Maybe Christmas he thought doesn t come from a store Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more. Dr. Suess

Hello friends!
I've been thinking about you!
Here's a fun fact!
This was the temperature this morning when I got up!

It's ok, we're used to it here in Northern Alberta, it's the wind that's evil! Any exposed skin for any length of time, will be very cold!!!
The past 2 weeks have been cold, it's supposed to warm up tomorrow!
Craft night has been productive! I just finished these on Monday!

These are wine bottle snowmen! The bottles are full of wine!

 Another project is on the go, but will be finished in January!
Damn Pinterest!
I have made Christmas cards. The girls at work were giving me a hard time. "You finished the cards you're making for other people to give away?!"
The answer, was Yes, Yes I am! I did send out a few.

I got carried away with my sunburst die when I realized it was very accommodating! 
And the last one; I had 1 (one) sheet of that Christmas paper with pink in it. I think we've discussed this before! Who. Does. That!? One piece of paper pfft!
I have been to a few Christmas parties, movies, the kids dance recital, we DID go see Mama Mia last month! 
Doing a casino in January, Garth Brooks concert in February, hopefully a trip to Arizona in March, Vanessa's going to Vegas in April to see the Backstreet Boys, I'll help with the babysitting.
I've watched the baby a few times. He's really a content little dude! Lucky for them!
Nothing in May, Amish Auction Sale in Montana with my mom in June. Vanessa wants to come to introduce my mom to her great grandchild.
Trip with a couple gf's in July.......I'm sure lots will come up!

I'm cooking Christmas at Vanessa's this year. 
We got the turkey yesterday. Kalen will be home, and most of the SIL's family will come!
It will be a day of food, laughter & love, and that's how it should be!
I've gave out treats & baskets all week, and tried for 2 of the last 3 today! I texted one friend to see if they were home, and they texted back saying they were far, far away in San Antonio, Texas! The other one was sick!
So I came home and made butter tarts, 1 batch of poppycock, and a pan of eatmore bars! Now I'm debating whether to make 1 hour cinnamon buns, or Hot Chocolate on a stick!
You do know that some of them do not get made into hot chocolate! My friends have said they just eat it off the stick!

Anyhoo, here's the project I couldn't show you in the last post.

I'm hoping if you click on it, you can read it!
Kalen said yes, "but I have demands."
He wants to pick the hockey team Bryson cheers for, and he wants to ok the babysitters! Hahaha.

I did a big family advent calendar for the kids (&baby) this year, and I'm getting them a membership for the Toy Lending Library we have here in town. It's the coolest thing, and very underutilized! 

Better go, or I won't get anything else done!
Still want to make a batch of Almond Roca too, but that might be tomorrow or Monday!

Hope you're all well!
Talk to ya later!
Merry Christmas and all the best in 2017 if I don't get back on here!!!

The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing.-Socrates

Ahhh peeps, I'm running on fumes..............
as I slopped coffee all the way to my craft room to talk to you!

I DID get the deadbolt installed............
Took it back to the hardware store, told them my easy install lock turned into a work up a sweat nightmare!
It was threaded wrong....I got a new one.

I DID get the new dryer delivered & installed, and yes, it works, and no it doesn't want to start a fire!

I DID get to the wine & cheese party last Saturday night.
Although I did have to go through the checkstop in town first.
RCMP: "We're looking for impaired drivers, you don't look impaired, are you impaired?"
Me: "Not yet!"
So in 3 hours I had 1/2 a glass of wine, and 1/2 inch of  port..........
not that I would drive drunk, I'm not crazy!

I had an emergency oil change Thursday night!
Yes, there is such a thing!
My check engine oil light came on, and when I opened the hood of the van,
I could see oil leaking out of somewhere onto the lovely white snow!
One of Vanessa's friends stayed late to change my oil for me.
The oil pan plug was loose & so was my filter!
OI!

I DID get the cookies made for the library, and also sent some to Vanessa's work, and took some to mine!

Monday I got to work to this....

 

This next one was on my desk & said "Please Return."

It's sewer pipe people!!!! Ewwww!

 

Remember this post where we were "The coldest place on Earth!?

This was the average temperature on my way to work last week!

 

 

Today the wind is howling, and it's + 3.5 F.

Not good people, not good!

 

Thursday night I got home after 8 pm, and look what followed me home!!!!

The county grader!

I gotta stock up on poppycock!

 

Yesterday I fired up the snowblower,

which doesn't want to fire up for some reason,

and got rid of the foot of snow to the left of the van.

I blew off the foot or so of snow on all the pathes.

Also, the guys from work sent a grader over; but not before I cleaned out the parking lot!

That's ok, the yard is clean!

Another reason for the windy, warmer temp to go away!

It' will turn my newly blown paths to ice!

 

Remember last year

(and I'm sorry I keep saying that; like I ever remember anything!)

I made these......

Well, I'm doing it again!

Here's the Hot Chocolate on a Stick, before it's on a stick.

 

My first batch of fudge was too hard, so I had a redo!

 

But don't worry, nothing will go to waste,

Vanessa and I have already giggled about who's friends will get what, and LIKE it!

 

Here are the bags I made to put 2 each into.......

 I need 50 pieces of Hot Chocolate on a Stick!

 

I skipped a step making the bags once I caught on, and my top flap is 1 1/2 inches!

 

Here's the process, with some bagged!

 

And here they are in their little gift giving bags!!!

 

I made a 3 X 3 card so Ray's sister could add her business card.

 

She wanted something different for her clients, and this is what I did.

