This year my extended family has decided to have a white elephant auction as a way of exchanging Christmas gifts. Buying for my brothers and their families has always been difficult for me, and this year was no different. I finally decided on these two jars that I bought at the thrift shop and ran through the dishwasher. Would you like one of these for a gift?

No?!

Well, maybe I should let you know that one of the jars contains a $25 gift certificate to a favorite local restaurant, and the other contains a $25 gift certificate to a favorite local specialty store. ($25 was the agreed upon limit.)

Now would you fight for one of these gifts?!

I hope my family enjoys them. If not, I know some daughters who would love to have them! I can't wait to see who wins them.
Last night, Meemaw and Grandad came over for dinner and singing around the piano...

...or, in Grandad's case, sitting in front of the warm fire. It was a wonderfully Christmas evening.

Today I went with my hubby and children to the Apple Basket store for some Christmas spirit and shopping. I've featured this store on my blog before. I always love coming here. What I remember most from this particular trip were the smells! There were dips everywhere! None were dairyfree, so I couldn't try any...but judging from the reactions of other shoppers...they were delicious.

This year there were sewing machines everywhere. I saw a complete working treadle machine in a nice cabinet ($150) and many antique machines throughout the store.

I guess reproduction toasters are desirable.

An old pan greaser.

Of course, many wonderful quilts. I forgot to look up the price for this quilt, but the prices in this store were generally more than reasonable. Even my children commented on the low prices.

I heard one of the shoppers comment that most of the good stuff was gone. I'm not surprised. Every time I've passed this store, the parking lot has been full. For some reason I always wait until late in the season to shop here.

Allen and I liked the tall straight peppermint. I bought 5 sticks to put in my stoneware vase...for DECORATION only, children!

More wonderful aromas.

The signs are always fun.

This sign explains a lot.

Mike thought this sign was funny.

One of the many rooms was devoted to animals. There are many themed rooms...candle room, kitchen, nautical, clothes, baby, etc.

There are many holiday supplies here as well. They make a wonderful potpourri mixture as well. The workers are sweet ladies who do their best to please.

This is also a nice place to come for ornaments. I think there were a dozen trees.

Mexican star quilt from 1981. I recognized almost all the calicos. ($12) The Christmas music, the smells, the tinsel...it was all wonderful. Only thing missing is snow.

Lizzie and Anna got braces for their teeth this week, so they have been blending up their favorite soups for their sore teeth.

I made my favorite cream of green pea soup. I added my leftover mashed potatoes from last night. Yummy!

The smells of dips got the best of me, so I came home and whipped up one of my favorites, Old Mill Dip. I got the recipe for this in the summer of 1979 at Cecil's Old Mill, a local store for artisans. The woman who gave it to me got it from working in Williamsburg. It's really different, but I love it.

Old Mill Dip

1 cup mayo (too rich for me, I use sour cream)

dash pepper

2 tsp chili sauce

2 tsp rice vinegar

1/8 tsp thyme

2 tbsp grated onion

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp curry powder

1 tsp dillweed

Mix. Gets better the longer the spices have to marry. I think the person who came up with this recipe must've owned a spice store. I prefer to eat this dip with celery and carrots, or whole grain crackers.

Today I went to Charlotte Hall to the farmer's market. I always buy from Johnny because he sells by the case (but you have to ask). Great prices.

Today we bought two fresh pineapples, 2/$5. Delicious.

But the main reason I went was to pick up my half bushel of ruby red oranges. My favorite! I was afraid to ask the price since last year they were too expensive thanks to the damaging frosts in Florida, but only $20. Wow!

Tonight I am home alone. My children were afraid I'd be lonely and were hesitant to leave. I hope to get lots of vacuuming done while they are gone. Mike, Maggie and Anna have their first Messiah concert tonight. We will be going with them to their second performance, tomorrow. It's a busy weekend...and it's only begun.

Many blessings ~ Kathie

I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
"Take thy cross and follow, follow Me."