Pre Christmas Doings

 Well, hello and Merry Christmas, sweet blog reading friends! I have been away from my computer and using my phone and iPad for blog reading and sometimes the comments I leave do not go through.  So sorry.  I just don't pull my laptop out of it's calico sleeve as often because I have been knitting. 

I have also been cuddling with this sweet boy.  When the grands are here, he gets his nose out of joint.  "I'm the kid around here!"

I've been sewing a little (cutting out a dress and a pair of pants).  I am going to use the fat quarters to make bias tape. 

 Oh, another cuddle. 

 We visited our Ft. Collins kids and we loved seeing their cute decorated house. 

 Their church hymn sing was so fun.  April made lots of cookies.  YUMMY! (I couldn't get that night's photos to load completely. Wah.)

Finally Kelli's pool is finished.  We have had a warm December so she had friends over to swim (brrrrrr!) before they closed it this week.  It took forever from start to finish.

 Last Sunday we had Advent at their house.  It was fun! 

 I had lunch with a sweet Christian sister that was a highlight of my Christmas build up and then I enjoyed a visit with another sweet friend last week.  We painted Santas.  She had everything all ready.  We had such a lovely and peaceful time together.  I love one-on-one time with encouraging people. 

 Lizzy took a photo of her shadow.  A fairy! 

 Kelli and Bryan celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary downtown so the cutie pies stayed with us.  We had a nice pizza dinner with Jeff and Christie (and the super boys) and then we came back here and watched three Santa movies before bed!  

 I got to pick the bookclub book for January and I chose this nonfiction Rumer Godden book.  It was such a beautiful read.



One bookclubber texted me and said she learned a new word from the book.  Great word, huh?

 I made my first ever Shepherd's Pie.  It was scrumptious. 

I hope your Christmas is pure and bright.  Thank you for your reading and if you have a blog that I read, thank you for keeping it good and happy, high-thinking and positive.  I am sick to death of all the "no rules" and "no absolutes" that I see on social media.  I was watching a podcast that I enjoyed and a book was recommended (a Christmas book) and I bought the ebook and started reading it. It was so full of lies and twisting of the real TRUTH that burst into Bethlehem and changed our lives.  Well, I decided no more.  I'm not reading or viewing darkness.  It's not for me and I can't abide it.  Rant over.

Instead, I look to candlelight that reminds me of THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD and prayers with my husband who seeks Jesus with a passion that constantly inspires me.  I want to cherish our kids, their spouses, the grands with all the Jesus love I can.

I'm off to pray with the serene and real ladies that gather at the retreat house today.  I can't wait.

God be with you, dear ones. 

December Doings and a Recipe for Fika

 I hope you are enjoying a sweet and meaningful prelude to Christmas.  Are you?  

 James likes to go shirtless so he can be the Hulk.  I love his shiny face so much!

 I'm still chugging away on Millie's blanket.

 And here's the baby of the family . . . 

 Cadence's Job's Daughters group sold wreaths.  I can't believe how fresh and lovely they are right out of the shipping box!

 Lizzy made Playdoh cupcakes.

 Millie turned seven and a friend of Kelli's baked the gorgeous cake pictured below. 

 I made Santa curtains.  (I know - eye roll) But, it was easy and my neighbor had given me this cute fabric years ago. 

 I bought two Pioneer Woman Christmas plates.

 Lizzy made real cookies.

  

 Kelli's girls had a performance this afternoon so NEXT week they'll be able to join us for Advent.  These four danced and fought a little (Noah, too! Well, he didn't fight and they didn't  really fight but had a hard time sharing the floor space!)

We've had lots of things going on for quite a few days now and I THINK tomorrow and the next day are going to be quiet.  I'd like to sit on the sofa and knit or cross stitch.  

Our weather is warm and sunny.  It's nice but not Christmas-y.

I baked a delicious coffee cake for book club.  They wanted the recipe, so I'll give it to you, too.

In my family we named it Bonnie's Kringler

1 cup flour

1/2 cup butter

1 T. water

(Mix this like pie crust and roll it into two long strips 3 inches wide. Put the two strips on a cookie sheet.)

Put 1 cup water in a sauce pan with 1/2 cup butter.  Heat to boiling.  Remove from heat and mix in 1 cup flour.  Stir until smooth.  Stir in 3 eggs one at a time.  Beat mixture between each egg. Add 1/2 tsp. almond extract.  Spread this mixture over the long strips.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.  

When cool frost with 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, and 1/2 tsp. almond extract (add a little cream if you want the frosting smoother). 

You can put sliced almonds on top.

It is so good you'll want to eat it all in one sitting.

God be with you, sweet ones.