Final Countdown: Day 1

Christmas Eve! What a wonderful day of celebration.

We began our day with Christmas Eve Brunch for the family. Mom and Dad came over, and Glen and Diane came along with Micah and Rhyne. Of course completing the family was Collin, Bryan, and myself, the cook.

I love this family time together. We have time to focus on family, relax, eat a leisure breakfast, and just spend some quality time before the excitement of the Christmas presents which of course I do not wish to minimize. This, too, is very important. We always take time to share family prayer thanking God for family, the blessings of the year, and the true meaning of the season, the gift of His son, the tiny baby that changed the world forever.

After everyone was on their way, I put everything away, washed a load of linens, and wrapped some last minute packages. Our Christmas Eve dinner is always rather quiet, just the three of us. I kept it simple: baked ham and baked potato with rolls. When my children were little, we always played board games together. They grew up on me and now I have but a memory.

Well, the day is done once again. Tomorrow, we'll head out to my folk's house, then Collin's parents, and our family Christmas will be the last thing tomorrow night. It's my last night to enjoy the tree twinkling with all the pretty packages underneath.

From our house to yours, we wish every one a Very Merry Christmas.

Marcia

Final Countdown: Day 2

Another day of excitement and fanfare for the Elder household. Collin was officially off work and we went out for a while and didn't return until mid-afternoon.

I have been wanting a piano bench cushion and I found a lady in Paragould who does upholstery work. She called day before that my project was finished so Collin said he would drive me to get the cover. I'm extremely pleased. I know this looks a little odd, but due to a lack of chairs, I moved the bench to my table for additional seating which I'm about to explain. Perhaps another day I'll get a photo of the new cushion in front of the piano where it actually belongs.

After that we took a different route home (sounds like the Wise Men, doesn't it) to make a couple of other stops and see a couple of other things of interest. Once home, I began working on my traditional Christmas Eve Brunch. I prepared a Sausage Egg Bake (as Micah says I should call it rather than casserole--there is a story here) and Hash Brown Bake. I put together a fruit dish and several other little odds and ends as well as getting my table set.

I really enjoy getting out pretty stuff and being able to share time with and entertain my family. This is the stuff that Christmas traditions are made of and I particularly hope I'm leaving a lasting gift that my children will look back on one day with fond memories even though at this point, Bryan really doesn't like to get up out of bed, but does humor me.

We picked up my mom and dad and headed out for an evening with the Putman family. Micah and Rhyne finally made it home from NOLA and Glen and Diane invited us to join them for the dinner hour. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and the ham, biscuits, and congealed salads were great. When we left for home, we toured their neighborhood for 20 minutes or so enjoying the lights.

What a great day and how wonderful to be part of an extended family. Just a few more random shots of the evening.

Marcia

Final Countdown: Day 3

It's been a beautiful sunny day. I was up around 7 o'clock and headed straight for the coffee pot. I love sipping on early morning coffee with nowhere to go and nothing I have to do. I sat for at least an hour enjoying the quiet of the morning, watching the tree lights blink and enjoying a magazine.

Before too long, I was up straightening the kitchen, making the bed, and seeing about a load of laundry. No matter how much you do the day before, it all seems to "undo" itself and in one fashion or another, you have to start over.

I made two more Christmas treats for the family. It's tradition to have dipped pretzels in almond bark. . .

and Chex Party Mix.

Whew! I'm kind of tired. These snacks aren't hard to make; just so time consuming. I often think I'll never get to the bottom of the bowl when I'm dipping pretzels. The party mix takes an hour to bake and I make two batches the way my family gobbles it down.

Collin finished up at work today and will be off until Monday. He commented tonight, "No alarm clock in the morning!" When he got home, we headed to town for just a couple of errands. Back home, I found a snack, but he had a big lunch and wasn't hungry. And here we are at day's end once again. The big day is getting closer.

Marcia

Final Countdown: Day 4

Another productive yet relaxed and peaceful day.

I hadn't been up too long this morning when my dad showed up. I was still drinking coffee so I told him to have a seat and visit for a while. I cherish our time together--we just don't get enough of it. We talked of things present and things past. Remembering the season of the year, we laughed about an occasion when dad came in and caught my grandmother snooping under the Christmas tree at our house when I was probably a teen-ager. Micah gets that 4th generation trait from my Nanny, her great-grandmother.

After he was on his way, I began to see about a little laundry and a little house cleaning. Not my favorite things, but when you have company coming, you have to take care of a few things. I suspect Micah and Rhyne will appreciate having a clean room and fresh sheets on their bed.

