Check them out!

They will dissappear soon!!

I know, it’s cliche, but like everyone else, I like a new year; a fresh start at making the most of what a year’s worth of experiences has to bring. Now, how long this feeling will last is anyone’s guess - mine guess is until about mid-February!

Anyhoo, I do not know what this year has in store for me, but I look forward to sharing it with you!

Did you make any resolutions? Me? No. It’s pointless; I never keep them!

Happy New Year’s Eve!

Be careful out there! Here are just a few examples of what alcohol can do to you:

6 Beers

2 glasses of wine

2 bottles of wine (shared of course)

On a serious note, please be responsible as you celebrate.

Have a safe and wonderful start to 2009!

We have MUCH to be thankful for as we begin the New Year!

~angela

Thank you Taste of Home for this awesome recipe! These got devoured at Christmas!!

Malt Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup shortening

1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup malted milk powder (I used Ovaltine)

2 Tablespoons chocolate syrup

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1 egg

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups chocolate chips (I used half milk and half semi-sweet)

Preaheat your oven to 375.

In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients; beat for 2 minutes. Add egg. In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda, and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chips.

Shape into 2 inch balls and place on ungreased cooking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool for two minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Yield: about 4 1/2 dozen

 May you and your loved ones have a very merry Christmas! ~angela 

1. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3. And everyone went to his own town to register.

 4. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7. and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

 8. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 13. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 14. “Glory to God in the highest,
        and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

 15. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 16. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18. and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

For a limited time, all Christmas tassels in my Esty shop are 40% off!

These make great hostess gifts!

Stock up for next year!

Merry Christmas!

~The Tassel House~

When I was a little girl, my dad brought home two cats - brother and sister - Mozart (all white) and Marbles (a calico). I had never had a pet before so it proved to be very fun having two cats around. Marbles had a full litter one time, and nothing is more entertaining than watching seven (the eighth died at birth) kittens go bezerko all the time. It was very cute.

As time went on, Mozart dissappeared. I’m sure I can pin point which house caused his demise because someone didn’t like him showing up on their property. He’s just a cat for goodness’ sake! I think I was a senior in high school then and so self absorbed that it never bothered me that he was gone. Marbles seemed to adjust OK without him. She was a fighter. She spent her days chasing (and usually catching) birds, squirrels, ground moles, and the like.

And more time went on, and Marbles slowed down alot. She took to just laying around and begging for wet food. And she wanted to eat her wet food inside. She was always out an outdoor cat, but I think she got a secret thrill out of trying to sneak inside as though it were her new “chase” in old age.

Yesterday, she curled up under the porch and went to sleep. That’s where Daddy found her. She will be buried today beside my dad’s dog - Tide. Although she lived a good long life, it’s still very sad.

Update - When my dad picked Marbles up to bury her today, he found blood. And the thought right now is that a tomcat that’s been hovering in our neighborhood got her. THAT cat better watch out - his days are severly numbered!

Matthew 1: 18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

I’ve been under the weather all week, so today you get a quote. It’s a good quote.  It struck a cord with me.

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers. ~ M. Scott Peck