Friday, December 19, 2014

Here Comes Christmas!

Ready or not...Christmas is now less than a week away!  


It is now or never today as I finish up the wrapping and cards.   I've had lots of help with these 2 projects as my herd of kitties all have a need to be in the middle of whatever project I'm working on.  Tomorrow I have a little day trip in mind that I'll share in my next post.  I'm trying to get as much finished today as I can.  The first part of next week will be spent cleaning the house and cooking and just enjoying the season! 



It's a challenge to get some jobs done with too many sweet furkids around.  When my back is turned, I might find Callie on top of the refrigerator watching the rest of the herd kitties chasing each other around or playing with a scrap of ribbon on the floor.  She is usually a pretty good girl, as are the rest of the kitties....when they are sleeping! 




Did you know that a wadded up ball of aluminum foil makes an excellent toy for kitties to play with?   I needed something quick to keep the kitten occupied yesterday and he loved it.   If I'm working at the kitchen table, he will leap upon to my lap and then on the table!  He wants to be close by, so I just let him nap.  At least he wasn't getting into trouble!


I bought a new slim 6 foot tree             
to put in the kitchen and retired the trio of aspen trees with the colored lights.  I will use them somewhere else another year.  It was time for something new in the dining area.  It looks good, but the kitten loves trying to bat the ornaments out of it.  I see lots of aluminum foil balls in his future.  lol!

 

See the help I have today?  I have the paper out to
finish wrapping and the youngest furkid goes from the
table to the tree in search of some fun and games.
My Christmas joy is being tested as I write this because
I just took this photo a few minutes ago!  lol!  


I was looking through some old photos and saw Stormy when she was a kitten.  That was 5 years ago!  How can that be?  And it really boggled my mind when I realized it was 15 years ago yesterday that my son graduated from college.

Time is marching on, but if I could just slow it down a little the last week before Christmas, I would!! 

                     
I made my favorite sugar cookies yesterday.  They are
       so good that they don't need icing, only a sprinkle or two of
colored sugar crystals, and best of all, they are quick and easy!  
I got this recipe one year from the hostess of a Christmas
tour I went to.  I think she used almond flavoring in her cookies
but I prefer vanilla.

 Home Tour Sugar Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
Mix the butter and sugar together, then add the egg and vanilla.
  Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt.  
Roll into 1 inch balls and press down with a fork
or the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
Sprinkle with colored sugar.
Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet
 in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

I'm going to have one or two along with my cappuccino 
because I love them to keep my energy levels up 
while I'm wrapping those presents!  I hope it goes
better than my posting did.  Blogger just doesn't want to
cooperate today...my photos and writing just won't 
go where I want them.

And that is what's happening at my house!
Hope you are having fun, too, getting ready for
Christmas.  I'll be back sometime next week.


PS  Send sunshine our way, we haven't seen much

of it the last couple of weeks.

Happy Friday to you!
xo Cheryl

22 comments:

  1. It's all as easy as herding cats is a truism at your house! They are cute, though! Enjoy your days...

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  2. I imagine you have a kitty watching you wherever you go! Your cookies look scrumptious- that is what I will be doing all day Monday. I'd love to send sunshine your way, but I haven't seen it anywhere the last three days..:(

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  3. Cheryl, Wish I was having that sunset. I love it. Your elves are adorable. They like a brown paper bag too. So fun. Save me a red sugar cookie please. You know when I was young in grade school (stone age) one of the room mothers brought those kind of sprinkled sugar cookies to school. I had never had one before. I got a red one and it was the most wonderful taste in the world. I always think of Christmas when I see sugar cookies. Blessings to you and yours for a happy Christmas. xoxo,Susie

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  4. Love your little furkids...Glad they haven't totally destroyed your Christmas decorations. I saw a video of cats jumping in the Christmas trees and destroying everything... It was funny---but not so much so really!!!!

    Did you see my email? I sent back a comment you put on my blog post --which was written to someone else....Hope you got it so you can send it to her.

