Christmas in Leavenworth {2011}

Words of Assurance

Old hymns have always been a favorite of mine. No matter how long it has been since they have been sung in church, heard on the radio, or read in old letters...the words always come back to mind along with the comfort they offer.

Several years ago, after a fall in our garage {Climbing the gorilla racks in flip flops is not the best idea!}, I was treated by an amazing doctor. He listened to me and was such a gentle, caring man who was in it for the long-haul with me. One day, a few years later, I called in desperation to get in with him. He was gone. Retired. Nowhere to be found. I sorta felt like my lifeline had been cut!

But God knows. Yesterday morning, I was scheduled for an appointment and my favorite doctor was there!! My hubby and I talked and talked to him for quite some time. I told him how happy I was to see him and how difficult it is to find a really really good doctor. He was so very gracious and said, "Well, I am here now." All day those words kept ringing in my ear. Seriously. It made me think of how powerful words can be...especially words of hope spoken by a doctor who is as thoughtful as a dad, words of comfort spoken by a dad to a frightened child and best of all words of assurance spoken to us from our Heavenly Father who knows exactly what is best for us.

As much as I LOVE the holidays and the fresh clean start that comes with the New Year {you know...the cleaning of cabinets and drawers, closets and shelves, making piles for Goodwill and for friends who love hand-me-downs} that is not what I was thinking about this morning. I was thinking about how grateful I am to my God who is gracious enough to show me mercy! I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am going to think things I should NOT think, say things I should NOT say, disappoint those I love...and the nastiness that is in me will be exposed for everyone to see at some point in time...and in my case, usually sooner than later!

But oh how good it is to know that our kind and gracious Jesus is always there. It is we who wander off, "retire" without any warning. We are the ones that are willing to cut our lifeline. But it is Jesus who will take the severed rope, tie a tight knot, and who will whisper in our ear, "I am here now...and ALWAYS will be"!

In this New Year, I pray that you will take time to seek the Lord and that His words of assurance will offer you HOPE like never before.

"The Lord is good to those whose HOPE is in HIM, to the one who seeks HIM."
Lamentations 3:25

Love to YOU!

The Pearson family


{This is one of my favorite pictures! It used to be Lauriss that had her arm around her little brother...now, it is Caleb who protects her and who is so affectionate with his sissy! The best gift ever!}

Use Your "Pretties"

How many of you remember going to a friend's house when you were younger and feeling like someone had just died? You went over to play and the "good" couches were covered with sheets, the lamps were still shrink wrapped in plastic(MAJOR FIRE HAZARD! :) ), the drapes were drawn to save the covered couch??? You had to play in the basement so nothing would get broken...except an arm from slipping on the cement...and about half-way through your play date... in solitary confinement, you mentioned you were a bit hungry...so you went up to the off-limits kitchen to get a snack and were given a bathroom Dixie cup with KOOL AID and a paper plate with stale chips...okay, not REALLY, but who are you saving your BEST for? Pretty sure none of us are expecting any dignitaries anytime soon...

So,give your best to those around you TODAY. Set the table with a tablecloth and your favorite dishes...that may not have even ever been used...get dressed up when your loved ones come home and smile when they ask you where you are going...blow off the dust on the candles and light them even if you are having leftovers...show them that they are more dear to you than anybody else in the world...treat them like they are Gold!

Last year my mom showed me the sweetest picture. I think it was taken on our first birthday. It was a homemade cake on a beautiful GLASS cake stand that was given to my parents as a wedding gift. She used her "PRETTIES" all of the time. It made us feel even more special in knowing that we were worth it. We learned to appreciate the little things and we also learned that the celebrating happens everyday with those around you.

If the plate does get chipped{another good reason to buy plain white dishes at TARGET!} or the tablecloth happens to get stained, just think... you will always have the memory of your special evening...loving and showing your dear ones that they are well worth the effort... annnnnddd, don't forget your bright red lipstick and pearls!

