Angel Numbers 101

My friend Colleen gave me this book for Christmas. It's fascinating!


For many years I have been drawn to the number 4.

The number 4 means:
The angels are with you. They send you the number 4 to reassure you that they've heard your prayers and are helping you.

I find this very comforting :-)

I am also drawn to number 22:
The angels can see the positive results of your prayers, and they want you to have patience and stay optimistic while the final details are being worked out in Heaven. This is an urgent call from the angels to "keep the faith"!

This brings me hope and encouragement :-)

I love this little book! Thanks Colleen!!

Chocolate Silk Pie

A family favorite during the holidays!

Chocolate Silk Pie
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1/2 pint whipping cream
2 Tblsp powdered sugar
Graham cracker pie shell

Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well, then add vanilla and chocolate. Use mixer to blend until thick. Pour into graham cracker pie shell. Refrigerate 15 minutes before adding whipped cream to which 2 Tblsp powdered sugar has been added.
Sprinkle lightly with grated chocolate. Chill until serving time.

Pumpkin Pie

I make this pie three times a year ~ for Halloween , Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love it because it uses honey instead of sugar and you mix all the ingredients in a blender. Mmm, mmm good!

Pumpkin Pie
2 eggs
1-3/4 cups pumpkin puree
3/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 cup evaporated milk
pie crust

Place all ingredients in electric blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into prepared pie shell and bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 45 minutes longer or until set.

Favorite Christmas Music

I grew up with this album playing in the backround on Christmas morning. As an adult I now have the CD and am carrying on the tradition...




And this one...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Read The Story Of The Christmas Tree.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Corinna, Mikhail and Stan

One of Dylan's first ornaments

Brianne's 4th Christmas


Joshua's first Christmas (front)

(back)


Oh how Jake loved construction trucks!


Corinna's stocking ornament is always filled with love :-)


Mikhail's handmade ornament to the family.


Corinna made this ornament for me in 2002.


I've had this ornament forever - in memory of my cat Sundance.


Handmade ornament by Brianne for our first Christmas in Newport, WA, when all our ornaments were still in storage.


This ornament always goes on the top of the Christmas tree.

Stan at the Burro Inn, December 19

Butter Spritz Cookies

My favorite Christmas Cookie! This recipe actually calls for a cookie press but mine broke years ago so I roll the dough and make cut outs. Just dust it with flour to keep the dough from being too sticky.

Butter Spritz Cookies

1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp almond extract
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour
food coloring (optional - if using cookie press)

Cream butter. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in 1 egg and almond extract. Blend in flour.

*If you are not using a cookie press then roll out the dough and cut into shapes. Sprinkle with colored sugar and bake on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes. If you are using a cookie press read on...

Divide dough into thirds. Add a few drops food coloring to each. Fill cookie press with each color or combine colors for rainbow effect. Form into desired shapes and decorate. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes.

Stan at the Burro Inn, December 17

And...our good friend Patti...

Chocolate Chip Squares

My kid's favorite holiday treat!

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 12 oz package (2 cups) semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a bowl, combine butter and sugar, beat until creamy. Add egg and vanilla extract; mix well.
Gradually blend in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Spread into greased 13" x 9" baking dish. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool. Cut into 2" squares.

Happy Birthday Winnie!

Had the pleasure of attending my husband's mother's birthday party yesterday. Happy birthday Winnie!

Welcome to my new blog...

I am excited to have a place beyond talking on the phone, sending emails and facebook to stay in touch with family and friends. I thought a personal blog would be the perfect place to post photos, pass on my recipes to my kids (inspired by a recent conversation with Jake) and just keep everyone up to date on the Smith, Harris, Hammer household.

I will do my best to keep this current! Please let me hear from you too through your comments (please post often so I don't feel neglected :-) Feel free to start now ~ let me know what you think!