{ On the Twelfth Day of Christmas }

Christmas comes to an end.

It is always bittersweet as things wind down.

Most of my friends have already packed their Christmas things away

and some are still celebrating

The one last thing that we try to do as a family

is write down our New Year's resolutions.

We seal them in an envelope 

and tuck them away into our Christmas stockings.

Then next Christmas 

we retrieve them along with the other goodies 

that have been left by Santa 

and see if we were able to accomplish a few goals.

Some are forgotten

Some are disappointment's

but for the most part
it is just a lot of fun!

Do you resolve to make changes or improvements

in the coming year?

Merry last day of Christmas

and 

many blessings to you in the New Year!

Sharon

{ On the Eleventh Day of Christmas }

Pardon my mess!

We seem to be experiencing some technical difficulty.

My blog background and header have runaway.

I have spent the entire day trying to figure it out.

I just hate being "blogger" challenged!


So please pardon my mess
until I can get this resolved
or find a more permanent solution.

Enjoy your day
and 
Merry Christmas!


Sharon

{ On the Tenth Day of Christmas }

So after spending the morning at the church

doing a little volunteer work

I met up with an old friend for coffee.

It was wonderful sitting there,

catching up, 

chatting,

planning vacations,

blowing caution to the wind

ignoring our responsibilities,

until

we realized four hours had passed,

the family would be home soon

and dinner must get started.

We scattered like wild Indian's

running in our separate directions

to beat everyone home to look busy

and be none the wiser.

Yes, a fun, sneaky, lazy girls day out!

Life is good!

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

{ On the Ninth Day of Christmas }

Date night ♥

War Horse

I love happy endings

but for the love of Pete, take Kleenex!!

and pass the popcorn please ;0)

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

{ On the Eighth Day of Christmas }

Many blessings to you for a wonderful New Year!

Happy 2012

and

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

On the Seventh Day of Christmas

Spending the day with family and friends

Reminiscing of the year as it comes to an end

Anticipating the new adventures

that lie ahead

Thank you for being a part of my blogging community!

Happy New Year's Eve

and

Merry Christmas!

Sharon

On the Sixth Day of Christmas

Spending the day in the kitchen

Happy cooking

and

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

On the Fifth Day of Christmas

Max wake up

we have a lot to do today

Max get up

we have company coming

we must tidy up

MAX I can see you!

no time for second sleeps today buddy

lets get a move on it

Okay, 5 more minutes 

and then you are picking up your toys!

Happy cleaning 

and

Merry Christmas,

Sharon & sleepy head Max

On the Fourth Day of Christmas

Spending the day expressing my gratitude.

I enjoy Christmas so much.  

All the planning, hustle, bustle and mess that comes along with it.

But most of all 

I am thankful for what the meaning of Christmas is about!

Thank you for being such wonderful blogging friends!

I enjoy your visits and sweet comments!!

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

On the Third Day of Christmas

I think today I will do a whole lot of nothing

Max and I may curl up on the sofa,

snuggle and watch movies

I may pick up the tissue paper and boxes

and I may not

Right now I need chocolate!

I hope you have a nice quiet, relaxing day!

Have some hot chocolate ;0)

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

On the Second Day of Christmas

It's official

Bunny has a new home

with US of course

No calls looking for this sweet, fluffy, ball of love

So she's our gift from Santa.

That's our story and we are sticking to it!

Plus, Max is in love!

He loves to give gentle sniffs,

tender kisses on the forehead

and take long afternoon naps by her cage.

Yep, old owners be forewarned

Bunny has a new body guard

and he's ferocious!!

Thank you Santa.

Life's little blessings come in all shapes and sizes!

Merry Christmas,

Sharon, Max & Bunny

Christmas 2011

Wishing you & yours

a warm and wonderful Christmas!

XOXO

Sharon

Christmas Countdown ~ 1

I love Christmas trees

and I love whimsy.

Fun, playful and creative

Yes

I love Christmas trees

and I love whimsy!

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

Christmas Countdown ~ 2

Step away from those presents!

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

Christmas Countdown ~ 3

We interrupt this Christmas countdown

for a special bunny bulletin

FOUND

I think someones Christmas present got away.

If not claimed by Sunday

I'm putting a bow on it and calling it

my gift from Santa!

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

Ps:  Max is getting very attached!!

Christmas Countdown ~ 4

Decorating complete ~   
Presents purchased ~ 
Wrap presents ~ still in progress
Deliver staff gifts ~ 
Finalize menu ~ 
Clean house ~ always in progress

Now let the baking commence!

Happy baking

and

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

Christmas Countdown ~ 5

I hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday!

Merry Christmas!

Sharon

Christmas Countdown ~ 6

Finishing up some last minute shopping

at one of my favorite local shops.

Parkhill Home is located in a very quaint,

old, 2-story home.

These pictures were taken in the kitchen area.

I'll save the other rooms for 

another field trip,.  Because you know

I will be going back.

Yes, darling hubby always has to pull me out of this place.

Well here and Pottery Barn ;0)

Now off to wrap my new treasures.

Happy shopping

and

Merry Christmas!

Sharon

Christmas Countdown ~ 7

If you're anything like us our dance card has been a bit full with 

Christmas parties, staff parties, dessert parties, church parties and neighborly socials.  

I love this time of year, and I love to socialize.  

But as with anything, time to spare is at a premium.

I found this wonderful recipe for

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites

from 

Yummy Mummy by way of Pinterest.

Don't they look scrumptuous?

Very simple to make

makes about 16 

Sugared Cranberries 

2 cups fresh cranberries 

1 cup good maple syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Heat syrup in a small sauce pan just until warm. Pour over cranberries when syrup is warm, not hot, or cranberries may pop. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight. 

Drain cranberries in a colander. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar. Place on a baking sheet until dry, about 1 hour. 

16 crackers

 8 oz Brie cheese

 cranberry chutney or cranberry relish

 fresh mint for garnish

 Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and 4 or 5 sugared cranberries.    Garnish with fresh mint sprigs. 

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

participating in Dining with Debbie

Christmas Countdown ~ 8

Who said pretty cookies were hard to make?

Happy Pink Saturday

and

Merry Christmas!

Sharon

instructions can be found here