Santa is My Personal Friend ! ( and WINNER !!! )

Santa and I are close personal friends ( picture of me and Santa taken a few years ago  ) , so when I asked him to draw a name out of his hat to determine the winner of a pair of Wee Little Sheep *  he was very happy to help out. Of course, we waited until midnight Pacific Standard Time of the 20th to draw names as promised and Santa was impatient to get going because he has a busy week ahead. He enjoyed a cup of herbal tea and a few cookies while we waited for midnight and watched some special Christmas shows. But you're not interested in all that , you want to know who won. THE WINNER IS...

 Bee Lady of Hilltop Farm !!!!! *

Bee Lady ,Email your mailing address to me at jkcedarpond@fairpoint.net and I'll send your little sheep to you. Congratulations !

Here is our youngest grandchild, and he's not too sure about this guy in red. Maybe next year when he's another year older he will be a bit happier about seeing Santa. Which reminds me of a cute and true story. A few years ago one of our granddaughters called me and asked to speak to her Poppa ( my husband ) and told me "just in case Poppa really is Santa I want to tell him what I want for Christmas ".

Thank-you to all who commented . I have some of my grandchildren spending the next 2 nights and 3 days with us and Santa may make another visit to our home too. I will be having fun making crafts and baking cookies with them, plus we have a home movie marathon tonight complete with popcorn and snacks. I am looking forward to visiting again this week all my blogging friends who took time to comment and seeing what goes on around your home during the Christmas season. Blessed Christmas to all of you !

Happy New Year 2015~ Bring It On !

 My Wee Little Sheep were tangled in the miniature Christmas lights and the little Santa was unwinding them for me as I cleaned up my craft room / studio for a new year of rug weaving and crafting. I can see by his eyes he was a bit frustrated with the mess the little sheep made, but being of jolly nature, little Santa persevered and the lights were wound up and put away until next year's Christmas crafting.

 Our year ended with the joy of having our daughter's  children for a few nights before Christmas. We shared Christmas Eve with her and her children, it was a pleasant time of family fellowship. ( We had a good time of cooking together, watching movies, games, puzzles, and a special outing. )

 Our Christmas Village takes up our whole sun-room. It also takes a little more than a day to set up, and a whole day to take down and put away...

 ... but we think it is worth it. ( Whew ! ) Now the Christmas lights and the Christmas Village are put away until next year.

 Santa has hung his suit up in our guest bedroom for the year but not until after he ...

 ...visited our 5 grandchildren over the snowy mountains and far away and our 4 grandchildren on this side of the mountains. He is a busy Santa, but this grandpa ( oops, Santa) makes a lot of time for all of his grandchildren !

The past year, 2014, was a year of many challenges and blessings. We are thankful for all God has given us and look forward to 2015 knowing He is in control. Of all His many blessings this past year we have to say we are so thankful for the miracle and blessing of this little guy, firstborn child (son ) of our youngest son and his wife after almost 13 years of marriage.

We hope 2015 is a year of blessing to all our family & friends. May you have blessings abundant even in the midst of tragedy, trials, and whatever life throws at you. Take time to savour the little moments of simple joy, hug those you love whenever you have the chance, write notes of thanks & appreciation to those you seldom see, read & contemplate your Bible, and dance for joy when the mood strikes ! Happy New Year 2015, bring it on.

All I Want For Christmas Is My Own Reindeer

 I love reindeer.

 Not just the ornaments I display around Christmas ,

 but real live reindeer.

Ever since I sat across the reindeer exhibit with my sheep in The Animals Of The World barn at our state fair, I have wanted real reindeer. I have been researching them for years , and maybe, just maybe I can convince Santa we should have at least a pair of reindeer ?

Oh well, I think that probably won't happen, but I do have a little wether ( castrated male sheep ) with 4 horns I have named Blitzen. He is very friendly. I' m going to make him a nice harness and train him for Santa. ( Note to self : start looking for small sled and keep a few more wethers. Comet, Cupid, Donder...)

