December

 Hello, Dear Friends. Can you believe that the year is almost over? 

We've had lots of rain recently, which creates mist and fog, in between

the rain showers. 

It's magical and mysterious and beautiful in a primordial sort of way.

It completely transforms familiar landscapes

and can be so disorienting if you need to navigate through it. 

I think it perfectly describes the way the world is these days. 

Disorienting. 

We all want the world to be ruled by love, compassion and kindness, 

but so many seem to be lost in the fog of hate and anger. 

I sometimes feel so discouraged about the state of humanity right now. 

There's not much we can do except try to 

be kind and compassionate in our own lives

and hope it ripples outward to those in need.  

 

xxxx

"Hate - it has caused a lot of problems in this world,

but it has not solved one yet."

- Maya Angelou -

This can be an especially difficult time of year for so many. 

It's so important to keep in mind the true spirit 

of the season. You never know how much that small act of 

kindness will mean to someone. 

We've all been in that place when the world weighs 

heavy, and the kindness of 

a loved one, friend or even a stranger can lift our spirits.

xx 

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

- Mahatma Gandhi -

Winter is a beautiful time of year, here in the Pacific Northwest. 

When the trees drop their leaves, the evergreens steal the show. 

You can see the base of Mt. Rainier amidst the clouds. 

Even the silhouettes of the bare trees and the golden grasses have a beauty all their own. 

We traveled the country roads on our way to visit a garden shop with my son, Dustin

and daughter in law, Jen. 

Salmon and bears are symbols of nature here. 

A hang glider enjoys the view. 

'Tis the season'

A vintage theatre gets decorated with lights. 

It's already painted the perfect colors for Christmas. 

The greenhouse at the nursery. 

So beautiful and peaceful. 

Ramblin' Man secretly picked out this beauty for me. 

xx

A pool filled with bubbles on the grounds. 

My son bought two of these beautiful 'Christmas Rose'

camellias for his backyard. 

I found these little sweeties. 

They actually grow to become quite large. 

I have two others on my deck

that started out this small. 

One is about 8 ft. tall now. 

I also found a beautiful 'burning bush' shrub 

to plant in the garden. 

There was an amazing Christmas gift shop there and

I found a few little treasures. 

Remember the pot-holder looms from childhood? 

These were 'ready made'. 

xx

Two little candy/nut dishes. 

I've had the greenhouse ornament on the right for years

and I was so excited to find two more! 

And two golden stags. 

A pretty marble and wood cheese and cracker server. 

I already had the vintage cocktail napkins. 

A crystal hummingbird ornament. 

Holly dishes and cheese spreader. 

"Oh Christmas Treats"

Lol :)

xx

I also found a pretty throw, which I will show you in 

a 'Christmas Decorating' post to come. 

And when I went to pay for them, my son 

and daughter in law insisted on picking up 

the tab. 

A belated birthday gift. 

xx

So sweet and generous. 

They took us out to lunch, too. 

It's so nice getting spoiled. 

I am so blessed. 

xx

The next weekend, Jen hosted her annual wreath party. 

Their house was decorated so beautifully. 

We all brought a dish and treats to share. 

I baked 'Eggnog Bread'

and made home-made mints.

I used my new holly dishes. 

xx 

I'll post the recipes at the end. 

I made up little bags of mints for everyone to take home. 

You can see the pretty, back-yard pavilion all decorated for the season, 

through the window. 

We all had fun sampling the delicious offerings

and catching up with each other before we got down 

to work making our wreaths. 

Dustin worked hard to set everything up for 'the girls' in his garage. 

'Go Hawks'! 

He's a die-hard Seahawk's fan. 

Father and son share a moment before making themselves scarce. 

After lots of fun and laughter, we share our creations. 

Daughter Jennie, second from left, DIL Erica, me, (the short one, Lol), DIL Jen, (the hostess) and daughter Heather at the end, 

with treasured friends. 

My wreath on the door. 

A little lop-sided, but it smells so nice! 

I decorated the birdhouse with a wreath, too. 

xoxo

Here's the recipes:

EGGNOG BREAD

1&1/2 cups flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

4 Tbsp butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1&1/2 cups eggnog

Eggnog Glaze:

1 Tbsp butter, melted

1 Tbsp eggnog

3/4 cup powdered sugar

• 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously butter an 8 in. loaf pan and
• set on a large baking sheet; set aside. 
•  2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 
• 3. In another medium bowl, combine butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. 
• 4. Add about half the flour mixture to the butter mixture to combine. Add eggnog, then remaining flour mixture to form smooth batter. 
• 5. Pour into prepared pan and bake on baking sheet for 50-55 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. 
• 6. Prepare eggnog glaze by mixing all ingredients together. Spread over top of cooled loaf. Sprinkle with sparkling sugar if desired. 

****

MAGICAL MINTS

The soft dough can be piped, rolled, stamped or simply flattened with the tines of a fork. 

Makes approximately 6 dozen mints. 

8 oz. (full fat) cream cheese, softened to room temp.

3 Tbsp. butter, softened to room temp.

1 tsp. mint extract

7-8 cups confectioner's sugar, plus extra for rolling, if necessary

Food coloring, if desired

Toppings: sparkling colored sugar, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, etc. 

In the bowl of a mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add mint extract. Add 2 cups 

confectioner's sugar at a time, mixing and adding until a stiff dough forms. 

If making different color mints, add food coloring now, incorporating 

more confectioner's sugar as necessary to keep dough from becoming too sticky. 

Form into ball and cover tightly in plastic wrap. 

Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. 

Can be chilled overnight. 

Line a few baking sheets with waxed paper. 

Scoop dough by the teaspoonful and roll into balls.

Place on baking sheet. 

Slightly flatten with tines of a fork, or simply use your finger. 

It helps to dip the fork or your finger in powdered sugar to keep 

from getting sticky. 

Sprinkle with toppings and press slightly to adhere. 

(I used my finger to press dough flat and put a pinch of sprinkles in the depression)

Allow to dry overnight (can cover loosely with waxed paper).

Store mints in airtight container in the refrigerator, 

or freeze up to 3 months. 

Enjoy!!

xxxx