We went for a walk in the park on Saturday, and it was beautiful.  I think the temperature was about 55.  Pretty nice for the last day of autumn.  As we passed this American Beech, Jon mentioned how pretty the bark is:  it looks like camo.  It kinda matched his Mossy Oak hoodie, so I had to take their picture together.    

 

HAPPY DECEMBER!!!

Picture borrowed from the Farmers Almanac.

 

Winter will arrive this morning at 10:03 EST.  It is the shortest day, and the longest night of the year. I know you know that already, but the Farmers Almanac has an interesting article on some fun rituals and practices surrounding the Winter Solstice.  Check it out:   https://www.farmersalmanac.com/winter-solstice-first-day-winter

 

 

HAPPY WINTER!!!

 

Yay!!!!  They turned out great!!  I guess the secret is to cut them a little thicker than 1/4 inch.  

 

We cooked them on Wednesday, and they were just like Momma's:  crisp and a little bit crumbly.

 

I just know that Momma and Betsy were cheering me on.  

 

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

 

 

It is a lot warmer now.  We walked in the park the last couple days, and it is way better.  Yesterday it got up to 60 degrees.  What a difference!!!  We saw this grinch tree and Jon just had to have his picture with it.  Look:  no gloves.

 

You know, winter in the mountains is great.  We get a little cold, followed by a few days of warm, then a little more cold, then a little more warm, easing us into winter.  

 

We love all four seasons.  

 

HOPE YOU ARE HAVING FUN!!!

 

I know this is a funny picture to use for a weather report, but I am NOT going outside today.  It is currently 10 degrees here.  

 

And yesterday it only got up to 24.  So we stayed inside and cooked.  

 

We already made Christmas cookies, so we made this fabulous Cast iron Skillet Blueberry cake.  The recipe came from Cook's Country and uses 2 cups of raspberries and ginger, but there is also a version that uses 2 cups of blueberries and cardamom.  It is a great recipe.  Let me know if you want me to add it to the recipe section.  

 

 

HOPE YOU'RE STAYING WARM!!!

 

We love making these cookies too.  We only make them at Christmas, and share them with friends.  The recipe makes 60, and they generally last way into January, because we aren't really sweet eaters.  I guess we're sweet enough.  

 

Anyway, they're easy and fun to make, so we do it for the fun.  

 

 

HAPPY COOKING!!!!

 

 

 

 

I love to make stuff.  I especially love making stuff using the glue gun.  

 

I have a big box full of craft materials that I turn into Christmas ornaments.  I use chenille stems, wiggle eyes, ribbon, twine, pompoms, and lots and lots of glue sticks.  These ornaments are for the ladies in my Tuesday morning yoga class.  I bought a couple dozen candy canes and turned them into reindeer.  I have also used C5 outdoor light bulbs, chunks of potpourri, and cinnamon sticks to make reindeer.

 

Oh yeah, we also have a ton of corks.  I make reindeer out of them too.

 

Here's my cute story:  One of my three year old students made a hand puppet using a scrap of fur.  She shared it at Show and Tell one day, and told us that she made him with Arts and Craps.  That was 25 years ago, and we still talk about making stuff with arts and craps.  

 

 

HAPPY CRAFTING Y'ALL!!!

 

 

 

Julie sent me a couple pix of her silver bell tree.  Sorry I cut off the top, but I wanted you to see the beautiful silver bells and angels that she hangs on this tree.  Looks like somebody has been busy with the silver polish.

 

Julie reminded me of the story behind the first silver bell gift in our family.  She was working at Spertner Jewelers in Norfolk, and bought the first bell.  She had it engraved with Daddy's initials:  GHT and the year:  1974.  

 

When Momma stopped putting up a Christmas tree, she distributed the bells to each one of us.  We chose the years that had special significance to us, and Julie got the first one.  Momma continued buying us silver bells for years after that.  Julie has 25, I have at least that many, Betsy and Linda have the rest.  Even Momma's grandchildren have silver bells for their Christmas trees.  What sweet memories they hold for all of us.  

 

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS DECORATING!!!

 

This may not look like anything to many people, but to the Trout girls it means Momma's birthday!!!

 

We always make cheese biscuits on Momma's birthday, because that's what she did on her birthday.  That and put the candles in the windows.  Well, our candles are already up, so the next thing is to make cheese biscuits.

 

If you would like to make them too, you can find the recipe in the "neighbors sharing" section of this website.  There is also a great picture of Momma on her 94th birthday, making cheese biscuits.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMA!!!

 

Here are some of my fun ornaments.  Laser cut hummingbirds, shells, s'more snowmen, straw angels, cayenne peppers, gifts from students, glass reindeer from New Mexico, and this cute gourd angel.  

 

If you would like to email me some Christmas memories that hang on your tree, I will be happy to share them here.  

 

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!