The Stone Rabbit

How I Spent My Christmas Vacation. . . .

 

On Christmas Eve,

 

the mouse was ready. . . . 

 

our fake tree, loaded with vintage and precious handmade decorations, was ready. . . .

 

 

the old Santas were ready. . . .

 

Frankie and Twiggy were ready. . .

the manicotti was ready. . .

the pumpkin cake roll was ready. . . 

the stockings were ready. . .

and the fresh cut Christmas tree stood ready over the presents. . . and they were ready, too!!!

 

On Christmas morning, the Grand Girl and Grand Boy checked out the gifts in their stockings and then. . . .

 the exchanging and opening of the gifts started!!!

The Grand Girl received some dolls. . . 

and the hubby received lots and lots of Gold Toe socks. . . cuz that's what he told everyone he wanted for Christmas when asked!!!

We dined on our tradional menu of breakfast casserole, fresh fruit, cinnamon rolls and orange juice and coffee.

After  a bit, some of us took a little nap (me included!!), then we prepared for my niece, her hubby and her mother-in-law to come join in the Christmas fun!

This year, the Grand Girl received a kids camera and was all into taking photos.  It was her idea to "pose" us using the props on hand. . . Christmas stockings, Gold Toe socks and candles!!  My hubby took this picture with his camera...using the timer.  

Now, back to the "ready" part of Christmas this year. . . do you see my DIL standing next to me?  Ooops, in case this is your first time reading my blog, I'm the one in the back row, far right.  My DIL is the very pregnant one next to me!!

Anyway. . . she was very ready to have their baby!!!

In fact, on the day after Christmas, she was scheduled to head to the hospital that evening to have that little baby boy, but first, she and I headed to Penney's and Target to hit the sales!  :)

Then, around 4:02 a. m. on December the 27, the little boy came into this world. . . weighing in at 9 lb. 5 oz. and 20 inches long!!!

Mom and dad. . . .over joyed with their newest addition.

 

I made it to the hospital right after he was born.....no cracks about the hair do.

My hubby and I brought Big Sister and Big Brother to the hospital to meet their Little Brother later that afternoon. . .what a precious time!!!

Grandpa holding his newest grand child for the first time.  

I have had the honor of putting a little heart on the foot of each of my newborn Grands. . . and this time was no different. . . .

except, I did add a heart to the Grand Girl's foot and she drew one on her mom's foot.  Grand Boy #1 didn't want to have anything to do with that!!!!  

 

Where did the week go?  Christmas came and went, the new grand boy arrived, the other two grand kiddos stayed here until yesterday....and now they are gone, too!  

THE STONE RABBIT says it's too quiet around here for him. . . and I have to say, I agree!

 

 

I hope you had a fabulous Christmas and I wish you the best New Year ever.

 

Please visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND for a long list of bloggers ready to share their posts with you!!

DANA

Merry Christmas 2011. . . .

 

 THE STONE RABBIT and I wish you a very Merry and Bright Christmas.  May it be filled with festive moments with family and friends. . . and lots of time focusing on the reason we celebrate this very important time of the year.

 

Grandbaby update:  At the time of writing this post,  our DIL is still very great with child....and is trying to remain in good spirits inspite of feeling very uncomfortable.  I'd appreciate it if you could keep her, the new baby and the entire family in your prayers.

Thanks to our hostess, Beverly, for keeping our Pink Saturday group up and going strong for another awesome year!!!

 

Please visit her blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, to find a long list of other participants who are ready to share their special holiday or PINK posts with you this week!!  

DANA

PAULA DEEN TO THE RESCUE!

 

I wanted to give a  special little gift this year to friends and family, but couldn't find just what I had in mind until. . .

 I stumbled upon Paula's Christmas magazine.

While thumbing through the magazine at the store, I came across this great recipe called:  ZESTY SNACK MIX!!

SO....with the magazine in hand, I grabbed the ingredients, then returned home to check out my plan with THE STONE RABBIT!  He also likes to give little handmade gifts. . . and I have to say he FLIPPED over this super easy and delicious treat!!

