This past week, we went with friends to see the Lake Julian Festival of Lights. I love this small, drive-through light show in a small park in Arden, NC. We go most years, but I have to say I had more fun this time than ever. We listened to Christmas music, circled the route twice, and laughed out heads off at the guys popping off with comments on walking in your winter underwear, and women’s underwear.

This Christmas elf was conducting the band of three musicians from atop a mushroom. This one was animated with the conductor waving his baton, and the musicians playing their instruments.

I made a very short (just 12 seconds) video so you could see the rain on the mountains effect with these lights. Several of the displays had these lights. If it won’t play for you, click HERE to see it on my youtube channel.

A gingerbread house is decked out in ornaments.

This one was one of my favorites, Poseidon with his trident rides in a shell boat pulled by a seahorse.

Santa and his reindeer were taking flight.

A polar bear rides a snowmobile with his penguin pal. There were dozens of displays, many animated, and thoroughly enchanting. I took lots and lots of photos, but figured these would be plenty.

Back home the next day, George got a peanut butter sandwich. He scrambled up the tree with it to eat in peace away from another squirrel that wanted to steal it, turning his back to me. I tried to get the other squirrel to get a sandwich of his own, but he didn’t see it.

Speaking of eating, we finally got to eat the spaghetti squash I grew in the garden last summer. It took until mid-December for it to fully ripen in the Carolina room. But it was delicious!

The last Christmas task was to finish stamping the cards I wanted to send. My messy stamping bench was covered in Christmas papers, stamps and inks as I made the card bases and got ready to create. I spent a day happily pulling things together, and creating unique cards with my friends in mind, each one special to them.

Red plaid background paper with a folksy tree and a fun message is on the left one. The right has a Christmas cardinal with a leaf and message on green print.

Stripes on the next card anchor the main image of Santa in a hot air balloon. Snowflakes complete the design. I used more snowflakes on the other card, one embossed in white on the blue background, the other two are cut-outs.

Santa comes bearing gifts on the next card. The same kind of folk tree adorns the final card on the same green filigree print paper with a different message.

When all the cards were done, I stamped the envelopes too with ornaments in gold on the front and a message on the flaps. I made more cards the next day, but didn’t get any photos of those before putting them in the mail.

With all that, the cold weather put me in the mood for my Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken and Mushrooms. So while I stamped, the chicken, mushrooms and onions simmered away. This time I took the skin off, and skipped the browning part, just putting everything in the slow cooker at once. When it was done, I chopped the meat, and made the gravy as usual. Served over leftover rice, it made a wonderful meal for this day. There is enough left over, that I can add another can of chicken broth and a cup of elbow macaroni to it, and simmer until the noodles are done for a hearty chicken soup lunch.

On Friday, I mailed cards and got the last of the stocking stuffers for My Sweet Babboo. With most everything complete, I can relax and enjoy the last few days before Christmas. Watching Christmas movies and happily quilting the final rows on the Quilt of Valor, enjoying at the tree lights in the evening, catching lots of football games. I’m having lunch on Monday with a dear friend. Then, one last stop at the grocery store for a few last minute items, and then I’ll be home for the week. We spend Christmas day at home, and I’ll make the Standing Prime Rib Roast for our main meal with Cheddar Onion Mashed Potatoes and charred Brussels sprouts. Standing Prime Rib is really easy to do, just roast slowly in a low oven at 300 degrees for 20 minutes per pound. Check the doneness with a digital meat thermometer, then let it rest. The full recipe with temperature chart is on that post. After Christmas, I’ll have my recipe for Leftover Prime Rib Stroganoff for you.

Stop by on Tuesday, as I will have a wonderful Christmas post on the power of compassion. Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah!

Are you ready for the big day? What are your holiday plans?