One more itty bitty thing...be sure to include the family pet!!! Remember, every day is a celebration!!

Vintage Heirloom Ornament

I am so very giddy giddy this morning!

The last batch of baked goods are in the oven, most of the Christmas presents are wrapped, the house is semi-clean, the kiddies have been dotted on, the doggie is cuddled up on the couch with her "baby" and I have a few minutes to BLOG something new! I kinda feel like a child who has just finished homework and who gets to play for awhile before dinner! :}

Anyhoo, since the metal Holly Hobbie lunch boxes we carried to school in the sixth grade are now considered VINTAGE, it is more than safe to call these ornaments vintage.

My dad saves everything with any value in the memory department whatsoever. I love the fact that he kept our old caroling sheet music from when we were little.



A few years ago, he brought them over to my twinsie's house! We had dinner and then gathered around the baby grand to sing Christmas carols before opening gifts. It was such a fun evening. I will never ever tire of twinsie's amazing talent on the piano! She has her very own style that is filled with all of the extra notes. I guess it was worth listening to the hours and hours of the same ol' scales!

...so, after seeing an idea on pinterest and seeing Kim's creation for a baby shower, I decided to take the old sheet music and make vintage ornaments for family Christmas gifts this year. I already had the ornaments, a mini punch, a glue stick, glitter and the vintage music sheets! TAA DAA!

There is nothing better than using something that you already have and making something memorable to give at Chrismas!

***I took the tops off of the ornaments and placed the white lights sitting on the mantle through the tops for ornament lighting. It looks so festive and is quite the conversation piece! That is what happens when Target sells out of globe lighting in October! Necessity is the mother to invention, right?



Thank you all for reading our little bloggy and for following our family journal this last year!

May this time of year be joyous as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!



Shared with: at the picket fence

Neopolitan Pecan Bars

Yesterday was "mommy day". Riss was back for the night on Wednesday night...so we had a festive shrimp fettucini dinner...so fun...well, I woke up to a little bug snuggled up to me yesterday morning=sheer delight! I will never get tired of bringing her Nutella toast in bed! My children still love to eat in bed which is something my Momma did for us! It is fun to think they will be doing the same with their children one of these days. Never underestimate little random acts of kindness! They may become TRADITION!

My son forgot his lunch at home and normally it is "too bad, soo sad"...but he texted me and then called and I thought to myself "how many more times am I going to be able to do this?" So, I ordered his favorite take-out food, picked it up and ran it to him before driving downtown to watch my hubby play in a basketball benefit tournament. EEEEEKKKK! I know sometimes being a Momma can be so demanding, but it feels good to be able to nurture your family...especially when it is easy to put them on the back-burner. So, if you are feeling frazzled...try loving on your family...it is sure to charge your batteries. Even if it is tucking them in at night...you will be sure to feel like you just got a big ole shot of vitamin D!

Riss got Nutella toast, Caleb got Wu's and my hubby got these...according to him, they are "quite possibly the best dessert!" Mr. Pearson says that about everything...but he was pretty convincing!!! "He" wants to make them for all the guys at work...that would mean "me"! Good thing they are easy!

This is a combo of two different recipes...

{In attempt to make it healthier, I had to add something in from Trader Joes!}

Enjoy!

Neopolitan Pecan Bars

1 package plain graham crackers, crushed or Trader Joes waffle cookies, crushed

1/3 cup pecans, chopped {optional}

1/2 cup salted butter, melted

1 large Tablespoon flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 cups sweetened coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons water

1 tsp. vanilla or ½ tsp. peppermint extract

one drop of red food coloring...this will be pink!

Mix the graham cracker crumbs, pecans, butter, sugar and flour together
and press into the bottom of a greased 8x8 inch pan.

Bake at 275* for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven.

Turn heat up to 300*.

Mix the coconut and sweetened condensed milk and
spread on the baked crust.

