Christmas 2009

Wonderful day and meal although a bit quieter than Thanksgiving. Kara, her husband Michael and baby Elliana celebrated in SC. Mom and Dad celebrated at Stan and Alison's. I bet it was an exciting morning there with Sami opening her surprises from Santa. Julie and David stayed home in ABQ and went to a very nice special Christmas Buffet. Dianne, Jay and Abby stayed at their home in Virgina to enjoy a special relaxing Christmas without travel. I hope you all had wonderful day in your own tradition.

We serve Prime Rib on Christmas Day. Its a real treat and I scour magazines and cook books for other delicious treats to accompany the meat months in advance. This year I tried a special Porcini and bacon sauce to accompany the prime rib. I think we all loved it except for Shawn who stuck with the basic but always good beef gravy. For a festive treat Jim wanted a cheesecake but wanted a lighter fluffier style. I found the perfect recipe in the November edition of the Southern Lady Magazine called Key Lime and Raspberry Dessert. It was every bit as delish as it was pretty looking.

Here are some pictures from today.

Early Shot of the Table
I love using the family china and silver to set a beautiful table

Place Cards
With three joining us for Christmas dinner it is most important to have assigned seating to avoid that last minute rush to find a chair. (lol)

Misha is Looking Forward to Some Treats
Jim likes to give Misha a treat or two this time of year.


Prime Rib Roasting In The Oven


Lots Of Candles For Christmas


And Centerpieces


Amanda and Shawn


Favorite Angel Ornament


A Cute Pair


The Excitement Of The Year Poppers
(they might be out growing this tradition)
Grand Finale
very delish tasting


The Gang

Thank you for looking. Happy Holidays!

Featuring the Band

Jim and I went to a High School Football game tonight to watch our Niece who plays the flute in the High School Band. Our niece although only in middle school made the h.s. band and tonight was preforming at a playoff game for the District 10 Title. They looked great and sounded wonderful. I was able to fire off a few shots.






Thank you for looking. Jackie

Keep Your Hands Off The Cookies

I am not sure how many times I have had to say that to my kids growing up. Well I guess my life has come full circle. I know I heard that phase many times growing up, repeating many times to my three children and now today I unfortunately forgot to tell my Mother "Keep Your ands Off the Cookies!"

Let me explain...

I have been very busy the last few weekends baking special Spingerle Cookies. I remember these cookies growing up. They were a favorite that my German Grandmother made on very special occasions. I thought it would be a beautiful way to bring in some of my daughters heritage into her upcoming wedding by making these special cookies for cookie trays. I researched the best recipe, looked for that perfect mold, ordered some great anise for a traditional flavor, and ordered the secret ingredient to the best Springerle cookies, Hartshorn. The cookies have been turning out great. But occassionally I find one or two that don't make it in the real cookie tins but instead a tin of misfits for our snacking. Just yesterday I robbed the can for her when mom and dad came for dinner. After they left from dinnere I made my last batch. Its a tedious process where you make your dough, roll it, then flour and cut each cookie individually then place on a cookie sheet to dry. This drying process lasts over night. Then they are baked the next day. Actually this is one raw dough that you absolutely can't eat raw. The amonia is toxic.

Mom gives me a call at work today asking if our dog Misha wants a walk. It was a beautiful day here in Erie so of course our little yorkie would be thrilled for a mid afternoon walk. It never occurred to me that she would go in the dining room and snatch cookies of the drying sheets. But to my horrified eyes I saw two empty spots on my cookie trays. After calling mom and her admiting she took two cookies and just ate one because it tasted kind of funny off I went to call the poison control center. I reached a operator that chares for the minute so I then called the House On The Hill that I purchased the ingredients from. They were very helpful in telling me she will be fine but unfortunately may suffer from terrible gas and stomach problems tonight. Eek.

If you have not seen Springerle cookies here are a few pictures.

This is the raw cookie drying

Cooked Cookie, Still Stays White Just Gets Thicker

Secret Ingredient

Well, Mom, Hope you are doing ok tonight. Love Jackie

In the Woods

I took these shots while Jim, Kara, Michael and I hiked at Table Rock. This was just hours before she went to the hospital to deliver little Elliana. They took us on a two mile hike in which Kara did amazingly well. Jim and I were the rookies, huffing and pufffng in the 95 degree temps and high humidity. Here are a few pics.



Thank you for looking. ~Jackie

Pics from the Smokey Mountains

Thank you for looking. ~Jackie

Long Drive Home

Well Jim and I headed home last Saturday around noon. We were so sad to leave number one reason was it was so fun getting to know little Elliana but also because Kara was feeling so terrible after her epidural. She was having a severe reaction and just basically had to stay flat or suffer froma terrible headache. Michael actually took her back to the hospital later that day and they did a patch procedure where they re injected her own blood into where the epi was placed forming a clot so that she was not leaking spinal fluid which was causing the terrible headaches, neck problems and even ringing in her ears. I am so happy to report that she is doing wonderfully now. Jim and I took a very scenic routes home so I did take lots of pictures. Here are a few that I liked but honestly I have not had much of a chance to look at them yet. Getting back to work from vacaion is never fun. It takes awhile to catch up.


Thank you for looking. ~Jackie

Michael Made Dinner

Michael cooked out tonight and made the most wonderful meal. A wonderful salad, pasta salad, fresh corn on the cob, a Polish dish that I won't even try to spell but it too was delicious made with cabbage, onions, and noodles. He topped that off with delicious marinated Fillet Mignon with his special marinade. Dinner was just wonderful. The weather even cooperated with a brief rain just before dinner cooling things down. We ate outside in their back yard and it was so relaxing. We celebrated with a little welcome Elliana cake and a nice bon fire afterward. It was a special evening to finish off our trip. We will see them tomorrow morning but then we must leave. It is going to be terribly sad. I get teary every time I think about it.

Anyways... here are a few pics from tonight, also some misc. ones from tonight of Elianas adorable room, first bath, some beautiful roses Kara received, and bassinett.

Elliana is now 3 days old

She is so beautiful and totally precious.