Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening 

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I do not know

His house is in the forest though

He will not see me stopping here 

To watch his woods fill up with snow

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake

The only other sound's the sweep

Of wispy wind and downy flake

These woods are lovely dark and deep

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep

 

May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Dec 16

DIME STORE ANGEL
It was just a Christmas Angel, that my Mom put on our tree.
She bought it at a five and dime, when I was only three.
Each year we'd trim our Christmas tree, with lights and ornaments.
Then Mom would always tell me, what the Angel represents.

The Angels came to tell the shepherds, of the Christ Child's birth.
And, Angels are still here with us, to guide us here on earth.
The Angel on our Christmas tree, was made in such a way.
That if the light inside burned out, you just threw it away.

The light burned out when I was twelve, the Angel would not shine.
But, Mom would not throw it away, she said it looked just fine.
She loved that little Angel, that she put upon our tree.
She said it didn't need a light, for anyone to see.

Then I grew up, and I moved out to start my family.
And, I'd go home at Christmas time, to help her trim her tree.
My wife and children went with me, to mom's house every year.
The house was filled with love and joy, as we shared Christmas cheer.

The kids would always say to her, "The Angel is burned out."
Then, she would smile and tell them, what the Angel's all about.
She told another reason, for it's specialty.
Your daddy picked that Angel out, when he was only three.

My mother passed away this year, early in the spring.
And then I had the painful task, of going through her things.
The beautiful old house she owned, was left me in her will.
We moved back in the summertime, we feel her in it still.

Early in December, we brought out our Christmas tree.
I went up to the attic, just to see what I could see.
I saw a cardboard box, with markings, "Ornaments and stuff."
And in it was the little Angel, that she loved so much.

I brought the cardboard box downstairs, and showed the family.
Then they persuaded me to put the Angel on our tree.
We trimmed the tree that weekend, and we talked of Christmas past.
Then when the tree was finally done, the Angel went on last.

Every night till Christmas, all the lights were burning bright.
Except the little Angel, that had long burned out her light.
Then on Christmas morning, I arose before the rest.
I had to have my coffee, to be at my very best.

I walked into the living room, my coffee cup in hand.
Then what I saw, so puzzled me, I could not understand.
I just stood in silence, as, my eyes filled up with tears.
The little angel was all aglow, that had been dark for many years.

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be
patient and always to be kind.
--Helen Steiner Rice

 

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 Cracker Pudding
 
One quart milk
2 eggs, separated
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups broken saltine crackers
1 cup grated coconut- medium shred
1 tsp. vanilla
 
While warming the milk, beat egg yolks and sugar until frothy. Add to hot milk and stir in crackers and coconut. 
Cook till thick. Remove from heat and add stiffly beaten egg whites and vanilla.  Cool.  Serves 8

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Christmas Breakfast in a Mug

 

Christmas coffee mug
1 packet hot cocoa mix
Individually wrapped muffin
Cellophane-wrapped candy cane
Place all of the items in the mug for a quick gift breakfast. Place in a
clear decorative plastic bag and tie with a ribbon.

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May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Dec 15

 

Hello.  I am trying to post more often.  Today is nice and warm and sunny. I had the dogs out to enjoy the sun for a while. They really enjoyed rolling in the grass and Barney loved chasing his ball, for a few minutes.  I have put up a Tree (of sorts) in the camper.

 

 

I wasn't going to use it's sticky back, but then I thought, yeah I will. I will just have to be extra careful when I peel it off. 

 

I am thinking that, for next year, I may make a dozen of these felt birds. I didn't make this one, but I can look at it for inspiration. I do need to remove the tag off it's tail soon though.

 

 

I found this Madonna and Child at a yard sale last year and I put it where I can see it as I sit on the couch.

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

December 11, 2015

December 11, 2015

 

Hello.  My camper is as clean as I can get it, for now. I still have to make the bed but that will have to wait until tomorrow morning.

 

 

While working in the bunkroom, I found a couple of small boxes of Christmas stuff. One is Christmas cards I made last year and the other was a smaller box of ornaments. 

 

 

 

 

May your day    be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Hello

Hello.

 

I have started decorating for Christmas. Yesterday I put a bow on the front door. I also put up garland that has lights in it along the slide out.

 

This morning I trimmed around a Small Tree that is a sticker. I don't want to stick it on the wall and will have to figure out a way to hang it on the wall. I will have to find some thread and a sharp needle to pass through the plastic backing of the tree and make a hanger for it that way.

 

We had Burger helper last night for dinner last night. Today I'm fixing Hot Dogs and Mac & Cheese, Hubby's favorite. He's now working 12 hours a day and it doesn't look like he's going to get a break until Christmas unless he takes a day off. We are hoping that he doesn't have to do that.

