Home of Fish Lines, by Lila Fish

DECEMBER 19, 2005
  Have I said I love this time of the year? There is just a dusting of snow outside and so-o- beautiful.   We put up an 8 foot live tree and I think it is gorgeous! (Fortunately, Molly doesn't seem to like fresh greens!)   Katie came in from Salt Lake City for some training with her new job, and Sarah, David and Rob were able to join us for dinner on Friday.
   I had baked 12 dozen cookies for an exchange at Red Hats, and Shirley took them to Club for me on Saturday morning as Katie spent the night with us.   Linc, Katie and I met Sarah at Bob Evans for breakfast.  Since Sarah and Katie wanted to shop, Linc and I did some shopping as well, and Sarah took Katie to the airport for her trip home.  
   Anyway, I now have 12 dozen 'other peoples' cookies to serve on Christmas Eve when we really will have a wonderful houseful, including Carrie's family, for a gift exchange (we drew names) and supper.  
  Carol is coming in on either Thursday or Friday as we are giving a Brunch for my two pregnant granddaughters early on Christmas Eve day.  Bert will follow and get here in time for our festive Christmas Eve celebrations.
   Linc and I just got in from a trip to Oglebay, West Va.  We left yesterday afternoon, had dinner at the Wilson Lodge and took a trolley to view the lights.  It was fun.  In between, we drove around and visited the shops at the park.  We spent the night at the Lodge and this morning we had breakfast overlooking some magnificent scenery, and then I bought a few Christmas-y  items at the  Lodge. (For Me!!)
  I have begun to take pictures of my decorations, in hopes that I will get a picture  that is suitable for next years'  Christmas Cards.  I think I need to borrow Rob's Tripod!

DECEMBER 8, 2005
  It's been an eventful past few days.  On Monday I baked cookies for my exchange with Sarah and Carrie.  Then yesterday they came over and baked cookies also.  At the end, Carrie divided them all up between the three of us, and guess what we had for dessert last night at Family Night which was also here!!  It was a wonderful, fun filled day, and we all enjoyed our dinner as well.
 On Tuesday we went out and about with the Seniors from Groveport, and had a lovely luncheon at the Newport Syndicate Restaurant in Newport, Kentucky. Unfortunately, they had some kind of Kitchen problems, and so by the time we had eaten our lunch and had seen the great Christmas show, it was too late to even get out of the bus when we reached Bern's Garden Center.  The staff there met the bus and we were each given a lovely Poinsettia plant to take home.  From there we went on to see the lights at our next stop - Clifton Mill.  Clifton Mill is billed as one of the top 5 holiday attractions in the country, and it truly was a sight to see - over 3 million lights which all came on at once!  There was plenty to ooh and aah about!  Then it was off to dinner at a Cracker Barrel, and we arrived home, in the freshly fallen snow at around 10:30.
 Today Shirley came over with photos of her cute dog, Maggie.  It took some time to find just the right one, which I then scanned in so  that I could design and then print  some Christmas cards for her to take home.
 In all, it's been a busy time for me.  Carrie's baby blanket is nearly finished, the house is decorated (except for the tree), our Christmas Cards have been mailed and about 3/4 of our gifts have been wrapped!  Did I happen to mention that I love this time of the year?  

DECEMBER 3, 2005
 Today was the day of the Terducken!! And what a Terducken it was!  It arrived in a fully frozen state 2 days ago, and at first we thought we could defrost it in the refrigerator, but as the time to cook it grew nearer, and it was still as hard as a rock, we resorted to the cold-water-in-a-tub method.  (Bless Linc, who did most of the turning and water changing!)  Now whether we didn't defrost it entirely, or whatever the reason, it took considerably longer to cook than the directions indicated.  The directions said 4-1 /2 hours at 325, but at the end of that time it was not done. So we bumped up the oven temperature and an hour later declared it fit to eat. This particular Terducken was stuffed with Jumbalya and surprisingly, was not too 'hot' at all. In fact, it was quite good and also moist, as pronounced by everyone, and all 21 pounds of it were nearly devoured.  
 We made gravy, cooked Tater Tots, green beans, and corn.  I also had rolls, an orange Jello salad and made a Hummingbird Cake for dessert, in honor of AJ's 21st birthday. (AJ is one of David's room-mates, whom we had met several times before.)  Anyway, judging by the fact that the food all disappeared, I'd say it was a successful dinner!   All this a 'labor of love', for David, our youngest grandchild.  It was his party, after all!  And he came over early in the day to help his grandfather and me get everything ready.
 Our Christmas decorations are complete, except for the tree which will probably not be purchased for another week.  The arrangements with fresh greenery are done, the Santas and Snowmen are in their places, as are two small artificial trees.   Most of our Christmas shopping is done, so I have only to wrap the gifts and finish mailing the Christmas Cards.  I do love this time of the year, and love to ride around, looking at everyone's Christmas Decorations! Linc does not like to put up lights, but that's o.k.  He put a spotlight on our front porch which is very much decorated with  a pair of Carolers, the Goose in all her Christmas Finery and a wreath on the front door.  So I am full of the Christmas spirit and plan to enjoy every minute of the Holiday Season!

2006 - To January
2005 - To December
2005 - To November
2005 - To October
2005 - To September
2005 - To August
2005 - To July
2005 - To June
2004 - To April
2004 - To March
2004 - To February
2004 - To January
2003 - To December
2003 - To November
2003 - To October