Author Archives: ~~Rhonda

Living in a small town, I share my life with my husband Russell (married in 1977), five children (one still at home), and six cats (one indoors, the others outside).

I teach an online class called “The Christmas Notebook” which is about all things holiday prep. The many facets of celebrating Christmas comprises one of my favorite hobbies. Other favorite things include gardening, reading, cooking, and scrapbooking.

two more sleeps till Christmas…

December 23, 2009 – 10:14 pm
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appetizer wreath

December 22, 2009 – 5:37 am

This appetizer wreath was easy to make ahead. I changed a few things. Their version served 16. Mine will make 28 or more servings. My version: 3 tubes (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent rolls 16 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 cup sour cream 2 teaspoons dill weed 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 2 teaspoons dried onion […]

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menu plan monday ~ december 21, 2009

December 21, 2009 – 5:06 am

This will be a busy week for us. For you, as well, I’m sure. Our two older girls are home and we are expecting our older son and his family to arrive on Christmas Eve. We can hardly wait to see them and to give the grands lots of hugs and kisses. Christmas afternoon, our […]

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three cheese spread

December 17, 2009 – 5:40 pm

Three Cheese Spread This is the recipe I started with, but I changed some things…my version follows this one. 1 package (3 oz. size) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled 1 […]

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macro monday and the theme was…drive me wild

December 16, 2009 – 9:16 am

Can’t believe Monday rolled around so quickly this week. Here are the shots I submitted to Macro Mondays for the theme “Drive Me Wild.” WHERE’D YOU PUT MY KEYS??…and yes, I’m shouting… Suburban keys / The sunlight shining through the prisms in the window added some pretty color to the shot. Car trouble / Sometimes […]

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baked ziti

December 15, 2009 – 7:41 pm

True confessions…I’ve never made this before. My son is a bit of a picky eater and, on Thanksgiving, after he had only rolls and ham for dinner and no dessert, I asked his wife what he *did* like these days…it’s been a long time since he lived here. She said he likes baked ziti with […]

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chex mix

December 14, 2009 – 2:39 pm

I’ve had a couple of requests for the Chex Mix recipe, so here goes… Chex Mix This recipe makes enough to fill 2 one-gallon Ziplock bags with a bowl left over to snack on right away. 🙂 Fill a large oval roasting pan with: 2 pounds mixed nuts or peanuts 1 16-oz. bag pretzel sticks […]

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menu plan monday ~ december 14, 2009

December 14, 2009 – 1:19 pm

There are less than two weeks left until Christmas. How ready are you?? Here’s a picture to help keep you focused. Our two older girls are coming home this week. We are eager to have them back for a few weeks. Of course, the first evening they are back I’m hosting a Christmas party, so […]

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little glitter houses

December 13, 2009 – 10:36 pm

I have stored this magazine page in my Christmas Notebook since 2003. I wanted to make one for myself. As you can imagine, Martha’s was a little pricey for my budget. Personally, I think the deer are a bit large for this display. My daughter calls them “deerzillas.” Anyway, I have been collecting pictures and […]

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the promise of spring

December 13, 2009 – 12:04 pm

This morning, on the way to church, I saw this by the kitchen steps… December sprouts. Lovely green on green daffodil sprouts… During the shortest days of the year, a promise that spring is coming… I love spring. Even during Christmas, which I also love, I am happy to see a promise that spring will […]

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