 

 

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Billie's Christmas Corner for Dec 10

 

 

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Holiday Punch

 

2 quarts cider
1 quart cranberry juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 stick of cinnamon
1 inch slice of lemon, (including rind)

 

Simmer the seasonings for 15 minutes in 2 cups of cider. Do not boil. Strain. Add sugar, stir to dissolve.
Add cranberry juice and the remaining cider. Serve

 

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A great little stocking stuffer or little gift idea for your guest.

 

Candied Pecans

 

1 teaspoon ice water
1 egg white
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 lb. Pecans halves

 

Preheat Oven: 225 º

 

Beat egg white and water until frothy. Add Pecan halves to mixture and coat evenly. Mix all dry ingredients together, coat pecans making sure they are well coated.
Bake on a cookie sheet 225 º for 1 hour, stirring at least twice. Allow to cool and store, un-refrigerated, in an air tight container.

 

 

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Turtle-Bars

 

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour - - divided
1 1/2 cups quick oats
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter or margarine melted
1 (6 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 (12 ounce) jar caramel ice cream topping

 

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar and salt.
Add butter, mixing until crumbly, reserve 3/4 cup mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture onto bottom of greased 13x9 inch baking dish. Bake in preheated oven 375º 10 minutes.
Sprinkle chocolate and nuts over partially baked oat base. Combine caramel topping and remaining 1/4 cup flour; Drizzle over chocolate and nuts.
Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over caramel mixture.
Continue baking for an additional 20 minutes.
Cool thoroughly: chill to set chocolate.
Cut into bars.

 

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May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Billie's Christmas Corner Dec 9

 

 

 

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PINEAPPLE CHEESE BALL

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

INGREDIENTS:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
3 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
2 teaspoons seasoned salt, or to taste
2 cups chopped cashews, divided

DIRECTIONS:
Combine cream cheese, drained crushed pineapple, chopped bell pepper,
chopped green onion, seasoned salt, and 1 cup chopped pecans. Chill in
refrigerator until firm then shape into a ball. Just before serving roll
pineapple cheese ball in remaining cup of pecans. Serve pineapple cheese
ball with assorted crackers. Pineapple cheese ball makes about 3 cups of
cheese spread.

Yield: 3 cups

 

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Party Punch

 

1 quart Vernors ginger ale
1 quart Cream Soda
1 can Hi-C orange drink
1 can pineapple juice
1 quart 7-up
1 large can frozen lemonade (do not add any water)

 

Add all the above. Freeze some for ice cubes or an ice ring for your punch bowl.

 

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A Canine Treat

 

2 cups white flour
1 cup wheat flour
1 cup corn meal
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
4 Tablespoons canola oil
1 cup water
1 beef or chicken bouillon cube

 

Mix ingredients thoroughly. Roll out dough to approximately 1/2" thick. Cut using bone cookie cutters and place onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 300º for one hour, turning after 30 minutes. Makes approximately 48 biscuits.
NOTE: This is a very stiff dough! A healthy treat for your special friend
during the Holidays.

 

Note. some dogs are allergic to corn so be careful of that for your four legged furry friends.

 

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Pfeffernuesse
"Pepper Nut" in German

 

1/3 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 beaten egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
powdered sugar - optional

 

Combine first 4 ingredients in saucepan; cook and stir until shortening and
sugar melt. Cool. Stir in egg.. Mix flour with soda and spices. Add to honey
mixture; mix well. Form into balls using one level tablespoon of dough for
each; place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375º about 10 minutes. Cool.
If desired, sift powdered sugar over tops.

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The Legend of the Poinsettia

 

One Christmas Eve, long, long ago, there was a poor Mexican child named Pepita who was on her way to church. Pepita began to cry because she had no gift to leave before the altar of the Virgin and Child. Through her tears, she saw an Angel, who instructed her to gather a bunch of weeds from the roadside.  When the child arrived at the altar with her wilted offering, starry crimson blossoms burst forth from every stem. Pepita was so happy she jumped up and down for joy over the transformation of her simple gift of weeds to beautiful Flores de Noche Buena, (Flowers of the Holy Night), or poinsettia.

 

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May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Billie's Christmas Corner Dec 8

Hello. I hope you are doing well and are well on the way to having a wonderful Christmas this year.

 

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What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite

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The Christmas custom of hanging wreaths on front doors is borrowed from ancient Rome's New Year's celebration. Romans wished each other "good health" by exchanging branches of evergreen trees. It became the custom to bend these branches into a ring and display them on doorways.

 

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Hum... I think I have every thing I need to make this.

 

Mocha Coffee Gift Mix

 

1/3 cup instant coffee
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
2/3 cup non-dairy powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

Grind the instant coffee in a grinder or put it through a fine metal
strainer to make the consistency as fine as possible.
Put all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until well-blended.
Spoon into jelly jars and seal tightly.
Makes 3 1/2 cups.

