12/14/11

Snowy scene, front porch and Christmas angels!

Hi friends,
I snapped this snowy barn scene about a week and a half ago after our last snowfall.
I love old barns especially when they are lovingly decorated by Mother Nature.
Since that time we've had a cold snap and now a warm snap with rain.
Our snow is melting fast and I am so hoping for more of the white stuff before Christmas Eve.  It's been at least a decade since we've had a brown Christmas and I don't like it.


I am still working away on Christmas decorating.  At the rate I am going it will be New Years day before I am done.  My front porch got a little sprucing up on Monday.


Now there is a good reason for my slow going Christmas decorating and she is 14 months and very busy!  She also spends a good part of her week with Grandma while Mommy works.


She has been cutting teeth like crazy and always has her fingers by her mouth.  Poor baby.... its been tough going!  She also likes to decorate her Grandma's tree over and over again!



My other little Christmas angel! 
She just turned 4 months and I sure am missing her!
Mommy and Daddy report that she is a good baby and they are feeling so blessed to have her.

So friends, how are you coming with your shopping, decorating, baking and more.
I am working on Christmas cards, starting to plan Christmas Eve dinner and of course still decorating!
Do any of you have any great ideas for Christmas Eve dinner?
I don't want to do a traditional ham or turkey since we all will be eating that on Christmas day.
I also need something that little Addison can eat too.  Luckily she is not picky at all.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Enjoy the season,
Cindy


Posted by Cindy (Applestone Cottage) at 7:59 AM

37 comments:

  1. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeDecember 14, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Cindy, both of the girls are just gorgeous and so precious. Love their pretty Christmas pictures. Your porch looks fabulous with the sleigh and ice skates. I am running like mad trying to get ready too, just a tad behind. We go to church on Christmas Eve and then come home to a Prime Rib roast that has been cooking while we are gone. I even throw in some potatoes to bake right before we leave so they can be ready when we get home. A quick veggie and a salad and a super meal. Sometimes a favorite casserole is a great idea too. Hugs, Marty

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  2. nannykimDecember 14, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Oh, yes, the grands can keep you busy. I can't believe all the snow---I hope you get some over the Christmas holidays. It has been warm here--still in the 60's , but cool at night. Nice really.

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  3. Glenda/MidSouthDecember 14, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    They are both so cute. I just have not been able to get motivated this year, and our big get together is this coming weekend. Sure hope we don't get any of that white stuff.

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  4. Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)December 14, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    Startin' a week ago Saturday I've got 'er done. Except for dippin' those truffles. I've got the rich creamy dark chocolate gnash sittin' in the 'fridge just waitin' to be smothered in creamy milk chocolate.

    I don't know what I'm waitin' for there not gonna grow legs and take a dip themselves. Heeehehehe!

    Honey, your babies are just so very precious. Christmas will really be fun with that Addison this year.

    I pulled out the old sled this year and made it part of my deck decor. 'Don't know why I hadn't thought of it before. HELLO!!!

    God bless ya and have a fantastic day my sweet friend! :o)

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  5. Cass @ That Old HouseDecember 14, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Oh Cindy, your grand-girls are gorgeous! I am pea green with grandchild envy!

    My decorating is moseying along -- our big party is SATURDAY so I'd better get my groove on and get it done. :-)

    I've set Friday aside for cooking, so it's today and tomorrow -- Santa's workshop gettin' it done!
    Love, Cass

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  6. camp and cottage livingDecember 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Hi
    I have passed you on common friends comment pages and decided today to drop by. I'm so glad I did!
    I love your porch vignette! I sure wish I could find an old sled somewhere.
    Your g'daughters are precious. How fun to have Addision with you to help with your Christmas decorating
    She's certain to keep you young!!
    At that age they really keep you on the move.
    I've enjoyed my visit-Kimberly

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  7. HelenDecember 14, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    We have to be related! Old barns are a passion of mine too. That photo is amazing ... so are your precious grandbabies. We enjoy fresh salmon for our Christmas Eve dinner ... healthy, tasty and easy to prepare. Happy Holidays Cindy!

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  8. SueDecember 14, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    You should frame that barn picture...perfect! We haven't had a snow that sticks yet. I'm hoping it stays away for the rest of the week as we leave on Saturday and I worry about winter driving.

    I'm done with the shopping, wrapping and baking. The Christmas cards are sitting here and I think I will force myself to work on them this afternoon. I just don't feel like doing them this year, but I probably will get them done.

