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.

mints and almonds

November 22, 2015 – 6:38 pm

After making Minty Cream Cheese Truffles and Almond Truffles, I was hoping to bake Mint Meltaways today, but DH says the freezer is full. We’ll have to eat the turkey before I can get anything more in there. Minty Cream Cheese Truffles. Really good. You can find the recipe here: Minty Cream Cheese Truffles Almond […]

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freezer is nearing full…

November 22, 2015 – 12:19 am

I managed to get a few more things done for the Open House. On Thursday, I finished the Raspberry Truffles and the Mocha Truffles. They are packed and in the freezer. Family came over Friday evening and they were a huge help, putting up two trees upstairs and helping with cleaning up the craft room. […]

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rollin’, rollin’, rollin’…

November 19, 2015 – 10:41 pm

Anyone feel a song coming on? Haven’t thought about “Rawhide” for a long time! But, (big surprise), I wasn’t moving cattle today. I was rolling truffles. First, I scooped them. Then I rolled them. Raspberry Truffles on the left and Mocha Truffles on the right. Tomorrow I will dip the mocha in chocolate and the […]

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spent the afternoon baking

November 18, 2015 – 8:48 pm

Today our older son came over to help around the house. He polished cabinets and furniture for me in preparation for the Open House. Such a huge help! After DH came home from his morning meeting, they worked outside, putting up Christmas lights. The porches are festooned, the carport is outlined in lights, and the […]

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scalloped soldered ornaments

November 13, 2015 – 11:41 pm

I bought some scalloped copper foil tape and made some microscope slide ornaments with it today. I chose pictures from my stash of old Christmas cards. (Thanks to everyone who has shared their cards with me! I so appreciate it!) Then, I put the pictures between glass and trimmed them. After adding a touch of […]

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menu plan monday ~ november 9, 2015

November 9, 2015 – 9:38 pm

This week I have worked on adding some embellishments to the soldered ornaments. Here are the fronts of two of the ornaments. And the backs. It’s been fun to work on those. And I’m also working on a tutorial for adding the curvy wire to the ornaments. I’ve also been baking for the freezer, stocking […]

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tutorial ~ soldered Christmas ornaments using microscope slides

November 3, 2015 – 5:55 pm

I have enjoyed making these Christmas ornaments for my side of the family’s Christmas party. Each of my Dad’s 60+ grands and great-grands will find an ornament in his/her stocking. These are all made with pictures from old Christmas cards. Just a side note to locals: I am always looking for more cards. If you […]

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menu plan monday ~ october 26, 2015

October 26, 2015 – 12:16 pm

Our older son and his wife and family came Saturday and stayed through Sunday to help put up some Christmas decorations. The dining room is done, including the Snow Tree. The Putz Tree is done. And the kitchen is festooned with snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and decorating the window garlands. There are a few […]

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toffee bar crunch biscotti

October 23, 2015 – 12:17 am

Toffee Bar Crunch Biscotti is a delicious cookie that I make each year for our Christmas Open House. It is perfect with a delicious cup of freshly ground coffee. I made two batches of the recipe today, and that made five loaves. It is cut, set on its side, and baked a second time to […]

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menu plan monday ~ october 19, 2015

October 19, 2015 – 7:07 pm

Today I put the finishing touches on the ornaments I am making for my side of the family’s Christmas party. I am hoping we can get the Snow Tree and the Glass Tree up this week. Older Son and his wife/family are coming next weekend to help with more Christmas prep. Should be fun! Here’s […]

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