W E L C O M E
F R I E N D S







Christmas has always been a special time of the year for me. It is a time of love and laughter. Of cheer and good will. A time to put aside all your worries and troubles and get lost in the spirit of giving to others. I love to drive around the neighborhoods and look at all the lights and decorations. Watch my children's eyes light up at the sight. I love the stories and traditions that surround Christmas. I love everything about this time of year. Except maybe the bitter cold....LOL On this page, I will display all the wonderful gifts I have received from my online friends, and, of course, some of my favorite Christmas stories. Enjoy!





Paul has dedicated this
"Love pot"
to Delana


©Dorthé Bergh

Thank you sweetie!




This was given to me by Paul for contributing to his Christmas Memories page. Click on the graphic to submit your own memory.



The Legend Of The Christmas Spiders


A long time ago in Germany, a mother was busily cleaning for Christmas. The spiders fled upstairs to the attic to escape the broom. When the house became quiet the spiders slowly crept downstairs for a peek. Oh what a beautiful tree! In their excitement they scurried up the trunk and out along each branch. They were filled with happiness as they climbed amongst the glittering beauty. But alas! By the time they were through climbing, the tree was completely shrouded in their dusty gray spider web. When Santa Claus came with the gifts for the children and saw the tree covered with spider webs, he smiled as he saw how happy the spiders were, but knew how heartbroken the mother would be if she saw the tree covered with the dusty webs. So, he turned the webs to silver and gold. The tree sparkled and shimmered and was even more beautiful than before. That's why we have tinsel on our tree and every tree should have a Christmas spider in it's branches.





A kit to make these beautiful ornaments can be ordered from Mary Maxim Needlework and Crafts. Kit #39164







Thank you Misker!





How beautiful Sweet Treats Elf!



Double Chocolate Bars (Mmmmmmmmmmmmm)


Makes 24 bars

Crust
20 chocolate wafers crushed (1 heaping cup)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 Tbsp confectioners' sugar

Topping
4oz unsweetened baking chocolate
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup flour

Heat oven to 350. Line a 9 in square baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in above pan on opposite sides. Lightly grease foil in pan.

Mix all ingredients for crust and press firmly over bottom of prepared pan. Bake 7 minutes or until crust has set. Cool while preparing topping.

Topping: Melt chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat (or in a bowl in microwave), stirring until smooth. Cool to lukewarm. Stir in sugar, baking powder and salt until blended. Add eggs and vanilla and stir briskly until blended and smooth. Add flour and stir just until blended. Spread evenly over crust.

Bake 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Remove from pan by lifting foil to cutting board.

Decorate: Place 1/4 cup milk-chocolate chips or white-chocolate chips in a qt size ziptop bag. Microwave on high 30 seconds. Press bag to see if chocolate has melted. If not, repeat at 5 second intervals. Knead bag until chocolate is smooth. Snip tip off bottom corner; pipe lines of chocolate on topping, then sprinkle with 2 Tbsp coarsely chopped almonds. Cut into 24 bars.









Thank you Xmas Kitty!





Thank you Lyn!





A Quick And Easy Holiday Craft


Supplies
1 man's white tube sock
1 roll toilet tissue
Remnant of fabric approx 8 in long and 2-1/2 in wide (preferably xmas print)
2 moving eyes
1tiny black pon pom
4 black buttons (size for baby clothing)
3 medium buttons

Turn the tube sock inside out. Put the roll of toilet tissue inside the sock, centering the toe on the bottom. Place styrofoam ball inside sock and center on top of toilet tissue. Roll remainder of tube sock down to form a 'hat'. Glue on eyes and pon pom nose. Glue on tiny buttons as 'coal' mouth. Glue remaining buttons down front of your snowman. Tie remnant of fabric around neck as a scarf. Isn't he adorable???

Thank you Christmaspup!





Thank you Sweet Treats Elf!



My my!!! So many gifts, I had to make a Second page just to display them all!!!

Background image courtesy of Lisa.

Other holiday graphics courtesy of Happy Holiday Clipart.