New Year's Eve

Happy New Year (almost) to all my friends and family! I hope that 2007 brings you joy and happiness, good health and great wealth!

We are spending a rip-roaring New Year's Eve here in our home - eating popsicles. Woo Hoo!

I am feeling much better (thank you for all the kind emails) - but still not 100%. Quietness is still a good thing!

Nonetheless, we have much to be thankful for heading into 2007 - a roof over our heads, 2 adorable cats who think we are perfect and wonderful "parents," jobs, food in the house, 2 cars that run, great neighbors, wonderful family, and terrific friends.

Truly - we have nothing to complain about! So even though our "wealth" may not be the kind you count at the bank - we are truly wealthy and blessed!

And if you are reading this - we count you among those many blessings in our lives.

Happy New Year and God Bless You!

Cliff and Shelley

New ways to celebrate the holiday season!

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils in the mouth and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. Symptoms may include pain in the tonsil area and inability to swallow and/or painful swallowing.

What fun!

I just find new and different ways to celebrate the holiday season each year.

Last year it was pneumonia.

Happy New Year everybody!

First Annual Virtual Cookie exchange entry

This is a cookie that has been a family favorite for years.

My mom has made it ever since I can remember for Christmas.

This is THE cookie for Christmas in our family.

I hope you enjoy it!

And please have a Merry Christmas too!

Shelley

For more recipes in the First Annual Virtual cookie exchange, please find the links at: http://jennsjournal.clubmom.com/.

Magic Cookie Bars
This is THE EAGLE BRAND® best-loved classic - a favorite of kids and adults alike!

EAGLE BRAND® is the magic ingredient in this easy cookie bar recipe.
Servings: Makes 2 to 3 dozen bars

Serving Size: not available

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1 (14-ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (325°F for glass dish). In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter; mix well. Press crumb mixture firmly on bottom of 13X9-inch baking pan.
Pour EAGLE BRAND® evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with remaining ingredients; press down firmly with fork.
Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars or diamonds.

Store leftovers covered at room temperature.

Jenn's Virtual cookie exchange

A blog that I follow quite often is :http://jennsjournal.clubmom.com/jennsjournal/. Jenn has proposed a cookie exchange - via the internet. This truly eliminates all calories - unless you make the cookie recipes you receive.

I'm participating! If you want to participate - or get some new recipes........check back on December 11th to Jenn's blog for links to great webblogs all over the interenet.

COOKIES! Now, that's a good thing!

Security

In my life experiences, I've found that people search for security in a number of ways. Perhaps they place their security in money, in another person's affection, in their social standing, in the posssessions they have acquired, in their friendships, in their job, or in the gated community neighborhood where they live.

From my personal experience, I've found there is only one place in which to trust for true security. This song sums up what I've learned.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

When darkness seems to hide His face,

I rest on His unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood.

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

Lyrics by Edward Mote, published 1836.