Christmas is Over . . .Now I Can Breathe

Well . . .
all of the company has gone,
all of the presents have been opened,
all of the cards have been sent (well . . . almost all . . . I still have a few addresses to nail down . . .better late than never, right??),
all of the cookies have been added to my waistline,
all of the carols have been sung.

It was a good Christmas.

It was a cozy Christmas.

I don't want it to be over.

I think I'm going to leave our tree up until February . . . I just love sitting in here just staring at it.

Every ornament means so much to me.

I know where I got each and every one.

When the kids were helping me put them on the tree this year, I had them ask me where I got each one and I rememebered every. single. one.

Even the ones my students made for me when I was a teacher 15 years ago.

I love ornaments.

I love Christmas.

I will post some pictures soon of all our Christmas happenings.  I have been trying to just enjoy these two weeks I have with my kiddos. 

We've been mostly sledding (yes, we have a very WHITE Christmas here in Illinois!), playing games, and watching movies.

Have I mentioned that I adore Christmas?? (but I am glad that the busy part is over, so I can breathe and enjoy)

Cute Cookie Recipe

Caroline made these cute reindeer cookies for a cookie exchange party. 

Aren't they cauuute?!

We got the recipe out of Parents magazine.  Here it is:

Ingredients:

Pillsbury's Simply Peanut Butter cookie dough

Chocolate covered mini-pretzels

white cookie icing

mini chocolate chips (the recipe called for M&M minis)

Red M&Ms

Directions:

1. Cut the cookie dough in half and shape them into 1 1/2 inch triangles.

2. Bake for 8 minutes at 350*.

3. While the cookies are still warm, press the pretzels on the top of each side for the antlers.

4. Let the cookies cool.

5. To make the face, put the chocolate chips on for the eyes and a red M&M for the nose with cookie icing.

Easy and cute!! 

Special Delivery

Wow!! Look what we got delivered to our door after dinner tonight!!

My friend, Stacy, sent them for the kids. What a blessing!! Thanks, Stace!! We LOVE the cookies and we LOVE you!! :)

A Hug From a Friend

Today I received a fun surprise in the mail from my friend, Annie. She is a HUGE Amy Grant fan and she knew that I didn't have this album in CD form yet (yes, I was still listening to my TAPE of it!) It is definitely one of my favorite Christmas albums and has been since I was in high school.

We listened to it a LOT in college during the holidays (starting in October) and it brings back many warm memories. When I thanked Annie, she said it was a "hug" sent to me in the mail. Thanks for the "hug" Annie! (I'm listening to it right now. )

Who can you "hug" today? ;) It means so much when a friend thinks of you, doesn't it?