Christmas Morning

one down...

One of my goals last year was to read 20 books. I did. This year I wanted to read at least 30. I have a bunch of books started and I really want to start 2010 off with a "clean slate." hum...lots of reading to go....can I get through the rest of my books before New Years? If I can, I will have read 36 books this year!

"busted the best mom competition"

Mark lovingly wrote the quote above in a sweet letter to Mommy. We had a lovely day helping Mom celebrate her birthday. First off Marissa made granola pancakes:

(they were SO yummy!)

Then the three of us ladies went to town to shop a bit. If you don't already know about Anthropologie, it is a great store!! (mostly just for looking at since the prices...um...don't fit my budget ;)). Next stop was a delightful lunch with Mom's parents at McAlister's Deli, a new favorite--very special!

Lastly, Marissa and I put together a tea to finish off her day.

vanilla sweets (pink) and vanilla Rooibos tea

apricot-cucumber sandwiches

antipasto squares

triple chocolate fudge cake

Happy Birthday, Mother Dear. I love you!

*Philippians 4:11b-13

*1 Peter 5:5-7

*Titus 2:3-5

*Proverbs 15:23

Not so little any more...

I can't believe on Christmas, it will have been a year since I got my gift certificate to get a new puppy. Time has sure flown this year and my 'puppy' is already 10 months old! However, she doesn't look so much like a puppy anymore....

a special lunch

Yesterday we took advantage of some girl time to have a Mother-Daughter tea. Here are a couple photos of us and the food.

Rissie

me

Mother Dear

set and ready

applets and cotlets, cream scones, cucumber sandwiches and tomato and olive brushetta

Chocolate Pot de Créme (a rich moose)

Here's the recipe. It was so easy and SO chocolatety I'm sure many of you all would like it (even you, Mrs. Poff =p)

2 cups whipping cream

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup sugar

4 beaten egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

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In a medium saucepan combine the whipping cream, chocolate, and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat about 10 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil and thickens just a bit. Gradually stir in the egg and vanilla. Divide the mixture into 8 small cups. Cover and chill for 4-24 hours. (I didn't have time, so I just put mine into the freezer for 1.5 or 2 hours and it was just fine. we also had a bit leftover and it was just as good the second day. =D) Embellish with whipped cream, chocolate curls, or berries.

See, amid the winter's snow, Born for us on earth below,

See the tender Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years.

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Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption's happy dawn!

Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

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Lo, within a manger lies He who built the starry skies:

He who, throned in height sub-lime, Sits a mid the cherubim.

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Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption's happy dawn!

Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

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Say, ye holy shepherds, say, What your joyful news today?

Wherefore have ye left your sheep On the lonely mountain steep?

**

Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption's happy dawn!

Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

**

As we watched at dead of night, Lo! we saw a wondrous light;

Angels singing "Peace on Earth," Told us of the Savior's birth.

**

Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption's happy dawn!

Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

**

Sacred Infant all divine, What a tender love was thine,

Thus to come from highest bliss Down to such a world as this!

**

Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption's happy dawn!

Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

**

Teach, O teach us, holy Child, By they face so meek and mild,

Teach us to resemble thee, In thy sweet humility.

**

Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption's happy dawn!

Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

-Edward Caswall

Yuletide

Advent began on Sunday. I love this season. A time of preparation and repentance. This year I am reading "Christmas Spirit" by George Grant and Gregory Wilbur. I hope to post occasionally something from that book (or one of our other Advent books) that is particularly meaningful to me. So, for today...

"There is something about saying, 'We always do this,' which helps keep the years together. Time is such an elusive thing that if we keep on meaning to do something interesting, but never do it, year would follow year with no special thoughtfulness being expressed in making gifts, surprises, charming table settings, and familiar, favorite food. Tradition is a good gift, intended to guard the best gifts." ~Edith Schaeffer

I hope you are enjoying this Advent season.

Blessings,

Linda