Christmas Cookie Tradition

After reading about various ones making Christmas cookies, I began to think about Christmas when I was a child.  One of my most favorite activities as to make cookies that we would cut out and decorate.   We called the cookies sugar cookies, but now I would call them "plain cookies". Also my mom would mix a cookie dough that was somewhat like a gingerbread or spice cookie.  I just remember that the cookie dough was brown in color and had a very delicious spicy smell.   My mother would mix up at least 4 colors of icing--red, yellow, green, and blue.  The red was more a pink color. There were also different flavors put into the icing.  I can remember mint, lemon, and cherry--I think.  There may have been some other flavor as well.  We had several items to use for decorations--chocolate chips, red hots, green and red sprinkles, little silver sugar balls, gum drops,   some sort of flat round sprinkles, and another type of sprinkle that was long  and cylindrical in shape and consisted of all colors.  Seems those had a chocolate flavor. We would cut out bells, stars, Christmas trees, and gingerbread men. If there were other shapes, I can't remember them.  The baking, icing, and decorating would take a good portion of an afternoon or morning.  I can remember my two older brothers participating in this activity in their younger years, and then it became something just my mom and I would do.  I loved using all the pretty colors of icing and decorations.  Even though my mom made divinity, fudge, peanut brittle, peanut patties, and sometimes fruit cake, I loved making cookies the best of all.

I still make "plain Christmas" cookies, but no longer do any decorating.  All my children preferred them without icing and decorations as did Brian.  The activity was still lots of fun and a Christmas tradition.  As my children got older, they mixed, cut out, and baked the cookies all by themselves.  The tradition has now become something Holly and Maddy do.  It is so neat to see traditions passed down and enjoyed. 

HOLIDAY FAVORITES

Most holidays bring certain colors, sounds, smells, and traditions with them.  They are different for every individual.  Some of my favorite things for Thanksgiving and Christmas are:

Smells:
Cinnamon, cloves, pine trees, pumpkin, turkey, fresh home made rolls

Sounds:
Holiday music, laughter,  bells, crunch of snow, crackling fire

Sights:
Holiday decorations, brightly colored leaves, family togetherness, brightly colored bows and ribbons, Christmas lights, the nativity scene, snowmen

SWINGING AT THE PARK

WE JUST GOT NEW INTERNET SERVICE TODAY.  FINALLY I CAN UPLOAD PICS AND VIDEOS IN AN INSTANT.  I AM SO EXCITED!  JUST WANTED TO SHARE A SHORT VIDEO OF BETHANY SWINGING AT THE PARK.  THIS WAS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.  WHAT A CONTRAST TO TODAY'S WEATHER.  TODAY WE HAD SNOW AND A FRIGID WIND.  DENVER HAD WAY MORE SNOW THAN WE DID.  GO TO FACEBOOK TO SEE BETHANY IN HER CUTE SNOW OUTFIT SITTING IN THE SNOW.

FALL FOLIAGE TREK

We went for a quick fall foliage tour yesterday.  The first part of our viewing of the trees was without sun, so it was difficult to get pictures that were any good.  We made a quick stop at The Fortune Club for an ice cream shake, for old time's sake.  Victor, CO, has not changed much.  The trees were beautiful and I am constantly amazed at how beautiful God's creation is in every season of the year.  

LOVING BEING GRANNA

I cannot even begin to describe the blessings of being "Granna".   This past summer has been awesome.  I have been privileged to be with my 2 sweethearts and feeling their arms around my neck, their kisses, and their love.  a child loves their parents, but I don't think they realize what love really is until they meet their mate.  Then there is the step up when  you have children.  So the love you feel when your have grandchildren is tripled.  I am so thankful my grandchildren have the most awesome parents to take care of them. 

Maddy, you are my Rainbow and Bethany, you are my Sunshine. 

HIKE IN BLACK FOREST

WE WENT ON A HIKE IN BLACK FOREST TODAY.  IT IS JUST A ROAD THAT GOES AROUND THE PERIMETER OF SOME LAND IN EL PASO COUNTY.  THE TRAIL DOES HAVE HILLS AND IS ABOUT 4 MILES IN LENGTH.  THE PINES SMELLED GREAT.  IT WOULD BE A GOOD TRAIL FOR MOUNTAIN BIKES.  I THINK ONE COULD TAKE A STROLLER ON THE TRAIL AS WELL.  HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF THE HIKE.

SHARING SOME OF GODS BEAUTIFUL CREATION

Just wanted to share a few pictures of some of the flowers we saw on our recent hikes.  There is just so much beauty all around us.  I have really missed the hikes that we used to take on a weekly basis.  We lived so much closer to the hiking trails then.  Now we have to drive at least 30 minutes before getting to the trails.  We had some great hikes with Holly, Aaron, Maddy, Tam, Matt, and Brittany.  Thanks guys for coming with us.  I am hoping there are a few more hikes before the summer and fall season ends.  A couple more pictures--  This one was of last year about this time.  Bring back any memories for any of you?