Cut a circle of fabric large enough to cover the jar top, and hang over the
edges halfway down. Tie with ribbon or jute. Print the following instructions on a card and tie onto the jar.

 

Serving: 1/4 cup Mocha Coffee. Add 3/4 cup boiling water and stir until
dissolved. Top with whipped cream.

 

This a nice idea to include in a gift basket with your homemade cookies and maybe a Holiday mug. ~

 

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.
When I read off this recipe to my Husband and asked if he would like some, He said yes. I only have to find where I "Hid" our oatmeal and I will have everything else I need to make this.

 

Peanut Butter Fingers

 

yields 3 dozen Bar Cookies

 

Cream together:
½ cup margarine
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar (packed)

 

Blend in:
1 unbeaten egg
1/3 cup peanut butter
½ teaspoon soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla

 

Stir in:
1 cup flour (sifted)
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats

 

Spread in greased 9x13 pan
Bake 350º for 20-25 minutes
Immediately when you remove them from the oven, sprinkle with 1 cup
semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Let stand 5 minutes, spread evenly.

 

Combine:
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup peanut butter
2 to 4 Tablespoons evaporated milk ~ making a pour able consistency, not to
runny

 

Drizzle with frosting mixture.

 

Cool and cut into bars.
These freeze well.

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Holiday Cider Punch

 

2 quarts apples cider
2 lemons sliced
2 teaspoons cloves
2 sticks cinnamon

 

* tie spices in bag and simmer in above ingredients 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and add
1 quart orange pop
1 quart ginger ale

 

Good hot or cold.

 

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Bird's Nest Ornament

 

Bird's nest ornaments are symbols of good luck. It is believed that the
first ornament you place in your tree should be a birds nest. According to
legend,
prosperity will come to any home that finds a bird's nest nestled among the
branches of the family's Christmas tree. This is a wonderful gift for someone having their very first Christmas away from home. Perfect for the newlyweds first Christmas together. It will
create a memory every year they decorate their tree and remember . .

 

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http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2014/12/teacher-and-friend-gift-idea-extra-gum.html

 

 

 

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   PEPPERMINT SUGAR COOKIE DOUGH BARK

yield: 4 CUPS

Layer eggless sugar cookie dough between layers of white chocolate and

top with candy canes for a Christmas version of sugar cookie bark!

 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup all purpose flour

16 ounces white candy melts or

     baking chocolate (such as Candiquik)

4 regular size candy canes

 

Cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer or in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix in vanilla, salt, and slowly add in flour. Mix until combined.

Cover a cutting board with a large piece of wax paper. Place the dough in the center, press it down flat, and cover it with another piece of wax paper. Roll the dough into a rectangle (about 8"x10") between the two pieces of wax paper. Chill for at least 10 minutes.

Place your candy canes in a quart-sized ziploc bag. Roll with a rolling pin to crush. (Careful, the bag will get tiny holes from the sharp candy canes. It's best to roll it on a cutting board or cookie sheet to minimize mess.)

Line a cookie sheet with more wax paper. Melt white candy according to package directions. Pour half on the prepared cookie sheet and spread it into a rectangle slightly larger than the dough rectangle.

Place the cookie dough rectangle on top of the white candy. Pour the remaining white candy on top and spread to cover, making sure to meet the edges of the bottom layer to seal the dough inside. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

Chill until set, at least 30 minutes. Instead of breaking, I have better success cutting this bark into wedges so that the chocolate doesn't come off the cookie dough. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to one month. Serve at room temperature.

 

 

 

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I so, sometimes, wish I still had kids in the house. Sometimes, that is..... There are some fun things I could do with them that was not around when my own kids were small and at home.

 

We spent a few nights together, playing games. When we could not find something to watch on the tv. 

 

http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2015/11/spin-a-snowman/

 

 

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May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.

Billie's Christmas Corner Dec 8

Hello. Here are a few ideas for Celebrating the Season.

 

I'm posting the Advent ideas a bit early so that I can remember to pick up the things needed and be ready to use them.. the recipes I want to try and also need to pick up a few things to make them

 

 

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Advent Dec 12
BIBLE VERSE: Psalm 23; 79:13; 95:7;100:3

 

THOUGHT: " A cheerful smile, a friendly word, a sympathetic nod…These are all priceless treasures from the storehouse of our God."—Helen Steiner Rice—

 

BLESS YOUR HEART: Flowers…Fresh Flowers…That should make you smile and bless your heart. Generally the grocery store has bouquets of fresh flowers. Even a single rose might be nice. Enjoy watching it open. Smell the pleasant aroma. Then just smile!

 

CHRISTMAS IDEA: This year you can start a Christmas memory book. Maybe even a Christmas video. Take pictures and save the Christmas cards. Write about the holiday and your feeling. Who came to visit? What was an unexpected blessing? The possibilities are endless.

