Is Christmas Over Already?

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I've posted!  Ah, the time leading up to the holidays goes so very quickly.  Kudos to all of you who have done so well with posting during December!  I must try and line up some posts early next year so I can still connect with all of you during one of the busiest times of the year.

I hope your Christmas was joyous and filled with love and laughter.  We enjoyed much laughter and fun with friends and family during the month and over the Christmas holiday.  This time of year is so precious in so many ways.  Seeing and spending time with family, honoring Jesus and His sacrifice for us, and singing Christmas carols and baking with my girls - these are all highlights of our Christmas celebration.

"Busy, busy, busy" would describe my December.  I worked on several gifts for Jeff's side of the family this year.  Two quilts and four baby blankets.  The two quilts were made for our nieces, Emily and Kate.  The material I used in them was from three of their mom's corduroy jumpers that she used to wear for many years.  They were well received and for that I am so thankful!  It was a joy to make them and see the girls appreciate them so much!

 Emily, Louise (these were her dresses!), and Kate with quilts

Emily, me, Louise, and Kate with quilts

The baby blankets were for our niece's children and our nephew's children.  Bella and Zezzie are the oldest and they seemed to love their blankets right away.  It's such a joy to see the little ones enjoy a homemade gift!

 Bella and her dad, Josh - she's wrapped in her cozy blanket :)

Zezzie wrapped in her blanket too :)

Our daughters both made gifts for family this year.  We're so proud of their efforts and thankful that the Lord is growing a heart for others in our girls. 

Julie worked on mats using her loom and then made tassels for each one as well.  All in all, she has made 14 so far!  She also made Jeff and I these beautiful organizers from yarn and a sweet purse for her sister too!  

 Aunt Lisa with her mat made by Julie

Uncle Randy with his mat made by Julie

Heather loves to draw, so she drew pictures and colored them for us and for her Nana, Papa, and Uncle Mike.  Ours were booklets of several pictures - they turned out beautifully!

 My Daddy, Heather's Papa, with the drawing Heather did for him

My brother Michael with the drawing Heather did for him

We cut back a lot on Christmas this year in terms of spending and it is a relief to know that we don't have a huge credit card bill waiting for us next month.  It's freeing and for that I'm so thankful!  I'm starting our 2011 Christmas fund beginning in January again.  It was so much easier to put away a little bit each month rather than shelling it all out in December.  

What were the highlights of your Christmas?  

Did you see family?  Friends?  Bake some delicious goodies?

We baked a lot of cookies this year, but I'll share just one of my favorites with you today.  These are called Super Gingersnaps.  They really are huge!  The cookies turn out to be about 3 1/2 inches across, if not 4 inches across.  Delicious too!

Super Gingersnaps

• 4 cups flour, sifted
• 2 Tablespoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons each of ginger, cinnamon, cloves
• 1 1/2 cups shortening
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup molasses

Cream together the shortening, white sugar, and brown sugar.  Add eggs and molasses to creamed mixture and blend well.  

In a separate bowl, combine the sifted ingredients:  flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.  Add the mixed dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix until it's well blended.

Shape into walnut size balls, dip into sugar, and place onto a greased cookie sheet with the sugar side facing up.  Flatten with the bottom of a drinking glass and bake.  I recommend placing only three cookie balls across the sheet because they expand and could "mesh" into one another.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Enjoy! 

All my best to you as another new year approaches!