Christmas baking, new carpet and a party to boot!

We have been busy little bees preparing for the holidays...I've continued with the baking and we served most of it at our party last night...new carpeting was put in on Wednesday...goodness...you'll see from the pictures what a mess it was getting that done...not to mention having to take apart all the television equipment in order to move the cabinet for the carpet installation.  Count on 'anything that can go wrong will go wrong'...prepare for it and it won't overwhelm!  The carpeting was supposed to be put in a week ago, but the company messed up the order and, therefore, the installation was the day before the party.  Refer to the 'count on...' part mentioned above.  While the installers were working, they somehow managed to get two deep, black grease stains on the carpet.  They came back yesterday to repair, but only made it worse.  So, you guessed it, new carpet after the new year...replay whole take apart, put back together scene.  But hey, at least they're trying.  We're thankful for a lifetime stain guarantee on the carpet. 
Baking the sugar cookies has been a lot of fun this year.  I finally learned how to make perfect royal icing, thanks to Bridget at 'Bake at 350'.  Check out her blog to learn all about making cookies!  I got the right ingredients, including meringue powder, and it is amazing how beautiful the icing came out.  I started making the cupcake snowmen last year and continued the tradition once again...can't wait for little Piper to see them when she comes Christmas morning.
We had a blast at our Christmas party.  We missed the ones who were unable to attend, but God knew who he wanted to have there and it was a precious time.  We started the evening out with a time of praise to thank our Heavenly Father for the birth of Christ and what this season truly means.  It was great to hear what others shared.  Then we went into an ice breaker game and learned a little about one another.  Bunco was a little off because of how we played, but everyone was a great sport and it was fun...then on to Mexican Train and Pit.  Those of you who played Pit,.....hmmmm....now that was entertaining!  Thank you to all who came...we loved having you!
Tonight Garry and I will be at both Christmas Eve services...he will serve communion at both and I will sing in the choir for both.  This is such a different Christmas without family with us Christmas Eve, but we want to always be flexible and happy whatever our circumstances.  We are looking foward to seeing Paige, Trevor and Piper tomorrow and the Brownings will join us for a Christmas meal.  We leave on the 29th for Little Rock to see the boys, M.E. and Anne and Gene.  We are blessed.


                First pictures are of the old carpet and what the family room looked like with the oriental rug in it.

We moved everything from the bedroom and family room into the living room and the dining room...what a mess....

The new carpet is in and everything is put back in place...can you believe we have to do this all over agian?

Now on to cookie baking:  these pictures show the perfect royal icing base.

And on to our party!

Yummy chili and wassail

Jan and Jim Browning

Ann and Ashley Fleshman

Gilda and Jim Bocock

Ashley Fleshman, Jim Bocock, Vicki Sweeten, Ed Sweeten, Garry, Jim Browning, Ann Fleshman
Jan Browning, Gilda Bocock, Gherry

Trio

Anne just sent this picture from her phone and I couldn't wait to post!  Oh how I miss these little munchkins!

Merry Christmas from the Oklahoma Sooners

Garry and I have lived in Columbia for 15 years now and few people know that he was a college athlete. We received this Christmas message from OU and decided to rejoice over the fact that we attended a university we loved so much. It was at Oklahoma that we found and established our relationship with Jesus Christ and it was where we met each other. Garry could have attended the Air Force Academy, but God had other plans for him. Indulge us as we share a love for a place where people were grounded, unpretentious, and giving. The current musical theatre program at OU is number one in the nation and I couldn't have had a more rewarding college experience at the Oklahoma theatre department. Oklahoma is steeped in tradition and striving for excellence. Hope you enjoy the video and have a Merry Christmas!



SoonerSports.com - Official Site of the Oklahoma Sooners

Peanut Brittle and Other Confections

Yummy, the house is smelling festive and eflish...lots of baking going on in the kitchen.  There will be a party here thursday night and I'm baking like a little elf!  Garry and I have been watching Christmas movies galore...have been having such a great time just hanging out...some of the best ones...The Christmas Cottage about the life of Thomas Kincaid...The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn  [not a Christmas movie, but wonderful]...Miracle on 34th Street,  to name a few.  Now on to recipes...the first one is for Buckeyes and here is the recipe:
2 1/2 c peanut butter; 1 c butter, softened; 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract; 6 c confectioners' sugar; 4 c semisweet chocolate chips.
In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar.  The dough will look dry.  Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet [or smaller to fit in freezer] and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.  Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler.  Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick.  Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes.  Put back on the cookie sheet and refigerate until serving.
Tips:  be sure the chocolate is really smooth and creamy...add a little water, if necessary to make very smooth...it will not affect the taste of the chocolate.  Make sure the balls are no bigger than 1 inch in diameter and round...they look prettier.   

The next stop on the confectioner's trail is peanut brittle.  I have to share that making peanut brittle brings back fond memories of growing up with my grandmother.  She was always the heroine of my life...she always tried to teach me something in every day activities...whether it be how to quickly forgive others who hurt me or how to know my multiplication tables so well I could rapidly calculate all sorts of problems...she always had me cook with her...we made homemade soaps, fudge, and my favorite, peanut brittle.  I will explain some of her tips as I show the pictures.

To begin the recipe, coat a baking sheet with oil and set aside.  In a 3-quart heavy-botomed saucepan over medium high heat, cook sugar, water and cream of tartar until mixture reaches boiling...stiring occasionally. 

Just starting to boil

We're at a good boil now, but be patient!

Grandma taught me the spoon test...stir and lift the spoon out...it is getting close when you let it drip and this string of crystalized sugar forms.

Boil the mixture until the color becomes deep golden brown.

Now we have the color and the spoon test passes.

Remove from the heat and, working quickly [seriously!], stir in the butter until melted.

The melted butter will begin the foaming process.

This is how it should look after it foams.

Then add the peanuts...

and the baking soda...

This is how it should look right before you pour it out onto the pan...



This is the consistency you will find after poured...let it cool completely...crack, and voila!  Peanut Brittle!



Christmas presents wrapped and ready!

Christmas presents are wrapped and ready for our little grandmunchkins and family...it always seems to top off the decorations when this is accomplished!  The boys are at an age where it is going to be so much fun to see their faces light up when they see their packages and get to open them.  Piper will have fun tearing into hers, too.  Mary Elizabeth just likes to hear the noises and see all the pretty colors.