I am sooooo hungry for these sweet cookies!   I do miss my family at Christmas so this is a great taste from home.  My parents spend all the holidays with my brother since he lives closest, but I still miss some things about having holidays with my familiy.  We do spend our holidays with hubby's family prior to Chrsitmas.  Hubby and I have made alot of traditions with our children that mean alot to us all.  Some are silly.....every year Santa puts a Wonka Bar in their stockings...which are getting harder and harder to find!!  If I were to say I wasn't going to do one of them for Christmas next year it would be sad for them.   I really hope that these things are importnat to them when they are older.  Since I live in the cities, I imagine that all my children will be near by when they leave home.  If not we will need to alternate our holidays with them and always hold our family Christmas Party for the extended family prior to the holidays.  I count my blessings of all the family I do have close to me.  I am truly a blessed woman with family that has been wonderful in helping me to continue all the same tradidtions with our family and children even though I am not able to do things very easily this year!   This year I said I couldn't cook so my SIL got my recipe for 7-layer salad as that is what I make EVERY year.  It is not Christmas to them if they don't eat that!!   I actually want to make something new...but would never mess with tradition!

There are some things that just make me long for home and my mom.  When I am sick....gotta have my hubby make me mushy eggs on toast (my mom made it for me whenever I was sick).  I have had that at least three times since my surgery.   Sunday afternoons are always special for me if I make grilled cheese sandwhiches and chicken noodle soup, just like back home.  Do you have those things that aren't your favorite food because of the taste, but because of the sentiment or memories????  

I think what makes me sad is my children will not have the memories of Christmas Day, etc with my parents.  My parents do celebrate Christmas with us but not until January.   It jsut isn't the same.  The kids have funny stories about my hubby's parents that I am sure will be retold and retold!   We added one this year in fact,  Josh got a card from them and they wrote $10 in it but forgot the money!   LOL!!  It is the thought that counts, right??   Josh got a good chuckle out of it.   I am sure he will remember it for a while, the bittersweetness of Gramma's forgetfulness/dementia.  I love those type of memories! 

I think I feel like this every year on Christmas Day......Now that I am a bit sad I am off to make a bit of home.......

 CHOCOLATE-OATMEAL DROPS - MOM'S RECIPE  - Added to Website

Yep....Santa brought Guitar Hero III for the Wii and even Daddy likes to play!!

We all know that Josh LOVES Guitar Hero...and very determined to beat Tom Morello in a guitar battle.  I think his determination will keep him up ALL night!!!

UPDATE....Josh beat Tom so we can finally move on to a new song!

CHRISTMAS EVE PICTURES.....

Our Spread of Appetizers for Christmas Eve prepared by Hubby and Josh.

(note our pooch Teddy checking out up the food!)

Didn't they do a fabulous job!

Hubby and I found a little school desk for Tommy on Craigslist.  The best $5 Christmas gift ever! 

He loves it!!!

We went to the dollar store and filled the desk with a ton of supplies!

My boys......they really do love each other, some days!

Erik and Josh playing the Guitar Hero Josh has for the computer!

Nice look, Josh.....you weirdo!

Erik opening his gifts with his audience!

CHRISTMAS DAY........

Actually everyone was up way before me and waiting nicely to open presents when I awoke.  Today has been a lovely day in our home.  We have all three of our sons home and it finally feels like Christmas to me.    Erik is home for two days for Christmas.  He is currently at a 30 day evaluation at a residential treatment center.   To be totally honest it has made it a sad Christmas for me in addition to the knee surgery as well.  But I am very happy to have all three of the boys together for Christmas.   This morning they opened their joint gift from Santa and have been playing together nicely all day.  Santa brought a Wii and  number of games.   I think they are finally trying out the last game, wait, I don't think they have opened the Guitar Hero yet!   They played until lunch time.  After lunch I had them clean up the living room and do dishes.  The rest of the afternoon they have been playing.   Dad and I mostly watch, but occasionally play a couple of games.   Hubby put two chickens into the crockpot and we will be eating shortly. 

