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Christmas 2009

I know I’m late posting these, but this past holiday season was a little rough for us.  I really feel like we’re starting to come out our fog now and life is starting to return to what I guess could be called “normal”.  LOL  I always have to laugh when I hear the term “normal”.  What is “normal” anyway?  I heard it described once like this: “Normal” is a setting on a washing machine.   I really have to agree with this.   Anyway, back to the topic at hand.  🙂
My parents came and stayed the night with us on Christmas Eve so that they could be here when the kids got up in the morning to open their presents.  They love being here and we love having them.  We made sure to take the time to read the Christmas story, too.  We want to make sure that we take the time to focus on the real reason for the CHRISTmas season and not just on the materialistic part that has become so all-consuming for most people today. 
So, without further ado, here are a few pics of our Christmas morning.
Yes, we have a fence around our tree.  Brian originally built this in 2002, Michael’s first Christmas, to keep him out of the tree.  But, we loved it so much that we’ve kept it and use it every year.  Now, it serves to keep the presents ‘in’. 
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After Santa came but before the kids got up:

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After they got up at about 4 a.m.  LOL
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My mom and dad:
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Melia:
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Katie:
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Michael:
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Here they are opening up their afghans.
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If you didn’t see my post about their round ripples that I made them for Christmas, you can find it here and see a pic of them as well.

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Snow Day On Our Farm (01/29/10) !

 

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We’re actually getting snow!  And not just a dry snow, but the good wet snowball fight, snowman building snow!  It started snowing a little before 2 p.m. yesterday  afternoon.  By 5 p.m., we had almost 2 inches!  

The top pic is actually looking out over our neighbor’s pasture that borders our property.  It’s always so pretty!

Here are a few pics of our property as well as a few of the kids, including the ones with fur and the ones with feathers!  LOL

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This pic is looking down our driveway toward the road:

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I think they’re afraid of getting wet.  They’re all huddled up next to the back door.

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Cheddar Bay Biscuits

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If you’ve ever ate at Red Lobster, you’ve probably fallen in love with their Cheddar Bay Biscuits.  If you’ve never ate there and gotten a chance to try these savory biscuits, you’re missing out! 
Well, I’ve finally gotten a recipe that tastes JUST like them!  These soft, garlic-flavored,  flaky biscuits will become a favorite of yours, and your family will request them any time you have pasta or clam chowder.  I know mine do! 

Cheddar Bay Biscuits  (makes 12-14 biscuits)

2-1/2 cups baking mix
3/4 cup cold milk
4 Tbs. cold butter
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  1. Preheat oven to 400*.
  2. Combine baking mix with butter in a medium bowl using a pastry cutter.  Add cheese & garlic powder, mixing well. 
  3. Add milk & mix until combined. (May need to add another small splash of milk.)  Do not over  mix.
  4. Drop by 1/4-cup portions onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet.  Bake for 15 – 17 minutes or until tops are a light brown (any darker & they start getting hard). 
  5. While biscuits are baking, place 4 Tbs butter (melted), 1/4 tsp parsley flakes, & 1/2 tsp.  garlic powder in a small pot on stove.  Warm over medium-low heat and continue to heat until biscuits are done.  Brush over top of hot biscuits.  Serve warm.   (*I ran out of parsley flakes so this batch does not have them on the tops.*)
*The best way to drop them by 1/4-cup portions is to use either the large scoop from Pampered Chef (which is what I used) or use an ice cream scoop.
**This recipe calls for a baking mix (i.e. Bisquick).  I make my own.  It’s very easy to do and works just as well.  I’ll be sharing that recipe with you in the next few days.**

This post is linked to:

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Ultimate Recipe Swap
Friday Feasts
Foodie Friday