Treats - Treats - and - MORE Snow!

 

We woke up to a - gorgeous - White Christmas this year.

 The snow was falling so fast.

A wetter snow than we'd had the previous week.

The heater in the pickup's engine couldn't even keep up.

 Jen and Carlie could not resist getting out there and having fun!

Jen being Jen...

just had to put on her new fleece pajama bottoms she received from us -

before heading back outside to play in the snow with Carlie!

She cannot deal with snow - and - no snoman.

Never has been able to handle such a thing.

( Kinda looks like an Oreo Snowman coming, huh... )

And - of course!

She had to ambush me as I came out from my check-up on the Chickens.

 

I did not slave in the kitchen during Christmas Day - this year.

Instead - I went for a couple of - " Firsts ".

My goal - Gifts for next year - if they turn out right.

We became Guinea Pigs - for Christmas - at our house.

We had snacks and finger foods.

 I made Cashew Crunch.

A lot like Peanut Brittle - but - easier on the teeth!

Normally - I buy packages of the Amish Cashew Crunch from Loudon Mercantile.  But the owner sold out faster than she even imagined she would.  And she had no time to replenish her inventory.

She never has it shipped because she doesn't want it crumbling to bits by the time it arrives.  She drives - herself - to an Amish community here in East Tennessee to carry it back to the shop.

Made with unsalted butter - not margarine - it came out so wonderful!

And you can find the recipe right HERE !

I made Jalapeno Kolaches!

Don't know if it still exists - but - there once was a Doughnut Shop run by a family in Texas City, Texas - located on Texas Avenue - in the building that once was a bar - called " The Devil's Doorway " - ( and it was. ) - thankfully now only a memory - for some.

Anyway - they made these savory treats!  They have little smoky sausages - cheese - and sliced jalapenos.  And people all around town would come wait in line before work in the morning - just to take box-fulls to share with co-workers.

They are - addictive!

And you can get the recipe right HERE !

I won't bother showing my attempts with making Lemon Basil Scones.

I was not happy.

I picked a very bad day to try.

The Full Moon was - still - having fun with me.

Our Chest freezer died.

I had to move half-thawed food to the upright freezer.

It was this year's entire growing season's remaining veggies.

I'm not happy about this.

One more thing I'm not happy about -

As I was processing my photos to put this blog together - I realized something that made me very sad.

I did not take any photos of all four of us.  I didn't get a photo of Josh and Jen together - a group shot - a shot of Dwayne and I - not even a shot of Dwayne and I with the pups and Spinner - our cat.

I'm feeling pretty sure it has to do with not being so happy about my health - and how it's impacted the way I look these days.

I just wish I wasn't the only one in my family that seems to like taking pictures.  But then - it does make it easier for me to avoid having to dodge the lens all the time.

Oh, well - considering the plans I have for this coming new year - I guess we'll see if there's any change in that little disappointment - next year!

For now - daylight just broke for us on this day after Christmas - and - just take a look!

Jen got a little help with her " Oreo Snowman " !

Here's Carlie - having fun in the snow!!