Stocking opening....Erik is wearing his new Hollister shirt from Josh.

Josh and Dad digging through Josh's stocking....

I took a little nap this afternoon while watching the boys play their game.  I am off to enjoy some more time with my boys.  Merry Christmas to you and yours!!   Remember and enjoy your blessings today.  God Bless.

I am up and about more today.   It really doesn't feel like Christmas since I have been so out of commission.  The surgery on Tuesday went very well.   The surgeon removed the cyst and scar tissue in my knee.  He also discovered some cartilage what was rubbing so he shaved that.  The first few days were terrible, but it is getting better and better each day.   This morning I took a shower all by myself.  It is nice to be able to shower myself and not having to rely on others as much. 

Hubby, Tommy and Josh are at Church right now and will be home shortly.  We will finish wrapping presents and they enjoy a meal of appetizers and open our gifts to each other.   Tomorrow morning Santa will come........all the boys are excited.   The oldest (19) is the most excited as he knows what Santa is bringing, a Wii.  

Many more things to mention....but time to go lay down again and put my leg up.   I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!  God Bless. 

I am officially off of work for the rest of the year.  I have my knee surgery tomorrow, wish me luck!  

Today I am getting all the baking and cooking done for my Cookie Exchange Party tomorrow evening.  

ITEM FOR COOKIE TRAY:

Cookies Santa's Whiskers - In fridge Cooling - will bake tonight
Chocolate Coated Pretzels - 1/2 of white Chocolate Done - Hubby is making!
Chocolate Oatmeal Drops -  DONE
Fantasy Fudge - Done

And of course, back again this year by request, Jen's Hot Cocoa Mix

APPETIZER BUFFET:

Olive Bread -  (make mixture a head of time) -Done
Holiday Bacon Appetizers - Can Make ahead and freeze.  Thaw and warm in oven for 10 minutes.
Veggie Tray - Store Bought
Shrimp Cocktail
Artichoke Heart Dip - Done in the Fridge ready to bake after work tomorrow.

I will make a bunch of extra pretzels, fudge and oatmeal drops to put together for my niece and nephews.  I usually make those living on their own a frozen lasagna, but I don't think with me having knee surgery in two days that is going to happened.  

I will only use a portion of the veggie tray and keep the rest of our family party on Saturday.  I will freeze the extra bacon appetizers as well for Saturday.  The more I can do ahead of time the better.   We have abour 30 people coming over on Saturday.  They are all bringing the food as I will only be post surgery by about 4 days.   I will put out appetizers later in the evening. 

Christmas Eve will be hubby, the boys and I.  I will make appetizers for supper that night as well.   We got some store bought ones as I am unsure how much I will be standning.  

8th - Saturday - Leftovers or quick Meal

9th - Sunday - Crockpot Spare Ribs - 7-8 hours ( fix and Firget it 5 ingred - pg 139) - Stuffing and Vegetable

10th - Crockpot - Honey Rosemary Chicken with Yukon Potaotes

11th - Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

12th - Soup

13th - Stew - 5-6 hours  ( fix and Firget it 5 ingred - pg 97)

14th - Wings and Oven Potato Wedges

15th - Out To Eat Concert

16th - Sunday  -  Easy Pot Roast

17th - Monday- Cookie Exchange Party - Appetizers to be determined

18th - Tuesday - Crockpot - French Dip Sandwiches

19th - Wednesday - Soup

20th - Spaghetti/ Meatballs and Garlic Bread

21st - Friday - Ham and Cheese Wraps/ Pasta Salad

22nd - Saturday - Family Christmas Party at our House - Potluck!

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To Try Next Week: 

Taco Meat Loaf / Rice/ Broccolli

Something with Pork Chops

Teriyaki Pork Roast

Sticky Chicken

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For more menu plan Monday fun, head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Hello Everyone - We had a nice but snowy weekend here in Minnesota.   It started snowing on Saturday morning and snowed all day into the evening.   The first snow of the year is always so beautiful.  

