A Drink To Lily the Pink...

My mother asked for some of my Christmas Beverage Recipes. so I love to share.
Holiday Egg Nog (the way I make it)
14-18 eggs (depends on my mood and the family chickens moods)
2 1/4 - 3 c. sugar (see above and to your taste)
3/4 tsp salt
2 bottles (1 0z) rum flavoring (Save a bottle for sniffing...hey if I wasn't trying to be a good Mormon, I might try to be a good pirate. I also recommend Kroger brand flavoring and it goes on sale a lot)
1 gal whole milk
Beat the eggs until light and foamy. Add sugar and salt and beat until thick and lemon colored. (Hey it still looks egg colored to me!). Stir in milk and flavoring and chill at least 3 hours. You can sprinkle with nutmeg if desired.

Peppermint Pleaser (the way I make it)
1 gallon whole milk (obviously you could use any milk all the way to skim, but then you might freak out at the final ingredient.)
1 c. sugar
8 TB crushed peppermint candy (Hey it's candy canes and if you want this pink you better make sure they have the artificial coloring and aren't the 'healthy' white kind. Put them in a double Ziploc bag and give to an older child with a meat tenderizer....works great!)
1/2 tsp. peppermint flavoring (see recommendation above)
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream.
Mix it all together. Pour back into milk carton (I have to recruit an extra container at this point.) Distribute the crushed candy proportionately. Refrigerate 24 hours and shake before serving. The real recipe has you chill this without the ice cream and whisk the softened ice cream at serving. But then they are expecting you to have a fancy punch bowl and cups and all that. They don't know that people at our house have been known to chug if they think no one else will drink anymore and they can have it to themselves.....Hmmmmm maybe I feel like a chug!

Handeling Sunday Night

Sorry this is such a late post.....we had a very successful food drive at Meadowbrook Elementary. We plan to serve waffles at 5:30 tomorrow night with singing to follow. We would like be singing around 6:30. If someone has a waffle iron to help speed up the waffles we would gladly accept. If you have a Messiah score, please bring it. I have a few here and plan to pick up a couple more. We can always share. We may even get to sing "Baby" tomorrow!

Hallelujah!

Although I don't like the 'holidays' , I do love Christmas. I love to remember what happened try and comprehend it's impact in my life. One way that I accomplish this is through music. To anyone wishing to celebrate the same way- Messiah sing-a-long (with the stereo) on Sunday December 14th. Please leave me a note in the comments and I will contact you with further information. Dad has offered to make waffles so I need a head count. Even if he isn't your dad!

The Gift of Family

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day together. It felt complete and I honestly just breathe in the peace and overwhelming love of our Father in Heaven when we are all together. These pictures are just a twinkle of our day.
As you can tell, the grandchildren were the high point of the day.

Now to tackle the Christmas tree.

Do You Hear The Echoes Sing??

Singing the songs around the World....to all the people that love me and like to enjoy Christmas music. Stress Rehearsal is coming up.... I am feeling very 'unready'. So I am trying to stand in the back and may be singing 'Watermelons and bananas', but I would love you to come. Any suggestions on a treat for me to bring? Love you all. IN case you can't read the invitation. Saturday November 29th. 6:60 PM ...my church

To All My darling Children

I have had several inquiries about the time of the feast. I plan to have dinner on the table around 1:00. I am so, so Thankful for YOU!

To All The Johnson Children

To all my darling children that are planning on coming for Thanksgiving. I need a head count to arrange for seating. I also have had inquiries about the menu and offers of help. Here is what we usually have:
Turkey (ordered the biggest I can get!)
Rolls- Stephanie generously offered to bring these
Mashed Potatoes- Superman will make these
Frozen Salad
Raspberry Salad
Relish Tray with Deviled Eggs
Cheese Ball With Crackers
Shrimp Dip with Chips
A vegetable- Either Green Bean Casserole or canned corn
Celery Casserole- I use this in place of dressing which I would be the only one eating anyway.
Yams????- Shall we try them this year?
And lots of pies....for Grandma's house although we are selfish and keep the best ones at our house. I plan to make:
Pumpkin
Cherry Almond Mousse
French Silk
Pecan Chocolate Chip
I am still thinking about the rest. If you want to bring something, just leave a comment. Morgan has offered to help with the table decorations. We might not do the M&M Turkeys unless there is an uprising. I am borrowing a children's table for the little ones.
By the way, I have the greatest children in the world and I don't care who knows it. They are my treasure and I love being with them, I wonder if they know that? I also am trying to be a more hugging person. Help me?