I know, I know...I'm behind!

But I have been just taking some time to stop and smell the roses. This being the last day of 2009, I cannot wait another moment to tie up all my loose ends in pretty little bows...so here goes...

Christmas Eve, was a wild and crazy day around here. Somehow, in my thinking I was doing good with my time but there were a few items to buy and tons of kitchen time before we were to be at my mom's house for dinner. The day went super fast...I was busily finishing up a project to give to my mom, Brittany was the mad present wrapper and then of course in the mean time I was baking a chocolate cake, making rolls, baking a loaf of cinnamon bread for my brother along with assembling everything for Christmas day so that I wouldn't have to work so hard. Ha...on the way to my mom's all I could think of was how much I still had to do. My wonderful family told me not to worry...we would all work together before bed. We had a lovely time at my mom's...it was her, the three of us and my brother and his wife and two little ones...oh, how I love to view Christmas through a child's eyes...there is such magic there. I have pictures but haven't unloaded them yet...I'll try to do that next week. And yes, when we got home, we all worked together and everything was ready for Christmas morning.

Christmas, what a beautiful, relaxing, joyous day it was. We woke up and I put the casserole and cinnamon rolls in the oven and we all just relaxed and laughed as our little boy dog tried to steal all the presents (he loves to open them). After breakfast, I had time to get myself ready because all my work was done. It was simply...pop my dinner in the oven. It all turned out really good. My mom came over and we were just casual and comfy for the day. She spent the night, we all watched a movie...and just had a blessed day.

By Saturday, I was ready for a long winter's nap and that is precisely what I did. A cozy spot on my couch made it a perfect rest from all the festivities.

Sunday...we all woke up late and Brittany decided to go and spend the day and evening with my mom, her Grammy. Colton, my nephew was there too so this gave my mom another full day of family. I hate her being alone...especially during Christmas.

Monday was another day to entertain, this time I really made it easy on myself. I bought a pan of lasagna from one of our finer local establishments not too far from home. It is rich and creamy and a special treat. I served it with none other than salad and garlic bread for our special guests who happened to be my daughter's mentor (well, I like to think I am her mentor) but this woman was the woman who influenced my daughter to love dance and to grow up to be a dance teacher. She is married, just had a baby and lives in Vegas now so our visits with them are far and few in between. Miss Pamela, has seen Brittany grow from a tiny little girl into the young woman that she is becoming today. She definitely was a seed planter in our daughter's life. She is like a ray of sunshine and we treasure her friendship.

This now brings me back to the rest of this week. I have just taken a break as everything will be starting back up again next week and I wanted a bit of relaxation. We now have a couple of inches of snow on the ground and I have so many birds at my feeder that I feel like Snow White.

We have a little party planned, just the three of us tonight. On the menu we have stuffed jalapeno's, Cheese Quesadillas, homemade salsa (that I am attempting the first time) and homemade Guacamole too. Brittany made this yummy chocolate and peanut butter dessert and we will be all set. I am not much of a New Years person. I am not good with farewells and not that I live in fear but I do fear a bit what a new year can bring. So I choose to live this, our last day in 2009 counting all of the many blessings that the Lord has so richly bestowed upon my humble little family.

May the Lord grant blessings to you and yours this New Year.

Joyce Marie