Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Wolfe Family Christmas 2011

Every year we look forward to our Wolfe family Christmas gathering. During this past year, we had several new additions to the family.

Our newest addition, Ella Mae
Our second youngest addition, Elias, with auntie Laura
Elias with mommy, Selah and uncle Ryan
Sumin and Kathleen
Great grandpa enjoying Ella and Wiley unwrapping a chocolate
Ivan keeping his first-cousins-once-removed, entertained while unwrapping a chocolate
Gathering for appetizers
Kevin and auntie Cheryl
Cousins Clark, Laura, Betsy and Vinny
Grandma Dorothy and Christy
Vinny, Matt, Greg and Holly
David and Kelsey
Wiley getting to know his second cousin
Sweet baby
Wiley
Wiley and Ivan flashed several chocolatey smiles throughout the evening
Cheryl and Dorothy
Misty
Cousins Vinny and Christy
Lori, our hostess for the evening
Dear hubby
Gary
Lexi working the floor
Great grandma visiting with Ella
Vinny and Christy
Jeff and Holly
Misty and Cheryl - daughter and mom
Betsy checking out a new outfit for Ella
Natalie, Wiley, Grant, Davis, CJ, Madi, Larry, Gary
Lexi waiting for falling food
Jeff, Holly and Dorothy
Lori and Jeff taking a breather
Larry cleaning up
Lexi is a very patient girl

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas




Have a very 

Merry Christmas

with the ones you love!


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Split Pea Soup with Garlic Croutons

As the holidays are upon us with parties and gatherings, I find it harder to be in control of my diet. I decided that my best choice is to make sure our meals at home are healthy, low fat and lower calories. Also keeping plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits available helps. It leaves a little more wiggle room when we are eating away from home.

So, we will be eating a lot of soup, mostly bean soups with a little meat. It needs to be hearty so dear hubby doesn't miss that meat! Here is a recipe I developed today that turned out really good. Dear hubby loved it and so did I. We will enjoy it for a couple of nights this week. 

                               

Split Pea Soup

       

Split pea, Soup, Smoked Ham Shank,

       

        See Split Pea Soup on Key Ingredient.    

   


Enjoy!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Our Family Baking Day

Baking is so much more fun when you do it with somebody. Especially special somebodies, like sisters and nieces at Christmas. We all met at my sister Lori's house to bake this past weekend. The week before, she suggested we send her the recipes we wanted to make and she would have all of the ingredients available for us. How great is that! This will give you a peak at what it's like to bake at Lori's house.


This basket and table had all the baking necessities

A closer look

This table had utensils, cookie cutters, flavorings and decorating items

Bowls and measuring cups and spoons

Baking pans, parchment paper and other wrapping material




Our niece Misty
 Our sister Lori

Our sister Kathleen
Oatmeal Scotchies

Peanut Butter Bars

Italian Anise Cookies with Icing
Coal for the naughty kids

I didn't get pictures of everything. We also made peanut butter balls, rice crispy treats, sugar cookies. We almost had peanut brittle, but there was a little problem with the cook time which produced smoke coming out of the microwave and resulted in the "coal" you see above. I'm sure I'm forgetting a couple of things that were made. It was all fun! Especially the time spent with family! I love them all! 

Thanks Lori, for everything! Especially the memories!

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Peanut Butter Balls


   
   

Peanut Butter, Chocolate,


   
   


        See Peanut Butter Balls on Key Ingredient.
   


   


Here is the link for the Italian Anise Cookies with Icing and Sprinkles.

Here is the link for Granny's Sugar Cookies.

Enjoy!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

All Warm and Cozy


I know at least two squirrels that aren't going to be cold this winter! They have been busy stashing food in the ground, flower pots and trees. They have also been very busy making there nest very comfy.



The new squirrel nest is overflowing with cotton



And so are the trees

I think the squirrels raided one of our neighbors pillow stash. It has been very entertaining to watch them travel through the neighborhood trees and fences as they are rushing to their nest with cotton in their mouths. It would be very interesting to know where they found all of this batting. I predict lots of new squirrels by spring!


Happy Birthday to my brother Gary! 
Have a very special day!
I love you!