DRAWING TO AN END

Yes, the fun of being with all the family is fast coming to a close.  We had a great time at the reunion and the weeks before and following with all the ones who came before and stayed after the reunion.  Tam is leaving tomorrow and that will be the end for a while.  We are hoping to see the Hall's for a short time before taking Tam to the airport.  Then we will have to start back to the normal routine of every day life.  How dull is that?  The next event to look forward to is Labor Day weekend.  Hoping to get to go to TX and meet up with the Fletcher's, Tam, and all those in Lubbock and Farwell.  Until then........ thanks to all for the memories.

THANKFUL FOR THE LITTLE THINGS

It's Friday and one of my days off.   This is one of the days I really enjoy even though it may be my cleaning, laundry, errand, etc. day.  I have found I love being at home and just doing things around the house.

Today I have been thinking about being thankful.  I just read Brad's blog, and it was so really awesome to read how really thankful he always seems to be.  He enjoys life and all that is around him.  So it made me think of how many things I have to be thankful for.  There are so many things we take for granted.  So I decided to just share a few of the things I find wonderful in my life.

First there is my relationship with God.  No one can take that away from me. 
I grew up in a wonderful loving family.
I have been blessed with a great husband that loves me unconditionally.  He continually praises me and helps me.
I have 4 great children, 2 of the best sons-in- law ever, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and 2 sweet precious granddaughters. 
I have a job.  I may not always like it or want to go to work, but many would trade with me in an instant.
I have a house, plenty of food, clothing, my health--though I am getting kind of old and feeling some of my physical abilities declining.  I love running.  That may be a thing of  the past with my knee and foot, but I  have enjoyed some good years pounding the pavement.
I live in a beautiful place.  The mountains are just awesome.   I get to look at the Peak every morning on my way to work.  I have seen it with snow caps, blazing fall colors, clouds, in varying colors depending on the angle of the sun.
How can a person be more blessed?  I am humbled to think of all that I have enjoyed in my life time. 

 

CONFUSING WORLD OF POSTING ON BLOGS

Can someone tell me why I can post on some of your blogs, and I cannot on others? This is driving me nuts!!! I used to be able to post comments on all of them. Have I been blackballed? If so it is by 2 of my daughters. YIKES! HELP if you computer gurus are out there.

BRIAN'S BIRTHDAY

Although Brian has not officially had his birthday (which will be tomorrow) he has had a pretty good start on the celebration. Brad, Cindy, and Bethany came Friday and spent the afternoon and evening. We had a nice visit, got to play with Bethany, and partake of a beautiful meal. Brian has also gotten some nice cards and gifts of money. Tomorrow I plan on giving him my gift. Then we will go over to the B. Ecks for a Super Bowl party. Should be fun.

Other news is that we are still cold. We actually got maybe in inch of snow today. It took a while, but winter finally hit and hit with a vengeance. Sure wish we had a nice cozy fireplace/wood stove to at least make winter seem more fun.

I leave you with a photo of Chef Hall's (and his assistant's) creation.

THE END PRODUCT

Here are the last few outside pictures of the new shed. Shelves need to be built inside, but the outer part is about as complete as it is going to be.

PROGRESSING

The shed now has front doors. Still needs the side door.
The shingles are on.







Another improvement is the radiant heaters that Brian put in the downstairs den. They feel nice and warm! If I can't have a fireplace, this is the next best thing.

NEW BEGINNINGS

On January 3, 2011, I began a new job. The job is still with El Paso County, but it is with a different department, DSD or Developmental Services Department. This department deals with land use and development. The job is still prepping documents for imaging, but the documents are completely different, and I am having to learn about what goes on when someone wants to build, annex, or develop a site. It has been both interesting and very confusing at times. My co-worker from the Records Dept. also got hired for the same job. So we moved to our new jobs together. Tammy P. graciously took some pictures and sent to me so that I could share with some of you.

This is a view of the front of the building. It is a fairly new building being built in either 2003 or 2004.



Picture of our work stations/desks. Mine is the one that is pictured the closest.



This is a picture of what I have termed as "the ironing board". It is actually a map scanner, but it makes me feel I am standing at an ironing board ready to iron. : )


On photo of me hard at work. hahaha I am actually going through a file trying to figure out where in the world the blasted documents fit---which category???



View of the front desk of DSD. We work in a big room behind this area.


Not an especially good photo, but this is looking toward the back of the main lobby of the building.