I've also spent a little time in the kitchen again. Today's culinary delight is Crockpot Candy. Here is a picture of the startup--all the peanuts and varieties of chocolate in the crock. It heats for three hours.

You stir it and mix all the ingredients

then after it cools just a bit, you dip it out to set up on wax paper.

And here is the finished product--takes just like a Mr. Goodbar. Collin and Bryan love these.

Tomorrow, I plan for two more favorites.

We've had dinner and we're at day's end yet again. I think we're headed for the TV. We have a lineup of Tuesday night shows that we really like.

Marcia

Final Countdown: Day 5

Ahhhhhhhh! My first weekday of Christmas vacation away from school. That fact in and of itself is a gift. No alarm clock this morning--how wonderful. However, I did wake up about 7 a.m. and that is a late morning for me. I enjoyed my cappacino leisurely in the big rocker recliner watching the lights blink and twinkle on the tree. I was in no particular hurry this first morning to do anything.

I did have a productive day. First, I wanted to get dressed and head out to the city. I wanted to top off the gas tank in my car so I would be ready for whatever travels the week held for me. After stopping off to pay one bill, I had a few little things to take care of to be sure Santa was in good shape when he swings over our house. The major thing was that I headed to WalMart for groceries. My list was complete with ingredients for some special snacks I wanted to make that are family traditions, and of course, we needed 6 p.m. dinner food. It was actually a very pleasant day in town. No heavy traffic and the grocery aisles were not crowded at all. I could look and ponder without being in someone's way or having to move my cart over. The shelves were even fully stocked after the weekend.

After getting home, I put away all the groceries and worked in the kitchen for a while. First I was hungry and had to find a snack for lunch. I cleaned fruits and vegetables, put some ribs into the crock pot for our supper and began the first of my snack treats for the family, Cocktail Pecans. Here is the beginning. . .

and the final product. This is one of Collin's favorites. I might also mention that the candy cane dish is new and a gift this year from a dear friend.

I've received several new ornaments this year for Christmas gifts and I've been so busy, I haven't had time to get them on the tree. I took a few minutes to hang them this afternoon.

The evening meal is over now and the kitchen is cleaned. Tomorrow I'll attack a few more projects, but for now, I think I'll call it quits. I may watch a little TV and no doubt, sit and watch the tree lights blink. I do so enjoy the tree and am always a little sad when it's time to store it away in it's box.

Marcia

Twas the Week Before Christmas

Welcome to Christmas with our family.

Another week has passed and it's been busy at our house, but the social activity is gradually slowing down. Last weekend, we practically lived at the church. Friday night led the way for the 27th Living Christmas Tree. We also went to church on Saturday, not only for the tree, but the ladies banquet, then Sunday morning and evening as well. The program was exceptional this year, perhaps due to it's simplicity. There was a selection of popular secular music transitioning into familiar carols and then, some newer Christmas music. Narration was mixed with the music and the presentation of the gospel. It was just beautiful--very meaningful.

Monday night, the Mary Kay unit exchanged small gifts and shared refreshments. It was very pleasant. I had good intentions, but I didn't get a picture one at these events. The other afternoons, when I finished at school, I headed to the mall areas to complete my Christmas shopping. I don't care to be out on Saturdays any more with such big crowds. I love shopping and giving, but I never want to forget the spirit of Christmas because I'm aggravated by the crowd. As of Friday, school was out. Now my attentions are totally turned to home and the anticipation of the celebration to come.

Tomorrow, I am headed to WalMart for groceries. I have some snacks to make and some meals to prepare. I completed my list this afternoon and I have just a couple of little things to finish off to be ready for Santa.

I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my children home for the holidays. Nothing says Christmas like having all my family together. Thursday evening, we've been invited to the Putman's Sr to share a meal of our blended families. We're having Christmas Eve brunch Friday morning and I'll be doing some cooking on Thursday to get ready. Christmas Eve, I'll have a special meal even though it's just Collin, Bryan, and me.

The house is decorated, the packages are wrapped, and it is nice to just relax a little and enjoy the holiday. Take a look and enjoy a little bit of Christmas with us.

Happy Holidays to You and Yours,

Marcia

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

What a whirlwind of Christmas activity this week and what a wonderful time of celebrating, fellowship, and sharing with friends.

Last Saturday, Collin and I were privileged to drop in at the Davis home to see over 30 decorated trees, some short and some tall, while enjoying a variety of snacks, visiting with old acquaintances, and making new ones. This has become an annual event and one that we look forward too. Here are Doug, Vera, and Delilah in front of one of Vera's many trees and Doug always makes wooden ornaments which they give as a memory of the year and a gift of friendship.

