Happy Holidays!

I just LOVE this snow globe. Don't remember who sent it to me originally, but every year it still brings a smile! Click here!

Have a Merry Christmas! Enjoy time with your family, be grateful for life, drink hot cocoa in front of the fire to the lights of the Christmas tree, and take time to remember that life isn't about all the activities, work, schedules, money, or gifts. It is about loving your family and friends, spending time together, celebrating the life all around you.

May you and yours find peace and contentment for Christmas!

The Return

It is the return of the Mystery tree of 2004. This is the tree that mysteriously appeared in my driveway on the day my great niece was born. I arrived home from the hospital and a celebratory dinner with the family, and found it in my driveway. To this day, nobody will admit to being the one who delivered this tree. But I love it. Was pushed into bringing it up and decorating by a number of people. Most noteworthy would be my niece (not the mom one, but the other one) and my high school friend, Mike. He even helped bring it and boxes of ornaments up from the basement, helped set it up, and tried like crazy to get the star to stay vertical.

You will also note that for a household of one, there are a bunch of presents under the tree . . . and I had an absolute blast picking them out, waiting for delivery and wrapping. Am almost finished with that, and now must start making toffee and baking cookies.

Isn't this the cutest ornament you ever saw? Was another gift from 2004 when I was a project coordinator and managed the front desk. We had lots of vendors, and one of them gave me this beautiful little guy from the Irish Crystal Shoppe here in town.

We also made a trip to the glassblower last weekend, and I now have about 8 of the handblown ornaments. They even got hung on the tree this year! Oh, wonder of wonders! It is indeed a magical Christmas!

Coffee Cake Success!!

The Christmas Tree Coffee Cake came out absolutely beautiful this year! Every year my mother made this when we were growing up - from a recipe probably going back to my great grandmother. It hasn't changed too much since then, either! Anyway, it is a sweet egg dough made like cinnamon rolls, but shaped like a Christmas tree. This year, it raised like mad, turned a beautiful golden brown, and tasted wonderful! Can you believe 6 people ate pretty much the entire thing?? My son came by in the afternoon and took away the remaining 3 or 4 small pieces.

Even tho we were short a few bodies this year, it was a nice Christmas. The presents still seemed to fill up the living room, but for a change everybody got to sit on a seat instead of some on the floor. I even managed a nap for about 45 minutes, which meant I missed most of a good movie! Still, it was wonderful to spend time with my family and enjoy the day.

I hope everyone's Christmas was peaceful, happy, healthy, and just as wonderful as it could be. Also, have a wonderful 2006! Happy New Year!

Visions of Sugarplums . . .

I've been busy the last few days making goodies with absolutely NO idea what to do with them. So, tonite, I selected a few to take into the office tomorrow! There are spritz cookies in red (looks orange in the pictures?) and green, cornmeal wreaths with corn flakes on top, my traditional Greek kourabiethes, pecan tartlets, and a new entry, Oreo Balls, plus our family's very own traditional English toffee.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, gets what they want - and that soon we all will know what "Peace on Earth" really means!

"God bless us, every one!" ~ Charles Dickens

Visit to the Glassblower!

Today I went to Augusta, MO - heart of the Missouri Wine Country - and visited the shop of a true artist - Sam Stang. You can visit his website via the link I've included. Each year just before Christmas he opens his studio and gives glass blowing demonstrations. We watched him make a beautiful, huge plate, as you can see by the pictures I've included.





It is fascinating to watch and you begin to realize the time and effort that goes into each piece.

Below is a picture of my "treasures" from our trip - a beautiful red ornament and a pink swirled one, a dusty pink tiny pitcher (I plan to use it with maple syrup!), two glass candy canes, and a swizzle stick for niece Wendy.

Christmas Tree Anniversary

I believe Wednesday, Dec. 7th (I remember, because my Great Niece was born that day) marks the first anniversary of the mysterious appearance of the Christmas tree in my driveway . . . still no word on my mysterious benefactor, but thinking of it's arrival still has the ability to move me to tears. Niece Wendy and I will be re-installing it in a place of honor again on Friday, complete with a brand new star for the top! Can hardly wait!

Pictures to follow . . . . . . . . .

Christmas Deemed "GREAT SUCCESS"

Christmas was deemed a big success from the beginning at breakfast of my traditional family Christmas Tree Coffee Cakes to the leftover turkey sandwiches at the end of the day.




Seems we opened presents forever! Everybody was very pleased with everything, and we all had a wonderful time. I learned to play Eucher (a card game) from my niece, nephew and his wife - although I didn't quite get the hang of it and am sure I'll need more practice!

Even though I made it through the day without falling asleep on the couch, the kids still managed to snag my digital camera and take some very fuzzy photos!

Camera Banditos Look Like This:



The new baby got a ton of things and seemed very pleased with it all - just check out her "smile" below!!!



Has been a wonderful Christmas for all of us!

Happy Holidays!

