A NOTE TO MY DEAR READERS...

No fancy pictures, or colorful font...just some plain talk today!

Today is my last post here at StoneGable.

CHILDREN TELl THE CHRISTMAS STORY~ SUNDAY SCRIPTURE

The Christmas Story...Told By God


At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decred that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was now obviously pregnant.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

UNLEASH THE POWER... OF THE SLOW COOKER!

The holiday's can be a very stressful and busy time for many of us! So much to think about and do! Presents to buy, halls to deck, cards to get out... events to attend, carols to sing! Our lives can get so crazy it leaves us pondering, "I know the real meaning of Christmas is in all of this somewhere but I am too exhausted to look for it"!

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY

Let's have a dinner party! Are you jumping up and down.... excited and ready to start planning? Or are you filled with anxiety and stress... thinking about all the work involved? 

Most of us love to go to a dinner party... and love the idea of a dinner party... but many of us don't love hosting  them. 

Let's see if we can change all that!  This post is all about making dinner parties enjoyable and easy...  for the hostess... from planning to clean up!

 I'm setting a table for a dinner party and sharing lots of tips with you. And I have lots and lots of tips!!!!!  Hope some are helpful to you as you plan your next Great Dinner Party!

STONEGABLE'S FARMHOUSE KITCHEN REVEAL

Warning: This is a long post! Grab a drink and settle in...  

You have been VERY VERY patient and kindly persistent!

Last week I posted a Thanksgiving buffet on the kitchen island and had so many comments about getting a "peek" at the new kitchen.  I knew I could not keep my dear readers waiting any longer.

ON THE MENU MONDAY~ WEEK OF DECEMBER 5, 2011

StoneGable is slowly being dressed in Christmas finery! I love the process of decorating for Christmas as much as the final product. 

I don't have many snowmen, santas (except the little wooden triangle Santa my son made in nursery school many years ago) or ready-made decorations anymore.

Over the last few years I have let go of many Christmas decorations and have been collecting "elements". Sticks, picks, greens, pinecones, snowflakes, etc. Each year I round up the every Christmas box and create. I think I love the creative process the best. Picking a theme, shopping the Christmas area of my basement and  getting a few new new things as well. Working on new and fresh ideas for Christmas is so exhilarating. We have many many Christmas tradition that remain the same from year to year, but the decking-the-halls the same is not one!