Sometimes It's About the Dogs!

~Mildred , another blogging friend asked if we had picked up any special ornaments from a shop we enjoyed on our trip to Depoe Bay and here's the answer. Yes Mildred, we found 3 ornaments we just had to bring home from Sleighbells, near Lincoln City.Here is one of them. This is a Jack Russell terrier ornament that seems to have been made for our youngest son and his wife who have 2 Jack Russells, Shotgun and Ruger by name. Shotgun and Ruger go everywhere with them and we hope they appreciate this ornament. (Shhhhhhhh, don't tell them about it though, it's wrapped up for them to open on Christmas ) ~Here are the real live Christmas dogs, our puppies. 4 of our grandchildren dropped in this week while I was finishing up items to sell at the bazaar. Good thing I had sugar cookies to eat and red puppies to play with. Puppies and cookies at Grandmas.....how much better could it get? Here #1 Grandson is petting the pups.

~#2 Granddaughter seems to have this puppy's complete attention.~

~The puppies are way more excited by kids than the kids are by puppies.~

~Before long, the puppies were worn out from all the excitement and began seeking refuge under #1Grandson, and snuggling themselves as close to him as they could get. That was the cue to put them back in their pen for puppy naps.~ ~Another picture of Beatrix , and beside her is Hawk, the Vizsla.They are decked out with Christmas ribbons , but not appreciative at all of their apparel.Hawk is the father of the puppies, Beatrix is the half sister of the puppies. See the resemblance between these two and the pups ?

~Christmas Goodies for the Dogs~

~2 eggs, beaten ~1/4 cup honey ~2 cups water ~1/2 cup oil ~1 cup powdered milk ~1 cup white flour ~4 cups graham flour, or white and wheat ~2 teaspoons garlic powder `Mix together, roll 1/2 inch thick. Cut using bone shaped cookie cutter. Sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake on lightly greased sheet 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Spot on The Lamb and The Shepherd

~The days are growing near for my ewes ( girl sheep ) to lamb, and Goth the Destroying ram will have to be re-located into his ram pen. I get pretty excited about lambs, and since Goth has been with his harem since mid-July, there is a chance we can have lambs this month. From my observations of my flock, if there are no lambs this month, it will NOT be for Goth's lack of pursuit and conquest. He is a happy ram. Ewes, alfalfa, what more can a ram want except for a tree or fence to destroy as the mood strikes.~Do you see the ewe looking towards me as I take this picture ? This morning as I hurried off to another bazaar, she was off by herself, not eating like the other sheep. I was certain we would come home to lambs, and I do not like to be away from home during lambing even though my Jacob sheep are very hardy and I have had only 1 lambing problem with my Jacob sheep in 20 years of keeping them.... ~So when Hubby and I came home late tonight after the bazaar AND Hubby's work Christmas party , a very big, and very healthy coyote ran right in front of the car , running out of our orchard which is right next to our sheep pen ! (the picture below was taken by me at Northwest Trek which is a few miles form our home). All of a sudden I realized in spite of all the family gatherings and festivities and obligations of this wonderful month long celebration, I have sheep to protect. Sheep need a shepherd , or shepherdess. I am the shepherdess of Cedar Pond and my sheep need ME for protection from predators. I called to mind all the scripture verses and Christmas songs about sheep, shepherds, lambs. "And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8 ~During lambing I am up very , very late, checking on my sheep. We have a LOT of coyotes and a few cougars that frequent our area and a neighbor told me at the bazaar today they have seen a bear several times around their place. When lambs are born, though the mother can run away, the lambs are pretty defenseless. They need a shepherd. ~At the bazaar today, the man we commissioned to make a cane for Hubby brought the finished cane. It does not photograph well because the ram on the cane goes all around the cane. But the gentleman who made this actually pulled a picture of Goth from my web site and drew and worked him into the wood. It is a beautiful walking cane with carved in hand grips for Hubby. ~ Here is Goth, my single ram destruction crew. Can you spot the resemblance ? Anyway, as usual, my sheep cause me to think about Jesus. He was born even more defenseless than a lamb,and John the Baptist, on seeing Jesus coming toward him while he was baptizing in the Jordan said ,"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 ~Jesus is referred to as a lamb, and in Hebrews 13:20 "Now the God of peace who brought us up from the dead, the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord." He is our SHEPHERD too ! We are always the sheep. I just have way too much thinking going on in my brain when I watch my sheep, and see the lambs, the rams, the sheep as a group. They are so dang stubborn, and often so defenseless, and resist my care and protection..no wonder we are called sheep. And yet, Jesus, GOD, became as a lamb, helpless and led to the slaughter, was crucified, then resurrected and is our great Shepherd. And I really, truly know , sheep NEED a shepherd! I need THE SHEPHERD ! This is the reason I am so happy to celebrate His birth, in a manger, ( there were probably sheep there ) in a stable, and His first visitors were the lowly shepherds who were out in the fields late at night. ( Notice, the shepherds were tending their sheep LATE AT NIGHT , night owls in the Bible!) I am a night owl sheep who the Shepherd that became as a Lamb led to the slaughter , tends and cares for in spite of myself...thank-you Lord. ~So,to all you sheep out there today, have a blessed Sunday..and rest of the week too ! Seek the Shepherd and hear His voice, and receive His care and protection. It's for your own good, as I tell my sheep while tending them and saving them from themselves!

