Tag: Christmas

Posted in Family, Holiday/Christmas

Merry Belated Christmas

Posted on by traci

This was taken Christmas Eve. It had been a while since we had a family picture. Someone volunteered to take our photo.

Youngest is now 17 years old. He’ll be 18 in 6 months which is unbelievable. He’s a junior in high school with big dreams of becoming a genetic engineer.

Oldest is now 19 years old. He’ll be 20 in 6.5 months. Again, it’s unbelievable I’ll have a child in his 20’s soon. He’s in his first year of college studying computer science with an emphasis on cybersecurity.

I have finished my first term of my master’s degree. I’m studying Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology. I should be done either next December or June 2024. I’m in my 23rd year of teaching. This year, I’m working with students who have multiple disabilities.

My hubby is working as a tech teacher at a local school district.

We hope you had a great Christmas. It is only one day of the year. We are to be Christmas people who bring hope out to the world. The real work begins the day after Christmas.

Posted in Family, Holiday/Christmas

Christmas on Folly Beach

Posted on by traci

This year, we decided to take a trip to Folly Beach, SC for Christmas. We stayed at a beach house and got to enjoy the quietness of being in the small town during the off season. During the summer, there are people EVERYWHERE. Even though we see people, there is a lot less people. It’s nice because I can walk on the beach and see very few people. I don’t need to wear a mask because of lack of people. (I only do it on the beach.) It makes me feel as though I’m in pre-Covid times which is GOOD for the soul.

My mother-in-law made us matching Christmas shirts and pj pants. Since it was going to be windy and COLD on Christmas, we did our family photos on Christmas Eve. Oldest is now taller than his 19-year-old cousin – NOT pictured in this post. I didn’t realize Oldest had another growth spurt. Youngest has been the one to get taller during the pandemic. He’s grown at least half foot in the last year. He’s now taller than me.

So from my family to yours, Merry Christmas. As I listened to a Christmas Eve service yesterday, even though we say Jesus is the reason for the season, it’s actually Y’ALL that is the reason for the season.

Stay kind!

Have a magical day,
Traci

Posted in christmas making and baking, Dessert, Family Recipe, Holiday/Christmas, Recipes

My Grandma’s Fudge – Christmas Making and Baking 2016

Posted on by traci

Have you ever done or bought something but did not know why?  A few weeks ago, I bought some marshmallow creme/fluff because I wanted fudge.  Then I kept looking for a recipe that used marshmallow creme.  I didn’t find any recipes that I would want to make.   Continue reading “My Grandma’s Fudge – Christmas Making and Baking 2016” →

Posted in christmas making and baking, Cookies, Dessert, Holiday/Christmas, Recipes

Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies – Christmas Making and Baking 2016

Posted on by traci

During the Christmas season, I enjoy finding new recipes to try.  So when I saw the recipe for Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies, I knew I needed to try them.

Continue reading “Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies – Christmas Making and Baking 2016” →

Posted in christmas making and baking, Recipes, Snacks

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels – Christmas Making and Baking 2016

Posted on by traci

I’ve begun my Christmas Making and Baking 2016.  When I found this recipe, I decided to make it since it looked so simple to put together.

While I was waiting to put the white drizzle on the pretzels the Wee One wandered into the kitchen.  He decided he needed to taste the pretzels.  The Wee One told me how much he loved the taste of the pretzels.  He helped me put the drizzle on top of the pretzels.  When I was packing up the pretzels, we put the pretzels into two containers.  One was for later and the other was for he and his brother to snack on.

Later on in the day, we made another two batches of cinnamon sugar pretzels for a cookie/ treat exchange Hubby was going to attend.  The Wee One helped me with making those two batches.  He told me that he wanted to know how to make cinnamon sugar pretzels.  The Wee One enjoyed making the cinnamon sugar pretzels.

The cinnamon sugar pretzels are easy to put together.  When we did the white chocolate DRIZZLE, we used a baby spoon to do the drizzle.

