It's Finished.....The Nutcracker Wallhanging for Hubby

I finally finished my last project & made it in time for Christmas gift giving. It's a nutcracker wall hanging & it's a big surprise. I've been working on it every chance I get. I still have to make cookies & do some present wrapping, but I feel I get the rest done without having to go sleepless. I'll let you know how he likes it.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with family & friends.

Blessings~Becky

More Christmas Decorating

The countdown begins...only 3 days before Christmas and I have so much to do yet. It's my own fault for not doing a little each day. I have presents to wrap, cookies to bake, and a gift to finish. At least my shopping is done!! The kids are out on Christmas break so they will be lending a helping hand. We will do a lot of our cookie baking tomorrow. We have a few kinds made, but still need to make a couple more kinds. I have really enjoyed seeing all the wonderful pics of everyone's Christmas decorating. I thought I would share a few more of mine. These are pics of my family room. Santa came from my swap partner Beth..

A close up of Santa. The snowball candle in the basket is also from Beth (it was my smell good item).

The little white pail also came from Beth~it has a grubby candle (doesn't show in the pic but I love it!!)  Also pictured is a little mouse in Santa's boot and a little framed quilt that I made from scraps from a bigger quilt project.

Some of my hubby's nutcrackers. He has about 30 of them scattered around the house.

It is my favorite time of the night. The house is quiet~everyone is in bed but me. I will work on my hubby's present for awhile before calling it a night.

Make sure in all the hustle & bustle to take a little time for yourself~if only a minute or two.

Have a good evening~Becky

Favorite Christmas Cookie

Good Morning~

   I thought I would share with you my family's favorite cookie recipe. It has been a favorite for about the past 5 years. The recipe came from my aunt (not sure where she found it~maybe on a peanut butter cup bag).


Peanut Butter Temptations

1/2 cup butter                             1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter     1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup suger                  3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup brown sugar        1/2 tsp.salt
1 egg                               2 bags mini peanut butter cups

Combine all ingredients except peanut butter cups & mix well. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees .Lightly spray your mini tart pan with cooking spray. Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon dough into each of your mini tart pans.

Form your dough up the sides of your pan like you would be making a pie crust~leave the center empty (this is where the peanut butter cup will go).

Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. Make sure they don't brown too much.

Take out of the oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes. To remove from pan, lightly twist the cookies before removing. Put on cooling rack and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup in the center of each cookie.

Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy the recipe! Have a great day! 

Hugs~Becky

Snow, Snow, and more snow..... and more Christmas decorating

The weatherman said we were in for a big snowfall, but this was a little much for me. Love the snow, but not when I have to be at work at 6 a.m. and the plows cannot keep up. The boys had a snow day & I should have took one too, but crazy lady that I am, I ventured out to work. We ended up with 13 inches of heavy wet snow. The good thing was that is was too heavy to blow around much (we had high winds too), the bad thing was it was very heavy to shovel & the snow blower didn't want to throw it.My little guy Stephen trying to dig out our steps.

Cody trying to help out before Dad got home.

I thought I would post some pics of our dining room now that I am really in the mood for Christmas. The pics aren't the greatest~too bright or blurry, but I hope you enjoy them despite my terrible picture taking ability.

The gift tag, star, and little tin candle pan are all from my swap with Beth.

This is the cabinet that is the early Christmas present from my hubby. Don't you just love it? I told him he could have half of the space inside~he better hurry cuz I have it half full of craft projects already.

The wreath I made using a pattern by Sandy of the Olde Country Cupboard (love her patterns)!!

Top of my cabinet.

Bench by the stairs~guess I should put some greenery on top of the dog's tennis balls.

I made these stockings about 5 years ago. I need to make one more, but haven't decided what to put on the front of the 4th one.

I made the snowman picture. I used an old cabinet front for the frame.

After seeing the tutorial today from Kris at Simply Prim, I will be replacing this bowl of fake greens with real ones. To see her fresh greenery arrangement tutorial go see her at http://simplyprim.blogspot.com/ .

I hope you enjoyed my dining room tour. Have a wonderful day! I'm off to work on Hubby's Christmas quilt and do some Christmas baking to warm up the house.

Warm winter wishes~Becky