Little Things Mean a Lot

It's over. The last light is gone. Goodbye to the glittery balls. So long to the cookies and candies. It will be a quick year, and then Christmas will be back.

Meanwhile I smile. As I use a new pencil, it is pink and says "...love is all you need,"  I remember opening our gifts. Unicorn farts make my lips feel soft. Black licorice calls my name. New slippers call me to dance. New shirts keep me warm while winter visits. New music cd's fill me with energy. Love, love, love it all!!!

To my family, you all did very well. You leave me smiling with memories.

(Don't know what is going on, but I can't insert an image. And I had several. Anyone else know what to do when the browse button is gone?)

Christmas Eve

Quiet time with family. The final gifts are going under the tree. Tummys are full with our traditional meal of cheese fondue. Just putting out cookies for Santa and filling the stockings before tucking into bed.

Love to all and to all a good night!

Stepping Along

After a moment of absolute panic last night ("There is not enough time to finish all that I must!"), I am settled in humming along and putting some finishing touches on gifts. There is still so much to do including my least favorite task - cleaning. Where are those elves who come in the middle of the night to get my house in order? Oh, right, only in my dreams.

(We need those elves in Washington. In the face of the tragedy in Newtown where adults and kids lost their lives while going about doing what they were suppose to do, it seems so trivial and immature that our "leaders" can't do their jobs. It's a strech to connect previous part of blog with this observation, but I can't help myself. Raise taxes and decrease spending. We know it is coming.)

Today is wrapping, baking, ironing and (yecch) a bit of cleaning. I wish everyone a productive and fulfilling day.

Getting My Sparkle On

Thanks to the husband, son Jeff, granddaughter Ivy and two grandboys, Jack and Hudson, my living room is ready for Santa. It has become a family tradition for them to do the tree. Isn't that a great tradition? I love hearing the sounds of laughter, oohs and ahs as favorite ornaments are unearthed, and the occasional tinkle of breaking glass.

My family asks each year what I want for Christmas. My frequent reply is, "The hardest gift of all for busy people to give, time with you!" So this tree is a wonderful symbol of the gift of time. As far as I'm concerned, I've been given the best present of all. Thanks!

The Wars Continue

The Sooners have been driven off to Houston, but the Longhorns continue to strategize and train for the next skirmish.

The perimeter is secured and manned by the very alert soldiers.



guns, ammo and provisions are ready

target practice by seasoned warriors

and by new recruits

Never a dull moment at the Skross house!!!

A House Divided

War on Christmas morning in the Skross household. University of Texas vs University of Oklahoma with peaceniks Tyson and flat Allyson (more about that later.) caught in the middle.

A truce was declared for the unwrapping of the gifts carefully monitored by heavily armed Hudson.

While flat Allyson kept peace at the brunch table.



Battling sides posed for group shots as a part of the peace process. You can see that not everyone was happy with the cease fire.



Allyson was unable to make the trip to share our Christmas, so she sent Flat Allyson to take part in all the activities. Below she is getting ready to be a part of the group picture.

then sharing a moment with family at the dinner table. Although she helped with the cookie decorating, stocking stuffing and unwrapping the gifts, it wasn't quite the same. We look forard to the next holiday with real Allyson.

Christmas Wishes

As my family gathers I am filled with Christmas cheer. My wish for all of you far and near is love, peace and joy. Snowed under a flurry of wrapping paper I stop to thank everyone for being a part of my life. In a cloud of flour and sugar I take note of how lucky I am. May happiness put a shine in your holidays as it has in mine.

Merry Christmas.

Oh, Happy Day

My holidays start today with the arrival of Ty. Ah, the joy of family. Hubs and I have our Ty "To Do List" readywhich starts with the traditional grocery shopping trip to Central Market! Isn't Ty lucky!!! Imagine leaving the bustling streets of NYC only to land in the bedlam of Central Market. Such joy will be repeated tomorrow with a folow-up trip to HEB. I love him!!! His fortitude to share the shopping experience with his Dad is a much appreciated gift.

My favorite Christmas gift is the time my children and grandchildren spend with me. Let it begin!!!

Christmas Chaos

Blogosphere is getting quiet as Christmas approaches. Many have kids home as school is ended for the year. Some are on the road to see their adult kids and precious grandkids. And there are those of us who are into the Christmas chaos period as we try to finish up shopping, prepare the house for guests and wrap, wrap, wrap.

Sewing room is just about transformed into the wrapping room. Lots of roles of wrapping paper. Lots of bags filled with stuff waiting to be wrapped. Lots of mess.

Christmas is coming. Will I be ready? Will I get everything done that I want to? Those answers are still up in the air.

I want to thank everyone who wrote me or spoke to me about my post Funny Business. You are encouraging. Susan, I appreciated your constructive remarks. I'm thinking how I can get better at my presentation. You've given me food for thought. And for all of you who remind me that we all face challenges, I feel your hugs and support. Thanks.

