she has grown, at how much she has learned. I went out to a Cookie Exchange last night and got home rather late. Emma was still awake, waiting for me in the kitchen. As i opened the door, i heared her scream "MAMAS HOME!! MAMAS HOME!!" and she runs into my arms. I held her, swung her around, and started to dance to the Christmas music, while she giggled and she looks at me and says "Mwiss you". I was stunned...i guess sometimes in the mist of cleaning up after her, chasing her to wipe her hands and face, fighting with her to not throw things, and to get into the tub, i forget that this little imp of a child, loves me. The love of a child truly is like no other...

And tomorrow is 'the' big day: Christmas. Hopefully, we will all sleep in late, eat some breakfast French Toast Casserole and open presents. No going overboard here: a few music toys for her, a Princess blanket (that was NOT my idea, btw), a Moose A. Moose and Zee (stuffed animals) and a thing/computer thingy for her to start letters, etc (i have no idea what this thing is called, but it was highly recommended for her), whatever my sister has sent for her...and that's it. She's only two and a half and i refuse to let this season be all about "getting" instead of "giving".

Seeing Santa was fun today and we got the annual photo taken. Of course, Pachi is in the photo with her and Santa is holding Pachi on his lap. Poor Pachi is going to be snuck out of her bed tonight and thrown into the washer; he stinks to high heaven. He has chocolate on his trunk and on his tail...but i tell you, i've never seen such a well-loved pink, stuffed elephant.

Off to clean up and get things done...

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and thank you for being a part of my life.

With a little....

...okay, a lot of help from Christine, i am hanging up the decorating hat for this year. I now understand why folks start in early September November putting up decorations.

I may start decorating in July next year....

I still need some photos of outsides...and better ones of inside, but for now?

I'm going to go eat a Cake Ball. :)

Christmas Program....

....Emma being funny!

 

....Emma with Mrs. Cindy, her teacher from last year.

 

....Emma with Mrs. Amanda, her teacher this year.

 

....and playing after the Christmas Program.

 

So amazing to see my daughter up on stage! No, she didn't sing the songs, but she did clap for herself as if she did sing. I know that Emma knows the songs as i listen to her sing both of them all of the time....and at 3am. Perhaps my little one is shy?

I did take too many photos...and i did get some really great photos. All of the children did so very well and i could tell that the entire teaching staff worked hard.

It was magical to see....and i'm such the proud Mama!

"Girlfriends in God"....

I signed up to get these daily emails from "Girlfriends in God" some time ago. I love reading them as there always seems to be something that applies to me. I also
recieve the Proverbs 31 emails which i was introduced to by Jessica who is one of the MOPS Coordinators. Reading both of these emails are how i start my mornings...i can't tell you how much just this little bit of quiet time means to me. I get mean when i don't get my quiet time, lol...

This email newsletter below is amazing. It's by Sharon Jaynes who write for Girlfriends in God and i know that this one will remain one of my favorites for years to come. It's so very easy to get lost in the hustle and bussle of this time of years, trying to get everything done, not forget anything, wrap everything, AND stay in a holly-jolly mood. Remembering that Christmas is not just ONE day, but a season helps but it helps even more to remember why we do these things: To celebrate Christ's birthday...

December 16, 2009

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).

Friend To Friend
With Christmas just around the corner, it is easy to get so busy with the cooking, decorating and shopping that we forget why we're doing all this in the first place. Sometimes, the very people we love get lost in the hustle and bustle of packed schedules, holiday parties, and Christmas musicals. This Christmas, let's keep our focus on Jesus and not forget to invite the honored guest to His own birthday celebration.

Today, I want to share a poem that I wrote a few years ago that helps me keep a proper perspective on Christmas.


1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style

©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of your way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, that starry night in Bethlehem. Like the Shepherds, I am still amazed at Your great love. May I not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, but celebrate Jesus' birthday with joy!

What a gift!!

 

My friend Missy sent this to me for Christmas.

Sending me Jelly Belly Jelly Beans is like sending a crack addict, well, lots of crack.

