Well, we survived Christmas and New Year's! Both were wonderful holidays and we truly enjoyed being with all of our family. The kids all were happy with their gifts and have spent many hours with them. My middle child and oldest son, Matthew, had his 16th birthday on New Year's Eve. It took him many years to figure out that all of the parties were not in his honor, LOL. We celebrated his birthday with family on New Year's Day. We had great fun and he LOVES his new iPod Touch. I don't think he's put it down since he got it. Now he's studying for his permit. That is a very scary thought for me! I think he'll be okay though. He's a smart boy.

We are getting ready to take down Christmas. We had an awesome tree this year. I really hate to see it come down. Unfortunately, we need the room. Things are very crowded!! It is more amazing each year how quickly the season flies by. I didn't have time to get half of the things done that I wanted to. I am beginning to think I won't be able to do it all until I retire - which is too many years from now, LOL!

We are also getting ready to take my daughter back to school. I think she's starting to get a little antsy and misses all of her college buddies. We love having her home though and will be counting the days until she comes back. Fortunately we have a week before she goes back to Niagara University.

I am hoping to get some sewing done. I didn't accomplish half as much as I had hoped in this area for Christmas either. I have to get my fanny in gear and get it going!!

A Holiday Recipe

Last year I made this cocoa recipe for the kids and couldn't keep enough on hand. They absolutely loved it. You could make this as a "Gift in a Jar" too. It makes great teacher's gifts!!

Hot Cocoa Mix

2 C nonfat dry milk

1 C sugar

1/2 C cocoa, unsweetened

1/2 C non-dairy creamer

1 dash of salt
Miniature marshmallows or cream, optional

Combine all ingredients and store in a in tightly sealed container.

Makes about 4 cups of hot cocoa mix.

Directions:
Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of mix to a mug and fill with hot water.
Stir to blend. Add some marshmallows or cream.

Flavored Cocoa Variations

• Use any of the flavored creamers in place of the non-dairy powdered creamer (i.e. Hazelnut, Irish Cream, Amaretto, French Vanilla and any other that may be available.
• Add one teaspoon of cinnamon to the cocoa mix
• For Mocha, fill your mug with coffee instead of water

To use as Gifts In A Jar
You could add some miniature marshmallows to the mix and then fill a quart jar with the cocoa mix and miniature marshmallows combination. Attach the directions as a cute tag and decorate for gift-giving. One quart mason jars work perfectly. Add a circle of holiday fabric which has been trimmed with pinking shears and tie with some raffia or ribbon. You can also attach a peppermint stick or candy cane to top of the jar with the raffia or ribbon.

Busy Crafting Weekend!

Well, it's been a busy crafting weekend for me. Finally!!! I've been working on ornies for a challenge and they are finally done! Yay!! They will be up for auction starting tomorrow!

I've been also working on a doll from a pattern by Julie at My Raggedy Dolls. I just need to add an accessory or two and she'll be ready for my site.

I also have some candy cane ornies that I've been working on. I am working on getting them up to my site soon.

TGIF almost!!!

What a day! So glad tomorrow is Friday. Even though it was a short work week it seems like it was 2 weeks with no weekend! Been working on some new stuff for my website. I have to take some pics and get them listed! Stay tuned for that!

I'm counting the days until my darling baby girl (so she's almost 19 - she's still my baby girl!) comes home from college for Thanksgiving break - 11 days! Since she went to school, I am home iwth my hubby and boys. Even the dog is a boy, LOL!! I miss her like crazy and am really getting tired of getting kicked out of my living room so they can watch sports all the time!! I've been banishing myself to my room so I can watch my TV or read, but all that's done is convince me that I need to redecorate my bedroom.

OIY!!

Was it the last nice fall weekend?

Hello Prim Friends! We spent a nice relaxing weekend at home.

I managed to get a bit of sewing done and some ornies made. I hope to have some of them on my website soon. Others were made specifically for an auction that is being hosted starting next week by a great forum that I belong to called The Ol Country Home. I will let you all know when it is up and ready for bids so make sure you check back often!

Hubby got a few things checked off his "honey do" list! I now have a light in my fridge again, YAY! For some reason it wouldn't come on when we changed it and he had to take it apart. We must have a "thing" going on with the lights in our house. The light over my sink went out and wouldn't work when we changed it. We figured out that it's the fixture and have to get a new one. I personally think that the house hit 20 years old and I need to throw everything out and start over again, LOL!! It sounds like a workable plan to me - but my hubby doesn't seem to agree!

The kids are off from school today and tomorrow due to a Conference Day and then Veterans' Day. I will be off tomorrow! Hope to get some more sewing done!