 

SERVICE IDEA: Call or write someone you haven't spoken to in a long time, just to say you're thinking about them.

 

CHRISTMAS CAROL: What Child Is This?

 

 

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Friendship Tea

 

2 cups Tang orange drink
1 package Wylers Lemonade Mix
1 1/2 cup sugar (or  sugar Substitute )
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup instant tea

 

Mix well and store in an airtight container
To serve: 2 rounded teaspoons to 1 cup boiling water.

 

 

 

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Cookie Mix in a Jar
Gourmet style
oatmeal, chocolate and nuts yummmm

 

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1-1/4 c rolled oats
1 (5.5 ounce) milk chocolate bar
1/2 c white sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c chopped nuts, walnuts, pecans (optional)
1/2 c chocolate chips

 

Layer as follows and pack each layer solid:
List of 5 items
• Whisk together flour, baking powder and baking soda
• Combine oatmeal and grated chocolate bar
• White sugar, then brown sugar
• Chopped nuts
• Top with chocolate chips to the top.
list end

 

Cut a circle of fabric large enough to cover the jar top, and hang over the
edges halfway down. Secured with a rubber band and tie with ribbon or jute.
Attach a recipe card with these instructions:

 

Cookies Especially for You ~
Preheat oven 375º Set aside chocolate chips and nuts. Spoon brown and white
sugar into mixing bowl. Cream together with 1/2 cup butter or margarine.
Add
1 egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, mix well. Add the oatmeal and flour mixture
into bowl, mix thoroughly. Mix in the chocolate chips and nuts. Roll into 1
inch balls and place on lightly greased cookie sheet two inches apart. Bake
8-10 minutes.

 

Yield: 3 dozen

 

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Chocolate Chip Bars

 

1 yellow cake mix
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup soft butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
12 oz chocolate chips

 

Mix 1/2 cake mix, water, eggs, butter and sugar.
Blend in rest of cake mix.
Stir in chips and nuts.
Spread in greased and floured jelly roll pan 15x10x1
Bake 20-25 minutes 375º
When cooled dust with confectioners sugar

 

 

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Sugar Cookies
1 Egg Yolk      1 t Vanilla
1/4 lb Margarine (1 stick)   1/2 t Salt
1 C Sugar      2 C Flour
1/2 t Lemon extract or Lemon peel  2 t Baking Powder
1 level t baking soda dissolved in 3/4 C COLD water
Mix all in a large bowl. Add enough flour to make a dough that doesnt 'stick' to the sides of the bowl. Knead dough for 5 minutes (this is what makes them Good.) Roll out and bake in 350F oven for 8 to 12 minutes. Sprinkl a little sugar on them before baking, or decorate after them are cooled.

 

 

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May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Billie's Christmas Corner Dec 3

Billie's Christmas Corner

 

Hello. I am writing this even though I do not have any way to send it out right now. We will have a tech. come by Sunday and see if he can figure out why we no longer have a connection through our Dish.

 

 

Since I can't get on line, I am going through old, old emails and sorting them out. Saving recipes and crafts and stuff like that and tossing out the rest since I don't need to keep them any longer.  I will post some of the recipes here in the group and in my blog.

 

I am not a fan of Cooked Brocollie and Cauliflower but there are times I want a spoonful of it on my plate. I may try this one, sometime this year.

 

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Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole

 

Servings: 8

 

1 head (large) Broccoli

1 head Cauliflower

6 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced

2 cloves Garlic, Minced

1/4 cup Flour

2-1/2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth

4 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Room Temperature

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

1/4 teaspoon Seasoned Salt, More To Taste

1/4 teaspoon Paprika

1-1/2 cup Grated Monterey Jack Cheese, More To Taste

1 Tablespoon Butter

1/3 cup Seasoned Breadcrumbs

 

Break the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets, cutting off the thick stalks as you go. Steam them for 3 to 4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green, then remove them from the heat. Set aside.

In a large skillet, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter and saute the onion and garlic until the onion starts to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the top, whisk to combine, and cook for another 45 seconds. Pour in broth, whisking constantly, then cook until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and paprika. Stir to combine until the sauce is nice and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings, making sure it's nice and flavorful! Keep warm.

In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and melted butter. Set aside.

Layer half the broccoli and cauliflower in a small casserole dish. Pour on half the cream sauce, then sprinkle on half the cheese. Sprinkle a little paprika on the cheese, then repeat with another layer of broccoli, sauce, and cheese.

End with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve warm.

Recipe by Ree | The Pioneer Woman

 

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DoubleTree by Hilton Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

The DoubleTree (Hilton) Hotel gives one of these delicious cookies to each of their guests to make them feel special. One bite and you'll know why!

 

yield: APPROXIMATELY 20 LARGE COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

 

1/2 cup rolled oats

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

2 eggs

3 cups miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

1-1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts*

 

DIRECTIONS:

 

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon mat.

