Phoebe thanks you! LOL

The mantle is beautiful! I love the elegant simplicity of the decorations! :thumbup:

Nessie, Thanks for sharing Phoebe's photos, I am sure her modeling agent doesn't know that they are out there for free. The shirts are super cute.

I have a really bad sweet tooth too, those cookies are calling. I think I will have to make my way to the hole with some goodies to share so I don't eat them all.

Sorry for some not having their packages yet but that just means less time that you can be tempted. But do let Terri know for sure.

Hint for today: You have some of the coldest winters in your state. Bundle up the storms are coming from the west coast.

I swear they were circling like buzzards over my carcass for over an hour. Kind of made me nervous, who were they after and were they chasing them to my house? It is ok! I have a security system made by GLOCK,LOL!

My SSperson has not posted that she has received her package yet!Wahhhhhhhh! So to cheer myself up, I went shopping and bought the softest, snuggliest, cutest pair of pajamas ever to wear on opening day! I figure that on opening day that I will have dark hot chocolate laced with Peppermint Schnapps and wear my comfy PJ while I wait for everyone to join in. I am always an early bird. LOL!

Phoebe looks like she is ready for santa

There is a priority mail box on my dresser from my SS that keeps making these naughty suggestions about opening it early.....I Can Resist. (sorry Captain Kirk moment, lol.) it just keeps taunting me, so I get on the board to find moral support, and what do I find? Actual photos of the yummiest looking cookies. Now I want a cookie. I will be in the hole in my backyard trying to be good. Those of you not currently in the hole in someone's backyard are welcome to join me, but if the dog falls in on you, you're on your own. Cocktails will be served about six. Lol!

As promised, here is my recipe for Pecan Tassies. It's from my 1966 copy of Better Homes and Gardens "Cookies and Candies".

Pecan Tassies

1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1 egg
¾ cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
Dash salt
2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans

For pastry, blend together cream cheese and butter. Stir in flour. Chill at least one hour. Cut into 24 equal pieces and roll each into a ball. Place in ungreased mini muffin pans. Press dough evenly against bottom and up sides.

For filling, beat together egg, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt. Sprinkle a few pecans into each pastry shell (you should used approx. half the pecans). Spoon filling mixture into each cup. Sprinkle each cup with the remaining pecans.

Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until filling is set. Cool before removing from pans.

Tips: I always double the recipe, and it does fine. When pushing the pastry into the tins, be sure there are no gaps or too-thin spots as the filling can leak out when baking. I use light-colored mini muffin pans, so I place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven. I cool the pastries slightly and remove from pan while still warm. If the bottom is browned, the tassie goes onto a cooling rack. If not, it goes onto a dark colored cookie sheet with any other too-light ones. I lay a piece of foil over all and return the sheet to the oven for approx. 5 minutes or until the bottom is lightly browned. Immediately remove from the baking sheet and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Enjoy!

Thank you for the recipe!!!!! I will have to try to make them, they just look too yummy!

Neesie, Phoebe is absolutely adorable in her winter finery! The one with the colorful paw prints is my favorite. Sure looks like one pampered pup to me!

It came! It came! And it is packed in a beautiful photo storage box, so I get to look at one of my presents while I wait. Thank you Secrert Santa!

I made my Tassies (1st recipe) & they are SCRUMTIOUS! Now i'll have to make another batch with the 2nd recipe. Thank you so much for sharing.

Can I have some Hot Chocolate with Schnapps I love Schnapps warms the tummy!! DH should be out of the house on a Christmas sing at our local senior center when we open. I would tell you I received your package, but mine didn't come from Florida!

If my SS doesn't see me online at the chat on the 8th, it's because it's the same date as a Christmas concert for which I have tickets. Upon arriving home, I do intend to go on the chat and read all about the party. I will be in touch with you, dear SS…….after my private opening.

