It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

 

   I am so excited that Christmas is here. I'm baking and cleaning and bundling up babies. Decorating this and decorating that. I love the spirit of Christmas and all that it Intels.

Bright lights and twinkling trees.

Decorations and mistletoes.

Sweet treats and hot cocoa.

Big presents and big bows.

Christmas carols and candy canes.

Reindeer and snowmen.

But when all the fun and joy are over.

Family and laughter are what really matter.

 

 

 

 



Our cute little Christmas tree standing so proud. Decorating the house with the warm glow of Christmas. In my family decorating the Christmas tree has always been a fun tradition. Especially as a child.  However, now that I am an adult and I am the one that generally does all of the packing up, taking down and putting away of the tree and other various decorations, I have had a small change of heart and have adopted a new motto, "Less is more." Isn't she a Beauty?!?!




Almond shortbread thumbprint cookies. These Divine little cookies were very easy to make and would be great for a little snobby tea party. I've always wanted to have one of those. Anyway, I tried making these with several different filling from strawberry jam to peanut butter sprinkled with mini chocolate chips on the top. Those were both super delicious. I also used little white chocolate candies in the middle and sprinkled them with various colored sugar. Mmm Mmm.

 


What is a cold winter's night without an entirely too large cup of warm hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and for some extra warmth, a dash of cinnamon. Sometimes I like using marshmallows too, but this is my favorite way. Aaaahhh, this makes me happy and warm inside.

Now Is a good time to get bundled up in the ole family car and drive through other people's neighborhoods and Oooo and Aaaaah at all the houses that actually put up Christmas lights. Usually the upper class neighborhoods put on quite the display. Those are the good ones to hit up.  

Pumpkin pie is one of my favorite fall time desserts. Who are we kidding? I love all desserts. None the less, pumpkin pie is at the top of the list and even better than pumpkin pie are these amazing little pumpkin cheesecakes that I love and are quite easy to make considering we're talking about cheesecake here. Sweet, creamy, spicy, pumpkinny cheesecake. Topped with homemade vanilla whipped cream and sprinkled with homegrown Texas pecans.
It's kind of like Heaven.