Tamales

Yesterday we all got together to make tamales for Christmas. Actually the work started before that - Tito cooked and shredded the pork
and went to the Mexican market and bought the massa. We have never made our own massa - it is easier to buy it premixed.

The corn husks soaking in hot water, the pork with the chilies and onions added

The process, the massa spread on a corn husk, the filling added, wrapped in the husk and tied

The assembly line

Kaiden helping by playing

A pot of the tamales steaming

The reward!

We all ate, the kids took some home and the rest went into the freezer for Christmas.

Countdown

I spend last weekend baking for Christmas. I made pumpkin, zucchini and eggnog breads and pizzelles. It is all finished. My cards have all been sent, the decorating is done, we had our family outing, gifts taken care of. One more weekend before Christmas and it will be busy. Our Sunday School Christmas Dinner Theater is Friday night, we make tamales on Saturday and somehow the house has to be cleaned and the guest bedroom made ready for our company. My sister-in-law, brother-in-law and nephew arrive on the 23rd.

The kids stopped by on Sunday on their way home from shopping. I have a dancing and singing penquin that I put down for Kaiden. At first, he wasn't sure about it, but later was laughing at it.

The kids put this hat on him while they were shopping - I love the blue eyes.

Noel

This Christmas decoration brings back wonderful memories for me. I came home from school when I was in 1st or 2nd grade and there was a package. My mother had ordered these for me, probably from Cappers Weekly (does anyone else remember that paper?) I am probably telling my age but they say Japan on the bottom not made in China.

They were packed away in their original box for many years until it completely fell apart. They survived a fall from the rafters of our garage. If you look closely you can see the O has been repaired.

When Nathan was pretty young, he figured out, if you rearrange the letters you get...

Leon. So every year at some point during the season, I find this and it always makes me smile.

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

It is snowing outside, nice big fluffy flakes slowly coming down. Very nice to sit here and watch. It snowed last Wednesday and has stayed very cold since then. Last Friday my work group had our Christmas lunch. Friday night, my Bunco group had our annual Christmas bunco night - a crazy gift stealing game. It is something we plan for all year long.

For our family gift this year, we decided to go to the Botanic Gardens to see the Blossoms of Light and then out for coffee afterwards. So with temps around 25, we bundled up this little guy

and went to see the lights. The pictures do not do them justice. These were taken by Dave, he is much better at this than I am. There were thousands and thousands of lights throughout the garden and it was just stunning.

The lights in the fountain changed colors

I liked the reflection on the partially frozen pond

This blue tree with large lighted snowflakes was my favorite

This morning our Women's Group at church had our annual brunch and ornament exchange. It is always fun.

I try to stop everyday and make sure I focus on the real meaning of this season. I liked our Advent sermon this morning - preparing our lives for Jesus. So in my busy life that becomes busier during December, I stop to look at the snow falling and say a prayer of thanks for all the blessings my family has and to remember why. I hope it is beginning to feel like Christmas in your home.

Ten Months

It is also my New Favorite Photo. This is from the family photo shoot. The photographer gave him the ball in attempt to get a smile from him. He wouldn't look up. My husband said, "you can't even see his face." But how can you resist those cheeks?

Great Idea

When I was unpacking my boxes of Christmas decorations, I kept taking items out and telling my sisters - I don't remember were I put this last year. I remember were I put them in our old house - but not this one. Millie said she had a friend who would take pictures before she took her pictures down to paint so she knew how to put things back. So after the house was all done, I walked around and took pictures of each room. I'm sure I'm not the first one to do this, but what a great idea! Now I only have to remember that I have pictures when I get ready to decorate next year. I will have to put a note in the storage box so I don't forget. I do that all the time so I spend less time looking for things. I have a note in my box of autumn decorations that a pumpkin and scarecrow are in with the Easter items. If I didn't I would be wondering what happened to that scarecrow next October!!

Surprises

Thanks to these two - I found some interesting ornaments on my tree....