This year, we have a teddy bear to add to our collection. I have about 7 or 8 of Doug's ornaments and they are favorites on our tree.

Tuesday evening, we dressed up and headed to the Riceland Banquet. This is something I always look forward to. The meal is wonderful and it's great to visit with work associates who have become friends. The Tidwell's, our neighbors, rode to the Fowler Center with us. It has become a tradition for us to go together and share our meal as Steve and Collin not only work together, but are great comrades. Here is a picture of Steve and Robin

and Collin and Marcia.

Riceland always has drawings for great door prizes and I was lucky this year. I try to keep tools in the house for my special projects, and somehow, they seem to disappear back to the shop. Look what I got. My very own tools and carrying case in PINK. Now if these show up outside, it's a dead give-away that they are mine and somebody is going to be in trouble. My little tool bag is full of tools.

Thursday night, I went to a Sunday School party. These ladies are very sweet and they have sort of adopted me since I work through Sunday School and really do not have a class. They had a wonderful potluck last night and a gift exchange. Here are the ladies

and here is the gift I brought home--a nutcracker frog as Vera knows that I collect frogs. That's another story I'll have to tell another day.

We have a few more activities scheduled for the weekend, so stay tuned for more Christmas.

Tis the season to be jolly,

Marcia

First Celebration of the Season

Thursday afternoon, the girls I work with came to my house for the annual NEACTC Ladies Christmas Tea. I guess it has become "annual" at "my house." Three years ago, I had an idea to to make some goodies and invite everyone after school to fellowship, share in the season, and exchange Christmas ornaments. We had never had any type of get together until then. They all seemed to have a wonderful time and now it seems that they look forward to the event and wait for me to extend the invitation. The house is completely decorated for Christmas, I make a variety of Christmas goodies, and I always have a peculator of cinnamon cider.

Here is the table before we all dived in. We had Zippy Sausage, Cocktail Pecans, Woody's Dip with chips, cheese ball with crackers, Crockpot Candy, Magic Cookie Bars, and a new recipe which I believe to be a keeper, Gooey Butterscotch Bars. They were delicious.

This is everyone finding something to eat and making themselves at home.

Before our ornament exchange, everyone gathered for a group photo. Three of our gang couldn't be here for the party. This is a sweet, sweet bunch of ladies. I couldn't work with any nicer group of women.

It is a thrill for me to host this event, prepare the treats, and have everyone in my home. I am the one who truly receives the blessing for what seems to make others happy. I love doing this. I wish I had more time to entertain--maybe when I retire. Although they didn't need to, they gave me this pretty poinsettia as a hostess thank you. I think it is so pretty and I wanted to share it with you.

I love this season of the year. I'm looking forward to a few more gatherings and happenings at the month progresses. I'll share our festive activities as they unfold.

Happy Holidays,

Marcia

Blessed Thanksgiving

Our family has celebrated a wonderful week. Here is a little recap of the activity.

Micah and Rhyne got home Sunday night about 9:30. I had a pot of home-made chicken noodle soup waiting. We had a short visit and we were off to bed. Unfortunately, Collin and I had to work Monday and Tuesday, and Collin also had to work Wednesday. We shared meals and visited during the evenings. Of all my children, these two are my favorites. Aren't they just precious?

By Wednesday, Micah and I planned for a shopping spree in the city as is our usual custom. We had a productive day making some Christmas purchases at a number of stores and the mall. After arriving home, we shortly made our way to Grandmother's and Papaw's house for our Thanksgiving celebration. We girls had a pretzel at the mall, but with all the walking, we were starved. We had a wonderful meal with the traditional dishes and the turkey was extra good. Collin got a new smoker in the late summer and he smoked the turkey. He really "out-did" himself. Of course, my mom is the queen of dressing and she also prepared a number of other vegetables and salads. We had pumpkin pie, butterfinger pie, and mincemeat pie for dessert.


Thursday, the Putman's Jr. headed to the Putman Sr. household for the rest of their visit. I began decorating the house for Christmas. Collin, Bryan, and I went to his parent's house for another celebration in the late afternoon. Again, wonderful food and we all enjoyed ourselves. Micah and Rhyne came over for a couple of hours.

Friday morning after coffee, I decided to make a run into town for a few bargains. Notice, I said, "after coffee." There was nothing I needed that would cause me to get up and shop at 4 o'clock in the morning. People are crazy. Mom and I met up and looked for a few things. Once I got home, it was back to decorating the house.

Today, I pretty well finished things up around here, cleaning and putting on the final touches. Monday, it's back to school. We are richly blessed. I'm thankful to have had my children home, to be with our families, wonderful meals, and some time off to rest. I hope each of you had a blessed day.

Marcia