 

Grind oats in a food processor or blender until fine. Combine the ground oats with the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

 

Cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and lemon juice in another medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until smooth.

 

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.

 

Chill the dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking the cookies.**

 

Spoon rounded 1/4 cup portions onto prepared cookie sheet., 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 minutes, until edges are golden brown. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

 

*I used my food processor to "chop" the walnuts. I like this method, because it chops them so fine and so quickly!

 

**Easy tip for chilling the dough: scoop the dough before chilling overnight. I scoop my dough onto paper plates, stack the plates, and cover the stack with cling wrap to save space in my small refrigerator. You could also scoop and chill them on a baking sheet or into a tupperware container. Scooping before chilling is so much easier than trying to scoop hard, chilled dough the next day!

 

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Italian Christmas Cookies

4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 cup flour
4 tsp. baking powder

Sift dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs; add vanilla and dry ingredients.

Knead and add flour as needed to keep dough from sticking to hands. Pinch off dough, roll in your hands to form a log and then twirl into shape. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes.

Icing
2 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
6 tsp. water
Stir until creamy

Dip cookies into icing and sprinkle with trim. Place on wire rack with wax paper on counter to collect the dripping icing and sprinkles.

 

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CROCK POT HOT CHOCOLATE

 

5 cups Milk

1/2 cup Hershey's Cocoa

1/2 cup White Sugar

1 cup Hot Water

 

Combine Cocoa, Sugar, and Hot Water in large pan. 

Stir, and bring to gentle boil.

Transfer mixture to crock pot, and add milk.

Stir, then cook on high for 2 hours {or low for 4 hours},

or until hot.

Pour into mugs, and top with Whip Cream and Sprinkles!

A candy cane or two can also be put in the drink for a nice festive touch!

 

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May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.

: Billie's Christmas Corner, Dec 1

 

I have been trying to get myself motivated and in the Christmas Spirit.  That's a bit hard when my Dear Hubby has just been laid off of a job we thought was going to keep us here for a couple of years. He's job hunting, and he's searching and he's also healing from twisting his knee that week before he got laid off. We both are having to put off some doctor appointments, because with the lost of his job the insurance was stopped as well. I did want to put off my surgery until after the first of the year, but not in this way.  He's looking into the Government sponsored Health insurance, but he can't stay on line long enough to finish the application. We keep having rain fade with our dish safelight.

 

I know what I want to get him for his birthday that is a week before Christmas, but again, he has to be working first. He would like to have a drone. It doesn't have to be a fancy one, just one that works.

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.

First day of the Christmas Season

Hello.

 

My First day of the Christmas Season (today) is being spend with some cleaning up (dishes) and taking down all our Fall and Thanksgiving decorations.

 

I need some Garland to hang up once I get the command hooks set where I want them on the header over the slid out of the camper. I am still working on how I'm going to place things to hang around the windows. I used small brass safety pins but things fell off of them at the slightest movement inside the camper.  I will look for a different way to hang light weight items in the windows. 

 

I'm not sure how much Christmas baking I'll be doing this year. I have yet to try the camper oven.  I have an electrical portable oven that I have been using as needed.  I doubt we will be going to any parties this year.

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.

Checking in

I'm just checking in.

 

I do hope you are having a good Thanksgiving weekend.  We mostly slept the day, went out for dinner at "The Dinner Bell". drove around for a bit, then back home, to sleep again.

 

We are not feeling Bad, we just are not feeling good either. We have both managed to hurt our right knees.  Jerry's happened a few days before he got laid off of his job and Mine started three days ago.

 

Now we are waiting for a phone call.  There was a Email but it came in way to late to be able to make the call. Jerry will try to make that call today but it's iffy if anyone will be in an office on the day after Thanksgiving.

 

Growing up, Mom almost always had to go to work the day after Thanksgiving. On those few occasions that she did have the Friday after off, we usually went to visit our Grandmother in Missouri. 

 

Saturday after Thanksgiving, we would decorate our Christmas tree. Even after leaving her home and getting married, I decorated the tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I have no plans for a tree this year.  There is no place for one here.  I will be decorating for Christmas, I just won't have a tree this year.

 

An Ornament I made for a friend

I know I said I would post this picture a few weeks ago. I got distracted. I made these for our friends Donna and Larry. Donna had a love bird who was named Barney and was almost 14 years old when  died this past summer.  He was a very special bird and I know he is waiting for his human friend at the rainbow bridge that all pets wait at, to greet their human friend.

 

Larry loved Roosters.  When I saw this rooster I knew it was the perfect gift for him.  Unfortunately, Larry passed just a week after I gifted him this present. Larry loved to tease people that he liked and he must have liked Jerry and I cause he would smile and tease, just a little, every time we were over for a visit. 

