Old Fashioned Christmas Countdown

On the 11th day of Christmas...

My kids and I have always had a Christmas countdown.  When they were little, we would read a book, and then they would open a small gift.

Last year, we opted to not have our Christmas countdown, because just like many households...money was tight at our house.

My daughter asked if this year it would be o.k. to do the countdown once again, but with an old fashioned theme.  (I think she was probably thinking this might be a little cheaper for us...things during the olden days didn't cost quite as much.)  She requested things like oranges, nuts, and old fashioned candy.  Things that I got from Santa in my "Christmas boot" when I was a little girl. 

So, we decided this would be fun!!!  I even wrapped each item with brown paper sacks to add to the old fashioned theme.

The only item I have not been able to find is the hard candy that my Grandmother use to keep at her house in her candy jar.  I have found some candy that is similar, but it does not have the candy fish that I remember always picking out and eating first at her house.  If anybody knows where I can find this candy, please let me know.

Christmas M&M Cookies

I thought I would try a Christmas version of the m&m cookies I made at Easter time.

Here they are:

Don't you just love that little girl tin in the background???

I purchased that at one of the stores on the square in Lynchburg.

If you would like the recipe for these very easy cookies...follow this link m&m cookies .

I will be taking several dozen of these to our church's Cookie Walk tomorrow.  They are not exactly homemade, but they are very colorful and good to eat.

Old Fashioned Christmas Spirit

Looking for a little old fashioned Christmas Spirit???

Why not travel to Lynchburg, Tennessee?

My daughter and I made a quick trip there to visit my sister one evening last week. 

We did some old fashioned shopping on the square.

Then, we enjoyed a piece of delicious old fashioned apple pie at one of the restaurants on the square.

My daughter purchased a cute sock monkey at the Cow Pattie Store, and I picked up some yarn at the Knotty Ewe.

The lights were very charming, and the store windows were decorated with an old fashioned charm.  A nice way to take a step back in time.

Pecan Pie

Would you like to have a recipe for a delicious pie?
Would you like to have a really easy pie recipe?
Would you like to have my recipe for pecan pie that I got from my mother-in-law?
Well...here you go.

Pecan Pie

3 eggs

1 cup Karo light syrup

1 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons margarine (melted)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup pecans

1 unbaked pie shell

First, slightly beat the eggs.

Then, add the next five ingredients.

The sugar and Karo syrup...

the melted margarine and vanilla...

and the salt!

Beat these first five ingredients well by hand;

then add the cup of pecans.

(I like to use chopped pecans.)

Yummy pecans...

Pour into unbaked pie shell.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 55 minutes.

I can usually tell the pie is done when it doesn't wiggle if I shake it.  In my oven, this is usually after exactly 55 minutes.

This is the pie I made for Thanksgiving.

It is not the prettiest pie in the world...but trust me...there was not a piece left.

My mother-in-law's pies are much prettier.

I am still working on the art of a perfect pie crust.

Notice, I did not share my recipe for pie crust with you.

Enjoy!!!

I'm linking up with Tidy Mom.

All Is Merry and Bright

The Christmas decorating is complete.

Everything is in place.

We have listened to Christmas music...

visited our favorite Christmas decorating store...

and purchased a few gifts.

The Christmas spirit has completely crept in on us.

Tomorrow, we will be hanging the greens at church with a special service.

Happy Holidays.

Christmas Spirit

Yes, it is the end of November, and there are still beautiful flowers and green plants in the Big Woods.  I picked these a couple of days ago and brought them into the house to cheer us during the Thanksgiving holiday.

 My sisters, brother, and I (Yes, we missed you Sewing Sister.) were shopping today on the square in Pulaski, Tennessee, and there was a beautiful pot of geraniums blooming on the sidewalk. 

And yet it is time to begin decorating for Christmas.

We have chosen tomorrow to set up our Christmas tree.  The kids can hardly wait...I on the other hand am having a hard time getting motivated.

I have looked through various catalogs, scrolled through several blogs, and watched Oprah's favorite things...yet the holiday spirit is not overtaking me... yet. 

Maybe I'll start tomorrow by removing the orange and yellow flowers from the arrangement above and adding some red berries.  Hopefully that will motivate me to delve into the multitude of attic boxes that hold Christmas decor. 

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Deer Hunting

There's one less deer in the Big Woods today.

My twelve year old daughter killed her first deer...a four point.

My husband says, she was cool and calm and waited for the perfect time to shoot.  He is very proud of her...and she is proud, too.  Maybe we'll have venison for Thanksgiving!!!