"Now Dasher ! Now Dancer ! On Comet ! On Cupid ! On Donder and Blitzen ! To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall ! Now dash away ! Dash away ! Dash away all !  ~The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

Santa & I Are Very Good Friends !

 My husband & I have been gone . We've been over the snowy mountains and far away, returning home yesterday. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with our sons, daughter, and their families. Just because Santa & I are very good friends, he visited us after Thanksgiving. He let me take a picture of him holding our new grandson ...

...and I even persuaded Santa to let me sit on his lap for a picture. ( Shhh, don't tell anyone, but Santa kissed me ! )

Christmas And Moles?

I just happened to be at our daughter and her family's' home when who should appear? Santa!

The youngest grandchild, Little J, was quite taken with Santa.

Three of the four children in the house were awake and got to sit on Santa's lap, but our oldest grandchild was fast asleep.Maybe he knows Santa can't leave the gifts until all the children are asleep. He was right too. Santa gave the children some candy and told them to get to bed so he could leave their gifts, then Santa was off ...

Little J runs to the window to see where Santa has gone.

On Christmas Day our daughter and her family came to our home to celebrate. My husband ( he kind of looks like Santa, doesn't he?) carved up the turkey, one of our home grown Midget Whites , made ready just the day before. Turkey and ham , mashed potatoes, coleslaw,won-ton soup ( you don't have won ton soup for your Christmas dinner?) lefse, and so many other yummy things to eat ! When it came time for the family to go next door to my husband's sister's home for dessert Little J had just fallen fast asleep. I stayed at home and kept the fire going while he slept, enjoying the quiet and watching our youngest grandchild. There is nothing as peaceful and tender as the sight of a sweetly sleeping child. Later on the rest of the family returned. We played games ( WII ) and ate more food. I got to cuddle my grandchildren , enjoy watching the family play together, laugh together, remember how much I appreciate all God's blessings, and not take for granted food, home, health, loved ones. ( pictured above, our daughter and her youngest daughter) Now for an announcement, Vickie of Sand Flat Farms* has won! She beat us in the Underground Varmint Termination Contest *!She whupped us big time!!!! Vickie trapped 25 groundhogs ( well, 26 if you count her cat Jasmine's kill) and my husband Jim only got a measly 10 moles. Even though there is another day to this year, I don't think our one trap will catch enough moles to beat Vickie. So CONGRATULATIONS Vickie, you have won a WHAC-A-MOLE Game ! I tried to find a Whac-a-Groundhog Game, but no luck. ( sigh ) So send me your snail mail address and this game will be yours . I say we should continue this challenge next year, goodness , the moles around here are plenty busy. I still think they are PLANNING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD *. Well, maybe just Cedar Pond!

Just In Case Poppa Really Is Santa....

I was talking with this little granddaughter on the phone the other day and she said, " Grandma, I want to tell you what I want for Christmas just in case Poppa really is Santa." Now why would she think her Poppa is Santa? Doris:" would you please tell her that you're not really Santa Clause, that there actually is no such person?" Kris Kringle:" Well. I hate to disagree with you , but not only is there such a person but here I am to prove it." from 'Miracle On 34th Street'

Lacamas Christmas Bazaar ~

I told you Santa and I are good friends. Santa came to our local Christmas Bazaar at my request. I know he is so very busy this time of year and it was a very BIG favor to ask, but he and I are very, VERY good friends..so he paid a little visit today.

Some of the children were happy to see Santa, even though they were a little shy.

A few of the grown-ups were happy to sit a spell with Santa too.

Here is just one of many wonderful booths at the Christmas Bazaar held here every year at Lacamas Community Center in Roy, Washington. Joyce has so many interesting things for sale and her booth takes awhile to peruse. She usually has something for everyone. ( she did NOT pay me to say this either)

Santa let me sit on his lap! You know though, Santa had a few other ladies sit on his lap too ~ I'm not so sure I will ask Santa to help out next year! ( just kidding, I am sitting in my booth very close to Santa you know)

The fearless volunteers of Lacamas Community Center manning the kitchen where they sell and serve breakfast , lunch, and yummy snacks to the Christmas shoppers and vendors. Ken Wilson ( far right) fries the eggs and burgers to suit the requests of customers, his wife Pam ( far left) is also here as all around person in charge of the kitchen and many, many other volunteer activities that make Lacamas Community Center a hub-bub of activity year round. If you're in the area come on out to Lacamas today and see the many wonderful items for sale from people in our community. Have breakfast or lunch, have your picture taken with Santa and buy a $1.00 raffle ticket for a chance to win a handmade quilt crafted and sewn by women in our community.Visit with me too, I'd love to meet you.

"Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." Washington Irving "There has only been one Christmas- the rest are anniversaries." W.J. Cameron "When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?" G.K. Chesterton

Santa's Special Visit & Substitute Reindeer

Our oldest son was tucking his 4 daughters into bed in the guest room. They were exhausted after a very happy and busy day with family. Two of the little girls fell asleep watching Thumbelina while cuddling with Daddy and Grandma and they had to be carried upstairs to bed. Little did they know I had asked Santa to make a special visit to our home just to see them!( Santa and I are dear friends)

Santa came into their room with a "Ho ho ho!"

Two little granddaughters were wide awake now, and happy to see Santa!

Santa handed them fancy candy boxes with candy inside!

The other two granddaughters were so tired and sound asleep they could not wake up, Santa tried! He left their candy near them as they slept on.

Unfortunately, the Flying Reindeer Union ( FRU) rules and regulations do not allow the reindeer to fly except on Christmas Eve and also, to avoid any conflicts with the Thanksgiving Turkey Union ( TTU) Santa was unable to use his reindeer for a special visit in November, even though I am his personal friend and DO put out a lot of carrots and apples for them.....so Santa had to make do with Hawk...but Hawk could not seem to keep his antlers straight.

What's a dog to do?

Being the great and friendly dog he is though, he tried his best and the granddaughters have another Thanksgiving with an appearance from Santa to add to their memories of celebrating with us. Thanks Santa! I'll put out extra cookies and cranberry juice for you this year.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

~This Santa Nodder was a gift to my Hubby from one of his favorite great Aunts. He received this when he was quite young, and this Santa is at least 50 years old. HALF A CENTURY ! Almost an antique, like Hubby and myself. This Santa was meant to hold an apple or orange or candy for Christmas. We bring him out every year, and so he is definitely part of our family tradition.~We don't put apples or oranges in him though, I keep a small set of plastic angel figurines in him and allow children to play with them. Our daughter , A.Joy ( Nov. 30 ), posted a song and a little bit of her memories about the little figurines shown here . ~Another tradition for our family, and with many, many families, is the baking of Christmas cookies. The favorites are sugar cookies. The kids have always liked to frost and decorate them, but I leave a few unfrosted and bare of decoration because in all the eating of special foods and desserts, I yearn for a delicious and plain sugar cookie with a good cup of coffee.

~The grandchildren love to help me bake and frost and decorate Christmas cookies.~

~Here below is the best recipe I have found for sugar cookies. I have tried a lot of different recipes, they are all good, but this one always turns out for me and is a staple in December. I make a lot of the dough, wrap balls of it in wax paper, then put the wrapped balls of dough into zip lock bags and pull out a ball to roll out and cut into shapes just before company comes, while company is here, or if I need to take a batch somewhere for a Christmas festivity. ~Aren't they cute ? Decorating is fun, but eating the frosting and candy decorations and cookies is more fun!

~Christmas Sugar Cookies~

2 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons butter ( my preference ) or margarine 1 /3 cup shortening 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon milk 1 tablespoon vanilla ~ Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat butter and shortening with mixer for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients; beat well. Divide dough in half; cover and chill about 3 hours. Working with half the dough at a time, on a lightly floured surface, roll to 1/8 " thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on un-greased cookie sheet. Bake 375 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack and then decorate as desired. Makes 36 to 48 cookies.

~ I don't know about you, but I think this Santa has a slightly sly look on his face. Maybe he has visions of eating the cookies we made after we go to bed. "There is no ideal Christmas, only the one you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires,affections and traditions." Bill Mckibben