Christmas Stockings

We bought beautiful Christmas stockings from Pottery Barn this year and had them embroidered with each family member's name.  We will fill the stockings with small gifts, and then hang them up each year as a new family tradition. We had so much fun shopping for small, but meaningful, gifts that would fit into the stockings.  They also look beautiful hung all over the house.

 

 

Christmas Decorating

Here are a couple of shots of the living room and all of the various decorating that has been going on for almost a month now.  All of the presents area wrapped, and every surface is wearing a Christmas theme.

 

 

Birthday Flowers from My Best Friend

My best friend Liz sent me this beautiful holiday basket filled with red and white roses, pinecones, and greenery.  It smells wonderful, and is the perfect centerpiece for my Christmas dinner.

Thank you, Liz--you are the best friend any girl could have!  We've been going strong for over 51 years!

Making Norwegian Krumkake

To tell you the truth, I haven't made Krumkake for over 35 years--that's a long time.  This year, however, I thought I'd try out the krumkake griddle that my mom gave me and see if I could do this again.

I found a recipe online, whipped up some batter, and let it sit overnight in the frig.  Last evening, I started making these lovely, delicate cookies.

After a couple of false starts, I got the hang of it, and here is the result.  They taste great!

 

 

A Christmas Elf

I've been very busy running around shopping, cooking, baking and planning this last month.  I did stop long enough for this 'selfie' in the living room mirror, though. I'm lurking in some of the foliage of Christmas decorations.  Let's just say I went slightly overboard this year with my decorating because I could!!!

Trip to Poulsbo, Washington

My uncle lives in Silverdale, so several times a year, we take the lovely 75-mile round-trip via the Edmonds-Kingston ferry to visit him.  It was a calm weather day, and we enjoyed the ferry ride and the drive from Kingston to Silverdale.  We brought Christmas to him in the form of homemade baked goods and family news.

We stopped at the Poulsbo Bakery and bought some Norwegian Fattigman (cookies) and several other items.  It really put me in the Christmas spirit!

It was a wonderful trip, and it was fun to get out and about before the holidays.

 

 

Polly's First Christmas With Us

We found Polly at PAWS last January, after Nala passed away.  She has been such a joy to us this year, being quiet and polite and very affectionate.  She is as close to being a "perfect dog" as any dog I have ever owned.

We are enjoying introducing her to our Christmas traditions and rituals this year.  Here she is, modeling a red and green jester's collar with tiny bells attached.  She loves to run through the house while wearing it so she can make the bells ring!