    Your little ones are just precious. We didn't get to see ours and I'm not sure what will happen after Christmas. Their gifts are here, but their mother (who is not, nor has never been married to my son) is not being very nice these days. So sad and senseless and certainly not what the little ones would want. Oh well, such is life sometimes.

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  9. Julie HarwardDecember 14, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    I love the little shed pic, so pretty! The girls are both so cute..have a fun time with them. It is such a busy time but I am proud of myself, I have really simplified everything this year and I am enjoying it all so much more! Love the post below too...so beautiful! :D

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  10. TheCrankyCrowDecember 14, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Oh Cindy - that barn photo is absolutely amazing!! I agree - it needs to be framed or published or something....What an incredible Christmas card that would make!!! Speaking of cards - nope, haven't even bought any - speaking of buying, haven't bought any gifts yet. No baking done, not ready for anything! HELP!! ;o) Love your sled and bucket of greens on your porch - you have such a remarkable gift for display. You sure you don't want to pop up and do some decorating here? Your grands are truly precious - wow- can't believe how much Calista has grown already. What gorgeous little girls they are! As for food - on Christmas Eve we do our family get together. We've always just done some type of hot sandwich (hot beefs, bbq's, etc.) and tons of snack foods (bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, deviled eggs, spicy beef dip, shrimp, herring, cheese & crackers, smoked salmon, etc.) - and cookies, etc. My favorite kind of meal!! Have fun planning! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  11. Flavia GalassoDecember 14, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    Why don't you prepared a beautiful meatloaf with mushrooms and cheese inside???

    Have a great day, hugs, Flavia

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  12. ElizabethDecember 14, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    I love old barns too! Your grandaughters are beautiful! Last Christmas Eve I made Prime rib, mashed potatoes and vegetable casserole, it was a big hit! I usually do finger food,or a pot of Jambalaya since we are having the big meal Christmas Day

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  13. C'est moi ClaudetteDecember 14, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    SWEET SWEET SWEET
    You know I LOVE the sleigh and skates so much.
    Now if you want something different and oh so French Canadian, make a.tourtiere. It's our Xmas Eve traditional dinner. i suggest you make more than one : )
    Love Me
    xoxoxo


    Ingredients

    1 pound lean ground pork
    1/2 pound lean ground beef
    1 onion, diced
    1 clove garlic, minced
    1/2 cup water
    1 1/2 teaspoons salt
    1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
    1/4 teaspoon ground sage
    1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
    1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
    1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
    Directions

    Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
    In a saucepan, combine pork, beef, onion, garlic, water, salt, thyme, sage, black pepper and cloves. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils; stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer until meat is cooked, about 5 minutes.
    Spoon the meat mixture into the pie crust. Place top crust on top of pie and pinch edges to seal. Cut slits in top crust so steam can escape. Cover edges of pie with strips of aluminum foil.
    Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, remove foil and return to oven. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing.

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  14. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    The picture of the barn is lovely.

    Your granddaughters are so sweet. It must be fun having a little helper around the place.

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  15. Keetha BroylesDecember 14, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    I would hang up a framed copy of that first picture.

    IT

    IS

    QUINTESSENTIAL

    WISCONSIN!!!!!!!!

    Love it.

    We've got NADA snow over here. It's 40 and raining. I'm WAY OVER rain - - - - come on with the SNOW.

    Goodness, last year we had 18 inches and the temps were hovering down around -16 at night. What happened to THAT idea?????

    Oh well - - - Christmas will come whether the snow does or not.

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  16. BethDecember 14, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Hi Cindy, Love your porch vignette! The girls are beautiful. We are doing chili with all the trimmings for Christmas eve, and prime rib, corn casserole, etc on Christmas day. We haven't had much snow yet. I like the warm days but the snow is pretty and I hope we get some for Christmas.
    Hugs, Beth

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  17. DebDecember 14, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    I love that barn...the girls are too cute..growing so fast....we are having a pot of Chili and a pot of Chicken stew on Christmas Eve....with hotwater cornbread....

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  18. NanaDianaDecember 14, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Cindy- No snow over here yet and it looks like we are going to have a brown Christmas. I hope that you are enjoying a few minutes of calm during all this hustle and bustle. Those granddaughters are just darling! LOVE those little faces!

    Blessings to you- xo Diana

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  19. Confessions of a Plate AddictDecember 15, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    Your babies are so sweet and cute, Cindy! Love the snow photos! We always have a pork tenderloin on Christmas eve and it seems to work well. Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

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  20. PandaDecember 15, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    I haven't commented on your blog before, but have been following it for some time. I live in the same hometown where your husband grew up. On that note, I'll tell you what we have for our traditional Scandinavian Christmas Eve dinner. Meatballs (Falls Meats has a great meatball mix if you don't want to make your own), mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, and of course lots of homemade lefse. This is followed with the Norwegian baking for desert.