 

 

 

 

How I made these.

Miniature figurines

Plastic Drink cups from Dollar Tree

A Large roll of Cork from a crafts store, Hobby Lobby if I recall.

     (I'll be using more of it very soon)

Silver Braid (Wal-mart in the ribbon section of the fabric's area)

E-6000 Glue

 

    I cut the cork with a circle Die that was just a bit larger than the rim of the cup with my Cuttle-bug.  It did get flattened out a bit and distorted a little but not enough to make it not work as I wanted it to. I glued each figure o the cork with some E-6000, making sure that the cup would still sit on the cork once the glue was dried.  I had thought of some artificial snow but then thought better of that. But if you want a snow ball effect, this is the time to add some to the cup.

    Once the figure was dried, I used the same glue around the rim of the cup, then placed the cork on the rim, and allowed that to dry. Turn over so the cork is now the floor.

I then glued the braid around the rim of the cup, the small ridge at the bottom (now the top) of the cup, and a loop to the dent of the cup as a hanger for on a tree.

 

I considered a few bows for around the top, but ran out of time to make those.  But then I could have used a couple of artificial Holly leaves and berries if I had thought about it.

 

Next time I get to a Crafts store, I am going to the mini train area or the Christmas village area and find more mini's to work with.

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.

Hello.  Oh I am so sorry for not keeping up on my blogs. My surgery went well but it's taken me longer than I expected to heal and feel better.
I just haven't really worked on anything for any Holiday.
I have sorted through my storage room. It's a bunk-bed room at thefront of the camper and where I put the dogs hen they need to be put up or at night, to sleep. I just can't trust that smallest one to be behave if left out of that room, and I'm not awake or in the room with him.


Labor Day weekend, Hubby, Two Grand-kids and I went and emptied a storage unit we had in Alabama. Well worth the trip but we still can't believe how little we really had in there and now much we put in the trash. We had a number of empty boxes that I had saved to use when we moved the Air Stream. No longer needed, so they didn't come back with us even though we paid a lot to keep them stored.  Oh,  if I had known just how much room I had left in the trailer, I would have brought home two, older sewing machines.. for free.  Hubby is so happy that I decided to not bring them home with us. I really don't need yet another sewing machine.


The land we are living on is so quiet and peaceful. I do hear traffic along the busy road that really isn't that far away from the camper. It's about 1/2 a mile from the camper to the stop sign and just a few more yards to the main road between Dunlap and Whitwell TN.   This last week has not been so quiet because the land on the other side of the driveway is being cleared.  Lots oh heavy machinery and, of course, a radio at full blast. I do think that they are harvesting the few mature trees that they are felling. From time to time I hear a Truck leaving the area. I have walked down after they have left for the day, and taken a few pictures of what has been cleared.

The Girl Scouts troop my grand daughter is in, is having a yard sale in October and her mom has asked if there is anything I can donate to the cause. Well, with just emptying the storage and what I have stuck here and there in the camper, of course I have stuff I can send their way. So far three boxes of stuff. More to add as I'm not near done with the stored stuff yet and need to go through the boxes on the bunk-beds again.

Hello

Hello. I had every intention of keeping up with all my blogs, and I have failed. I am not giving them up though.  We have moved from Iowa, back to Tennessee. Hubby is working in Cleveland TN and we are very happy to be back in Tennessee. For the first month, we were living with our daughter. our dogs were not allowed in her home though and we kept them in the camper. But as the days got warmer it was harder and harder to keep them quiet and comfortable. Then the cats started to climb on the neighbor's cars and that got us in more trouble with the neighbors.  We were able to move the camper out to some property that her boyfriend owns and the cats can roam and the dogs can bark, and run around without a lead on (most of the time) and we are comfortable since we have power for the air conditioner to work.  So all is good. 

 

Hubby changes jobs here from the one we came here for, to the one we had hoped would call us, while we were in Iowa. This job is suppose to last a couple of years. Maybe even longer. The only draw-back is how far away it is from where we have the camper. It take over and hour to make the drive each way.  We were doing good with that, until the job went from 10 hours a day 6 days a week to 11 hours a day 13 on, one off.  That's a lot of hours to be awake and then to have to stay alert while driving, well that was not going to work at all. so Hubby has moved into a motel room that is much closer to the job. Meanwhile I'm still at the camper, with the pets. Our daughter and her children are making sure I am not lonely.

 

I will be having surgery on July 20 (yes, Hubby will be there with me for this).

I will have a total hysterectomy done. Found out I have cancer in the lining of my Uterus.  But, unless things are much worse than expected, I will not have to have Chemo or Radiation treatments afterwards. I won't know on that until after the removed organs are examined, and I have my post op check up on Augest 27. I will be in the hospital over night when I have the surgery. The doctor told me he wants me up and walking by the end of the evening. That it would be better for me to be up and moving so soon afterwards.

