Friday, December 26, 2025

Merry Christmas!


Good morning, Friends!
Well, by the time you'll be reading this...Christmas will have come and gone!  Our little family of 11 enjoyed the morning with French Toast Casserole, Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Casserole...and Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast.  Then there's the fudge, coffee, tea, cookies...and a nice big pot of Chicken and Dumplings for later this afternoon's meal.  William and girlfriend, Cailin, wasn't able to make it this week but hopefully, by New Years...Sam, Everett and Sloane and Lottie left around 11 to make the Christmas visits with other of their family members...Daughter Crystal and hubs, Tim, stayed until about 2 because she has to work today. It's a 2 1/2hr trip home.  Tylar and Sara and Sydney left with Tim and Crystal.
Larry and I then kicked back...and enjoyed that blessed feeling you get after an event you've been preparing for, for weeks...is done.
I do miss our parents though...but hopefully, they sat with us in spirit, as everyone enjoyed the morning fun.  They are never far away....


I love the old Charlie Chan mysteries.  I played several episodes while I finished up cleaning and cooking.


Our little Sydney had a fun time teasing Gampa!




Momma Sara and Sydney Jo...



Finally!  Three years old is the magic age for No More Tears with Santa!  She was discussing Santa's "list" and her name On It... Too cute.  She got a cookie.



L

Our three sweet great granbabies... Sydney, Sloane and Lottie, so tiny.


My French toast casserole ...it made a nice custard.


Yummy cinnamon rolls...





A few outside decorations...


We enjoyed our church group Christmas party last Saturday.  There were tons of food!  Food was everywhere...lol

Larry and the boys were waiting to get things moving!  Let's Eat!  lol


We went to Cracker Barrel one day earlier in the week...fish was good!  


I made some fudge...Extremely easy!  I used one package of milk chocolate chips and one can of frosting.  And since it was chocolate, I sprinkled a few salt flakes all over the top...oh my word good!


I made chicken and dumplings for the afternoon meal.


This brisket sandwich came from Terry Black's barbeque restaurant...really good.


Libby's still at it...fighting her bed before taking her nap...lol
Well friends, I guess I'll stop here.  I took tons of photos but for the sake of your eyes...lol...I'll end things here.  Needless to say, we all had a great day!  I hope you all, as well, had a beautiful and blessed day!
See you in the New Year!

37 comments:

MadSnapper n Beau said...

Good morning, I enjoyed your family merriment second hand to betting there. we had just the 3 of us so this was fun, those great grands are baby doll precious.. the food has me drooling like beau does when we eat...

Jennyff said...

It’s official, I am coming to you next Christmas. It all looks just wonderful and now I am starving after a yoghurt and banana for lunch. Enjoy the rest of the holidays.

Chatty Crone said...

I loved your Christmas Post. Your family is adorable, and I like that most of the family was there for breakfast. Your food was awesome, and those cinnamon rolls looked so good. Your three great granddaughters are awesome too. I did not know you could make fudge with icing. Loved your decorations and that last picture of Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Linda said...

Thank you for the many smiles. Wishing you a belated Merry Christmas, my friend.

The Happy Whisk said...

Lots of good eats, family and fun. Very cool. And those cinnamon rolls. My word. Looked great! ❤️

photowannabe said...

What a glorious Christmas with family and great meals.
The picture of the Great Grands underneath the tree is priceless.
Chicken and dumplings is making me drool. I haven't had GOOD chicken and dumplings in ages.
Doesn't it feel good to just "BE" after the excitement of the celebration?
Have a great day.
Sue

dori said...

What a happy Christmas with all your dears! And then, after the great feast, you "Oldies" a little it tired, but so happy having been in the middle of such sweet friends. Your photos look spledid! The Christmastree is glamurous! The little angels are more than sweet! Now I get hungry, beccause I saw your delicious meals !
Many greetings and a blessed time in the old year from Dori from the Bavarian Forest.

dori said...

Was für ein frohes Weihnachtsfest mit all euren Lieben! Und dann, nach dem großen Festmahl, wart ihr „Alten“ zwar etwas müde, aber so glücklich, inmitten so lieber Freunde gewesen zu sein. Eure Fotos sehen prächtig aus! Der Weihnachtsbaum ist wunderschön! Die kleinen Engel sind zuckersüß! Jetzt bekomme ich Hunger, weil ich eure leckeren Gerichte gesehen habe! Viele Grüße und ein gesegnetes neues Jahr von Dori aus dem Bayerischen Wald.

Ann said...

I'm going to be craving french toast casserole and cinnamon rolls now. All the food looks so good. Sounds like you had a really nice Christmas.

Anvilcloud said...

That was a proper Christmas Day. Now, if you would just pass over a cinnamon roll ,,,

Catherine said...

I love the picture of your three granddaughters so sweet. Your Christmas tree is beautiful! Like all your food again!
I like cinnamon rolls but when I did some it was a catastrophe!

Prims By The Water said...

From your pics looks like you had some festive fun with great food and family. Janice

Far Side of Fifty said...

Merry Christmas! Your Great Grandchildren are so cute!

Bill said...

What a beautiful and festive Christmas you had.