 

 

 

 We had the recipe cranked out in no time at all. . . and packaged in quart jars just as soon as the mixture cooled!

While the title of the mix is "zesty"...it's still very, very mild......so if you want something with a bit more "bite", you can add your own little touches to this really great basic mix!!

(Note:  I don't know why this recipe isn't posting correctly at the moment...and I don't have time to fix it.  I think you get the idea..I hope.  I will work on it later.)

               Zesty Snack Mix

2 (9 ounce) packages oyster crackers

1 (1 pound) package cheese-flavored fish shaped 

    crackers

1 (1 pound) package miniature pretzel twists

1 cup butter, melted

2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning

1 teaspoon dried dill

1 teaspoon ground red pepper

1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix

      Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

      In a LARGE roasting pan, combine crackers and 

   pretzels.

     In a small bowl, combine melted butter, lemon                pepper seasoning, dill, ground red pepper, and                ranch dressing mix.

   Pour over cracker mixture, tossing gently to coat.

      Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.              Remove from oven,  and cool completely.  Store              mixture in air tight container for up to 2 weeks.

   Makes 8 quarts. 

 

We had such a grand time making this first batch of Paula's snack mix. . .  the newest Dancing Santa  was involved in the preparations, too, and was twirling all over the place with excitement !!

Please visit our fantastic hostess, Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND, for a long list of bloggers who are ready to share their posts with you this weekend!!

 

Happy Pink Saturday!!

 

DANA

ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF CHRISTMAS

 

You can't beat a preschool Christmas program for putting the spirit of the season into our hearts.

 

The Grand Girl's program was held this week.

We were pretty far back in the audience. . . and inspite of everyone (us included) moving their heads back and forth, trying to catch a glimpse of their own little "stars". . .we were able to see her performance fairly well.

 

 

My little "point and shoot" has a mighty fine  "zoom" function,  so I was able to get some cute close ups of her. . . and even a great video of them singing "Away in a Manger" !

 

 

While this part of the program was extremely sweet, and brought giggles from all of us, it truly is at the center of our Christmas celebration.

We must have room in our hearts at all times for Him.

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT and his yard buddies welcome Him. . .now and  every day of the year.

 

Please visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She will have a long list of bloggers who are ready to share PINKS or special posts about the season!

 

Happy PINK SATURDAY!

 

DANA

FINDING PINK at the FLEA MARKET!!!

 

Life has been crazy busy for me over the last couple of weeks, but I HAD to make time to visit a local flea market last weekend.  It is held just three times a year.....and this one was sure to be packed with vintage Christmas goodies!

 

I wasn't disappointed.

 

Right off the bat, I found a booth with fun vintage Christmas. . . including this great tree of PINKNESS filled with old ornaments!

 

Another booth had a nice selection of these old wreaths. . . but they were priced too high for me.

Here were some wonderful stockings. . . but they were also more than what I wanted to spend.

I am crazy over vintage Santas and  this booth just pulled me right in!!  Yes, it PULLED me in. . . I had no control over my feet.  They just headed right for those jolly old fellows!!!

In fact, I purchased one of them.

If you've read my blog, you can probably guess which one  came home with me!!

 

If you guessed the Dancing Santa.....you would be RIGHT!!!

He is in mint condition. . . nicely priced. . .AND the vendor even knocked off a bit more when I looked sad and BEGGED him to consider taking less for it!!

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT was sooooo happy to have the newest Dancing Santa join our family!!!  So far, he (Santa) has been busy getting familiar with his new surroundings.  Imagine how much fun it is going to be, next week ,when I introduce him to all of the other Dancing Santas that are in my basement. . . getting ready to come upstairs and join in the Christmas decorating!!!

Tis the season to be jolly. . . . .

 

 

Please visit our super-duper hostess, Beverly, of HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She will have a long list of other bloggers who are ready to share their PINKS or holiday decor with you this week!

 

DANA