ON TO CHRISTMAS

I got the whole Thanksgiving Dinner done and over..hurrah!!! It seemed to be harder this year than years past, could be that I am getting older. I even had less people this year, only 38 and the average in past years has been 45. I had more help this year too. I got Dana and her family to take all the tablecloths and decorations up to the Community Center and set that up, what a great help that was. Hans helped on the day with some dish washing as I cooked and he sampled, tasted and told me what was needed in some of the dishes. He is a really good cook and I love working in the kitchen with him. Everyone raved over my creamed corn this year. I think it was that good Colorado corn that I got and put in the freezer. It was so sweet everyone thought I had put sugar in it, which I hadn't. Colleen and Jeri did most of the clean-up and washing up, which was wonderful because by that time I was done in. Holding with past years we put everything in the fridge and went home to come back on friday and heat it all up and lots came back for leftovers. Got fridays mess cleaned up and still left everything there. Hans and Shawntell went up on saturday and brought all the my round tables, decorations, crock pots, utensils, etc. home and put away. That was a feat in itself and one that was much appreciated. Saturday was a complete vege out day for me!!!!!

Now it is time to get on with Christmas. Julie Newberry and I will shop for the school kids on the 2nd and hopefully get that all wrapped over that weekend. I have sent in the list to Help of Southern Nevada for toys, bikes and groceries for families that need help this year. Phill and I will go to Vegas and get that all picked up around the 17th. Then the real work will start with sorting all the canned goods and getting the boxes made up for the families. I have a list of about 32 families for this year. Some of the families are in Primm so that will involve getting them out there. The boxes for here in Goodsprings I can have most of the people come to the Community Center and pick up. I still have my own family to shop for of course and will do that when I find the time.

I need to make some Christmas candy before I get to busy. I want to make some cream candy, pecan roll, fudge and caramels. Hope the weather stays cold and dry as that is best for candymaking.

Oh yes, I forgot we are having Community Christmas get together at the CC, which is something else I have to organize. We will sing carols, have cookies, hot cocoa and spiced cider and just have a good time.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and you are all getting in good shape for Christmas!!!