But...

....this gift?

Is. The. Best. Gift. EVER.

I told myself that i wasn't going to open the box of Jelly Bellys. That i was going to wait; "wait" for what, i don't know. Of course, i only lasted one second about 5 minutes before i had RIPPED opened my gift.

FIFTY INDIVIDUAL FLAVORS.

Oh. My.

Yes, it was like love at first bite sight.

Of course, at that very moment, Emma decides to toddle up asking "wat dat?"....and i, being the safe Mommy because Jelly Beans aren't safe for a two year old, slam the top back on so she can't see my crack Jelly Beans.

Lucky for me, bed time for Emma was right around the corner.

After Emma is safely tucked in, i sit on the couch in front of the TV with my gift. I realize that there is a 'recipe' of sorts included, where you can mix different Jelly Beans to get different flavors. How smart of the Jelly Belly folks!

~Blueberry Jelly Belly + Buttered Popcorn Jelly Belly = Blueberry Muffin
~Strawberry Jam Jelly Belly + French Vanilla Jelly Belly = Strawberry Shortcake
~Lemon/Lime Jelly Belly + Lime Sunkist Jelly Belly = Sprite

sigh....i was in sugar heaven-high for quite a while. :)

Oh, yes, that was a FANTASTIC gift!

Thank you, Missy....you're the BESTEST friend ever!

A Sunny Spot...

 

 

 

One of my favorite rooms in this house is near the kitchen. I guess it's technically a sitting room but it's become more of a sun room for me. It's has the most amazing windows that let the sun come in; even Emma will lay on the small, comfy couch and soak up some of those rays. It's also where i have most of my plants...i love to sit in this area and read.

As much as i love plants and flowers, there have been a few plants that i have stayed away from. At garden stores, some plants cower when i walk by, hoping that they won't be the next victim plant that i pick out to take home. My green thumb is covered by huge black spots which show how many plants i've killed with my attention haven't made it. But while in a store a few weeks ago, i spot these two amazing, beautiful plants that meet my strict criteria:

1. The plants were marked down from $24.99 to $4.99
2. They weren't dead yet

But they were Orchids. I've never bought these beautiful plants because, well, i had heard that they were difficult to grow. They were marked down, so, off the three (me and the two victims plants) go. Really, i thought to myself, how hard could it be? The plants both had the little card of directions attached....

I'm proud to say that the two Orchid plants are doing beautifully in their sunny spot. Both plants have bloomed new flowers that are stunning. So, for now, all is well with my two new friends. Maybe word will make it out to other plants that i haven't tried that i am not the plant-killer that i appear to be...

A Peanut Butter Ball....

 

Yum.

It's a Peanut Butter Ball.

Mine look a little different as i had some white chocolate left over (but semi-sweet chocolate would have been really good....)so i dipped my Peanut Butter Balls instead of rolling them in corn flakes (not sure about the corn flakes, btw....) or finely chopped nuts (i would use pecans instead of walnuts....).

Yep, these are yummy.

And they will be leaving this house shortly as Peanut Butter Balls and i can't be in the same room together without me eating every last one of them eating more than one.

Here's the recipe:

Peanut Butter Balls (Paula Deen)

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup honey
2 cups of powered milk
1 1/2 cups of cornflakes
1 1/2 cups of finely chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup of powdered sugar

Directions:

~Mix peanut butter, honey and milk together in a large bowl to form a very, very thick mixture. Roll mixture into small balls about the size of a walnut. Roll the balls in either crushed cornflakes, finely chopped nuts, or powered sugar. Place on waxed paper and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Yields 18/20 pieces

....photos

 

 

 

 

...of Emma yesterday while i was trying to keep my head from pounding off my shoulders.

For fun, Emma likes to sit on balloons.

And play with ornaments on our fugly beautiful tree upstairs.

Emma's favorite ornament right now is the "Gwatwamala Awngel" on this fugly beautiful tree upstairs.

The downstairs tree?

sigh....it's a work in progress. Hopefully, i'll finish before December 24th rolls around.