Cheri and Tony

Cheri and Tony came by to open gifts with my granddogs Taylor and Cutlet.

Poor Cutlet had to go in time out for being naughty!

Isn't he beautiful!!!!

Special Gift From Pat

When I see "Pat Winter" on the return address label ~ it means stop what I am doing.......
sit in a comfy spot .......
and savor the moment.
Anything that comes from that address is filled with love and is something I will treasure ~ be it her beautiful hand dyed silk ribbons or just a simple note.
BUT ~~~~
Frank saw "FOOD ITEMS" written on the box. To him ~ that meant
RUM CAKES!!!!!!!
Look at his determination as he rips into MY treasure!!!!
He got yelled at big time as soon as I took the picture!

Now I can't say much about this. It is too special and too touching ~ it almost seems TOO special to post.
I cried my eye sockets out when I layed them on the beautiful crazy quilted box.
Any of you familiar with Pat's blog will remember the story behind it.
It now holds my Grama's gold locket, one of my childhood bibles and Mom's charm bracelet. Soon it will also carry my dreams and goals for this coming year.
Go to this link to see how she created this amazing treasure ~
http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/search?q=voting+begins


And yes ~ there were Rum Cakes in the box!

Christmas Eve ~ Christmas Morning at the Takacs House

This was the 20Th year my dear friend Lisa sends over a plate of her AMAZING Christmas cookies!
Her husband Jay always come knocking at the door between 10pm and midnight after his family's big Christmas Eve celebration and before "playing Santa" for their 6 children!

One year we spent Christmas at Disney. When we arrived back to our room Christmas night ~ there were our cookies sitting on the table ~ sent special delivery!

Santa just arrived .....it's a wonder how he got that new cedar bench for Franky in his sack!

Our Santa prefers wine to milk!

Christmas Morning .........

Franky, Jaci and Ashley opening gifts. Cheri wasn't able to join us :(

Jake licking his chops after finding a bone Santa Clause left him!

Franky lives down the road ~ I love that he wore his Christmas Jammie's on the ride over here!

I have a Christmas morning rule ~ NO CLEANING UP THE PAPER WRAP till all the gifts are open and we have relaxed. I enjoy seeing it all over the place!

I hope you all had a happy and wonderful Christmas!

Happy Birthday Precious Son of God

~ ~ ~ ~ Birth Announcement ~ ~ ~ ~

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”John 3:16

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

The elves and I wish you a very

Merry Christmas!!!

Martha Stewart's New Cookie Cookbook Is Fantastic!!!

Mommy ~ would you bake me some cookies????

Daisy says "Don't worry Jake , you know she will."

Time to break out my new cook book ~

Every recipe I try from this cookbook has turned out fabulous!

Stained Glass Cookies ~

You simply add crushed Jolly Rangers to the cut out center.

This is my new fav Snickerdoodle Recipe!

Chocolate Chip Cookies ~ MMMMMM.

By the way ~ I tryed both of my egg separators.

One is handmade pottery ~

One is a slotted spoon.

I think the spoon works better ~ as long as you don't break the yoke!

Yummy Coconut Macaroons ~ perfection!

Baby It's COLD Outside!

This past week-end brought over a foot of snow to my little New England town!

Teddi and Jake are attempting to turn every last bit yellow!

Home Sweet Home all dollyed up for Christmas.

Ice is EVERYWHERE!

Thank You Maggie!

This beautiful vision of beauty arrived at my doorstep along with some "Snowman Soup" the other day.
Maggie handcrafted this pin from silk, trims and gorgeous beading!
Aren't the colors heavenly!

Signs of Christmas at The Ole' Homestead

My neighbor Frank brings me a big Poinsettia EVERY year ~ but each year I forget he does it and am SO surprised when he greets me at the door with it in his hand!

Red , Silver and Green everywhere!

Always in anticipation of Spring......

Ready to sit at Gramas desk to do some last minute Christmas cards

The CD players above is ALWAYS playing Christmas tunes this time of year

Holiday aprons stand ready for my dough covered fingers early next week

These darn Elves are having TOO much fun and NEVER help with the dishes!

Vintage bulbs hang from the chandelier Ashley bought me in secret many years ago from

Tinsel Trading in NYC.

Wishing YOU My Sweet One a

And a VERY

Christmas!!!!!