. . . . . . . Let's Make Cooking Easy & Fun

The weather people started warning us on December 22 that a storm was on the way and we would probably have snow on Christmas Eve or Day. By the next day (December 23, Wednesday), they were saying blizzard. Now, blizzard is not a word used in Oklahoma.

Most of us “old-timers” were saying, “Yeah sure. We haven’t even had two days of below freezing weather. The ground is still warm.” Boy did they prove us wrong.

Bright and early Christmas Eve it started sleeting. To complicate things the wind was blowing with gusts up to 56 mph. Within a couple of hours, the sleet turned to snow and the wind was at it all day.

This is a view out my patio door. We decided to put a Christmas tree outside this year. Tied down real solid because it stood up under the wind even if the fence didn’t. You can even see the snow banked on the panes of the French door. Just like a Christmas card. Many of these would turn me into a Bah Humbug.

We open presents on Christmas Eve and had a get-together planned with my son and a few friends. He was determined to get here so we moved the time up to 3:00. One of my friends came with him and another lives about 10 blocks away and brought her dog and braved it.

Snow was still falling when my son left to make the 30 minute trip back home. The friend that lives close decided to spend the night. But part of Christmas Day dinner had to be postponed. My son just couldn’t get here.

I went ahead and cooked the Prime Rib and my friend, my sister and I ate our fill of Prime Rib and my special potatoes that I will tell you about at another time.

We postponed the salmon until the next day since that was a special treat planned for my son.

All in all, you will never hear me wishing for a “white Christmas”.

Oh yeah, we got 12 inches of snow and still aren’t plowed out. It thaws some during the day and freezes during the night to cover all the roads and parking lots into solid ice.

A friend sent me the article below because she thought I would like to share it here. She was right. I’d say that friend knows me very well.

This is my favorite time of the year and I am a devoted follower of family traditions at this wonderful time of the year.

Check out my new guide on creating fun snacks with children.  It can quickly become a tradition at your house also. There is nothing like watching the little ones as they squeal in delight when they see what they have created. The next great excitement comes when they show off their creations with pride to other members of the family.

Check out the book just in time for Christmas: Friendly Christmas Monsters And A Mouse

Go have a blast with your children or borrow some from a friend. Be sure to let me know what they created. Send me a photo at carol@casuesmith.com and I will be glad to post it for all to see.

Well, this is related to cooking. Even though there is no heat involved, it is still cooking and will be in the eyes of your children.

For the last week I have been very busy — actually completing two things at the same time.

1. Celebrating a favorite family Christmas tradition
2. Enjoying the delighted smiles of children as they create on their own.

Several years ago I discovered how much my youngsters enjoyed making Christmas snacks. The first year I did it for them. I saw some recipes on the internet and made them and took them to their house for Christmas eve.

The next year the oldest asked if he could help me. He and the oldest girl of the six came to my house and messed until their hearts were content. He was especially fond of marishino cherries so you can imagine how many were used — the entire bottle if I remember correctly.

Through the years we have varied things but this year’s “friendly Christmas monsters” in a pen was very exciting.

The monsters are all decked out waiting for a Christmas visit from the children.

Check back in a day or two and the book will be ready for you to download just in time for Christmas.