Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the many blessings that each of us enjoy. I hope each of you are able to enjoy time with family today and reflect on the blessings you have been given.  I am thankful for....

• My Husband - I am fortunate to be married to a wonderful man who is not only my husband, but my best friend. He is a man that has always been supportive and kind. We enjoy spending time together.
• My Son and Daughter-In-Law - God blessed me with a  kind hearted and hard working son. I feel fortunate that he met a such a wonderful girl. I enjoy spending time with them. They are also terrific parents.
• Grandchildren - Addison and Ethan are the light of my life. I'm so glad I live close and can enjoy watching them grow up.
• My Parents - In the last two years my parents have both had open heart surgery. I'm thankful that they both have recovered from their surgeries and are enjoying good health. I'm thankful that we live close enough that we can enjoy spending time together. Not many grandchildren get to experience spending time with great grandparents.
• Living in the United States - I feel blessed to live in a country where I enjoy the freedoms we have. I am thankful for the men and women who serve our country and work to maintain these feedoms everyday.

Closing Date

The house is finally finished. Sod was supposed to be put down today which is a good thing since rain is in the forecast. Our closing date is set for December 7th. I’m really anxious to get some normalcy back into our lives. I’m usually a really organized person, so the stacks of boxes and clutter are driving me crazy. I finished up packing the craft room and basement today. Geez… I can’t believe how much stuff we have accumulated. I have way too many craft books and magazines.  I kept out a few hand sewing projects to work on. That will be my therapy and relaxation over the next two weeks. I’m also going to finish up the Christmas shopping for the grandchildren.

I’m looking forward to making this house a home.

Cookies in a Jar

Need a gift for a neighbor, teacher, or friend?  These cookie ingredients can be packed in a jar. To decorate the jars, just cut a piece of fabric into a circle (about 9" in diameter). Screw down the jar ring to hold fabric in place or hold down the jar ring to hold fabric in place with ribbon, raffia, or yarn. Create a card with the cooking directions on them. Punch a hole in it and attach to the jar with string or ribbon.

Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix

2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 cup sugar

Layer the ingredients in the order given into a wide mouth 1 quart canning jar. Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient. Attach a gift tag with the mixing and baking directions.

1 jar Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the butter until light, add the eggs and beat, until the mixture is smooth. Add the Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix and continue to beat until the dough begins to form. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Arrange on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until light tan. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Makes 4-5 dozen cookies.

Candy Bar Cookie Mix

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup of your favorite candy bar, chopped

Layer the ingredients in the order given into a wide mouth 1 quart canning jar. Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient. Attach a gift tag with the mixing and baking directions.

1 jar Candy Bar Cookie Mix
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the butter, eggs and vanilla. Add the Candy Bar Cookie Mix and stir until the mixture is well blended. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.

Need more holidays ideas?  Check out Colleen's blog, And Baby Makes Five.

I’m a Big Sister Now

Today has been a day for rejoicing. Ethan Franklin arrived into this world this morning at 9:01. He weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz. and was 21 inches long.

Here’s the proud daddy and great grandfather. Ethan’s middle name is after my dad. Kevin has always had a special relationship with his grandfather. Addison is going to make a great big sister. She was so good at the hospital and loved looking at her little brother. I’m sure she will be trying to teach him everything she knows. They will keep us all on our toes.I think we should keep him, dad. A kiss for little brother.

A Scrappy Surprise

I just received the most wonderful gift. I won a prize from Regena at Quilt N’ Quilt Things in her recent give away. She included this cute little zippered pouch and a huge stack of precut holiday fabric squares. I love the scrappy look and can’t wait to figure out what to do with these beautiful scraps. I just started blogging last year and this is the first gift I’ve won from a blogger. Thanks again, Regena!

A Good Holiday Read

Every year around the holidays, I try to read several holiday themed books. Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors so I couldn’t resist reading Call Me Mrs. Miracle. This is Debbie’s second book with Emily Merkle (aka Mrs. Miracle) as the main character. In this book Mrs. Miracle is working in the toy department of Finley’s Department Store. Her boss is Jake Finley, the owner’s son. Christmas for Jake was destroyed many years ago when his sister and mother were killed in an auto accident on Christmas Eve. For him Christmas is all about making a profit. This Christmas proves to be different after Jake meets Holly, who is caring for her eight year old nephew while his father is in Afghanistan. Mrs. Miracle loves making children happy and helping others, even if it involves a little matchmaking.
This book has also been made into a movie and will be aired on the Hallmark Channel November 27. If you missed Debbie Macomber’s 2009 Christmas book, Mrs. Miracle, last year then you will also want to watch it. It will also be shown on that day.

Peppermint Meringues

2 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
2 peppermint candy canes, crushed
In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Sprinkle with salt and cream of tartar. Beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar.
Beat until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes. Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased foil or paper lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with crushed candy.
Bake at 225 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Turn off heat; leave cookies in the oven with the door ajar for at least 1 hour or until cool. Store in airtight container.
I’m linking up with Colleen’s Weekly Holiday Recipe Swap. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes that are posted this week. Check it out for yourself by clicking on the picture below.