Monday, December 27, 2010

Just Because Christmas is Over...

Doesn't mean you can't enjoy the smell of Gingerbread wafting through the house.

Gingerbread Waffles that is!

This is one of our favorite family recipes and we make it starting in the fall and all through the winter.

We even love to make them on our "Breakfast for Dinner" nights!




Topped off with carmelized apples and bananas they are simply scrumptious. I'm sure that makes them healthier too!

Here is the recipe
1/4 C butter or margarine     1/2 C brown sugar, packed
1/2 C light molasses               2 eggs, well beaten
1 C. milk                           2 C. siften flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder           1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. ginger        1/4 t. allspice        1/2 t. salt
Cream butter, brown sugar, molasses, eggs, and milk. Sift together flour, baking powder, ginger, allspice, and salt; add to molasses mixture. Bake on greased waffle iron. Top with bananas or apples.



And here are some of our Christmas Highlights!

Visiting Santa on Christmas Eve at our Downtown Carousel. Lauren looks thrilled doesn't she? It was all we could do to get her to stay in that sleigh long enough for a photo!


All dressed up for Christmas Eve service at church. A girl's gotta have a sparkly purse to complete the ensemble.


The kids each receive a gift from Daddy on Christmas Eve. Lauren got a Ballerina Nutcracker and here she is showing us her own dance moves.


Ian received his first Chess set and they wasted no time getting the game going. Ian picked it up so quickly he is going to have to teach mommy now!



And, here they are coming down the stairs on Christmas morning.
They were not too happy that I made them stop to take this picture.
Can you see the courtesy smile?


I'm pretty sure it is because they saw this waiting for them!



This dollhouse that Lauren received was actually one that my dad built for my sister years ago. It has been sitting in their barn and Heather said that since my niece was past playing with it now, they would love to hand it down to Lauren. Remember that snow storm my parent's drove through at Thanksgiving? This dollhouse was sitting in the back of their truck the entire time! We reused some of the old furniture and I bought some new pieces to add to it. My plan is to repaint it and add wallpaper and maybe some stenciled rugs.
She is loving it and I even managed to find a new Victorian Doll Family that don't look creepy!


And yes, that is a toaster waffle sitting on the floor in the living room. Who wants to stop playing to go eat?
This is my favorite picture from the weekend. Little sister had been tucked into bed and Ian got to stay up a little bit later and listen to the grown-ups tell funny stories of Christmas' past.
Snuggled into Daddy's arms, this is where the memories are made!

So, how are you all doing? I'm looking forward to having time this week to visit you and catch up on all of your favorite memories from this blessed season!
See you soon,
Vanessa

Marty's hosting an "Anything Goes Party" at
A Stroll Thru Life

16 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Vanessa- It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas and I love the old doll house that has been handed down. Good job on finding a non-creepy family to fit the house....most look like the Addams family gone bad! Your little ones are both just darling...love the fake smiles on the steps...we all have pictures like that!

We had a wonderful Christmas too..too much Christmas...too much food...too many presents...but not too much love! xxooDiana

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Sounds like so much fun Vanessa! Your girl looks pretty happy with her dollhouse- my dad made one for me too- I have it out in the garage waiting to be fixed up. It's so neat to have a treasure like that. Love the picture on the stairs- so cute! :)

Vintage Gal said...

Such a beautiful family and such beautiful photos ~ and the waffle recipe sounds yummy. I am going to try this first thing tomorrow! ;-)

La said...

It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas. My son loves gingerbread waffles and orders them for his birthday breakfast each year.

Happy New Year! La

Lori said...

I did notice the waffle, my youngest had a dollhouse. Still in the attic need to get it down. Maybe for a Granddaughter some day.

michelle said...

Oh those look so yummy!! I am so happy that you had a wonderful Christmas my friend, the pictures are just precious! Gotta love courtesy smiles :) That doll house is just adorable and what special memories it holds, she looks like she loves it!! Have a wonderful week with the family, hugs to you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Vanessa! Those waffles look so good! I know I could eat them anytime. It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas and what little angels! :)
Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Pam said...

Vanessa,

Beautiful pictures. I really like the one of your son and husband. Those will be some cherished memories!! And the waffle recipe.....yummy! Thanks so much for sharing.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

Debbiedoos said...

Your daughter is going to have more fun with that doll house. What a fun looking Christmas you all had Vanessa. My boys are getting so big so fast, I wish I could stop the clock for just a while longer. Happy New year to you all.

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Precious pictures. Can't wait to try the waffles...thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Cindy

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

How sweet and precious your little ones are. This looks like a Christmas they will always remeber. The waffles look especially yummy!

Jennifer said...

I watched for you at the Carousel on Christmas Eve! I was remembering our first meeting last year!

Happy New Year!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Vanessa, thank you so much for your sweet comments. I am glad to be in such good company. I have never had gingerbread waffles, they sound delicious but the apples on yours look even better. Yummo!
I was by here last night and was just too tired to leave comments with everyone after posting. So today is commenting day! I really wanted to tell you how precious your daughter looks in her Christmas eve attire. I also absolutely love those Christmas morning faces evening if they are strained...LOL! Looks like your family had a wonderful Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Hi Vanessa
I am trying to catch up with visits, this morning. I was under the weather before Christmas and needed a little break from the computer. Christmas is over and once again, under the weather. So I have decided to sit in my chair and visit my blogging friends and rest. I've missed doing this over the past few weeks.

I enjoyed seeing your Christmas photos. Beautiful family, making wonderful memories.

Unknown said...

Oh I'm so jealous of that sweet doll house! :)

Merry Christmas!

~Liz

Erin said...

What sweet pictures!