FRIDAY was movie night.  We watched Mr Bean's Holiday which was not too bad actually.  He made us laugh.   Good clean G Rated Fun.   We munched on Bacon Cheese Burgers and were able to have pop!  A Friday treat in our home!  (MIstake Made - I usually only buy a 2 litter or 12 pack of pop on Friday for Movie Night.  They had a great sale at Target so I bought enough for a few weeks.   Problem......Erik is wanting and asking for  pop every day.  It is here so he wants to drink it!   I don't think it will last long.   I will need to go back to only buying Pop for movie night!)

SATURDAY - Tommy woke up early so I got up with him.  I dozed on the couch a bit.   It started snowing earlier than I thought it would.  So I ran to pick up Erik's meds and get some more cough meds for Tommy.  We let the kids have their free time in the afternoon and after supper we put up our Christmas Tree.   I love putting on our ornaments.   I tried to buy each child an ornament this year.   Tommy a soccer one, Josh the cars for Cars the Movie..and I haven't found the perfect on for Erik yet.   We love looking at all the ornaments and talking about where they came from.  It was hard for Josh.  One of his ornaments from his Grandmas Meister got broke last year.  She has passed away and he was so sad about it.   We talked a bit and eventually he came back to join in the decorating.  He misses her.   Holidays are just hard.  

The Kids putting up the Christmas Tree

Goofy Christmas Boys

Our Christmas Tree

After decorating, we all hung out in Josh's room and played Guitar Hero.  Yep....hubby and I even played with the boys.   Josh is getting pretty good at it.  It is fun.   He bought this to use with his computer.   Santa is bringing the boys a WII for Christmas and also bought guitar hero.  OH MY!!!

SUNDAY - Still a bit snowed in.  Lots of shoveling to do.   My day was spent catching up on things around the house a bit.  I cleaned the oven (got a chemical burn on my arm, Duh!) and the stove.   Did a ton of dishes and cleaned out the fridge.   I did laundry through out the day and evening.   Tommy's cousin came over to play with him and stayed for supper.  We had chicken, corn on the cob and potatoes.   There was hardly any leftovers!   

Josh wasn't feeling well and was on the couch resting.   I finished up dishes and get Tommy ready for  bath.   We have wrapped out Christmas books that we read each evening as for countdown to Christmas.  Sort of our Advent Calendar.   Each night we unwrap and read a Christmas book and when the books are gone, the next day is Christmas!!  

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Tommy at his Thanksgiving Program -Kindergarten

Tommy and my Great-Nephew, Samuel eating apple chips at Grandmas!

(nice smile Tommy!)

My Great-Nephew, Greyson. 

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We have a busy week ahead of us.   I am working late on Monday and Tuesday!   I need to be home early on Thursday and Friday as we have no staff for Erik.   Tommy has a Christmas Concert/Program on Thursday and Sunday.   I will need to look for an outfit for him to wear.  They don't have to where their uniforms.

I need to pick up the house a bit and head to work and put supper in the crockpot for the family.   They will have nice warm Versatile Slow-Cooker Chili since I will not be home to cook this evening. 

  I hope you all have a wonderful week and are able to slow down a bit and enjoy the wonderful holiday season with your family!!!  Turn on the Christmas music, warm up some cocoa and smile..........

Blessings....

Healthy Lunchbox...

http://healthylunchbox.blogspot.com/

Eating In A Box...

http://eatinginabox.blogspot.com/

Roast Sticky Chicken

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:
4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. white pepper
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. black pepper
1 large roasting chicken
1 cup chopped onion

Preparation:
In a small bowl, thoroughly combine all the spices. Remove the giblets from chicken; clean the cavity well and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture into the chicken, both inside and out, making sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin. Place in a resealable plastic bag; seal and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to roast the chicken, stuff cavity with onions and place in a shallow baking pan. Roast, uncovered, at 250°F for 5 hours. After the first hour, baste the chicken occasionally (about every 30 minutes or so) with pan juices. The pan juices will start to caramelize on the bottom of the pan and the chicken will turn golden brown. If the chicken contains a pop-up thermometer, ignore it. Let the chicken rest about 10 minutes before carving.