Christmas at my house!

Christmas!

Who doesn't enjoy the smell of home made cookies baking in the oven..and tasting them warm and soft when they come out! and the colorful lights hanging on trees in the park and homes as we drive by at night...
I love the smell of fresh pine needles too...candles burning...decorations around the home...and making hand made gifts for others. These are just a few of my favorites that I enjoy over the holidays...but mostly I like to spend time with my family~

My children are growing up now, so times are changing...no more Santa cookies out at night...no more waking me up at 5 a.m. ...shouting "come on mom" ..those days may be gone..But, now I have a little time to get up make some coffee, bake some rolls, and get ready for Christmas Day! My son comes home now from college, my daughter is sleeping over for Christmas Day, and my youngest son who is 16yrs..is asleep until I wake him up! Though, the best of it is...I have them all here with us to share the day! That is my favorite thing!!! 

I am blessed and I hope that all of you are too!! Enjoy your Christmas whether it be with little ones..diving into their presents, or shouting to wake up mom!!, or children grown and visiting from afar...or even if you just go visit relatives that day...enjoy your time with loved ones....time is precious and escapes us when we are busy not paying attention...Merry Christmas to all of you..may it be filled with laughter, joy, hope, safety, good health, and filled with LOVE!
Merry Christmas,
Annette
The Blooming Corner.com and on etsy.com
Here is a tasty treat to try this holiday!

Chocolate Winter Berry Torte

24	chocolate sandwich cookies, finely crushed (about 2 cups)
3 Tbsp.	butter or margarine, melted
6 oz.	BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
1 pkg.	(3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
1 cup	cold milk
1 tub	(8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1/4 cup	seedless raspberry jam
1 oz.	BAKER'S White Chocolate
12	fresh raspberries 1.SPRAY 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom with cooking spray. Mix cookie crumbs and butter; press onto bottom and up side of prepared pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.

1. 2MELT 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate as directed on package. Beat pudding mix and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. (Pudding will be thick.) Stir in melted chocolate, then 1 cup COOL WHIP until blended. Pour into crust. Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours.
2. 3MICROWAVE remaining semi-sweet chocolate and COOL WHIP in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min., stirring after 2 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Cool 10 min.
3. 4MICROWAVE jam in separate microwaveable bowl on HIGH 15 sec.; spread over pudding layer in crust. Cover with COOL WHIP mixture. Refrigerate 30 min.
4. 5REMOVE tart from side of pan. Melt white chocolate as directed on package; drizzle over tart. Garnish with berriesmakes 12 servings.