Mine hasn't arrived either, but I had an email from Terri to say it would be late. I can empathise with your feelings as December swaps are not too lucky for me either, lol. Last December I didn't get either of two parcels I was expecting, although after a lot of pressure from the hostess one turned up in February (wasn't worth the wait, I can tell you!).

However, I know that mine has arrived safely, as the recipient posted on the thread and in in spirit of Christmas, disappointing as it is, try and take a philosophical stance. I think it's good to remember the adage, 'It's better to give than receive'. We don't know what goes on behind closed doors or what trials our swap partners may be enduring.

Hopefully we'll all get our parcels, on time, with all the things we'd choose for ourselves. If, not, take comfort from the thought of the pleasure your partner will get when she opens hers.

Good Morning Santas! Whew! Busy day yesterday! Got the house all spruced up for Thanksgiving & got some of the early stuff out of the way. Baked 4 dozen Chocolate chip cookies & the pumpkin pie. Got the eggs hard boiled too. DH would have been home yesterday, but his rig broke down in Monroe, LA. Blew a fuel sensor & had to be towed to a dealer there for repair. They say it'll be 10 days before it's ready. Company bought him a bus ticket home, so he's on the Greyhound as I type getting back here for the holiday. He should be here at home around noon today. Then when the truck is done he'll have to take the bus back to get it. Great! I get to have him around for a week! I wonder what that'll do for Christmas time off though with all this down time. I hope he can come home for Christmas. That's the only holiday we've ever cared about being home for. When I was driving too we planned to be in Florida for Thanksgiving & we'd go to Disneyworld for the day & let Mickey & Minnie do the cooking & clean up. We always had a lot of fun that day! Parks weren't too crowded either.

Hint of the day: When I was driving my big rig, I've driven within 2 miles of your house!

Well, I knew I'd forget something when I posted my recipe! If you're going to make these, please add a note to the "Tips" section:

After forming the pastry in the mini muffin tins, put the tins in the refrigerator while you make the filling. (When I double the recipe, after dividing the filling evenly between all four muffin tins, I put two tins into the oven to bake and the remaining two back into the refrigerator until they can go into the oven.)

Oh course, I will share my Shnapps! We will be warm and cozy and ready for opening day, inside and out!

My clue for the day: My ss person hasn't posted since the 13th of November! She must be a hard worker! I know I am, have been working on thermal casserole carriers and large artsy ,fartsy, hot pads,since 3am! Furbaby just had to go and would not let me sleep,LOL!

Knitette, I'm so sorry to hear this! You've had such fun putting your package together for your Santee, and we've had such fun playing along and trying to guess what's going into the box -- well, it just isn't fair is all. :(

Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that you'll love everything in your package once it does arrive... and even holding out hope for a Christmas miracle that it somehow reaches you by Opening Day.

Today I am busy getting ready for tomorrow. I made two of my chocolate pies yesterday and about to put two pumpkin pies in the oven. My dining room table is set just need to get the crystal on the table and in place. My sweet husband is out in the rain changing a flat tire on the vehicle. Luckily in my part of NY we only are getting rain and it's not freezing. Hopefully we wont' get ice or snow!!

I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving...we have much to be thankful for. And a special shout out to my SS and to the one I sent to. You both know who you are...oh yea..maybe you don't! In time you will. :D

I'm 99% sure this isn't me. . . unless you were delivering to a cotton or corn field. :D

Well said, Knitette. A happy, safe Thanksgiving and "Swap Day" wish to you all.

Just finishing up my tea, before getting started on the house. Since downsizing several years ago, there isn't much house, so it'll be a 'quick fix' to have it ready for tomorrow. Still have go to the grocery store, which I'm dreading!!!

