TOO cute for words!!

Well worth the 4 minutes it takes to watch this cute video!!

Dishing It! Party (Share Your Christmas Traditions)

Amanda at Serenity Now is having a party. Here is how she explains it: One of my favorite things ever is having a girlfriend over for coffee and dishing over anything and everything. That's what Dishing It! is all about: getting to know other bloggers. 
She provides the questions that we answer and then we can visit other bloggers to see their responses too. Here are the questions:
~Do you have any specific traditions that your family looks forward to each Christmas?

My girls love it that we/santa, hides the stockings every year.  We started this when they were little to make Christmas Morning last a little longer. We leave clues all over the place and send them on a wild goose chase/scavenger hunt sort of thing to find them.

Even though they are all adults they still look forward to this tradition

~Is your tree real or fake? We still do a real tree, however, the older I get the more I think about going over to the "dark" side and getting a fake one. The fake ones really are quite beautiful these days

~Do you have any favorite ornaments? My favorites change from year to year. This year it has to be the dove ornament I got from a dear friend when my dad passed away last December. The hospital he was at puts a "dove" on the door of the room when someone passes on and as a symbol my friend presented us with a dove ornament for our tree as a tribute to my daddy.

~What's your favorite Christmas treat? There are so many :  )

My homemade Almond Roca, Shortbread

Homemade Caramels and a cake called  Orange candy cake (this one has orange candy slices,coconut,dates and pecans and is decadent!!)

~Coolest crafty thing you made or home decor thing you tried this Christmas season? A candle tray with fresh greens was about the only crafty/home decor item item so far this season

~Best Christmas gift you ever received?  A diamond necklace from my very frugal hubby. I was totally shocked and surprised!! 

~Your favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas with Bing Crosby

~What's the number one thing on your kids'/husband's/wife's/significant other's list this year? I know this will sound sappy, but we all just want to be together. It has been a hard year for us and our girls as far as missing dad/grandpa. It has also been a joyous year with the birth of our Grandson Ezra last April, Our twins moved out in Sept and we are all just missing each other. We are so looking forward to hanging out, playing games, and playing with that sweet baby too

~If Santa could bring you one big surprise this year, what would you want it to be? One more day with my dad. Cherish your families!! 

Whew, I think I got them all answered : )

Food For thought

Christmas is the season of Love

a time for gathering together

and celebrating the 

Greatest gift of all,

the arrival of the Savior

May you take some time this busy holiday season to reflect on Him.

After all He is the reason for this season

Christmas Blessing

May God Grant you:

The light in Christmas, which is faith.

The warmth of Christmas, which is love.

The radiance of Christmas, which is purity.

The belief in Christmas, which is truth.

The all of Christmas, which is Christ.

Merry Christmas Macaroons YUM!!

A christmas favorite from my mom in law many years ago. Hope you enjoy it!!

Merry Christmas Macaroons
Ingredients

• 4 egg whites, room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 C pecans chopped
• 3 C cornflakes
• 1/2 C crushed candy canes
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup coconut

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Beat egg whites in a clean glass or metal bowl until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and continue beating until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar while continuing to beat to stiff peaks. When the meringue is stiff remove from the mixer. Stir in vanilla and fold in candy canes, chocolate chips, cornflakes, pecans and coconut. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. 
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until dry enough to easily peel off of the cookie sheet. Cool cookies then store in an airtight tin. can garnish with red or green candied cherries if desired. I personally am not a huge fan of those candied things but they do make it look festive : )

Linking to Foodie Friday 

Publish Post

Just a reminder, that if you would like to help me with my 

Willow House Party

 All orders need to be placed by Tuesday night to ensure Christmas delivery

Great items and one whole page items 70% off or more!!

Important:Please put my name (Debbie Smith)in as the host at checkout