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.

menu plan monday ~ december 28, 2009

The last of the Christmas Mice met a delightful end. We have some family visiting through Saturday, and some through the fourth, a birthday, plus two Christmas parties thrown into the mix, so the menu reflects some easy meals, some party food, and some special requests. 🙂 Monday Happy birthday, Honey…here’s your favorite! marinated pork […]

Christmas day

Christmas morning, we were up around 7:00. Breakfast first! Or perhaps I should say “first breakfast.” The twins had some fruit in the kitchen, then joined everyone about an hour later for breakfast casserole and apple dumplings before opening presents. Once we were all gathered in the living room, it was time to hear the […]

Christmas eve

We had a quiet Christmas Eve as we waited for DS#1’s family to arrive that evening. We wrapped the last of the gifts at the dining room table. I made a few more Christmas Mice for the plates at the Christmas dinner, and I made chocolate covered cherries for DH. When the grands arrived, we […]

just one more sleep till Christmas!

two more sleeps till Christmas…

appetizer wreath

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 […]

menu plan monday ~ december 21, 2009

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 […]

three cheese spread

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 […]

macro monday and the theme was…drive me wild

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 […]

baked ziti

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 […]