Christmas Kitchen

Gray days outside. Twinkle lights inside. Seems like a good day to be in a warm kitchen. Do you like to make Christmas cookies and candies? Some of you probably finished ages ago. I might be a little late, but the baked goods will still taste good.

What are your family favorites? There are 3 must haves for us - fudge, iced sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies. After those I like to throw in something new. This year I've found a yummy sounding recipe for a lemon snowdrop cookie. (Next to chocolate, lemon is my favorite flavor!) And a recipe for a soft ginger cookie. One of my grandsons loves gingerbread, so these look good. And on the maybe list - a chocolate sandwich cookie and a cherry shortbread. Can you see the 10 pounds being gained?

We are also planning the holiday menus. Traditionally Christmas Eve is cheese fondue, viande seche and all those candies and cookies for dessert. Easy meal with little preparation. Fondue allows for a leisurely conversation and enjoyment of being a family together. A great way to unwind, catch up and breathe.

Christmas Day there will be a brunch - egg and sausage casserole is the centerpiece. I'm looking at a make-ahead french toast casserole.. Anybody have any suggestions or recipes to share? Then dinner will be beef tenderloin, twice baked potaotes, creamed spinach, and a corn casserole. Desserts will be pies and leftover cookies. We're still deciding about which pies. My daughter-in-law, A, won't be here to bake the apple pie, her specialty, but a friend has talked me through the "perfect" apple pie. (One of those beach conversations from last week.) I'm going to try it since one of my granddaughters LOVES apple pie. Also have found what looks like a very tasty recipe for a peanut butter pie. When I mention the possibility smiles break out. I'll let you all know how it goes.

So that's some of what is going on in my kitchen. It isn't Christmas at my house without the cooking and baking. I'm exceptionally lucky because my family considers cooking and cleaning up a group activity. Think of it as "The Big Chill" without the choreographed dance moves. Good times. And we only have to remove all sharp objects a couple of times.

Tell me about your holiday kitchen.

Rain Drops Keep Falling

After months of no rain, dead bushes, rising dust we've been getting bits of rain for the last month. All of us still hold our breath and wish for a good soaking rain. You know the kind that makes each blade of grass wiggle its toes in ecstasy. But the day before the Christmas Stroll its a little harder to be happy for a rainy weekend.

The Stroll has never been cancelled or postponed to my knowledge, so I assume it will continue in a soggy fashion. But what a disappointment for all - for the kids who look forward to meeting Santa, playing games and seeing the parade; for the organizers who have worked so hard to book the entertainment, create Santa's workshop, plan the parade and assemble all the wonderful vendors.

Let's pull on our mucklucks and anotaks, and go forth to enjoy this tradition of downtown Georgetown. Certainly a few rain drops won't stop the joy. Come down and enjoy the smiling faces of the kids - of all ages. Dodge the rain by stopping in to see all the shops and restaurants. Stroll the arts and crafts section. See you there!

Joy to the World

Small joys

Sitting in the sun at the bark park watching a happy dog chase the squirrels. The payoff for the miserably hot summer is to be able to enjoy the outdoors in late November and December.

Each finished Annarella Girl outfit makes me smile. I love mixing the colorful patterned fabrics. I'm constantly tweaking the designs to make the clothes more comfortable and wearable. Meeting and working with my clients is a kick.

Decorating for the holidays. In truth I don't love the work but I love the result. Twinkle lights make me smile and lift my spirits.

Thinking about what cookies and candy to make for the family. Always I make fudge, the old fashioned kind. Plus I make sugar cookies. (Love that grandkids are old enough to do most of the icing.) Then I always try something new.There is great joy in reading cookbooks for new recipes.

I feel like I keep posting about the same things, but this is what is on my mind during this season. I kow women who don't feel joyful now, but instead dread all the work of the holidays. I choose to concentrate on the happy. Over the years I've learned to give myself permission to have imperfect holidays when it comes to decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking if it is driving me crazy. The most important part is the gathering of family and friends. If all the details get finished, great. If they don't, ahh well, we still have the most important part - joy of each other.

Be kind to one another.

This Little Piggy...

Off to market again. Last day of the First Baptist Christmas Spectacular from 9-3. Having fun seeing old and new customers or as I prefer to think of them, friends. Also meeting some new vendors.

Sneak a peek at Julie Yost of Count It All Joy. She crochets these incredible scarves. Wearable art, truly. Or as she proudly proclaims, "...this ain't your Granny's crochet." She has a website you can visit or a facebook page.

Tomorrow back to "normal" whatever that is. Butler will be so happy! See you then.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

Here are a few pictures from House Beautiful to put us all in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy!

What one can do if you don't have snow for Christmas.

Sophisticated mix of colors and textures. Wonderful!

Fill your tree with unusual ornaments like this blown glass pear. Our favorite glass artist is Bob Rynearson at Rhino Glass.

We hope you have found a special gift for everyone on your list.

We celebrate all our dear family and friends this holiday season. You have enriched our lives and have made our year special.

Merry Christmas and aHappy New Year!

Annarella