generalparenting

Presents are opened and there is gift paper and plastic packages laying everywhere covering the living room floor. Everywhere you look there is something Christmas realted. I take tons of pictures and then rush to the kitchen to check on the duck and start breakfast. Eggs, sausage, biscuits, and gravy are on the menu for Christmas morning breakfast. I hope everyone is hungry because we generally don’t eat a full lunch on Christmas Eve or day. We generaly eat finger foods because when possible we eat dinner early. Hopefully around three dinner will be ready and then this evening we can just stick to left overs. Christmas day is always so busy for me. I get up early, start dinner, wake the kids ( yes I wake them up on Christmas morning LOL), watch everyone open their presents, take a ton of pictures, quickly pick up wrapping paper and plastic packaging, and then of course I have to check on dinner and start breakfast. That is just the begining, then I have to make plates of food for the kids that work at Blockbuster ( they know us by name and have become friends), have to stop and see a few people wishing them merry greetings, and then back home to make left over sandwiches. Like I said lots to do. But isn’t it so much fun.

Cooking and Baking, wrapping last minute presents, visiting friends and family, enjoying dinner, hugs and kisses to each person who enters the house, mistle toe, Christmas trees, Cookies, Santa Claus, and Midnight Mass, this is the typical Christmas eve. I will be spending this evening with my mother, kids, and my best friend. I will deliver the last of my Christmas cookies and I will sit and relax while everyone enjoys the dinner of the Eve of Christmas. I don’t generally eat much when I cook big meals. I’m not sure why. I end up being a left overs person. My mother is going to go home after dinner and plans to be here early tomorrow morning. My best friend is staying the night and I am hopefully going to sleep tonight at least a little because I have to get up early to start the duck. I hope it’s completely defrosted. Now is when I start to worry about whether or not the meal is going to turn out ok. This will be interesting if nothing else because I’m making duck and turkey. Actually two ducks and turkey breast. I can’t wait until Christmas Day. I love Christmas even if the meal is cause for being busy. There is nothing like it. “Twas the night before Christmas” and all through the house not a creature was stirring except for me.. and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and the real festivities begin. The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day parties are the best. It’s time to spend time with your family and friends.  I love this time of year. I feel so close to my family on Christmas. We share, genuinely share ourselves, our love and kindness. We eat together, which isn’t always the case, and we talk. We talk about hopes and dreams for the new year. We talk about all of the things life has made us to busy to share. The little things in life that are often over looked. Things that are important and things that may be silly. It doesn’t matter, we just talk. It’s wonderful. Any way, I am going to be doing a lot the next two days so I am going to write my next two days posts now so that I can spend time enjoying my family. I hope you all have a happy holiday season. And if you celebrate Merry Christmas! 

This is one of my favorite recipes!! I love this stuff. You will need:

Ingredients:

Five Medium Idaho Potatoes

One Large White Onion

Four Or Five Hard Boiled Eggs ( as many as you want, I use a lot)

One Large Sweet Maui Onion

3/4 Cup Of White Distilled Vinegar

1/2 Cups Of Granulated Sugar Or Brown Sugar ( I prefer The Granulated)

Directions:

Peal potatoes and cut into cubes about 3 inches big. Fill a large pot about 3/4 of the way with hot water. Bring to a boil. Carefully so as to not burn yourself put potatoes in the water and boil until the potatoes when a fork can be easily inserted but if the potatoes fall apart when you stick a fork in them they are over done. If this happens you can still work with this but it won’t be quite the same. While the potatoes are boiling cut up your onion into 1/2 inch slices or smaller depending on your taste if you are going to be eating them. I eat them so I cut them to 1/2 inch. Cut up your hard boiled eggs in large chunks including the yolk. Place in a large bowl and set aside. Mix your vinegar in a small bowl with your sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved. When your potatoes are done drain them. Be careful they will be HOT. Put them into the bowl with the hard boiled eggs and onions. Pour the Vinegar and sugar mixture over the potatoes and serve immediately. This is meant to be served warm but can be eaten cold if you want. I like them either way. For those of you who like bacon you can also add a slice or two of cooked bacon cut into small pieces. I hope you enjoy this recipe, I know my family does.

These make a wonderful present for those who love to bake.

You need:

A large canning jar and two piece lid

A piece of festive material around 8 inches by 8 inches

A ribbon to tie around the jar

Ingredients:

1  1/4 cups of all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 Cup brown sugar packed

1/2 Cup granulated sugar

1 package of mini chocolate baking bits  either milk chocolate or semi sweet

1  1/4 Cup graham cracker crumbs

1. Combine Flour, Cinnamon, and Baking Soda in a bowl and set aside

2. Evenly layer the ingredients in your 1 quart canning jar from bottom to top in this order:  Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Flour Mixture, Graham Cracker Crumbs, And Chocolate pieces tightly packing each layer as you go. Place the inside lid on top of the jar, cover with your festive material, place outer lid on jar and tighten securely, and tie bow around the lid for that present feel to it.

