Cuckoo Buds 3 Column

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A Day of Creating

Today I will be making Happy New Year gift plates for those we didn't see in the two weeks before Christmas.  Homemade fudge and mini cheesecakes!  So, two of my favorite things - cooking and baking; and giving to others.  A happy day!  We will be seeing many friends and business acquaintances both Thursday and Friday!

Later in the day, I would like to try a new crochet pattern for a butterfly.  It is just darling!  Yesterday I made a cupcake bookmark that just turned out adorable!  I will post both when the butterfly is finished.

Have a wonderful day. It looks to be beautiful today after a night of rain and chilly weather, and we do need rain here in California!  Both tonight and tomorrow night it looks to be a real feel in the teens - chilly for sure!  Then more rain on the weekend.

Many blessings, Donna

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all... Isn't this just the best time of the year?  I love Christmas!

Today I will call family and friends to wish them the best of this season, spend time with the love of my life in front of the fireplace (it's a bit chilly here and going to have a bit of rain this afternoon) watching some Christmas movies.  I made our Christmas Lasagna yesterday, so it has set up nice and will be yummy!  Cookie dough is in the fridge so we can munch on warm cookies, too.  I will start our pumpkin pie shortly so it has time to set up nicely.

I'll think back to times when the kids were young and it was so much fun, or when I was a kid and I had a blast with siblings and cousins.  I just love Christmas, the old memories, making new ones, the food, family and friends!

Speaking of family and friends, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas! 

Many blessings, Donna

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 has already been the most memorable Christmas in many years!  For me, Christmas is anytime we can get together during the holiday season.  It doesn't have to be on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  It's during the season when we can be together and remember why we are celebrating.  Not the gifts, not the commercial part of it - it's family, the memories we make together.  2010 has been one of the best ever!

Having both of my sons together for this Christmas celebration warmed my heart!  It's been so long since our youngest son, Jeff, and our daughter in law, Kim, were home for Christmas, oh my, I could hardly wait until they arrived!  We celebrated a week early, but Christmas is when we celebrate it during the season together.  (Our daughter and her family had prior commitments.)

This time together were the best four days I've had in a very long time.  We watched our three youngest grandchildren in their School Christmas programs, and our eldest granddaughter sang a solo, without accompaniment, "Happy Birthday, Jesus."  She was right on key and sang beautifully.  It was the only solo of the entire program!  And, she kept it a secret from Grandma.  I sat with tears of joy listening to my little Angel! 

We then celebrated little Leila's 5th birthday with Mexican food and presents.  Her favorite?  Playdoh Puppy set.  She loves dogs of all breeds!  Mommy even made "pupcakes" for her classroom celebration!  They were just darling! 

Then it was on to our house.  We celebrated with a big turkey dinner and all the trimmings on Saturday.  Leila helped me make cookies, Auntie Kim helped Elise with sewing lessons, and Isaac stayed with Dad and Uncle Jeff playing games on the big screen when he wasn't making Uncle Jeff's special Star Wars gift (an At At made from boxes and paper towel rolls, tons of silver duck tape and aluminum foil.)  Mommy got to take a much needed nap then helped me with the cooking and cleaning, as did Kim when she wasn't teaching (a great multi tasker!)  Grandpa took time away from work and watched some TV and made sure everyone was comfortable.  He had a great time watching all of the kids, big and small, having a fun celebration.  We all talked, played games, and just enjoyed each others' company.

I wish you all a wonderful, fun filled, memorable Merry Christmas!  May God bless you all!

Blessings, Donna

Monday, December 13, 2010

New Flip Camera

Oh My Gosh!!  Last night we went and did some office shopping, a new shredder, ink for our printers, photo paper, and a tons of other office stuff.  As we entered the store, the young lady at the table asked us if we were business members and asked us if we'd like to enter a contest for three great gifts - the new Flip Video Camera, a Desk Top Shredder, and a new Office Chair.  Don said, "You enter, you're the one who always wins!" 

And guess what, Staples called this morning and I thought maybe we'd forgotten something or my printer stand was unavailable.  But, nope ~ I won!!  And, I won the new Flip Camera!  Pretty cool, huh?  I just had to share!  Just in time for the grand children to perform in their Christmas plays!

Merry Christmas and many blessings!  Donna

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Christmas Time is Coming

My most favorite time of the year - Christmas!

I love this season.  The hope it brings, the feelings of family, of love, of warmth.  Here in California, we don't get snow, well most of us don't get snow.  The warmth I speak of is of is warmth from the heart.

For me Christmastime is the time for reflecting what the season, the reason for the season, the meaning of the first Christmas as it pertains to Christians truly means ~ Jesus' birthday.  The hope it brings, true hope, of everlasting life and love.  As a Christian, I believe without seeing.  We all believe what we want to, and isn't that the most wonderful thing about our country?  We are free to believe what we want to believe, freedom of religion, not from religion. 

I also love all of the lights, trees decorated, Santa and his reindeer, Snow people everywhere.  I just love Christmastime!  In the center of every tree or display in our home though is a Nativity scene.  The focus should always remain what we are celebrating. 

We do give presents, mostly to the kids, although I do still give Mom a gift each year.  In the almost 20 years Don and I have been together, we have never exchanged gifts.  We took the burden of "how to top last year" off of the table our first Christmas, as well as our birthdays, and our anniversary.  The joy for us is giving to others.  We always try to give to those in the community that are struggling, too. 

I made part of our gifts this year, and some of our cards.  Next year, my goal is to make 100% of our cards, and more of our gifts.

May you all have the happiest, Merriest Christmas ever!  May God bless you and your families.  May you find peace and hope in your lives, in everything you do. 

Blessings, Donna