Happy New Year

Christmas was very nice this year. My family and Scott's family all came on the 23rd for dinner and fellowship. We had a great time but it ended too quickly. My parents,daughter and son in law stayed the night after the party and we opened gifts. Everyone left Christmas Eve and Hunter, Scott and I went to a candle lite service at our church that was very heartfelt. After that we went riding to look at Christmas lights. It has been nice having Scott off on vacation this Christmas.
The last few days we decided to go off on mini day trips that has been fun. Wednesday we went to Green Cove Springs and drove through the city of lights and ended with a fun night of roasting marshmallows, and ice skating for Hunter at the arena they had set up. Thursday evening we drove to Gainesville and ate at the Melting Pot(fondu) Yummo. Today we went through Hastings and found a really neat place that a gentleman had collected antiques and showed them off in an old train station building. He even has another building that makes their own chips and sells them. Then we went on to Saint Augustine for a early dinner and more ice skating for Hunter. This arena was much larger and they played a movie in the back ground so parents could watch while their children skated. They even had a bubble machine that made fake snow fall on the ice skating rink. It looked pretty cool falling but Hunter said it made it pretty slippery.
Looking forward to a wonderful new year in 2008 but sad to see Scott's vacation coming to an end. Blessings

Childrens Christmas Party

We had a Christmas party for the children at church last night. They all seemed to have a great time. There were about 35 children. We started the party off by inviting the whole church family to eat dinner and have birthday cake for Jesus with us. Then Mrs. Glenda read the story of Jesus to all the children. We then made a few crafts that were so cute. Mrs. Suzanne had the fellowship hall decked out with decorations. She is such a talented sweetheart. She also let the children make an adorable manager scene craft and reindeer treat bag. Next we played a few games that were kinda long but fun. All in all I think the party was a success and fun was had by all.
Christmas is only 5 days away and I thought I was through with my shopping until someone called today and said guess what I bought myself and of course it was what I had bought them already.
That is totally breaking the rules. You can't buy yourself ANYTHING from Dec 1st until after Christmas. Now I have to go shopping again-UGH
My son in law graduates from law school tomorrow. I am very proud of him.
Hope everyone has a Blessed Christmas.

Cutest Company All Year

I had two very cute visitors last night and thought I would show you how cute they were. Do you know these precious children. I wanted to keep them but their Daddy took them home with him :) Lauren helped me put more ornaments on my tree and helped take some off. Michael was more interested in playing with the large spot light and blinding Lauren and I. We had fun and their Mommy should be proud that I didn't let them eat any candy before dinner but did send home candy canes for them and Emmy.
I love to see Christmas through the eyes of a child. In fact I love to see life through the eyes of a child. Don't blink you will miss it and have to wait for grandkids or friends kids.

Chickens get new home

Thanks to my Dad the chickens have a new home. Dad and Mom came last week to visit and Dad made a really cool chicken house. He put cute little doors on it to let the chicken's in and out and a trap door on the side to collect fresh eggs with ease. I am so amazed at his talent. When I was a little girl he built me a playhouse for Christmas one year. It had electricity, lights, carpet, windows,a front porch with a light on it and shutters that had a S on them. My mom made me white curtains with red tie backs to match the red carpet. When I decided I was too old for the play house it became his storage shed that he used for years. I love you Daddy-you and Mom are the best...
I finally hung my stockings today. I have been so slow to decorate this year even though it has been sitting in my living room floor for over a week. It seems that most of my decorations are not tall enough for the ceilings in this house. Oh well what is most important is that we remember the reason for the decorations. Happy Birthday Jesus...
We helped decorate the church tonight after the evening service. We had people singing around the piano, kids running around with tinsil, trees and lights and wreaths galore. It was fun. I've never been to a church before that everyone helps decorate, usually when you walk in one person has done a perfect job on everything. I can honestly say this church feels like you belong when you worship, eat, decorate, laugh, cry and pray with each other. I thank God for our little church in the middle of a cow pasture.
Blessings

Busy December

December seems to flash by so fast every year to me. I know it's because there is soooooo much going on and you want to try and take it all in but it makes me tired. I really want to slow down enough to fellowship with family and friends and remember the true meaning of the holiday. Jesus' birthday.
Hunter's soccer season came to an end last weekend and they had a team party. It was very nice and J.J made us an awesome cake. Hunter is looking forward to sign up's in Feb.
I have subbed at Hunter's school twice this week and it has been a great experience. Tuesday I taught a business class and today Social Studies. Children truly are a gift from God.
Hope you all have a blessed week.

I love Christmas

We were trying to put the Christmas tree up this afternoon and I had the front door open. Shadow our new outside cat decided to come in and make herself at home on Pepper's blanket. Pepper didn't seem to mind one bit. She is such a sweet kitty but I'm not quite ready for a cat and dog in the house. Of course Lindsay by phone and Hunter tried to convince me Shadow needs to be inside all the time. Sorry I'm not into litter boxes and will be so mad if that cat pee's in my house:)
On to Christmas decorating. It is going well but not anywhere near finished yet. I have to run Hunter to soccer practice in a few minutes. Tomorrow is the last game and we had not lost a game until last night and it's a team we have beaten before. The pressure is on we play the same team again so I know both teams are going to give it their all. Both teams have great players and they all seem to be good sports. Thank you God for my child, that he is able to run and play and talk and laugh and learn about you. Amen.

Best Ice Box Fruit Cake Ever

O.K before you turn your nose up at the word fruit cake let me say I don't like the typical stuff. This is a recipe like no other. It is my Mom's recipe and she has been making it for years for our family. When I was younger she would make it for me and leave out the cherries but now I love it with them too.

Ice box Fruit Cake By: Sue Winburn

1 lb coconut
1 lb white raisins
3/4 lb red candied cherries
3/4 lb green candied cherries
5 cups pecans
3 cups walnuts
1 large bag of marshmallows
2 small cans of Pet brand milk(not the sweetened condensed)
1 lb box graham crackers

Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs. Combine milk and marshmallows in sauce pan, heat over very low temp until marshmallows are melted.
Add cracker crumbs and mix well.
Add all other ingredients and mix well. (This mixture will be very,very thick but keep stirring or use hands. You may have to add a little extra milk.)(we wear clean gloves, sprayed with Pam to mix ours)
When thoroughly mixed, pack in loaf pans of your choice. Wrap in foil and refrigerate until chilled. Slice thin and serve. Keep Refrigerated. Can be frozen too.

Do you have a family recipe you would like to share?