I also used a large 8 cup measuring cup to make the pretzels.  It was the perfect size

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

20161210141354_IMG_0595

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 (16 – 18 oz) bag of pretzels
  • 2/3 c. oil (I used canola.)
  • 1/3 c. sugar
  • 1 & 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 c. cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
  • 1 c. white chocolate chips

Steps:

  1. Prepare two cookie sheets by covering them with parchment or wax paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, and cinnamon.
  3. Add the pretzels.
  4. Stir until all the pretzels are coated.
  5. Microwave for 1 minute.  Stir.
  6. Microwave for 2 more minutes.  Stir.
  7. Divide them between the two cookie sheets.  Make sure the pretzels are in a single layer.
  8. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
  9. While the pretzels are cooling, melt the white chocolate in the microwave.  (70% power, 1 minute, stir, if not melted – continue at 70% power 30 second intervals until melted.)
  10. Drizzle the white chocolate over the pretzels.
  11. Allow to harden.
  12. Store in an airtight container.
  13. Enjoy!

happy-eating

Source

Posted in Family, Holiday/Christmas, Imaginative one, ramblings, Wee one

Christmas Traditions

Posted on by traci

Do you have any Christmas traditions?  My family has a few traditions that we do every year.

First of all, we celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6.  The boys put out their shoes for small treats.  This year though, I forgot to get them, so I was at the mall getting them gifts.  They did have Minions’ Peeps and a small coloring book to tide the Wee One over until I got them something.  (The Imaginative One was away for the weekend, so he didn’t care.)

Next, we always make a birthday cake or brownies for Jesus.  Then we sing to him.  For a few years, we were unable to eat our cake or brownies because of some sort of disaster.  One year the dog stepped in it when he was riding over to my mother-in-law’s house, and another year my father-in-law broke a glass dish, and glass shards ended up in the cake.

Here are this year’s brownies:

IMG_0213

I used my homemade brownie recipe and added Christmas M&M’s.  The end result was very rich but delicious brownies.

The boys are too excited on Christmas Eve, so I give them a gift to tide them over.  This year the Wee One got some Pokemon cards, and the Imaginative One got a book to read.  Last year, they each got a movie.

We also go to the Christmas Eve service and then to Hubby’s aunt’s house for family time.  We usually stay until 10ish.  The boys come home, put out the cookies and milk for Santa, and then head to bed.

IMG_0028
IMG_0094

We don’t do much on Christmas morning except for opening presents.  I’ve tried to make a special Christmas morning breakfast.  The boys are too excited to eat breakfast, so I’ve stopped doing that.  This year we opened presents and watched the Disney parade before heading to their grandma’s house.

We open gifts at their grandma’s house and have a big Christmas Day dinner.

IMG_0245
IMG_0244

This year my mother and sister joined us.  This was the first time in 3 years they’d come to Christmas dinner.  It was nice to have them come.

The family either comes to my mother-in-law’s house, or we go to another relative’s house.  Needless to say, Christmas is usually very busy for us.  We enjoy spending time with each other and family.

Then on the 12th Day of Christmas, January 6, we celebrate King’s Day.  King’s Day represents the Day the Wise men made their way to worship Jesus.  My mother-in-law usually makes something homemade for the boys, Hubby, and me.  I usually get something small for the boys.

The biggest tradition I took from when I was a teenager.  My grandma and mom would make Christmas cookies and goodies.  Grandma had a bench that she kept the goodies on after they made them.  I now have that bench, and I put goodies on the bench.  I also used the Kitchen Aid mixer that was my grandma’s to make the goodies.

The boys all have their favorites that I make every Christmas.  I’ve written a post of their top 5 Christmas recipes.

DSC00364

What are some of your Christmas traditions?

Have a blessed New Year,
Traci

Posted in Holiday/Christmas

Merry Christmas

Posted on by traci
image0-2

This picture was taken many Christmases ago when the Wee One and the Imaginative One were still small.  Now they are 10.5 and 12.5 years old.  The Imaginative One asked me about his height.  So he stood face to face with me.  He is almost my height now.

Anyway, I’m wishing you and yours the Merriest of Christmas!  Let us remember the reason for the season.  Our Lord Jesus was born to save us from our sins!

Have a blessed Christmas,
Traci