The Day Before Christmas Eve

It's been a couple of days since I have had the opportunity to actually sit down and turn on the computer. Usually I'm one of those last minute Christmas shoppers. OK, I am always a last minute, special-occasion shopper. On Valentine Day...I am the lone woman standing among a pack of men...searching the card isle for something meaningful, yet funny...with an envelope that fits. Needless to say...I have been fighting the crowds. This year it seems I am not the only one who waited till the last minute!

I still have a few stocking stuffers to pick up but I am waiting until 2:00 a.m. and heading to Wal-Mart. At least that way I know I will be able to find a parking space within walking distance. There are cookies still to be baked, cheese balls to be put together, and no Christmas would be complete without my home-made, family famous salsa. Which is quite simple, actually...and there's really no secret ingredient. My youngest sister, Barbie, brought over a half-gallon pickle jar and said... this year...fill it up...the little squat quart didn't last till noon last year as she reminded me her youngest son is now 16 and nothing edible is safe in her house. It was meant to be a joke. How funny...I can't wait to see the look on her face when she finds out she actually gets that much salsa!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and Hunter and Gage will arrive at 7:30 in the morning while their parents work a half day. We will have our traditional family dinner...a Christmas Story read...and then open presents. Later, after the boys are home, had their baths, and are warm and snug in their jammies...their telephone will ring and on the other end a big ho, ho, ho...and one last check in from Santa before they settle in and dream of Christmas morning. The phone call from Santa on Christmas Eve started with Jimmy's daddy when Jake was little. I'll never forget the year he was four. Our evening routine was running a bit behind and Santa called while Jake was still in the tub. When the phone rang he looked up at me with those big blue, expectant eyes and when he heard his daddy say, "Yes, Santa, Jake is still awake." That boy shot out of the tub and grabbed the telephone in one fell swoop, soaking his mother and everything else in his wake.

I really love this time of year...the holiday season....and since becoming a Christian twenty years ago it has taken on a whole new meaning.

Psalm 8:1 -2 "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."

Psalm 8:4 "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?"

Psalm 8:9 "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

This morning I received an e-card from crosswalk.com. I could not express a Christmas greeting any better and so I pass this along to you and your family....

JESUS
King of Kings
Lord of Lords
RIGHETOUS, HOLY, PURE
MESSIAH,
TEACHER, REEDEEMER
God incarnate - the ONLY Savior
OUR ONLY HOPE
the
foundation of our
CHRISTMAS PEACE
is not in us
but in CHRIST
not in
our holiness
but in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
not in our walking
but in HIS
BLOOD AND SUFFERING
samuel bolten

GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL YOU LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS

quick and easy salsa....mix the following and let set at least one hour

• 1 each 28oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 each 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes in puree (I prefer DelMonte)

During the summer or when making just for the two of us, I use fresh tomatoes. Which makes it no longer quick and easy. :-D

• 1 each medium Texas Sweet onion diced (Vadillia onions work nicely as well)
• 2 each medium jalapeno peppers diced (for a mild salsa remove all pepper seeds)
• fresh diced garlic...I chop the whole bulb and use it till it looks "right" a good serving spoon full is about right here. You can freeze and use the rest later.
• fresh chopped cilantro...again, I add and stir until it looks right...It has a strong flavor. If you like it use a lot of it...if not...use sparingly
• salt and pepper to taste

I will sometimes add the following....diced, De-seeded cucumbers or a can of fiesta corn. I let it sit on the counter for about an hour until the flavors macerate.