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  21. Cindy (Applestone Cottage)December 15, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Ahhh, thanks Panda!
    It's nice to hear from someone in our area too. I was thinking of meatballs too! I made some last night just to see if they might work.
    Leave a note anytime!
    Thanks for following along,
    Cindy

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  22. GardenOfDaisiesDecember 15, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    Oh, teething is so hard on them! Hope she feels better soon.
    Love your photo of the old barn in the snow.

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  23. Always NestingDecember 16, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    I have to say the little ones photos are sweeter to look at than the snow :) I do love the snow and find it very soothing.

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  24. AnonymousDecember 17, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    What little dolls Cindy! Both this little Christmas angels are so pretty! You're blessed!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  25. Linda (Nina's Nest)December 18, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    Hi Cindy, beautiful babies! Can't believe how fast they are growing! Love the snowy barn. We always have a brown Christmas here :( About Christmas Eve dinner....since the whole family comes over for Christmas Day brunch and hors d'oeuvres in the afternoon, we eat lightly on Christmas Eve. My favorite is homemade soup (or chili or Brunswick stew) and cornbread. Merry Christmas! Linda

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  26. My Colonial HomeDecember 18, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Hi Cindy,
    Such a beautiful barn...I love them too and this one is perfectly decorated isn't it?

    Oh my ... your grandchildren are BEAUTIFUL...love the pictures of them.

    Karen

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  27. AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    LOL! Lunch with little Addison - sounds like a lot of fun. I don't know about watching wonder pets though! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  28. KathleenDecember 19, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    Good to see your other angel too! Adorable. Merry Christmas

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  29. xinexDecember 19, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    Your grandbabies are so adorable, Cindy! They are so adorable too. The barn pic looks so nice, like a Christmas card. We still do not know what to do for Christmas eve, can't plan ahead because it all depends on the unborn babies. They are really controlling all our schedules, lol...Christine

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  30. AnonymousDecember 20, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Hi, Cindy! I have enjoyed my visit so much today :) Your grand-daughters are so lovely, and precious, and your wonderful display with the sleigh, and ice skates.
    Love that photo of the old barn...decorated by Mother Nature :)
    I know how you feel about the snow...our's is all gone now, too :( We are also having a brown Christmas. I believe it's our first one in 5 years~~~
    Happy Holidays!!!
    Jan

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  31. ~CC CatherineDecember 20, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Hi Cindy,
    I wanted to let you know that Laurie from the Bargain Hunting blog has just put a bid of $15 on the little Wedgewood Blue Heart that you placed a starting bid of $10 on. If you'd like to put another bid on it to secure your heart collectible dish...please come by and comment with your bid that will exceed the $15.
    Everything is so festive at your place, the snow, your front porch, your GRANDdaughters that are absolutely gorgeous in their pics. How fun! As far as an idea for a dinner for Christmas Eve...one year we decided we wanted something DIFFERENT for Christmas Dinner...so we did RIBS...and it was a HUGE hit! So, maybe that would be an idea for Christmas Eve...barbecued Ribs. ;) Talk soon...12/22 is just two days away! I'll be announcing the winning bids on that date. Hugs friend...and THANKS again for participating in this LOVE AUCTION for Amelia.

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  32. A Hint of HomeDecember 20, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Everything looks wonderful around your house! Love you sled!
    The girls are adorable!
    Merry Christmas!

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  33. Happy To Be/ Gl♥riaDecember 21, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    CHRISTmas Blessings from my mountain top to your home…May it be the best one ever..Hugs and Love Gloria.

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  34. Wsprsweetly Of CottagesDecember 24, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Merry Christmas, Cindy! To you and your wonderful family, all the glad tidings the season has to offer!
    Hugs and love,
    Mona

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  35. ShellbelleDecember 25, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Oh Cindy, your grandgirls are ADORABLE! I didn't realize the other was born while I was away. What a sweet surprise on this special day!

    Merry Christmas Cindy, to you and yours!

    Hugs

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  36. Bargain Decorating with LaurieDecember 26, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    Oh, they are both soooo cute! Love your sled with the ice skates, and that is such a great photo of that barn - magazine worthy. laurie

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  37. The Quintessential MagpieDecember 30, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    There is one word for this post... precious! SO beautiful and such a gift from God!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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Welcome,
I would love to hear from you. Come back and visit anytime. Warmest Wishes, Cindy

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