22 More Days Until Christmas...

I'd really like to hear how everyone is doing with their Christmas preparations.

I have finished all of my gift shopping except my nephew (which will be a fast food gift certificate...he's always on the go) and my family (my kids, dh).

I still need to buy another Christmas tree, and find the rest of my decorations, so I can decorate. I also need to buy balls/lights for my trifle bowl:)

I am also needing to make candy, cookies, cocoa mix and snack mixes. We didn't get to the cherries yesterday.

Anyone else still preparing? Anyone done?

Busy Busy Day Today...

We found out 2 days ago that as a result of Jacob winning the top award last month, he gets to ride on the High School Dream Team's float in our parade. He also gets to go to a special party at the end of the year:) The high school mascot came to visit him at school yesterday to give him a special t-shirt to wear on the float today:)

So, we have to have him at the local Pizzeria this afternoon, where they are going to feed him lunch and then put finishing touches on the float before the parade.

When we get home we are going to make Chocolate Covered Cherries for Christmas Gifts.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Recipe By :Cherylann
Serving Size : 180
Categories : Candy Christmas

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
180 maraschino cherries with stems
6 cups confectioner's sugar
9 tablespoons unsalted butter -- softened
9 tablespoons light corn syrup
3/4 teaspoon salt
36 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
6 tablespoons shortening

Pat cherries dry with paper towels; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, combine the sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt; mix well. Knead until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Roll into 1/2" balls; flatten each into a 2" circle. Wrap each circle around a cherry and lightly roll in hands. Place cherries with stems up on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover cherries loosely and refrigerate for 1 hour.

In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Holding on to the stem, dip each cherry into chocolate; set on waxed paper. Refrigerate until hardened. Store in a covered container. Refrigerate 1-2 weeks before serving.

Yield: "15 dozen"

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 54 Calories; 3g Fat (41.4% calories from fat); trace Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 2mg Cholesterol; 11mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

100th Post Giveaway...

Is now officially closed. I have all the registries saved for my dd to draw on December 7th! Don't forget to stop by here and see who won:)

Have a blessed day~Cherylann

26 Days until Christmas

I have been sending out my cards for my groups (yahoo) and have finished the ones for church. I need to do the ones for kids' school.

I have bought some of kids' Christmas, but other than that, still have all the shopping to do that I did when I last posted. My mom, dad, stepmom, aunt, mil, fil & gmil will all be taken care of by one order to Pampered Chef. My nephew & dh's 2 cousins will get fast food gift cards. Then there's just the kids & dh to finish.

I also need to buy a new Christmas tree, find the rest of my decorations and decorate...I am behind schedule on this one:)

I also need to do some baking.

What is everyone else doing?

REMINDER....Contest

Don't forget to sign up for the 100th blog giveaway, if you haven't already. Deadline is tonight at midnight!!!

Here's the link: http://lovinghomeof4babies.blogspot.com/search/label/100th

Happy Thanksgiving

I may not post again until this weekend, so if not, Happy Thanksgiving!~Cherylann

Update on Jacob's award...

Well, you know I told y'all about Jacob's award ceremony today.

4 kids from each class got an award (16 for each grade) for doing well in a subject area (reading, math, etc).

Then a few kids from each grade got a spirit award for specials (pe, art, spanish, music, media, etc).

Well, MY BABY got the final (3rd) award...."The Paw Pride Award" which was for overall achievement in all subjects, specials and citizenship!!! He was the only Kindergartener to receive it!

He was kind of confused at first, because they did all the K subject awards, then said and the last one is...then moved on to 1st grade, etc. He didn't realize he was being award at the very end...by himself!