 

Right now. my daughter and her family are planning on camping out in a tent at our place (her boyfriends land) the night of the surgery, and will take care of our pets while Hubby stays with me. She and the kids are going to be taking care of me, as hubby will have to be back to work on Wednesday after my surgery.  (have to pay the bills somehow, right?)

 

I will try to spend more time on my blogs from here out, but no promises.

 

Billie C.

March 30

Hello. I know, it's been a while since I've posted to any of my blogs. I just don't deal will with cold weather and this past winter has been more than the normal "cold" to me.

We didn't expect to spend a winter in the upper mid-west. We know what the weather can be like and we had hoped to be back in the southeast before Thanksgiving.

Add to that we traded the Air Stream for a newer camperand we are still bringing things out of storage back to the newer camper. We have more room but not as much "easy to get at" storage space, so I'm am still trying to find the best places to keep things. We have decided that we will just have to find mini rental storage units every time we move, just to put the stuff we don't want to get rid of but don't need right at the moment. Things like out of season clothes, The air pump, the propane heater, the air conditioner... and well, just things like that. 

 

For this past Rudolph day though, I didn't do much at all except sleep. I've not been feeling the best, Not been feeling bad, just not good either. But in my dreams I did "see" an idea of what would be nice ornaments for my family. I just need to get my Cricut out of storage, and some pictures of all the Kids and their Kids and I will be set. I thought I would make a Santa Ornament for my son, with his face for Santa's face. Santa's wife, for each of my girls and either Elfs or Gingerbread people for all the little ones. Well, Bailey isn't so little at 11 years old now but you know what I mean.  Of course I'll make a set for me while I'm making each kid their set.

 

With the new camper, I have walls that I can put pictures on. All I need is picture frames and then decide where to put each family.

 

I don't have all my crafting things here at the new camper yet. And as usual. I have half of what I need to make anything at all. I have my Cricut carts but not the Cricut machine. I have my Cuttlebug, and not the embossing folders or die cuts.  I will get them sorted and here soon, but in the mean time, about the only thing I have going is a crochet Blanket I started early last year and after two rows set aside.

 

Billie C.

God Bless America

"The Joy of Little Things"

 

 

 

"The Joy of Little Things" by R. Bell Chapman
from the IDEALS Christmas Magazine 1960

 

The purest joys that Christmas brings
Are found in just the little things.

 

The coming of the hallowed time
Adds to them all a touch sublime;

 

The tiny candle burns more bright
Because of that first Christmas light;

 

The ringing of a distant bell
Sounds in our hearts as "Glad Noel";

 

In every baby's smile we see
The Christ Child's sweet humanity;

 

And gifts of love, however small,
The Wise Men's offerings may recall.

 

Such joys be yours, dear friend, I pray
To bless this happy Christmas Day.

 

Billie C.

God Bless America

Christmas Fulfillment

 

 

Christmas Fulfillment

This Christmas,
may you have the fulfillment
of seeing around you
the people you love the most.
May you have the satisfaction
of creating special memories
they will remember with pleasure forever.
This Christmas,
may you feel peaceful and contented,
knowing what Christmas means,
and celebrating it your way.

By Joanna Fuchs

http://www.poemsource.com/Christmas-poems.html

 

Billie C.

Christmas Joys

Christmas Joys

Evergreen boughs that fill our homes
With fragrant Christmas scents,
Hearts filled with the loving glow
That Christmas represents;

Christmas cookies, turkeys stuffed,
Festive holly berry,
Little faces bright with joy,
Loved ones being merry;

Parties, songs, beribboned gifts,
Silver bells that tinkle,
Christmas trees and ornaments,
Colorful lights that twinkle;

Relatives waiting with open arms
To smile and hug and kiss us;
These are some of the special joys
That come along with Christmas.

By Joanna Fuchs

http://www.poemsource.com/Christmas-poems.html

 

Billie C.

The Nicest Present

The Nicest Present

Under the tree the gifts enthrall,
But the nicest present of them all
Is filling our thoughts with those who care,
Wanting our Christmas joy to share.

To you, whom we're often thinking of,
We send our holiday joy and love.

By Joanna and Karl Fuchs

http://www.poemsource.com/Christmas-poems.html

__._,_.___

mou

from: Billie Crossman

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from: Billie Crossman

Hi! How are you? Breaking news http://www.phideltaphi-frankfurt.de/easy/afterwards.php It works! Billie Crossman Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

Update, Jan 16 2015

Hello and good morning.

 

I am trying to catch up and am surprised at how quickly I have gotten behind in just keepig up with the day to day things   When our water line froze we were able to deal with that. but when our black water holding tank froze and wouldn't drain we knew we may be in trouble.  I have a bucket I can dump waste into, but it is only a temporary fix. Good news is, we now have running water since Hubby went looking and found out that the gray water does not go into the holding tank, So we can shower and clean up as long as we have running water (I'm going to miss showering at the motel) and there has been some progress in the holding tank thawing. Not a lot of progress but some never the less.  With today's high going to be in the upper 40's we are in hopes that it will totally thaw today and we can get back to a more normal life in the camper.

