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.

christmas tree countdown ~ blue and silver tree

December 4, 2014 – 8:14 pm

The Christmas tree in the downstairs bedroom has been dubbed “the blue and silver tree.” It is located in the 1960 addition to the original house. This addition has 8′ ceilings, so the tree is 7′. It is decorated with mostly silver ornaments, many of them with an old-fashioned theme, and some blue ornaments. It […]

Posted in Christmas, decorating for Christmas, trees | Comments (0)

christmas tree countdown ~ ornament tree

December 3, 2014 – 11:33 pm

The ornament tree is in the craft room. We’ve had it for several years. This year it displays 60 of the ornaments I’ve made using the pictures from Christmas cards. Twenty-some trees to go. I’ll post another one tomorrow. ~~Rhonda

Posted in Christmas, decorating for Christmas, trees | Comments (0)

menu plan monday ~ december 2, 2014

December 2, 2014 – 12:43 am

Just a reminder of what the weather was a few days ago…kids outside without coats, windows open…didn’t last long! Now we’re back to freezing drizzle and sleet. I don’t like that part of winter! Here’s the menu for this week. Quick and easy, keeping in mind we have a busy weekend ahead of us. Monday […]

Posted in menu | Comments (2)

a week from today

November 30, 2014 – 11:47 pm

Open House is getting closer. We’re counting down. Just a week left. Today our older son and his family came to help with decorating and cleaning. Along with our two daughters, DH, and my sister Genny, a lot was accomplished! The downstairs is almost entirely ready. Besides the kitchen, of course. Cleaning it for company […]

Posted in Christmas, Christmas prep, cookies, cooking, Recipes | Comments (0)

the day after the day after thanksgiving

November 29, 2014 – 2:31 pm

It’s Saturday and we are now in an all out dash to finish decorating and baking for the Open House. We had a great Thanksgiving Day with our family. Our older son and his wife cooked a lot of the delicious feast, including a wonderful turkey. I really enjoy watching them work in the kitchen […]

Posted in family, Holidays other than Christmas | Comments (2)

menu plan monday ~ november 24, 2014

November 24, 2014 – 11:05 pm

We have been very busy around here with Christmas decorating. My sister Genny was down again this weekend, and on Sunday, our son David and his family came to help, as well. Thanks to all of you! I feel like we made great progress! I failed to get any pictures. We’ve been so busy! Here’s […]

Posted in menu | Comments (0)

menu plan monday ~ november 17, 2014

November 18, 2014 – 1:14 am

Monday sure rolls around quickly. This past week, I made Date Balls (one of my personal favorites!), Raspberry Truffles, and Elfin Bites (shortbread) They are stored away in the freezer, awaiting the big day! In the meantime, here’s the menu for this week. Monday Pork Chops Mashed Potatoes and Gravy Steamed Broccoli Homemade Biscuits Tuesday […]

Posted in menu | Comments (0)

menu plan monday ~ november 10, 2014

November 11, 2014 – 9:57 pm

We had a fun weekend. Genny came to help with Christmas decorating. We put up the tree in the craft room that holds my Christmas Notebook exchange ornaments. We also finished the glass tree in the upstairs guest room. Genny started on the chalkboard tree. Here’s the chalkboard tree in 2012. And 2013. This year, […]

Posted in menu, Uncategorized | Comments (2)

Christmas card shadow box class

November 8, 2014 – 11:44 pm

Wednesday I had the honor of hosting a Christmas card shadow box class for five young ladies and their Moms. We had a great time and they all finished at least one box. It was a lot of fun to walk them through the process. It was also fun to see how each one placed […]

Posted in Christmas | Comments (0)

cherry fudge truffles

November 7, 2014 – 8:40 pm

I have a board on Pinterest that is just for truffle recipes. I pin other recipes there, too, that I think might work for truffles. This recipe for Cherry Fudge is one of those recipes. The picture on the web site ShugarySweets.com was so inviting. They looked delicious. Here’s what I ended up with. Cherry […]

Posted in Christmas, cooking, Recipes | Comments (2)