The birds will have a bit of a feast, today. A few hours ago, I put out a dish of dried mealworms (first time serving this). Most of them seem to be a bit wary of the new (dish) feeder. Uh, I mean the birds are wary, not the worms. Needless to say, the worms no longer care. Personally, I just don't see the attraction of those worms . . . they look like they're mostly just worm husks, to me. Guess time will tell. BTW, they are NOT chocolate coated, just in case any of you are thinking of asking for a sample. ;)

As Knitette said, we never know anothers struggles. We can only pray or send positive energy into the universe for all our struggling sisters and brothers. It IS much more fun, though, when we know that we are ALL able to participate in the anticipation of and excitement of opening day. Every day, I visit my package and give it a loving pat. It doesn't matter what's in it...I know I'll love it. A sewing friend gave thought and loving energy to the planning, gathering, packing and sending of it. That's magical, in my thinking. And it's doubly magical for me this year to open it on my birthday. 11 days to go!

My family and I have been invited to spend Thanksgiving with by best friend Susan. So that means.....I don't have to cook!! :) It's a nice break for me since I have to cook for my family every day. I will however make a few appetizers and one dessert to bring to the festivities because I certainly don't want to go empty handed. It will be fun, especially since her son happens to be my son's best friend. We were neighbors for 8 years and our boys grew up together and consider eachother brothers. In fact, Susan considers me to be her son's "second" mom. I've sat him down on several occasions and had "talks" with him, just like I do with my own son. So, all is good.

I probably won't get on here tomorrow, so to all you lovely ladies (and gents?) out there....I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe and don't overeat..lol

Last night my packaged jumped off the table and landed with a large thump. There was no noise coming from it....do I need to open and resuscitate it? Oh what to do??? It must of been very frightened by the kitties that finally decided they needed to investigate it more closely. Maybe I should just join you in the hole for hot chocolate with schnapps.

SS I know you are not home right now. Have safe travels.

Just getting ready to go to my daughters for a day of cooking prep for tomorrow....First time she's hosting Thanksgiving !! DSILs folks are here from Louisiana.... We are having a Turducken as the main course....i'm roasting a turkey as we speak to take along tomorrow to reheat...in case any of the grand-daughters are not so into the Turducken idea. We have told them that it is a favorite of the Duck Dynasty crew(I made that up as don't know if it's true) so they are excited about trying it. Please ALL of you BE SAFE -- and enjoy your day/weekend. Please say a prayer - or think good thoughts - for our service men and women / veterans around the world....and if glasses are raised - give a toast to Freedom. See y'all back here after the holiday !!

After working all day today, I will need to stop at the store and pick up the pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Then I will start all the prep work for Thursday. We will be eating early, so I will start the turkey at like 5 am. Mom can't do much this year as she had major neck surgery and still under the weight limit and limited bending.

It is going to be hard for her to sit and let me do everything.

Have a happy Thanksgiving.

Hope everyone has a GREAT THANKSGIVING & BE SAFE

JudyLee...........yes, I did post when I received your SS package to me!! :D :D :D At least my package could be from you, could't it?
:D :D :D :D

You are most WELCOME JudyLee!! :D :D :D :D

Oh CINDY, this could be me as I live very close to to a freeway. Have you been to my state very many times & if so, why didn't you stop in for coffee? I see how you are!!
:D :D :D :D

Judylee2 Save me some Peppermint Schnapps please. I will need it after all the cooking for the whole family for tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Sorry that I haven't been on lately, but I have been down with bronchitis. Today I am feeling much better & looking forward to going to our son's for Thanksgiving. I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all!!

Hint for today: Hmmmmmmm, I have no hint for today!!
:D :D :D :D

Made it home from the hospital in time for thanksgiving. Still feeling very weak and glad my kids are doing all the prep and cooking. Pneumonia can knock the heck out of you!! I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to a visit to the hole. Surely someone there has a home remedy to help me finish get over this!!

nygal, you could be my SS! mine is in NY somewhere! happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Pat, the best way is probably to just rest as much as possible. Feel better!!! {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

Hahahaha, Neesie, the wormies should be warry!!!!!!

Omacookie I will save some just for you! Sulabug (((HUGS))))

Welcome home Pat625, I am so glad you are home. I have hot chocolate and Peppermint Schnapps here in the hole for you. It will warm you up and make you feel a little better!