She only wanted the Hot Chocolate on a Stick;

these bags were my idea.

 

Vanessa's sure she'll love them!

 

I got tired last night so still need 10 more, but will getter done!!!!

 

That's all I have on my "Have to Get it Done Yesterday" list!

 

I'll get some Christmas cards addressed today;

I have to quit saying my cards are not done.

People think they're not made yet!

hahahaha

Of course they're MADE, just not addressed & in the mail!!!

And I hear stamps are going up!

A LOT!

 

Kalen will be home next weekend.

Vanessa & I have to take a whole whack of her stuff out to the seacan for storage.

I also need to get some blankets out of the camper!

One of the kids (Vanessa) will be camping out in the living room.

 

This week shouldn't be so crazy.

Ha, I say that now.

 

I have dinner with the gf's twice this week, different gf's.

 

I have to go to one of the gf's for a lesson on how to get into the neighbors house,

cause I'm signed up to look after both while they're away at Christmas.

Last year I couldn't get the key to work!

It was darn cold, and I just waited for her plants in the window to die,

then I would know the furnace was out!

hahahaha

Hey, I did feed her birds!

I have my priorities!

 

Better go, have to get the laundry out of the washer,

probably have to go find the lid off Shadows food. AGAIN!

 

Gotta get those 10 bags of chocolaty goodness done!

 

I'm sure I'll get side tracked 20 times, but stuff will get done!

 

Hope you're all well!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!!!

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. --Agatha Christie

TGIF!

I keep forgetting to welcome my new follower(s)!
Glad to see you!
I doubt that you'll learn anything here, but you might get a laugh or 2!

I am getting ready for a wine & cheese party later tonight!
One of my BBF's bf planned it. (One of the gf's I spend every Wednesday dinner with)
I guess he figured if the world was ending she might as well be with her gf's!
Smart man, or maybe he's trying to get on Santa's 'NICE' list!!

These are the invitations she gave out!

Ya know ya live in a small town when............hahahaha!
And what's the concensus...Do I take wine for the host when it's a Wine & Cheese party?

Wine & cheese tonight, and dinner out tomorrow with Rays boss & co workers.

I've filled the furnace, cleaned the roof, fed & watered the cats & dog!

Had 2 dinners & gift exchanges out this week.........
One of my gf's said the Hot Chocolate on a Stick didn't even make it to the hot milk!!!

AND it's blizzarding!

I made Kalen a Congratulations card, cause last week he was awarded Sailor of The Quarter, at a small luncheon with the Lieutenant Governor!

I DID ask him for pictures & such!
He found out that morning & thought his crew mates were pranking him!
The US has a great site on the Navy, Canada...not so much!

Hope I get time to whip up a few cards this weekend!
My gf's stepdad had a heart attack......she said he 'needs' a 'Gail card'!

Vanessa & Shawn will be here on Monday; I think they're staying until Wednesday!
Hope it's not too cold for skidooing!

I go back to work next Thursday! Yay me!

Here's a Thank you card I made for the local theatre.
They are very generous with coupons for the kids for Daddy & Me!

 

I also gave them some Poppycock and Hot Chocolate on a Stick!

 

Better go, gotta start the van & stop at the liquer store!

Have a great weekend!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

Hot Chocolate on a Stick!

I kid you not!
Just had to post!
I've tried it........A MA ZING!

I found this here (Caution: Sad Story)

http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2011/01/06/hot-chocolate-on-a-stick/

I used a double batch of my own fudge (cause it works, and I can!), and used 1/2 mint chocolate chips!

Five Minute Fudge (Never Fail) and that folks is why I like it!

2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1tsp vanilla
1 pkge (6 oz) Chocolate Chips
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 diced marshmallows (cut them in 4)....just do it!
(You can use little marshmallows, but you won't have the right amount!!!)

Mix evaporated milk, sugar and salt in saucepan over medium heat.
Heat to boiling, then cook 5 min. stirring constantly.
Turn off, add marshmallows, chocolate chips & vanilla.
Stir until marshmallows & chips are melted, and pour into 8 X 8 sprayed pan.

Here's a teaser!

 

I DID use the marshmallow recipe, but I didn't grease everything in sight!

As a homemade marshmallow eating family,

I put water in my 8 X 8 pan when I started making these,

and dumped it out before putting the marshmallow in!

Cut with a wet knife!

Ya gotta keep the knife wet!

Lookit!

 

 

And here's the finished product.

I'm thinking these will keep for a couple weeks in the fridge.

Not sure if they can be frozen;

 I'll be finding out on Tuesday when I put some in my vehicle to take for a gift exchange!

Oh, and I kinda dipped the marshmallow part in icing sugar,

cause I didn't want it sticking to the bag!

What's a little more sugar I say?!

 

 

In other news, Vanessa has her first Christmas tree, so I'm making her a couple ornaments!

I'll show you when I'm done!

 

These next pictures are for my friend Barbara!

I'm trying to send her more snow too!

 

A polite moose, looks both ways.......

 

 

 

Crosses the road.

 

 

 

There ya go!

He did get into the trees & look back as if to say

WTH; is she still there!?

 

 

Also my friend Elaine had this on her website!

 

We thought we would give you another chance to win a mystery prize

and all you have to do is spread the word and leave a comment now and again on this blog

Once we get to 150 followers one lucky person will win!

 

It really is a cute snowman!

 

Aren't I just a wealth of information today!

 

Gotta go, started addressing my Christmas cards (late I know),

and some don't have sentiments!

WTH!?
What was I thinking!?

 

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!