Almost Through Cooking!

Well, I'm almost through cooking. I had a slight mishap with one of my fingers (infected) and that has slowed me down. I've managed to make everything except the divinity--but help is on the day. My family should be here in about an hour. Hurrah! I can't wait to see them--especially the grandchildren. Don't you think little ones make Christmas much more fun?

Here are some of the treats I've made--

Custard, Date Loaf, Kolaches and Empanadas

I'll fill in the divinity later! Stay tuned!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Christmas, one of my favorite holidays!! It's funny, I don't remember many of the gifts I received as a child. What I do remember are the traditions--decorating, the story of Jesus's birth read from the Bible, looking for elves, trying to stay awake for Santa, wishing for snow,  and the wonderful food. I hope to pass on those old traditions as well as some new ones to my grandchildren. This week  I finished my decorating. These are a few of my favorite things!

Just a few of my favorite decorations

I always get such pleasure from hanging the ornaments and enjoying the memory of their origin--for instance, the gingerbread man--I made them years ago when I was painting ceramics. The Santa I bought in Budapest, Hungary. Others  my grandchildren and I made and some were given to me.

I have just begun my cooking--some of our tasty traditions are sausage balls, apricot bread, kolaches, pralines, fudge, divinity, date loaf,  fruit cake cookies, and this year empanadas  and madelines. I'll post photos soon and maybe recipes! Wish me stamina! :)

Stay tuned!!

That Elusive Owl

I've been trying for three years to get a photo of an owl. I hear them constantly. The first year I heard the Great Horned and the Barred. Since then I have only heard the Barred. I hear them when I'm trying to sleep, in the trees behind my house. One night I did see one just outside my bedroom window, capturing something on the ground. I rushed out, only to find my cat, George, spread flat on the top of my truck. Hiding from the owl, I presumed. So I scared off the owl. Drat!

I have spooked one several times while walking Rufus with the golf cart. They are absolutely silent when they fly, so I usually see them too late to get a photo. Then last week, I saw one fly across the road just in front of me. I slowed down and eased up the road. There he was, perching in a tree right by the road. I believe it was a Barred Owl. He just sat and looked at me, as if posing. Wouldn't you know it, that was the one morning I didn't have my camera with me!! I drove slowly past him and then raced to the house for my camera. Alas, when I returned, he was long gone. Drat again!!

Then a couple of days ago I spooked him again and he flew down the path below the creek. It was too wet for me to drive down there, so I missed him again. I'm not sure if this was the same one--he looked larger.

So still, no photo. My plan is to borrow a call from my nephew and try to call one up. Maybe then I can get my photo. If  so, I'll definitely post it. Wish me luck!!

Stay tuned!