Friday, December 21, 2018

Glorious Sunshine

We have a beautiful sunshiny day here today. It’s been raining most of the week, but you all know me, I’m not complaining, because it’s not snow. That doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a blue sky when I see it! Ha!

I have just a few photos to share with you today.  For those of you that follow “farmgirlsam” over on my side bar, you might remember her posting a couple of days ago about something called “Christmas Crack” and she gave us the link to the recipe.  I made it yesterday, and oh my goodness it is delicious.  It is seriously one of the most simple things I have ever made. You make it with saltine crackers, butter and sugar and then melt almond bark to spread on top.  I added sprinkles to make it festive. It tastes kind of like toffee. You need to run to that post and get that link and then make this for yourself. It took no time at all and virtually no ingredients. And it is delicious. We had it as a treat at Bible study last night and no one could believe they were saltine crackers. I sent the majority of what was left to work with Dennis today so I wouldn’t eat it all. Ha!

We also enjoyed banana bread that I had made last month and had in the freezer.

And, of course it’s not Christmas without chocolate covered pretzels. I made these yesterday too and I had wanted to use dark almond bark but all they had left at the grocery store was white almond bark.  Again with the sprinkles to make them festive.   It took me less than 45 minutes to make the Christmas Crack AND the pretzels. Since I can’t stand for very long in the kitchen, this was an added blessing.

I thought I would show you two of my favorite ornaments today. I’ve shown them before on my blog, so please forgive me if this is old to you. I received this little nativity when I was FIVE years old from my Sunday school teacher.  It is had a place of honor on our Christmas tree every year since. 53 years now!  The glitter on the roof is almost worn off now.

Dennis and I got this starfish ornament on our last trip to Hawaii a few years ago. We were there the week before Christmas and we bought this in Lahaina on Maui at a craft fair underneath the old Banyan tree. The Banyan tree takes up an entire city block! It’s huge.  I thought that this ornament was beautiful and I still do.

Oops! This isn’t an ornament. This is Piper! Apparently it was Grinch day at school, so she wore a green shirt and reindeer antlers. I think she’s a doll.  She’s getting so tall! She faced-timed with me the other day and we sang Christmas songs. We sang along to several that we both knew, but there was one that I didn’t know at all, so she decided to teach me. She would say a few words and then have me say a few words. You can tell she’s in kindergarten and listens to her teacher quite a lot. She would make a great teacher.

That’s it for the day! We’re having our woodstove replaced with a gas stove today and the gentlemen are here now working on it. I just can’t haul wood anymore with my back and I’m the one that keeps the fire going while Dennis is at work, so we decided to replace it. I had wanted an actual fireplace so I could have a mantle and it would have taken up less space, but for the difference in cost, we decided to just replace the stove with a similar gas stove.  I’m looking forward to having the warmth of a fire at the touch of a button!

I’m thinking today of Debbie who is “Araignee’s Tangled Web” over on my side bar. She lost her beloved parrot that she had for 30 years from a hatchling, to cancer last night and she is devastated. This is been a hard year for her as she has had several terrible losses in her life. If any of you would say a prayer for her, as her friend I would greatly appreciate it. Debbie, if you’re reading this I hope you can feel my arms around you giving you a great big hug.

“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9

Blessings,
Betsy

12 comments:

  1. Christmas crack...I've had it but never made it!! YUM. I have sent Deb hugs. Tough year for her! SO glad you and Piper sing together!

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  2. Love the ornaments. Little Miss Piper is getting so tall. Love how she is always smiling. Wishing you a lovely day filled with many blessings sweet friend. ((hugs))

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  3. Praise God for His mercies are very great... a cheery looking uo to Him post Betsy.
    Love the sound of your baking but no idea what on earth Almond Bark is ... it sounds very strange to have it as chocolate.
    Praying for you and all who are suffering loss at this year, whether it be a precious one or loss of health or other trials.
    As Job said:
    " though He slay me yet will I trust in Him."
    May the Lord bless your Christmastime as we remember thegreatest gift ever given the beautiful Lord Jesus... our Saviour and LORD.
    Hugs Shaz in Oz.x

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  4. I have some almond bark in the freezer, so I may make some Christmas Crack!

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  5. Those two desserts you made look delish. I am trying to get up the energy to make cookies. I have almost gotten everything ready for the celebration. We're doing roast beef, mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. Piper looks simply adorable.. she's precious. I hope your Christmas is full of love.

    ****************************************
    *M*E*R*R*Y* * *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. Your goodies look great. I am so sorry for your friend, it isn't easy losing a pet :(

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  7. Love your ornaments, and Piper is so sweet!
    Blessed Christmas to you and your family, Betsy!

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  8. I cannot believe how big Miss Piper is getting 😊 Your childhood nativity ornament is a bit like a small nativity set I have (or maybe had). Seeing yours makes me want to find mine! Wishing you and yours a very joyous and very blessed Christmas!
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  9. Love your ornaments and the special memories attached. Glad you enjoyed the "crack"! LOL! I have yet to make mine...hopefully today. Piper is so cute and yes, she is getting tall! Hugs and prayers for all who are suffering from loss at this time of year and especially your friend who lost her beloved companion...my heart goes out to her. Merry Christmas!

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  10. Your ornaments are pretty and the food....yum! I'll have to try that "crack" recipe. Hugs to your friend. This is such a hard time of year for so many people. I am so lucky. I, too, can't stand in the kitchen for long. Very annoying, isn't it?

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  11. Christmas Crack looks so delicious but I don't think saltine crackers are gluten free so couldn't eat it. Not sure if I can get GF pretzels or not but that looks good too. Nice that you and Piper can sing together and she does look like she is getting taller. Nancy

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  12. Yummy the Christmas crack looks good. We have so many goodies right now I don't need to make any. Still need to finish the blueberry coffee cake I got for Megan's birthday and froze a pie and lemon pound cake I got on Friday...use for later! I still have a few ornaments from the past, a mouse my mom sent us in England, with a white and red striped hat. Piper is so cute and glad you were able to sing with her. Dental visit went ok but still having a bit of pain in my head with all the stuff that went on and 2 shots to get me numb, no fun. On antibiotic to take care of infection in a tooth that needs a root canal....next month. Oh sigh but thankful I got through it and a good and understanding dentist and dental assistant. Hugs and have a Merry Christmas my friend!

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