Cookie Exchange

Here are some of the pictures from the cookie exchange. The crazy part is I didn't get one photo of the cookies! They were just beautiful and it was so much fun.
My boxes turned out very cute although they were flimsy. So next year I will have to do something different. I did a salad luncheon and it was a hit. I also learned a new secret for making the rolls. I made the dough two days before, shaped them the next day and left them in the refrigerator until the day of the exchange. It took about an extra hour to an hour and a half longer to rise, but it worked perfectly. Made the preparation much easier. The only bad part was we only made 5 dozen each and that wasn't enough to last the entire month so I still need to make more cookies. It is hard not sampling them and keep to my diet. I am doing good but very tempted.

It's a Holly, Jolly Christmas!

I am so busy I haven't had time to post. What a busy week. On Monday I had our office cookie exchange and it was so fun. Great brunch and good cookies. I am putting my recipe on the side bar. It was extremely easy to make and so good. I think it is my new favorite for cookie exchanges.

Next was a goodbye luncheon for Marilee. She is moving to Tucson, AZ. I am going to miss her so much. Not only was she my counselor but one of my closest friends. I try not to think about her being gone, it will be hard not having her nearby. I have grown to really depend on her wisdom and humor. It just won't be the same without her. I am sure this is a good move for her family but we are going to miss her. However, the luncheon was a huge success, even though the rain was an unbelievable downpour.

I made sugared pecans (about 6 lbs) to give as gifts for friends. They were also easy to make, delicious and look good. I hope everyone enjoys receiving them. I still have toffee and fudge to make then most of my Christmas treats will be done. I think that will be on the agenda for tomorrow.

Woke up at 4:00 in the morning on Saturday with a million things running through my mind. I couldn't sleep so got up wrapped presents, boxed them up to send (they are in the mail) then wrote my talk. I had everything I needed to do done by noon. What a great feeling. I was the only speaker for sacrament today. Huge responsibility, lots of stress but I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself. That really left me exhausted.

I also had 2 escrows last week (Yeah!!!) but one of them was a foreclosure and nothing but trouble. I spent hours and hours on it and it still hasn't closed. At least there will be a small pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

All I have left is a few presents for Jim and then the cooking for the dinner. Merry Christmas!

Countdown to Christmas

"Each one of you is living a life filled with much to do. I plead with you not to let the important things in life pass you by, planning instead for that illusive and non-existent future day when you'll have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey--now." Thomas S. Monson

My favorite time of year is here. The house is decorated (almost), the Christmas music is playing and I have the Christmas smell on the stove. Even though it's in the high 70's it feels like Christmas.

Many of you have asked, "How did you do Christmas for all of us kids?". I think back to those fun days, what made it special and how did we do it? First of all the presents. I always had 10 presents for each child. That made over 80 presents under the tree. I don't really recommend that, it put up unreal expectations for future spouses and wrapping was a beast. Each of you got 1 big present from Santa. I tried for it to be what you wanted most. Within reason of course, no pony under the tree. Then the other presents were smaller things that would be enjoyed. A T-shirt in one package, always socks in another. The next might be a box of crayons and a coloring book for the young or a packet of marking pens for the older ones. A lip gloss or a bracelet was always loved. You could count on a new pair of PJ's. It's amazing what you can find that is really wanted for little money. The stockings followed the same principle. A few candy bars, a piece of fruit always helped fill it. Paperback books were good for the older ones. Hair pretty, little cars, you get the idea. We never did a big family gift unless we had enough money to do both the individual gifts and a big ticket item. We saved the big ticket item for another time.

But that was only the climax to a wonderful season. It began with decorating the house, setting up the tree, playing Christmas music every day. I always had the Christmas smell simmering on the stove. (Mix water, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger and few orange slices together and bring to a boil, turn down heat and let simmer. Keep adding water so it doesn't burn down). We went to all the decorations in the area, including the mall, attended both school and church Christmas programs and never missed a Frosty, Rudolph or any other Christmas TV show. We exchanged names among the kids and shopped for each other with excitement.

You remember the traditions, singing, cookies, etc. But the most important thing is enjoy! Take time to read a Christmas story, don't worry if it doesn't all get done. As long as it involves the kids it is worth doing, if it is just cleaning, it can wait a day or two.

My countdown has begun! I can hardly wait.

Splish, Splash!

Fun Family Day!
Blue sky, warm water and family! What more could you ask for? Maybe a few more people, but that's coming! Yes, it is as much fun as you remember. Don't you love the photo of Dad down the slide? Eberly, Sara, Katie and Jimmy had to show us what they learned at swim lessons. They did great!

What a week!

So glad it's over! I just finished up 2 funerals for sisters in our ward! I couldn't believe it happened so close together. Both were because of illness, but both were unexpected. Can you believe I have done 12 funerals since becoming Relief Society President almost 5 years ago. I have actually put together a checklist (6 pages) of what to do for a funeral (especially good for RS Pres). I will send to any who need it. This is not something that you are naturally able to do, it is by experience that you learn.

One of the best ideas I had was for the second funeral. This was a very poor family, just husband and wife with limited mental capacities. Only one brother; so I knew there would not be many flowers at the service. I asked the women of our ward to bring a bouquet from their gardens if they had any flowers blooming. Well, the result was a chapel overflowing with flowers. The smell was unbelievable. The service was beautiful.

I was touched with the knowledge that each individual, no matter their personal circumstances, is important to our loving Heavenly Father. My understanding of life after death has increased by the witness of the spirit that we live again, love again and can always enjoy one another. I put this quote on the program, it is by Rossiter Worthington Raymond, "Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horison is nothing save the limit of our sight."

It was a week with many touching experiences, but now I am ready for something else, hopefully a little more fun!