Seven Christmas Memories

This meme is going on at Chatty Kelly's and at Greg's General Store. It is about seven of your favorite Christmas memories. I thought it would be fun to share seven Christmas memories from my childhood.


1) My favorite Christmas memory is the Christmas Eve candle lite service at my childhood church. I can't remember how old I was the first time I was old enough to attend; but it left the most amazing, awe inspiring impression on me. After the songs were sung and the message delivered by the minister, the lights were all turned out and it was completely dark except for the Advent wreath. With out Christ our lives would be dark and cold. Jesus the light of the world fills our lives with warmth and light. And as we share this light with others it only shines brighter and brighter. The light from the Christ candle is spread through out the sanctuary while we sing Silent Night. By the time the song is sung the sanctuary is filled with light! I would always want to keep it lit even after the lights were turned on.

2.) I also treasured singing in the children's choir as a kid. I still remember some of our songs from Christmas past and sing them even today......

Christmas isn't Christmas until it happens in your heart
Somewhere deep inside you is where Christmas really starts
So give your heart to Jesus and you'll discover when you do
That it's Christmas really Christmas for you.

Jesus gives gifts of truth and life and makes them bloom and grow
So welcome him with a song of joy and when he comes you'll know

I was probably in second grade when we sang that song and it still touches my heart!

3.) We'd have lots of family gatherings around Christmas. On my Daddy's side I was the baby. So even in fourth and fifth grade I could still sit in my dear Grandpa's lap. He smelled of Old Spice and his blue eyes sparkled with the merriment of Christmas!

4.) The day after Christmas early in the morning (around 2AM) we'd get on the train to visit my Mom's side of the family. As a little girl it was very exciting not only to be up at that hour but to be at the depot and standing on the platform waiting for our train as another train would whoosh by! It would take my breath away!

5.) When I was seven (I think), my Aunt and Uncle had a baby girl (she's all grown now and is a blogger too!) The first time I saw my baby cousin she was just an infant and my Aunt let me follow her all around... "helping". The next year, I named my baby doll I had received as a Christmas present after my cousin.

6.) My mom makes magic at Christmas time! Mr P. agrees! She does the house all in fresh greenery and cooks wonderful family goodies like my grandmother Aggie's date orange muffins and red velvet cake! This year she and my Daddy are coming to my house! I am hoping I can make some magic for her!

7.) Mom and Dad would always get a fresh tree and my Mom would set out the decorations ahead of time to prepare. She'd let me play with all of the ornaments. (The angels had to talk to baby Jesus and the toy soldgers had to protect the dolls!) I smiled fondly as my boys stopped to play with some of our ornaments when we decorated our tree. My youngest pulls a few off the tree from time to time to play or to re-arranges them so they can talk to each other!

Merry Merry Christmas to you! Feel free to share your memories too!

The Sweetest Thing!

My little girl, who is three, had a play date the other afternoon with a close friend of hers. They were happily cooking and chatting in the play kitchen upstairs. Suddenly they both marched down stairs, obviously on a mission, birthday cake in hand! They stopped in front of the Christmas tree and began debating if they could go ahead and sing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus. " It's too soon ,"my daughter said, "it's not Christmas yet. " I stepped in and encouraged them that everyday is a wonderful day to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus because we are thankful for Him each day of our lives! So, we all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus! What a blessing these sweet little girls are to my soul!

Luke 2:11

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

The best Christmas present we will ever receive is from God..... The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

We Are Cooking!

We've been doing some Christmas baking around here! My youngest LOVES to help and wants to do it all! She even said, "Mom, I'm working hard!" She is making her Grand Mimi proud! These are some easy recipes from some dear friends!

This has got to be the easiest sweet treat and fun to take to parties! We received this idea from a Joyful friend attending a Super Bowl Party with us several years ago.

You put square shaped pretzels on a baking sheet and top each with a Rolo candy. Put them in a 350 degree oven for five minutes and immediately place a pecan half on top.

Sparkling Toffee Cookies

(full of Green Love!-recipe is from S.Green)

1 1/2 stick butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup toffee bits (or to taste-I put in the whole bag!)

Sugar for top to taste

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar, butter, egg and vanilla in mixer bowl. Beat @ medium speed until creamy. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, reduce speed to low. Beat until well mixed. Stir in toffee bits. (I refrigerate the dough for an hour) Shape into one inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Flatten with bottom of glass or fork for criss cross pattern. Bake 9-11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Sprinkle with sugar while warm.

I only make this next recipe around Christmas time. The sweet friend I received it from has made it an all occasion treat by changing the color on the covering. Pink and Blue at a baby shower was my favorite one she had made. These treats are only about half a sweet and rich in goodness as my friend, S. Cray.

My kids call them Snow Balls (on the Internet you can find them under Oreo balls)

I think the recipe is easier if you have a food processor but we do not. As is it is a fun and easy one for my youngest to help with.

We take a whole package of oreos (12 cookies at a time-all my blender can handle) and crush them in a Ziploc freezer bag. Then we put them in a blender and set it to chop! We do this over and over until the whole package of oreos is exhausted.

In a bowl we combine the pulverized oreos, (2) 8 oz cream cheese (softened) and a 1/2 cup powdered sugar. I put the dough in the refrigerator for one hour. Roll dough into small balls. Refrigerate for another hour. Coat with white almond bark.

Patterson Love all wrapped up and ready to deliver!

Amish Friendship bread pictured but not blogged about, perhaps another time!