For some reason (could it be love??), I have been filled with the Christmas Spirit this year!!! I've actually bought all my gifts in the stores instead of online. I've been making toffee for a couple weeks already and am finishing it up this weekend by making some as gifts, filling a couple more orders, and some to send off to friends. There's about 10 different kinds of cookies I want to fix (although I'll probably only get to one or two), and the family traditional Christmas Tree Coffee Cakes are ready for Christmas morning breakfast. I'm full of glee, since I got one big gift I can't wait to give, and have already gotten the gift I truly wanted. The only thing I haven't gotten around to is Christmas cards . . . but all the goofy ones I like were hiding this year!

Needless to say, my house is now stuffed to the brim with great baking and candy smells, the tree is lit and glittering, and packages are wrapped and under the tree. Below is a picture of my cute little bowl filled up with the Famous Field Family Christmas Toffee.



I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday!!!

My Own Christmas Miracle

Christmas Miracle


As you may have noted in my last blog, I have a new Grand Niece. The night she was born was a big celebration for the family. We met at the hospital, met Lindsay, we took turns holding her and having our pictures taken. Afterwards, Great Grandpa, the new Grandpa and Grandma, new Aunt, and Great Aunt went to dinner - and a wonderful dinner it was!!! All-in-all, it was an incredible day, evening, and night. On the way home, I stopped off at my dad's. He'd burned me a copy of the new pictures on a CD so I'd have some to show off at work (and, of course, I took advantage of that!!)

I finally got home about 10 p.m. My street is fairly dark, and my driveway even darker. As I rolled back toward the garage, I noticed a rather large package propped against the garage door. I squinted, kept getting closer, then turned on my brights trying to figure out what it was - I hadn't ordered anything that would have been delivered. Finally, I got out of the car to take a better look, and discovered that someone had gotten me a Christmas tree!! The very one I had looked at three nights earlier. Plastered on the front of the package was a note:

"HO HO HO - Merry Christmas - Santa"

I got back in the car and cried. To think that somebody out there had gotten it, and left it there for me to find - totally incredible! Nobody will admit to doing it.

You see, about 9 years or so ago, after spending all day decorating a live Christmas tree and enjoying looking at it for about an hour, my apartment building caught fire. So many of my things were ruined. The tree was saved, but many of the ornaments were covered with nasty brown water, and everything smelled horrible. It was a traumatic time - the apartment was condemed, I had to move out for five months, then move back in.

It always seems that at this time of year, I'm sad - that there's not enough money to get nice gifts, give that caroling party I've wanted to host for years, make all the goodies I'd like to be able to give to my friends, family or co-workers. Last year was particularly bad, since I didn't even have a job. Needless to say, things have never been easy.

So, after all these years, to find a Christmas tree left anonomously - just turns me into emotional goo. My son, Michael, his wife, Angela, and my niece, Wendy, came by tonite, helped dig out the ornaments (many of which have never been hung on a tree), set up and decorate this lovely tree.

It wasn't expensive, isn't the most beautiful, the biggest, brightest, or snazziest tree in the world, but it was put there by someone who gave love from the heart. They gave me a very special moment in time - one that I'll always remember and treasure, whether they ever come forward and admit it or not.

To my "Santa" - whoever you are - "thank you" doesn't seem big enough for the special thing you've done. It's all I have - so I say thank you from my heart to yours - whoever you may be!

So, peace to all at Christmastime, I hope your holidays are filled with special times and memories that will keep each and every one of you warm for many holiday seasons to come!

Goodnight to all!

My Favorite Christmas Carols

Have you ever had the pleasure of walking through the local mall during the annual Holiday season listening to the canned tunes, and smiling from ear to ear while you sing your own words in your mind???

I highly recommend Bob Rivers and his crew of totally talented folks who have been putting out great parodies for over ten years now. My suggestion is to click the post title above, then on the page click the picture like the one above and listen to the random songs. The first song I played - "I Came Upon A Roadkill Deer" - on my car player about 10 years ago almost forced me to pull off the road to laugh! My trips to the mall are completely fun-filled while my niece and I try to remember all the lyrics to these. There's one my sister-in-law, Grace, likes to hear over and over! ;)

Those of you who know my wrapped sense of humor will agree - these are the songs I would have written myself if I had the time and talent! Please enjoy these tunes in the spirit in which they're recommended. While I enjoy the traditional songs, these never fail to bring a smile to my heart!!

Helpful Holiday Diet Tips

Yummy Plum Pudding!


One of the best emails I've ever received!

Just some diet tips that should help you through the Holidays . . . . . .

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it . . . don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable slop.

Q: Is beer or wine bad for me?
A: Look, it goes to the earlier point about fruits and vegetables. As we all know, scientists divide everything in the world into three categories: animal, mineral, and vegetable. We all know that beer and wine are not animal, and they are not on the periodic table of elements, so that only leaves one thing, right? My advice: Have a burger and a beer and enjoy your liquid vegetables.

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body, and you have body fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain - Good.

Q: If I stop smoking, will I live longer?
A: Nope. Smoking is a sign of individual statement and peace of mind. If you stop, you'll probably stress yourself to death in record time.

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: You're not listening. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: What's the secret to healthy eating?
A: Thicker gravy.

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? Cocoa beans... Another vegetable. It's the best feel good food around!

I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.