Hello. I'm sorry I haven't kept up with this blog as I wanted to. I'll be trying harder to remember to post every day.

Today is foggy out or rather misty. Not sure just what the difference is on that. The dogs had a blast running amok outside for a few minutes. That is, until they got their leads caught up around a tree. I had to untangle them at least twice before it was time to go back into the camper. Even now, they are still playing, mussing up the blankets on my bed.

I fed the cats inside today. I do that when outside isn't very pleasent. Barney and Rocky are good about bringing me the empty cat food cans out of the kennel when the cats are done, for that, they all three get a dog treat.

I have most of the camper cleaned up (again) from the back to getting the dishes done and I still have some time to work on the rest of the camper before Hubby gets home tonight. Payday.. we will eat out. Good thing since I need to make a quick stop at a store for bread and sausage for his breakfast tomorrow morning.

Shortbread Cookies

1 cup butter ~ softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 egg yolk

2 cups flour

1 small jar red decorator sugar

1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries drained

Preheat oven 350º

Cream butter, sugar, salt, nutmeg and egg yolk. Add the flour a little at a time until mixture is stiff

Place onto floured surface and knead lightly until the dough begins to crack. Roll out 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet , decorate with colored sugar crystals and maraschino cherries

Bake for 10 minutes of until golden brown.

Things to do with kids for Christmas, Have a Random Acts of Kindness Day(s)

http://tsjphotography.com/blog/random-acts-of-christmas-kindness-summary/

Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies Mix in a jar

3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup raisins

2 cups old fashioned oats

1 cup flour mixed with

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda and

1/2 teaspoon salt

Layer ingredients in order given in a 1 quart ''wide mouth'' canning jar. It will be a tight fit, make sure you firmly pack down each layer in place before adding the flour mixture. Store in a cool dry place away from a heat source so condensation and clumping does not occur.

Instructions to attach to jar:

1. Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix.

2. Add: 1 1/2 sticks butter or margarine softened at room temp. DO NOT USE DIET MARGARINE 1 egg, slightly beaten 1 tsp. vanilla

3. Mix until completely blended. You will need to finish mixing with your hands.

4. Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheets 2'' inches apart DO NOT USE WAXED PAPER.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet. remove cookies to baking racks to finish cooling. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

I Saw Three Ships

I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
The virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Organize a location where the daily mail is sorted. The items needed are a trash can, shredder, recycle bins and holding files separating bills, papers for filing or action needed. Daily sorting of mail makes the paper entering the home more manageable.

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/cards/christmas-card-candleholders/

Christmas Card Candleholders

Add a holiday touch to everyday decor with candleholders crafted from Christmas cards.

Jessica Anderson

Materials

Two old Christmas greeting cards with a large motif (such as an ornament, a snowflake, or a wreath)
1-1/2-inch wide ribbon: metallic silver
Four sheets of cardstock or patterned paper: in coordinating colors or prints
Plastic candleholders in two sizes
Double-sided adhesive tap
Fabric glue
Decoupage medium (such as Mod Podge)
Self-adhesive gemstones: clear (optional)
Two candles

Make the Small Candleholder

1. Cut motif from one greeting card. From cardstock or patterned paper, cut a strip wide enough to accommodate the motif and long enough to wrap around candleholder plus 1/2-inch. Cut a slightly wider strip of coordinating cardstock or patterned paper and a piece of 1-1/2-inch-wide silver ribbon in the same length as the first cardstock strip.

2. Tightly wrap the wider strip around the candleholder and adhere at overlap with double-sided adhesive tape. Center and wrap narrower strip around wider strip and secure in the same manner. Wrap ribbon around center of narrower strip and glue in place. Using decoupage medium, adhere motif to front of candleholder. If desired, trim candleholder with rows of clear gemstones. Place candle in candleholder.

Make the Large Candleholder

To trim the large candleholder, use the front of the remaining greeting card. Cut the cardstock, patterned paper, and ribbon, and assemble the candleholder as directed for the small candleholder.