 

Hubby is not feeling well. He took yesterday off of work and is taking today as well. If he can't make it into work tomorrow then he will have to get a doctor to sign off,  that he has indeed been very sick.  We are fairly sure it isn't flu because he doesn't have pain in his joints but he does have a stuffy head and is over all not feeling well.

The Pets a re loving that he is home and are sleeping around him. He will give them bits of his meal when he's home and I don't give treats until after I am done eating. 

The snow is melting and the ground is getting mushy. Barney will miss snowballs. Not that he is thrilled with them but I have been trying to make one and then toss it at him. Most of the time, the snow is so dry that it breaks into a million flakes before it even fully leaves my hand. but when one does stay together, the look on his face when it breaks in his mouth and then he looks for where it's suppose to be on the snow at his feet, is priceless.

One of the cats (Strips) got out during the time we were trying to thaw things in the back and he stayed out about and hour, now he's been trying to get out every time we open the door. I know he wants to go out but the wild cats around here have not had any shots and I don't want our cats to catch anything from them.

We have been doing a lot of eating out. Mainly to prevent having to use a lot of water, not knowing that the gray water was not going into the holding tank and the fact that the drain line was frozen at the end of the camper. I finally got that to thaw enough that water could pass and now it's almost all gone according to Jerry. Not sure if there is still ice there or not, now. I was putting rock salt in water then bringing it to a rolling boil then pouring down the sink closest to the ice block and that did wonders on that ice. I'm ready to be doing my own cooking again.

 

Billie C.

Update on me, From yesterday, Sunday Jan 4

Howdy....
Sunday, We Slept very good in our  own beds, on bew mattresses.
Macon woke me up at 6 am, needing to go out. Barney added his voice to the matter. I had to get dressed, feed the cast, then put on a  jacket with a hood under my coat. It took me longer to get dressed than it did for the dogs to do what they had to do. We had breakfast at Niland's Café, then we went  to Walmart to get the paycheck cashed and send some money to our older daughter and to pick up a money order to pay our power bill. Looked for a electric blanket for Hubby, but I couldn't find any. Bought a few Christmas things that are on sale at 75%. We went to Target and Hubby found a blanket there as well as good mattress covers. I found the $1 bins. I picked up a few things.

 

We ropped off the power payment on the way home. Where we brought everything we bought in. Hubby put the water line on, but no water to the camper. He put the heater on it but it's still frozen two hours later. Talked to Beth for a bit. While I was talking to her, I cleaned the cat box.

 

Found ou why the water hose was frozen. The heat tape got unplugged some how. We tried to thaw it by putting it in a dog kennel, Covering the kennel with a tarp and then put the torpedo heater in front of it. Oops, the end end of the hose fell in front of the heater and melted. Now we have to replace water hose and heat tape and pipe insulation. We picked upa  new water line, heat tape and pipe insulation at Lowe's  befor going to Dinner at Perkins. I ran into Wal-mart to picked up 3 diet coke for Hubby, and 9 gallons of water before we headed  back home. Oh and we are expecting to get 4 to 6 inches of snow between Monday night and Tuesday noon.

 

Outside my door ... It very cloudy and looking like the snow is going to start at any time
The Dogs and Cats ... are sleeping on the beds I made this morning.I am waiting for them to come to me to let me know they (the dogs) need to go outside. I know it's going to take me longer to get ready to go out that its going to take them to do what they need to do, again. It is cold outside. Earlier Rocky was trying to walk on only three feet because his other foot was cold, then a different foot got cold and he just didn't know what to do.

 

From the kitchen... I have some hamburger that needs to be cooked. I'l going to add a can of Chilie to it and serve over Frito chips and put cheese on to.
I am hearing... Mid day news is on. The heater Fan.
I am wearing... Sweats.  Sweat pants, sweat shirt with a t-shirt under it and two pairs of socks
I am reading... I still need to pick out a book to read.
I am hoping... That this cold spell does not last long and we dont get any more cold weather like this for a while.
I am creating... I'm not working on anything at the moment
One of my favorite things... talking to Beth each morning.
A few plans for today... Staying warm, taking the dogs out in a bit. making dinner...
A few plans for the rest of the week... Same plans for the rest of the week. Staying warm, taking care of the pets and making dinner.

 

Billie C.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

 

I hope your year has started off well and that you have a wonderful year ahead.

 

No promises, but I am going to try harder to post  this year. I will try to post tips, projects and food. Most will not be of my own making though, but a link and a picture. If I make it I will post my own results, as well.

 

Billie C.