A Christmas Open House to Remember

In my last post I told you about our Annual Christmas Open House. Well this year was one for the books.

I am having to type this pretty much one handed you see because I fell and sustained a badly bruised left arm and hand. It happened on the morning of the Open House. I was letting Samantha (our Black Lab/Border Collie) out the back door when she smelled Missy's (Our Son & Daughter-in-law's dog) Dog food and lunged toward it catching me off balance and throwing me into the doorway. I ended up on the floor of the laundry room on all fours crying ow, ow, ow. That was at 6:00 am on the morning of the open house. Being the stubborn person that I am, I refused to go to the ER stating that I had way too much to do to get ready for the afternoons activities.
By 9:00 am I decided that everyone else, my Husband, Son, Daughter, Son-in-law, Daughter-in-law and probably the Grand kids as well, were right and Jason and I made a trip to Twin Cities Hospital ER. The rest stayed behind to do all the things that I SHOULD have been doing to get ready. Two and a half hours later I was back home with the good news that my arm was not broken, just very badly bruised. (Thank you Lord for your Mercy) The pictures above were taken just before I started to type this post. The swelling has gone down about 50% or more and I can now extend my arm all the way for a short period of time.
The Open House went on as planned thanks to all the family pitching in and helping. I sat in a comfy chair and greeted guests as they came through the door. Whenever I tried to get up everyone told me to sit down and they would get me what I needed.

Merry Christmas to all and watch out for the Dog!!!!

Christmas Cookies

Every year on the Saturday before Christmas Ken and I have an Open House. Now if Christmas is on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday we usually push it back another week so as not to interfere with Holiday plans others may have. I was asked the other day by a co-worker how long I had been doing this and why I continue to do this year after year. I had to stop and think about how long I have been doing this but not the reason why we started this "Tradition".
We moved from California to Kansas in 1971 and in 1972 we lived in McLouth, Kansas. Since we did not have any family close by other than Ken's brother Jim who lived in Topeka, we thought about inviting the Church members who were in town to stop by for some cookies and punch on the Saturday before Christmas. I don't remember how many people dropped by that afternoon, but it sure was cute to see Christy in her fancy Christmas skirt I had made running to the door and crying out "Merry Kissmas and Happy You Near" to each of the guests as they arrived. The next May our family grew by one with the birth of Jason. Once he got old enough, he would race Christy to the door to welcome the visitors.
In the years since then, there have only been two or three times when we have not had our open house. The menu has changed from just cookies and punch to include such regulars as Meatballs & Summer Sausage, Cheese Wreaths, Chocolate Peanutbutter Balls, and of course Cookies and punch. I usually over prepare and have tons of left overs.
Each year I try to find at least one new receipe to try out. Some have been huge successes and some. . .well no one actually got to try those. . .they were a total disaster. Last year I made Christmas Eve Mice. Huge success! ! Except that they were so cute no one wanted to eat them. They all asked for a napkin to wrap it up in so they could take it home and show it to their friends.
This year both Christy and Jason will once again be back home on the Saturday before Christmas. Once again we have invited friends and family to drop by for some home made goodies. This time, no doubt, some of their children may race to the door to welcome our guests and wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
In the 36 years that we have been holding our Open House we have been blessed to have many friends and family share in our Christmas Tradition. The one thing that we try to share with those who come to our house is that the reason we celebrate Christmas is NOT about the presents we give and receive from our friends and family. The reason we celebrate and open our house is to share the greatist Gift ever given, The Lord Jesus.
So if you are in the area between 1 and 5"ish" on the 20th of Dec. stop on by and share some Christmas joy with us as we celebrate the Reason for the Season.