Dogwood Acres, 12/20/10

DOGWOOD ACRES, 12/20/10, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. Another busy week down with chocolate fudge, white fudge, carrot cake and pecan pies. No, I did not make all of that but sure have enjoyed it. I did make white chocolate fudge just for Rick. I have made it two ways using the traditional marshmallow crème recipe If you leave out the chocolate chips, it is white and if you use white chocolate chips, it is a little more white and creamier. I don’t know that I can tell much difference between the two.

Christie Biggs and Madison Tilley came to see us Sunday afternoon. They were getting ready for Madison’s role as an angel in the Christmas program at Calvary Full Gospel and borrowed some angel wings from me. I had a tough time being good for the rest of the day without my wings, but got them back in 24 hours, so I will be okay.

While they were here, Fran Robertson came to visit. She was bringing Christmas wishes and fudge; we were really really glad to see her!

Santa came to our house a few days early last week and that is because Rick was so anxious to surprise me and just could not wait until Christmas. He brought me an adorable “teenie weenie” puppy, also known as a miniature Dachshund. The little girl is about 6 inches long and just precious. She reminds us so much of the puppy we bought in Killeen, TX, on our wedding day. Little Fox is cautiously accepting the little one. We just have to keep a close eye on their play time to make sure that Foxie doesn’t play too rough.

Monday night was our annual Bilyeu Family Christmas Party at Bill and Christie’s house. Christie played old family movies and we had a good spaghetti dinner. Our gift exchange was the “Dirty Santa” game and there was loads of fun and surprises. Vanessa was proud to get a roll of Grandpa Bilyeu’s Wheat Pennies, Makaylee got a collection of original “Lake Queen” mugs with Grandpa and Grandma Bilyeu’s names engraved on them. Kasie was the winner of a bag of blonde hair dye (wonder who does not use that any more?). It was a fun evening and the most precious thing any of us took home was new memories.

Neal, LeaAnn, their girls and Grandpa and Granny Hodges went to Robert and Arlena Maggard’s house for the Hodges Family Christmas on Saturday. They shopped in Ozark on their way home and had a very full day.

Bill and Christie’s family went to Sean’s house Saturday night for their immediate family Christmas with kids and grandkids.

Amidst all the parties, Colby begins 10 weeks of “Clinical Studies” at Ozark Community Hospital in Nixa. this week. He has worked really hard and I am proud of him.

Rick and I went to Plainview’s Christmas program on Tuesday night. Erin is a 6th grader now and loves to sing. Music teacher, Sheila Thomas, does a great job with the kids and they put on a good program.

Muzzle loader season opened on Saturday and Rick filled a tag Monday. He has hunted hard for weeks without seeing anything, so we are thankful for the fresh deer meat in our freezer.

As we try to keep up with all of the fun and activities, let us be ever mindful that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season“. We have Christmas because of the Christ child. He did not come to create a “Winter Holiday” as some would like to make it. Bye for now.