Cookies and Another Santa

~This is a Santa I made about 20 years ago. I drew out the pattern on paper, and my Hubby cut him out of wood. I then painted him, added toys and hid a music box in his sack. I bring him out every year. I made 2 more and gave them away as gifts. Funny thing is, his face so looks like someone we know and I couldn't help thinking the little guy kind of took on a bit of life ( not in a spooky way ) as he stared at me while I worked on him.~Here is a plate of sugar cookies I baked up tonight using the recipe from yesterdays' post. The grandchildren are not here and I did not want to take the time to roll out and cut the dough, I am busy finishing up things for the bazaar this weekend. So I simply pulled a roll of the dough out of the fridge, sliced it like one would a loaf of bread, baked the sliced bits of cookie dough, cooled the cookies, and decorated with the powdered sugar icing and sprinkles. Voila ! Freshly baked Christmas cookies and hot coffee . ( The larger snowman in the picture was made by my Hubby's youngest sister and her husband who live next door. ) ~And just what would Christmas be like around Cedar Pond without a decorated Labrador Retriever or two or three or four ? Here is Beatrix, putting up with bows and picture taking. "You have never been properly welcomed and given holiday greetings until you have been welcomed by a quartet of Labs. Retrievers to the core they will greet you with something in the mouth- a boot, mitten, child's toy, anything that is in reach and retrievable." Jo Northrup

~"Christmas! Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial fire of charity in the heart." Washington Irving

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

It's Not Just About the Decorations

~O.K. , here I am...busy, busy, busy ! I am making more little sheep, I am baking, cleaning, caring for my animals. I have begun warping my loom ( threading ) for a project I am excited to weave. I have been shopping, shopping, shopping and I have lists of things to get done ! Oh boy , oh boy, oh boy !It's Christmas.....I love it! But it is barely December and I have been too busy to remember why I celebrate this time of the year. Yes, family togetherness and traditions are very important...but you know the old cliche', I have been taking the "Christ out of Christmas." ~So I took time to think, and reflect ( while I was warping the loom, a long process which allows me to think while I thread numerous heddles ) and I remembered this song . Hope you like it!

Oslo Kringle..Christmas Recipe

~I made this Santa Clause sugar and creamer the first year Hubby and I were married. I don't think I appreciated them until recently. Somehow, after using them every December for 35 years, they have become familiar friends I welcome with kind feelings as I bring them out of the pantry for their annual appearance. ~Anyway, I am posting a recipe I originally got from our dear friend Kathleen Roland, about 20 years ago. She brought our family a lovely dessert that I was soooo impressed with. Kathleen is very talented in presentation of food and her home. As I was oohhing and ahhing she told me it was really a very easy dessert. She gave me the recipe and I have been making it often, at all times of the year since. This IS easy, and I frequently make it when we have drop in company . I will whip this up while we visit, and serve it warm with coffee or tea and conversation. So..here is the recipe!

~You will need 1 Cup of water, 1 cube of butter, 1 cup of flour and 3 eggs! Click on the recipe below to enlarge.

