Tag Archives: Christmas

2015_Day 360: New Christmas candies a hit

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Pinterest continues to be my favorite place to find new recipes for any occasion. Christmas this year was no different, as Pinterest provided me with several recipes that really have been a hit. The candy most-liked by family, friends and co-workers is a melt-in-your-mouth piece of heaven called Salted Chocolate Toffee Pretzel Bark. Five easy ingredients probably already sitting on your pantry shelves or in your fridge: pretzels, chocolate chips, brown sugar, butter and salt. Blogger Mel (melskitchencafe.com) is absolutely correct when she calls this “some of the most addictive faux-candy known to man.” Seriously, I dare you to eat just one piece. Continue reading →

2015_Day 353: Christmas colors

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When we decided to go with a much smaller Christmas tree this year, we had a lot of extra ornaments. But I wanted to find a way to use them since they’re so colorful. So, I just found a basket and filled it up with them. Turns out it really helps make the house festive-looking. Plus we don’t have to deal with the plastic or wire ornament hooks! Continue reading →

2015_Day 347: Project pumpkin snowman 

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A few weeks ago when I was putting up Christmas lights, I noticed most of the pumpkins from the Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations that weren’t carved were still good. I hated to throw them out. It seemed such a waste. Then I had a thought. Why not try making a snowman out of them? Continue reading →

2015_Day 342: Tuesday treasures

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One of the things I love about Christmas is the opportunity to pull out all the ornaments and decorations made by the kids over the years. The simpler the better. Like the glass ornament made just by adding a few pastel paint swirls by oldest son. Or daughter’s quirky snowman with a beak for a nose. Or her tiny hand print that just screams cuteness. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Continue reading →

2015_Day 340: December weather heaven

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I am really loving this warm stretch of weather we’ve been having in central Texas. Sunny and in the mid-60s, this weekend was perfect. I did a little Christmas shopping, cleaned up one of my flower beds and added more holiday decorations to the front of the house–all in short sleeves. Even darn dog Chloe enjoyed the warmth, basking in the sun and rolling in the grass. It was a fantastic weekend all around. Continue reading →

2015_Day 333: Pinwheel poinsettias, yes please!

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In case you hadn’t noticed, Christmas poinsettias are out in full force. So far, the cutest ones I’ve seen are these adorable pinwheel-like beauties. I’m not sure what the actual variety is called (the little plastic plant marker that was in the pot just said poinsettia) and it wasn’t until I was looking at old photos on my camera that I realized they look like the plastic pinwheels I put in my garden to keep the birds away. Continue reading →

2015_Day 317: When is it OK to put up outside Christmas decorations?

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I rarely get in the Christmas spirit before December, but this year I already feel like shopping for outside decorations. I think it’s because it’s so much easier to put up outside decorations in central Texas compared to Wisconsin. Continue reading →

2015_Day 6: Could recycling be made easier?

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Georgetown residents put their plastic bags, films and cellophane in a yellow stuffer bag like this one. Only problem is, residents have to go to the local collection center once a month to pick up the free bags. I think more people would use the bags if they could be picked up somewhere like the local grocery store.

Georgetown residents put their plastic bags, films and cellophane in a yellow stuffer bag like this one. Only problem is, residents have to go to the local collection center once a month to pick up the free bags. I think more people would use the bags if they could be picked up somewhere like the local grocery store.

With the Christmas tree down and all the holiday decorations put away, today was the day to drop the tree off at our local collection center, where it will be ground up and used for mulch. With the help of my father-in-law and his van, it was a piece of cake and we were home in a half-hour. And it was free. As I was dropped off at home, the garbage truck went by and I could see the green branches of at least one Christmas tree sticking out the back, destined most likely for the landfill rather than the mulch pile.

It made me wonder why, when there are options provided by municipalities for recycling things like Christmas trees, don’t more people don’t take advantage of them? A story in our local newspaper right after Christmas said more than 300 people bring their trees to the collection site each year. With the population of Georgetown at around 50,000 (it was about 47,400 in the 2010 census and it’s only gotten bigger), something tells me there are a lot of people out there throwing their tree in the trash instead of getting it recycled.
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2015_Day 1: Looking back at 2014 has me a little nostalgic

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I'm sure my old garden looks somewhat like this photo, taken in early 2014. Yes, there are times I miss the snow!

I’m sure my old garden looks somewhat like this photo, taken in early 2014. Yes, there are times I miss the snow!

The weather in Texas the past several days — cold, windy and downright blustery — has gotten me feeling a bit sentimental about the state I’ve spent most of my life in and where all of my siblings and parents still reside. We’ve always gotten together at my parents’ house for Christmas to eat, drink, laugh and enjoy each others’ company. Among other dishes, Christmas food always includes my mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup, potatoes, Polish blood sausage (it’s my favorite; I drown it in vinegar) and lots of cookies and candies. Of course, there’s always the customary Old-Fashioned (or three) for the adults, too! We fill our bellies before we open gifts in the basement, although several trays of goodies always seem to make their way down the stairs, begging us to munch on them while watching the kiddos delight in their presents. We oblige, of course, because it’s Christmas and it shouldn’t be any other way. Continue reading →