The Best Christmas Jam!

I ran across this recipe and just had to give it a try and I'm so glad I did!  I made it exactly like the recipe even though I thought 5 lbs of sugar would be too sweet but really it was just right.  It's from Taste of Home, one of my favorite sources for recipes.  I love having something to share with the neighbors or friends we may see during the holidays.  I've already tried it out on a  biscuit this morning and it was delicious and so pretty in color with the strawberry/cranberry combination.


Christmas Jam

Ingredients:

1 package (40 ounces) frozen unsweetened strawberries, thawed or 2-1/2 quarts fresh strawberries, hulled
1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries
5 pounds sugar
2 pouches (3 ounces each) liquid fruit pectin

 Directions:

1. Grind strawberries and cranberries in a food processor or grinder; place in a Dutch oven. Add sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil; boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat; stir in pectin and return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat.

2. Cool for 5 minutes; skim off foam. Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles; wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner. Yield: about 14half-pints.

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. 

~Harlan Miller 

Hope you're having some Christmas fun this week!

Merry Christmas and Last Minute Baking

I have to admit that I am such a procrastinator! I have done better this year than some though. At least I did some baking this year!

 

 

 

These were the easiest cookies ever and they really taste pretty much like "made from scratch!" I usually don't like mixes for baking but I thought I would give them a try and I'm so glad I did!

 

Christmas is the perfect time to just get creative and have fun in the kitchen! 

And gifts from the kitchen are always such a good idea.

Johnny and Sadie really like it when I bake too! 

 

So, now I think I'm ready for the party to begin!

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

~Author Unknown

 

Fall Finally Comes to Texas

Now that it's almost Christmas our leaves are starting to turn pretty fall colors and after the cold front this weekend there will probably be no leaves at all.   It's suppose to be in the 30's all weekend and raining too.  I think this will be a good time to just stay inside and make a pot of chili!

 

Can't believe how Christmas sneaks up on me every year.  At least with the cooler weather it will feel like Christmas!

 

 

Who said there's no fall color in Southeast Texas??  It might not happen until December, but it does happen eventually!

 

This rope that has embedded into the tree has recently been used for hanging plants and bird houses, but originally, over 40 years ago, it was hung for a tire swing.  It was a fun place for our kids and their friends and they spent lots of hours climbing and swinging from this rope.



Chinese Tallow Tree



 Sadie's not so sure about walking on the leaves. 

 

 

We bought this tree about 10 years ago thinking it was a Red Leaf Maple, but it has never had a red leaf on it!  This year it was pretty though with it's golden leaves. 

Hoping this cooler weather will inspire me to finish getting ready for Christmas! 

 

Christmas gift suggestions: 

To your enemy, forgiveness. 

To an opponent, tolerance. 

To a friend, your heart. 

To a customer, service. 

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example. 

To yourself, respect. 

~Oren Arnold

 

 

Hope you have a good weekend and enjoy the beauty of the season!

 

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I'm not quite ready and probably won't be until Christmas arrives but I'm really looking forward to having family here for the celebration!! After the tragic news in Connecticut last week I'm sure a lot of us will just be happy to have each other and not be so worried about the "perfect gift" this year.

Wishing you the "joy" of Christmas

throughout the year!

Surprise at Mall

I've never seen a flash mob live but would love to some day! This one has some beautiful music and a wonderful message.

 

 

 

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. 

~W.T. Ellis

Christmas 2011

We had a very nice Christmas even though the weather was quite cold and dreary! It rained Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the day after. It didn't slow us down much though. We had Mark and Jennifer come stay with us for a few days and then Jeffrey came and spent Christmas Day. Jason and Jill were missed very much but we were glad they were able to spend Christmas with his family in Portland. My favorite time of Christmas is always our Candlelight service at church and this was no exception. Each year I love to finally, after all the busy days of shopping and preparing for Christmas, get to just sit and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas!

 

Christmas Part II

Well this year has not been our year to get everyone all together at one time, so we are celebrating the entire month of December, not just the 25th. We visited with Jill and Jason a couple of weeks ago and then for Christmas Day Jeff came in to celebrate with us and now on Friday we go to Austin to celebrate once again with Jennifer and Mark. Hopefully next year we will be able to get them all together on the same day.

Every day is Christmas

when you have the kind of mind,

That stores up all the goodness

and the sweetness it can find.

When you don't need an occasion,

to spread a bit of cheer,

But just keep on a-giving,

of yourself throughout the year.

Every day is Christmas,

with a gaily wrapped surprise,

When you've learned to see the friendship,

in someone else's eyes.

When you try a little harder,

and complain a little less,

Holding fast to all the fervor

of the faith that you possess.

Every day is Christmas,

when you've found that you can be

More concerned with words like "you"

and less with "I" and "me".

When it's fun to do a favor,

and to lend a helping a hand,

When being understood means less,

than when you understand.

Every day is Christmas,

with a beauty deeply cast,

When you find it doesn't matter,

if you're first or if you're last.

When you can face your conscience,

and be glad of what you are,

Then every day is Christmas,

with a stable and star.

-- Unknown

Our Christmas 2009

Christmas has come and gone, once again sneaking up on me before I knew what was happening. Everything worked out just fine though and we enjoyed every minute of our celebration. On Christmas Eve we went to Candlelight Services at our church then came home and had Tamales and just had a good time visiting with family and friends and the 5 doggies running around the house. Then on Christmas Day we opened gifts, ate, visited, and played RummiKub and Catch Phrase. Some of the bunch even showed off their talent with a little Guitar Hero!

Mark, Jennifer, and Mom

Jeff

Jill and Jason

Kailey

K.C. (one of the 5 doggies)

Jake

This Christmas we had really cold Christmasy weather unlike some times when we've had to wear shorts and run the air conditioning.

Jill and Jason missed seeing about 10 inches of snow at their home in Kansas City. I'm just thankful they didn't get caught traveling in the bad weather. When they got back home the roads were in pretty good shape, but their driveway was piled deep with snow.

My greatest present this year was just having all my children home at the same time!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

(wunderground photo)

I've been busy this evening trying to finish up some last minute cooking. I'm making pecan pralines and fudge tonight and getting ready for all the family to come in tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to having everyone - it doesn't happen often enough anymore. I hope that in their travels they don't get caught in the storms that are rumbling across Texas. I think we are under a tornado watch now and expecting about an inch of rain. It has been so warm that we had to run the air conditioner again, but tomorrow it is suppose to turn much colder. I sure hope so!
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

A Hippopotomus for Christmas??

Well that makes my wish for a pony and

my daughter, Jennifer's wish for an alpaca

not quite so rediculous.

He really is cute isn't he!!

Gift of Peace

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As we celebrate Christmas this year may we be reminded of the Hope and Peace we receive by living a life of Faith.

Favorite Christmas Movies

I hope I have time to watch Elf and some of my other favorites this Christmas. I love Christmas with the Kranks and Polar Express too, along with some of the real classics like It's a Wonderful Life.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I love reading this version of Night before Christmas as a reminder of where we should be focused at Christmas time.

New Night Before Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.

No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap.

Then what from the TV
did come to their ears?
'Cept an ad, which told
of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash
Buying things on credit
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
from their trip to the mall,
did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no ... not at all!

Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior,
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time to
Shop til they dropped!"

On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's.

From the big stores downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new stepladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus ...
Light of the World.

Christ's eyes ... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit ... how merry!
Christ's love ... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!

So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in Christmas,
and enjoy some good nights!