Wrapping With Rosie

I've been busy with all the preparations that go along with Christmas.

Yesterday I finished up my gift wrapping.

I may be old but I can still jump on the bed.

After all this is where my mom the action is

I think I'll help her make cookies and fudge tomorrow.

And we need to be sure and put a post on the blog. 

We do everything together these days.

Now where did that bow go?

Purrrrrrrrrrr.

Old Fashioned Christmas

I love decorating for Christmas. 

Inside

And Out

I like things plain and simple as you can see from the coffee table decoration.  Just a green wreath with candles in the center.

I bought  a new tree this year.  It is a little taller and much thicker than the one I had last year.  We always had a fresh tree until my son was born and we discovered he was allergic to just about everything.  Artificial trees are so much easier and less messy.  Plus they don't aggravate kids with asthma and make your husbands eyes swell up if the tree is a Frazier Fir.

I have to have a star on top of the tree.

To me the best part of the tree are the ornaments. I've collected ornaments for many years adding a couple of new ones each year.

 My favorites are the ones the children made.

A special wish for a bell from prancer's harness for my daughter preserved.

The ones I made.

I made these two needlepoint ornaments when I was pregnant with our baby Scott.  We only were able to hold him for a short time but he is here in our hearts.

Remembering the "Reason For The Season" 

Wishing you Peace, Love and Joy!

Thanks for stopping by.

The Birthday Girl

Yesterday was mom's 89th birthday!  I think it turned out to be a a happy celebration for her.  Her day was filled with cards, flowers, hugs and many phone calls.

I decided to fix Cuban Black Beans and Rice and Ham Croquettes for her birthday which is a favorite of Chris and Jackson my family.  (They both ate a lot of rice, salad and garlic bread.  Ha!)

For her birthday cake I made another family tradition.  My grandma Kelly's Date Cake.  This cake has always been my favorite.  My mom used to make it for me on my birthdays.  I never have made the cake myself.  I thought I had the recipe in my file but didn't so I pulled it from mom's file.  When I started to make it I had mom there adding advice on things not written on the card and I suddenly realized the recipe was handwritten by Grandma Kelly.  It was a sweet moment as if the three of us were there cooking together.  (Big Sniff).

A well worn recipe.

Here is a picture of the cake.  It looks rather pitiful in this ugly pan.  But the taste is divine and that's what matters.  I cheated and used cool whip instead of "real whipped cream".  It really is much better with the real stuff.

It's very light, full of dates and walnuts and lady fingers on top.

It was a fun time and even Rosie joined the celebration.  She likes party's.

Chris and Carrie were here and I could kick myself for not getting a picture of them but they looked fabulous as always!  And they won first place in the biggest Poinsettia contest!   Isn't it beautiful!

It was a very Happy Day.