~Bring the butter and water to a boil and boil til butter is melted.~

~Add the flour and stir til the batter slips the pan.~

~Add the eggs, one at a time until well mixed.~

~Drop the batter on an un-greased or parchment covered bake sheet, into a wreath shape.~

~Bake at 425 degrees for about 40 minutes.~

~Mix 1 cup of confectioner's sugar with almond or vanilla extract and milk, or water to make a thick icing. I ice the kringle all over while it is still warm and then sprinkle colored sprinkles or finely chopped nuts. You can color the icing, embellish with sprigs of holly or fir, or decorate according to your taste. This is an easy treat for just about any occasion. It is basically a cream puff recipe served in a ring. It is the very best when eaten right away. This is a recipe that I never have leftovers of. It really is that easy and that good. ~To serve to those you love who are extremely lactose intolerant, and we have a passel of people in our lives who suffer thusly, we just substitute Nucoa for butter and use water in the icing. This is also good for our diabetic relatives because it is tasty without the icing, or being very , very stingy with the icing. The ring itself does not contain any sugar. ~"Do not be afraid Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and you will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High." Luke 1:30,31

Spot on Christmas Village, or "Ve Yust Go Nuts At Christmas"

~The Christmas village, our Christmas village. ~~This is the sun room (below) we decided to turn into our little Christmas village. Our collection of miniature houses , barns, establishments and all the little things needed in a picturesque village , well, our collection has begun to get a bit out of control. We have positioned the little properties on the buffet, end tables, shelves, table, the floor under the Christmas tree. But really...one needs a place to put a town or small city, doesn't one ? ~Seems like this should have been simple, right ? But you do not see the bush sized geraniums and tree sized Dracena and big Aloe Vera plants I had to re-locate to other parts of our home to accommodate the village that has grown into a town and threatens to become a city and if left unchecked could possibly become a Metropolis!

~I would NOT re-locate Belle though, she whistles "Jingle Bells" and "Thy Loving Kindness" randomly throughout the day. If per chance you call our home you are likely to hear her in the background. She waits just for us to answer the phone to launch into her ear piercing renditions of "Jingle Bells". But I digress. So here is my almost empty sun room waiting to be turned into a winter wonderland. ~Hubby decided our little growing town needed some city planning and he built a shelf to go on top of the antique presently in the sun room. This holds practical kitchen items and we will need access to it throughout the holidays. Here below is Hubby's shelf, painted white, and it is sitting on top of the board that will be placed directly on top of the antique , with the shelf on top of it. ~Here on our dining room table is but half of the village pieces waiting to be opened for another Christmas season. We keep the little houses and village pieces in their original boxes. ~I think this is working out fine. Hubby attached small blue lights under the shelf, and in the evening they cast a faint blue star like kind of light down on the village. I later put batting and figurines all around the village, but I will show pictures of that later. I think our little village is shaping up, but boy oh boy, this is an all day activity that I like too much to turn into a chore. So I put on music I love and make myself a treat to eat and take my time. I remember I love all the things we do every year for the Christmas season. And that this village takes so much time to put up and then take down and put away that it will be up and enjoyed til mid January. ~Hubby really loves the little village. His father too loves little villages. Hubby is the real collector in our family and as we both come from a Scandinavian American background...don't even begin to suggest that maybe, just maybe "ve yust go a little nuts at Christmas". Hubby wants even more little houses and establishments. I think next year we might get another level for the village and have a train running around it..and then we can build the shelves ALL around the sun room and we could have..... ~....well, we could have that metropolis! But then where will the plants go? Maybe Hubby will build that green house we have talked about! That is a topic for another post, preferably the post that documents the building of the green house we had planned to build 2 years ago but circumstances prevented. Anyway, for the rest of this month I will be posting family traditions, decorations and recipes and what Christmas means to us. ~And you purists out there, we know Jesus was probably not born December 25. We know many of the Christmas traditions did originate from pagan festivities. But we do NOT celebrate them as such.We take comfort and joy in carrying on traditions our family's did. There is a lot to be said for the continuation of family traditions and passing them onto the next generation with love. And also to be able to tell our children and grandchildren and friends the story of Jesus, His birth, death and resurrection......and start the true story with the Nativity, with looking at and reflecting on the Nativity scene or creche under your Christmas tree or on your mantle. ~So for this month please forgive us as "ve yust go nuts at Christmas"!