Good morning all! It is rainy and cold here in Ohio, evidently not cold enough for snow though!!

Yesterday, the kids and I made Buckeyes, which finished up the Christams baking. We made up some plates of cookies and took one to our neighbor, along with a truckload of split fire-wood. She is close to 70 and that is all she uses for heat. She is very artistic, making quilts and painting, She painted a winter scene on an old flour sifter and gave it to us as a family gift. It is just beautiful.

Then we went to my sisters house for Christmas with my Dad, Granmother, and my step-mothers family. She had a nice dinner, and a great bread with spinach dip. I will get the exact recipe, but this is what she told me: a container of sour cream, a pack of Ranch dressing mix, and a package of frozen, chopped spinach. I don't know if she drained the spinach after it thawed, but I would think so. She took a round loaf of pumpernickel bread, hollowed it out and put the dip inside. Then laid the chunks of bread all around it. WOW, it was great!!

We had a gift exchange, but everyone still bought little odds and ends, it was hilarious and my step-mother laughingly said, why did we even exchange names??? She made all of us kids, 4 of us and her 3 kids, Queen size quilts for our beds. Mine is blue and white, and it is awesome. I couldn't believe the amount of work she did.

For my gift I gave, I had my little niece Jana. I got her a ton of art supplies, she loved them and started drawing right away.

My step-sister drew my name and gave me a big pizza stone. She says they work great and she knows we love home-made pizza. She also got me a large picture frame.

I gave my Dad and step-mother a big basket of home-canned goods, relishes, pickled beets, green beans, maple syrup, trail mix, apple butter. Also a calendar (kind of a tradition, I buy everyone a new calendar and write in all of the family birthdays and anniversarite) I get them at the Dollar Tree, and they have all kinds of nice pictures on them.This makes a nice gift. I also gave him framed pictures of all the kids, and a big box of chocolates!!

My brother gave me a set of bath items, with shower gel and body spray in a nice wicker basket. I enjoy getting things like this, as I never buy it for myself. Oh this is getting long, already!! Kadia received 2 new shirts, Megan a really nice bead/jewelry making kit with blue beads, Lindsey, a doll, and Brady, a kit to make a bird feeder. Cale got a big tool-box and some kind of tool?? My brother gave them (the girls) pen sets, and hair items, and Brady a fishing pole. We had a really nice time, visiting everyone and didn't get home until after 11.

I put my big 25 pound turkey in to cook last night. It smells pretty good this morning!! We are having another family dinner here at 4 today. This time my Mom's side (my sister does Dad and I do Mom!) So I will have a busy day again, I will come on later and tell everyone all about it!!

Everyone have a great day, I am going to church later tonight for the play, so I may not get on here again until morning!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 23, 2001

Answers

Its very gloomy and rainy here-Will it snow? I have cleaning done- Hurray- I went on a week long cleaning spree-it seemed the more I cleaned, the dirtier everything got. Anyway, finally got THAT chore done. I've got all the shopping done, most of the presents wrapped. I have only just began to bake! Thats what I'll do today. My 7- year old is bouncing off the wall with excitment- she's way more excited about cousins coming, than with gifts-I'm glad about that.

I got up early this morning- about 5 and sat in the dark-with the Christmas tree lights on, of course. I drank my coffeee, every one was still sleeping, the dog was dozing at my feet, the cat in my lap. I had such a great feeling of peace and contentedness. It was wonderful! Though by the looks of things outside now, its going to be pretty dark all day!

I went shopping yesterday- mostly groceries and a few smal odds and ends, One of the stores had Christmas items on sale 40% off and they were putting up a valentines day display! Craziness.

Hope every one has a great day-staywarm and dry.

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 23, 2001.

Hello Melissa,

They forcasted snow, but fortunately it did not appear. The sky was blue and clear but, the temperature did not reach 45 degrees.

Meli and I poured a small concrete slab to put her washing machine on. We made another heart shaped stepping stone for one of our paths and tried to get our daughter to put her feet and hands into it so that we could record it for posterity. Well, first we put her feet in it and she cried, but we got good castings of her little feet! When we put here hand it it she scream and fought us. After three attempts we gave up and settled for just her foot prints! Oh well! We finished off the day by stacking some firewood and going inside for hot coffee!

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), December 23, 2001.