MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!

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 I've been in Ohio for a month now.  I am so fortunate to have sisters I get along with really well.  Jenny and I have so enjoyed being together, at least she and Larry haven't kicked me out yet. 

A couple of times we've been out looking at Christmas lights.  Just a few nights ago, Jenny and I drove about 45 minutes to get to Chagrin Falls to see their display.  This little town is very artsy, with little shops and boutiques lining the town square.  In the middle of the square is a small park completely lit up with Christmas trees and lights decorating the fencing surrounding the park.  This picture of Jenny was taken on the main roadway coming into the center of town.  There's a median that divides the road so you can park in front of the stores and in that median is the gazebo you see lit up with red and white lights.  Just to the right of that was the beautiful tree you see with the blue and white lights.

Jenny and I got a chuckle out of the fact that we were both really glad Larry had decided to stay home.  Never in a million years would Larry have driven around the median several times looking for just the right shot.  Never would he have been thrilled to wait while I got out to take several pictures from various angles and with different lenses to see which one looked better.  There's just some things men don't understand, and taking pictures of Christmas lights is one of them.

Jenny and I have been very busy baking for the holidays.  I've made a list of all the different items we've put together thusfar, so her it is:  Hot sausage balls, Sage sausage balls, cornbread  balls (a new recipe we both like), yum yums (date balls), black walnut cookies, peanut butter/chocolate chip cookies, peanut blossoms, snicker doodles (love this one), Swedish creme cookies, pecan tarts, cheese snacks, lemon squares, lemon bars (actually threw this recipe in the garbage), olive relish, chipped beef dip, dill dip, cheese spread, and, last but not least, chocolate peppermint candy.  Keep in  mind this doesn't include any of the turkeys, hams, roasts, etc. that have also been cooked for the big dinners.

For Christmas, Jenny's son, Jody and his family, got her a Kenmore countertop mixer.  We are both thrilled to have it and are already trying to figure out what to make with it.

We have several inches of snow on the ground for our white Christmas.  For all of you I wish you hours of enjoyment in celebration of this holy-day and a year filled with all of your hearts' desires!!! May peace fill each of our lives and may we remember this simple truth: to love and be loved is the greatest gift of all!!!