Attatch the following instructions:

You’ll need:

1 & 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter softened

1 egg

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

1 Tablespoon of Milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With an electric beater combine egg, milk, vanilla, and butter together until smooth. Mix in the ingredients from the jar until well blended. Grease cookie sheet and drop by the spoonful onto cookie sheet about two inches apart. Bake for 8-9 minutes watching to not over cook. Let cool and enjoy.

You Need:

A purchased wreath 24-26 inches works fine ( I get mine from WalMart)

Christmas Berry Bunches

7 or 9 Pine Cones

Foral Wire

Ribbon ( The Bigger The Better In My Opinion )

This is a real easy wreath to make. With the wire you are going to attatch the cones to the wreath. Wrap the wire around the pine cones and then wrap the wire around the wreath base. Space out the pine cones evenly. I put one on the top center and then work them out around the wreath leaving and empty space in the center on the bottom. Wire your bunches of Christmas Berries in the same way placing them between your Pine Cones. When you are finished with that put your bow or Christmas Flower of your choice at the bottom center. Your wreath is finished and ready to hang or be given as a gift.

I am a self proclaimed Christmas Ornament Junkie!!! I love Christmas Ornaments. I can’t get enough of them. I buy more every single year and end up with bulbs that I can’t even use because I have so many. I need to get like a 7 and 1/2 foot tree that is the same around so that I can fit all of my ornaments. But I love a tree with a lot of ornaments. I do mean A LOT of ornaments. There are so many different kinds of ornaments. I have glass balls, plastic balls, and styrofoam balls. I have homemade ornaments and store bought ornaments. I have the typical teddy bears and Santa Clauses to non traditional theme ornaments such as the Cat in the Hat ornaments. I love them all and it’s gotten to the point that I have to avoid that part of the store all together when I am shopping because I can barely contain myself.

I do not have a theme for my tree nor do I have my tree all in one color. I haven’t done a single color on my tree in many years. Not since my ornament addiction began. You laugh but you should see my tree. It is very colorful and full of decorations. I don’t even have a single color for lights. I have both white and pink lights on my tree as well as silver garland. I have been full of color the last several christmas’s.

My bulb addiction started a few years ago when I went to a thrift store and found these really cool green ornaments with peace signs and love writen on them in glitter. I had to have them. They were the coolest things I had ever seen. I then began searching for these kinds of decorations every year before and after Christmas at thrift stores and discount stores. I have probably close to 15 bulbs that I bought two years ago at The Dollar Tree as well as Knick Knacks ( but that’s a whole other addiction ). I have bought them from Good Will and even from WalMart and Big Lots. I have tons of them. I mean I have container after container full of ornaments. It’s my personal weakness. Superman has kryptonite I have Christmas ornaments…LOL. Any way, I am always on the look out for good ornaments I hope you have the ones you like too.

Are you one of those people like me that just can’t part with things like Christmas Cards? I am always so touched by the holiday greetings and wishes of cheer that I just can’t seem to part with them. I’ve kept them every year in one of my boxes full of Christmas Decorations and this year that is exactly what I’m going to use them as. For starters my door way between my kitchen and living room I usually decorate with Garland and lights. This year I want to decorate with lights and cards. I plan to hang cards around the entire door way from floor to arch to floor. I also have a fairly open wall next to my front door way as well as the door it’s self that I would like to make Christams trees out of the cards I have and will get this year. I used to put my cards on my entertainment stand but I bought so many decorations and figurines last year that I have no room for them. I am a self proclaimed Christmas decoration junkie. I see stuff every year that I just have to have. I love having my house decorated and the cards will be a nice touch.

This is a simple enough centerpiece idea that the kids can do with you.

You need 3, 5, or 7 pillar candles of different sizes..

A platter or pretty dish that will fit the candles ( I say to put it on something for ease to move it around when necessary )..

Some pine needles packs, cones, or other winter greens used for decorating…

Some small plastic pointsetta flowers or other colorful plastic flowers….

And some artificial snow

Arrange the candles as you like in the center of the platter

Place the holiday greens around and in between the candles

Put the point setta or other flowers on top of the greens

And sprinkle with snow

You have a beautiful centerpiece in a matter of minutes.

Ok so these aren’t necessarily to hang on the tree but more to look like ornaments but to eat instead.

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/3 cup butter
• 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Cream 1/2 cup of butter or margarine. Add brown sugar and beat. Beat in egg and molasses. In a separate bowl, combine 2 3/4 cups of flour, soda and spices. Add to butter mixture. Blend well.
3. Roll dough out 1/8 inch thick on floured surface. Cut into shapes. Bake for 6-8 minutes.
4. To Make Frosting: Cream 1/3 cup butter. Gradually add 2 cups sifted confectioners sugar, 1 tablespoon milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until smooth. Put in a pastry bag with small tip and decorate cookies.

Now again, with almost any cookie recipe it would be easy enough to let the kids get involved, even the young ones who would surely have fun making decorations that suited their taste. With the creativity of a child you are sure to have some great designs. These cookies will be a prize winner among your guests and any one whom you choose to give as presents.