Bake for 40 minutes until golden
brown around the edges

Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Beat the butter, powdered sugar, water, vanilla {or peppermint} and food coloring
until light and fluffy.

Spread frosting on cooled bars.

Refrigerate until frosting is set.

These can be cut into little squares…because they are very rich.

Embellish with coconut

Tostada Tartlettes {mini savory pies}

Does anybody know the difference between pies and tartlettes? I could have looked it up, but ignorance is BLISS!

Taco pie simply does NOT sound near as tantalizing as tostada tartlettes. What do you think?

I forgot about these tempting little treats until a wedding reception this weekend. How yummy and fun to make. Aside from the fact of how cute they are, they are super dee duper easy...and as much as we are all loving Russian tea cakes and shrimp cocktails...these fun little appies are a welcome change for your next Christmas party!

Ingredients:

Pie dough tartlettes made or store bought {I used Trader Joe's pie dough, cookie cutters, and a tart tray}

Refried black beans...{I whip mine}

Finely shredded Romaine lettuce, and I do mean as fine as possible...so prissy looking

Shredded Tillamook Cheddar Cheese

Trader Joe's Corn and Chile Salsa {Goodness Gracious! Don't skimp on this}

Directions:

1. Place beans in bottom of prepared and ready-to-eat tartlettes. {A pastry bag is FUN to use!}

2. Layer the rest of the ingredients into "pie shell"

3. Serve at room temp...be kind and share.

ENJOY!


Shared with: comfy in the kitchen

Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream {Christmas Gift Idea}

I am the luckiest ducky in the world because my hubby is one fantastic cook and he teaches me things all of the time. I am his "official taste tester" and he is mine! {Amongst other friends and neighbors}.

Last night, he finally perfected his Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream. TO.DIE.FOR. and the best part about it is that he is sharing it with all of you. Now, we are all lucky little duckies {even though I don't believe in LUCK!}

Thank you, Honey, for workin' on it until you got it "right"! Such the sweetie you are!!!

Here is a fun idea for Christmas gifts or for entertaining during the Holidays. This is great because it can all be made up ahead of time. When dessert time rolls around, all you need to do is to pull out your tray of Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream containers. You may want to make two different sizes. The good news is there is no mess {YAY!} and no clean-up...EVEN BETTER!

Your guests will feel completely pampered and pleasantly full!




Scott's Famous Peppermint Ice Cream

Scott Pearson



INGREDIENTS:

2-1/2 cups milk

2-1/2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

2-1/2 cups half & half

1-1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract

1 tsp. TORANI PEPPERMINT SYRUP

5 cups whipping cream

2 cups crushed peppermint candies


DIRECTIONS:

• Heat milk until bubbles form around pan.

• Remove milk from heat

• Add sugar and salt, stir until dissolved.

• Stir in remaining ingredients.

• Place into ice cream maker and follow manufacturer’s directions.{BUNNY FOO FOO!}

****This recipe makes 5 quarts of ice cream******

This is such a versatile recipe! Eventually you will come up with your own variations.

Another yummy option: Skip the peppermint candies and fold in two rows of Trader Joe's Candy Candy Joe Joe's...or if you really want to have a sugar coma, go ahead and roughly chop the whole entire box of chocolate cookies. Just FOLD in the cookies after the ice cream has already been made! This is hubby's secret!




Packaging Ideas:

As soon as the ice cream is made. Pour into whatever containers you plan on gifting and place in freezer until needed.

I used Garnish products {soup containers and baker's twine}

Simply place four embellished containers in a Take-Out drink carrier {My friends and family collect these for me year-round! THANK YOU!}

Placed cedar clippings around the containers and attached a sweet little label with the family's initial to a branch. That is it!


What are some ideas you have for Christmas this year?





JUST BECAUSE I HAVE TO SHOW OFF MY VERY SWEET DOGGIE...








Shared with: at the picket fence