It will soon be another year...

What does this mean, really? Another date I have to remember as I date things. Our insurance deductible starts over. But nothing really remarkable. In former years I stressed that we should "see" the new year in! Ha Ha Ha...Now, my motto is what better way to "see" the new year in than by being in my super comfy jammies and in my warm bed. Also, the turning of the calendar meant all sorts of pressures put on myself in resolutions! Why do we do this? Who needs the extra stress or disappointment of not living up to a "resolution?" Not me, I've stopped setting myself up like that.

Okay, new paragraph :O) Did the first one make you feel sad for me like maybe I'm bitter over the changing of the date? Don't!! I know that I am so blessed to be able to sit here, comfortable in every way, and share my thoughts with you. I am blessed to be at peace with God who loves me no matter my downfalls. My family is as healthy and happy as we would possibly ask for and I am so thankful.



I pray that you all have a wonderfully blessed new year. Blessings from the holler...

Instant Hot Spiced Tea...

I got a new recipe book this year that has some of my old favorites. My Mom and my Aunt used to make this tea and so now it's become a comfort food for me. It was called Russian Tea when we made it then, I don't know why the name, but this recipe is the same and still just as comforting. Oh, it's also good for a dose of vitamin C so here you go.

Instant Hot Spiced Tea

1/2 - 3/4 cup Instant Tea
2 cup Tang drink mix
2 cup Sugar (I use sugar substitute)
2 tablespoon lemonade mix
2-3 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix up all ingredients well and store in an air tight container. Mix 2 teaspoons in a mug of hot water and enjoy! Blessings from the holler...

Merry Christmas to all...

We are doing the usual Christmas stuff in the holler. I've been baking Christmas cookies, sourdough cinnamon raisin bread, pretzel hugs, etc. I've been enjoying all of your Christmas posts so much. So, since it's a rainy day here I thought I would try to get some Christmasy pictures of the dogs. It was crazy!

Here is Charlie, he absolutely would pose for a picture but absolutely NOT with a hat.



Almost as soon as that picture was shot Scrappy came running up and snatched those flowers and took them to her perch. That little so and so!



Our sweet Daisy didn't mind posing with the Santa hat.



Since Daisy did it Speedbump decided she would take a turn and sit for her Christmas portrait...with the support of friends of course.



There was absolutely NO WAY the sisters, Corrie and Violet, were going to be a part of any of this action. They just don't do cameras as you see in this, my only picture of Corrie. Isn't that a nice picture? I think I'll use it for our Christmas cards next year..hahaha.



I hope that each of you have a wonderful Christmas and remember the reason we celebrate it. For unto us is born a Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord.

Christmas blessings from the holler...

One of my new favorites...

I love Christmas songs and sing in a choir most every year. This year one of the songs we sang was Still, Still, Still. I've found a really good video of Manheim Steamroller doing it. Also, I put the lyrics for you. Enjoy. Oh, a warning should accompany this song.....it is a very sweet lullaby--so watch with coffee or blankey in hand :O)



Lyrics to Still, Still, Still :
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.

Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number,
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.


I hope you enjoyed it and are still awake! Blessings from the holler...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We've got our decorations out and today it started snowing! Corrie was just so glad that I put that tree up for her. Last year, her sister Violet claimed the place under the tree.



It's nice to have special things on the mantle. I collect manger scenes so I enjoy having them out. I even put them in the kitchen window.





Today when I got home it was snowing so hard it was like standing in a snow globe. These pictures of the dogs look blurry but the snow was just coming down too fast!





This is Speedbump's kind of weather. She's smiling inside :O)



Guess what? I'm so thrilled that the bird feeder is being used. Two lady cardinals are in there. It looks like they're talking about the change in weather and how nice it is to eat inside.



Blessings to you all from the snowy holler...

Calling all birds and bird watchers....

I saw this idea in Birds and Blooms, a magazine I get and really enjoy. It's a gallon plastic juice jug made into a bird feeder. It said to cut out bird sized holes on two sides, poked holes in the bottom for drainage, tie a hefty piece of string for hanging, fill with seeds and watch.

I added a little extra to ours by hot glueing some rope at the bottom of the holes so it would be a more comfortable perch, put a piece of chopstick inside for additional perching possibilities, and stickers just for the heck of it. It's so easy to fill because of the twist off cap on top.



So, here it is hanging with our regular feeder and suet just outside the kitchen window. I put some little apple pieces in there with the sunflower seeds. Ohhhh, I hope they like it. It was so easy and will be a fun project for our little granddaughter and I to do the next time she's here.



By the way, thanks to JP for changing the background on our blog. I took some frosty pictures and he made it happen. Blessings to you all from the holler...