    Merry Christmas, Cheryl.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  5. Love your Christmas kitty pictures. Amazed that they tolerated the adorable hats. Minnie won't let me have a tree, The first time I tried, she brought the whole mess to the floor as she tried to climb it.
    So that is what the sun looks like. Interesting.

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  6. And a most happy Friday to you, too! Loved the kitty and cookie pics! Our Christmas is always simple and stress-free. A special time. Sending blessings your way.

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  7. Those kittens are adorable.
    That cookie recipe seems easy enough. Thanks for sharing.
    Have a fun and safe weekend.

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  8. Hi Cheryl.... Your help appears to be very content! They are just precious!! Hope your day tomorrow goes well and I look forward to your reveal.. Blessings..

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  9. Have fun getting ready for Christmas. I have a little food to prepare and then I wait for everyone to show up. It all happens on Sunday the 21st at my house.

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  10. Our kitty always wants to be in the middle of gift wrapping too! Cats are so funny!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours, Cheryl!

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  11. Our Annie takes it all very seriously. She lies down on the paper to keep it flat while I cut and then she bats the ribbon to me which flies off the table and rolls across the floor. The tissue paper is lots of fun and apparently very easy to chew on. Yes, big help she is. Looks like you have a very good-looking team of helpers this year.

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  12. Hi Cheryl, I could send you some snow if you haven't got any. Of course the way it is at the moment the roads are clear and snow only only grass and trees. Could be on your sidewalk and etc, but my driveway and steps were cleaned for me yesterday. We haven't seen much sunshine. I took the easy way out this Christmas with getting my grandsons gift cards. They can do their own shopping, All the kids will be here from the 27th when our oldest gets home from Louisiana. You have great helpers. Hugs and Prayers from your NW Missouri Friend Shirley

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  13. Oh this is such a sweet post. I love those kitties of yours. They are just adorable. I love playful kitties. Regretfully, I am allergic to them. We had a cattery once and had some beautiful ones; I miss having them around. Thanks for the cookie recipe; it looks like a good one.
    Blessings for sharing this fun one. I really loved all the photos.

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  14. Love that last photo . . .
    And the simple red and green sugar cookies . . .
    Happy Time to the finish line . . .

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  15. Being the momma to a couple of kitties I can relate to everything you're experiencing. The slim tree is very pretty. Hearing how prepared you are for the holiday is inspiring me to get my rear in gear and do the same. Have a lovely weekend.

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  16. You have some busy kitties! So cute. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Blessings. Pam

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  17. I totally understand trying to do any project with "kitty" help...Simon is always in the middle of anything I am doing. I have to ask...are those caps photoshopped on their heads and if not I can't believe that will wear them. Simon will have no part of anything added to his body....The sugar cookies look delicious. Merry Christmas....

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  18. That kitten is just too cute! Merry Christmas! :)

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  19. I am a cat lover, too and have six rescues. Your photos are precious and that kitten's eyes are so full of mischief!!! Sweet. Those cookies would be delicious with my hot peppermint tea this afternoon!!! That last photo of the sky is gorgeous. Merry Christmas to you. xoxo MIldred

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  20. Hi Cheryl!

    Your kittens are adorable! I love cats because they love us - always wanting to be where we are! I have last minute things to do tomorrow, like wrapping and making sure I have not left someone out... ;0) I love sugar cookies, they just remind me of Christmas, and the red and green sugar is so pretty!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  21. Hi Cheryl,
    I have just found your blog & love it. Your little kittens are just perfect & your youngest one is so like our little 6 month old Tabby called George. All your photo's made me smile & I thought how similar our kitten is with being right were you are & loving the Christmas decorations a little to much.
    Have a wonderful Christmas.
    Fondly Michelle

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  22. Afternoon Cheryl, loved the post, all the birds and animals melt my heart. Such beautiful scenery, you really take great pictures. Happy New Year, Blessings Francine.

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