Pattie Tierney said...

I haven’t seen a Charlie Chan movie in ages, but I used to love them as a kid. I do enjoy the books, and I think I pretty much have all of them. I hope you had a lovely holiday and I wish you the very best for the new year.

acorn hollow said...

What a lovely Christmas you had. With those Littles who still believe in Santa how lucky you are! The food looks so good.
Happy New Year
Cathy

Sandra Cox said...

Sounds like a wonderful holiday. I'm so glad:) Thanks for the tip on fudge. I love easy and delish. Your pictures and memes are wonderful.
Hugs

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Merry Christmas to you, Donna! I love that first image of the cottage in the snow. My idyll! Your Christmas tree is so pretty, and those three grandbabies are darlings!!! It looks like you and your family had a wonderful Christmas; we did, too. Thank you for your visit, Donna; wishing you all good things in the coming New Year. :)

Warm hugs,

Denise

Polyester Princess said...

Thank you for sharing your family Christmas with us, Donna!
What a fabulous Christmas tree you've got, our Bess would be having a field day climbing it :-)
That photo of your three great granbabies in front of the tree is SO sweet!
Wishing you a Happy New Year and everything you can wish for in 2026! Hugs xxxx

Billie Jo said...

Hello! Merry and Blessed Christmas, my friend! I so enjoyed sharing it with you here. Your family is beautiful and your food looks delicious! Have a cozy week ahead.

Lowcarb team member said...

Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas-time as did I ... I was able to spend time with family and grandchildren ... it was great!
Love the sweet photograph of Sydney, Sloane and Lottie.
Sending good wishes for the coming New Year may it be a peaceful, happy and healthy one.

All the best Jan

Red Rose Alley said...

Donna, your fudge looks wonderful! It's the one thing I love at Christmas, and it seems no one makes it anymore. I had never thought of using frosting to the recipe. The chicken and dumplings look delicious. What a cute picture of the little ones. And your tree is really pretty. I always love to see the kids pics on Santa's lap. They are treasured photos for sure. You had a wonderful Christmas, and thanks for sharing it all with us. Oh, and I love that first picture with the charming house in the woods with snow and Santa on the rooftop. You have to do something with that. Did you create that yourself? It's beautiful!

~Sheri

Jeanette said...

Wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family, my friend!

Margaret D said...

Seems you had a wonderful happy Christmas Donna. Lovely photos of everything.
I understand how it's good to sit back after everyones gone or near gone after preparing what seems to be a long time before Christmas. We had all our family home this year expect for one granddaughter and her baby, our great grandchild, but shee came two days after.
Happy New Year - have a good one and may next year be a healthy and happy one...

Joyful in His Presence said...

I always leave your blog hungry, my friend. lol I'm so glad that you and your hubby had such a lovely family Christmas time. All of the food sounds (and looks) delicious. That fish at Cracker Barrel looks SO good...not to mention that fudge and chicken and dumplings that you made! xx Hope you have a blessed New Year.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I enjoyed catching up with you, Donna! You have such happiness with your wonderful family. What beautiful pictures you’ve shared. Poor little Sloane with her tooth infection, but what a champ she was.
Happy New Year to you and your family!

DeniseinVA said...

The more photos the merrier, always delighted with what you share of your sweet family and oh my goodness, that yummy food. Wishing you A Very Happy New Year to you, Larry and all your Loved Ones. May it be the most blessed ever!

Veronica Lee said...

What a lovely Christmas!
Your family looks so happy, and those great-grandbabies are just adorable.
That food looks amazing too!😋
Happy 2026!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

I'm glad you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. The food looks so delicious. I love your Christmas tree and decorations.
Wishing you a Happy New YEar!

Back2OurSmallCorner said...

Nothing like the awe of a three year old and the magic of seeing Santa. Hope you all had a great time together over Christmas and my best wishes for a peaceful, happy and healthy New Year.

Granny Marigold said...

It sounds like you had a great Christmas with your family. We prepare for weeks and weeks and then it's over. I love the picture of the three sweet babies under the tree 💗💗💗.
Happy New Year!!!

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Donna. It looks like you had a great Christmas! As usual, your great-grands are adorable, and your food looks delicious. I love your Christmas tree! Beautiful! I hope that 2026 is off to a good start for you!

Sandra Cox said...

Love that pic of the grandbabies. And you find the best memes.
Love,

diane b said...

Some nice looking food there

Shug said...

Yes, those in-between days are here and like you, I don't have as much to write about. The girls are all so precious and so cute sitting there in front of the tree. I will say, I don't usually eat breakfast, but after seeing the cinnamon rolls and all of the other fabulous dishes..my tummy is now angry. 2 hours is certainly a long time to wait for a breakfast meal especially.. glad you have this place marked as a NO for the future. Have a wonderful Thursday...

Jenny the Pirate said...

Such happy times, with your loved ones all around and so much good food! We had a wonderful and well-fed time too. I made lots of new things. God is good. Happy New Year! xoxo

Terra said...

I like these cozy scenes. I attended our yearly Christmas potluck for our Bible fellowship. 23 attended and I know that number because we each took a number before choosing a white elephant gift.