Christmas Countdown - 2015

[Holiday]

Good Morning, Christmas Fans Near and Far.

And we are not far from our next Milestone. It's nearer than you think.
More about that presently.

First:
Days to the Season: 44
Days to Christmas Day: 86

OK, Folks.
ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. The 90 percent HOME STRETCH point, after which we coast right on in to Christmas Season 2015!
(Incredible. Just incredible.)


And still the rain falls. Flooding in High Point, NC to the west of us made it to the national news. No problems like that here in Raleigh, but still...............
Today has started off at 75 degrees with, you guessed it, more rain ahead.


Well, neither rain nor sleet nor gloom of......well.......anything, will stop Carl from the swift presentation of his appointed entertainment.
And what will he have planned for this evening, the last open house of September?
Only one way to find out. And I for one plan to take it.
How about you?


Have a Wonderful Wednesday, Everyone!

Can't. Believe. It's. The. Last. PinesDay. Of. September!!!! Didn't we JUST have the 1st "Ber" Pines Day????
See ya tonight! Stay dry!

 

[Holiday]

Morning all and a happy Pines day.

Happy Pines Day Tis!

 

[Holiday]

Good Wednesday (Pinesday!) morning, my Christmas friends!

It's a busy work week for me with my after-work business. All the elections in the area have the local politicians (not me this time!) scrambling to advertise, which is my business. Lulu and I drove to a town about 30 miles away to work on an ad sign, and we have a few more to do this week. She loves it, because I have to drive slowly with the signs and she can hang out of the window. She loves to bark at folks on bicycles LOL!

I hope y'all have a great day!

LOVE IT! Sweet 'Lil Lulu!!! I bet she has a blast!! Have a great day Brad!

 

[Holiday]

Its beginning to look alot like christmas where i live nearly all the stores have the stock out, not alot but theres some! So much I want to buy.... hurry up payday!

Have a great day Dancer!

 

[Holiday]

It is a crazy morning here, too!
All kinds of road blocks

Happy Pines Day, Holiday!

The soup sounds delicious!!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Thanks snowflake!!! Hope you have a wonderful day too!!!

 

[Holiday]

Good morning and Happy Pines Day!
The soup sounds delicious, please share the recipe when you have the time!
Hope the rest of your day goes well!!!

I just added it to my recipe book, so here you go:

Hearty Ham and Potato Soup

5 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1 10-3/4-oz. can cream of potato soup
1 10-3/4-oz. can cream of celery soup
6 cups milk, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 stalk chopped celery
4 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1-1/4 cups diced ham
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 to 3/4 tsp. salt
1-1/4 tsp. dried parsley
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)


Boil potatoes in medium saucepan and cook just until fork tender; drain and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the cream of potato and cream of celery soups with 4 cups milk; mix well and set aside. Using a large pan over medium-low heat, sauté carrots and onions in butter until tender. Remove vegetables, leaving butter in pan. Over medium-low heat, add flour to butter; mix well and allow to cook 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add remaining 2 cups milk, stirring constantly until sauce becomes thick and bubbly; reduce heat to low. To the sauce, add the soup and milk mixture, potatoes, carrots, onions, ham, salt, pepper and dried parsley. Stirring often, simmer over low heat for 30 minutes or until soup is hot and ready to serve. Garnish with shredded cheese before serving if desired. Note: More milk can be added to taste if a thinner soup is
desired.
** I also added seasoning salt & garlic powder.

 

[Holiday]

I've never been a big soup person (I'm more of a pizza and chicken guy) but that does sound really good.

Nothing wrong with chicken & pizza!!!

 

[Holiday]

 

[snowflake22]

Thanks snowflake!!! Hope you have a wonderful day too!!!

Thank you!

 

[snowflake22]

I just added it to my recipe book, so here you go:

Hearty Ham and Potato Soup

5 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1 10-3/4-oz. can cream of potato soup
1 10-3/4-oz. can cream of celery soup
6 cups milk, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 stalk chopped celery
4 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1-1/4 cups diced ham
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 to 3/4 tsp. salt
1-1/4 tsp. dried parsley
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)


Boil potatoes in medium saucepan and cook just until fork tender; drain and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the cream of potato and cream of celery soups with 4 cups milk; mix well and set aside. Using a large pan over medium-low heat, sauté carrots and onions in butter until tender. Remove vegetables, leaving butter in pan. Over medium-low heat, add flour to butter; mix well and allow to cook 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add remaining 2 cups milk, stirring constantly until sauce becomes thick and bubbly; reduce heat to low. To the sauce, add the soup and milk mixture, potatoes, carrots, onions, ham, salt, pepper and dried parsley. Stirring often, simmer over low heat for 30 minutes or until soup is hot and ready to serve. Garnish with shredded cheese before serving if desired. Note: More milk can be added to taste if a thinner soup is
desired.
** I also added seasoning salt & garlic powder.

Thank you for sharing!!

 

[Holiday]

Thank you for sharing!!

No problem!

 

[Holiday]

I almost forgot I have to take Gracie to the groomer today! She's looking so fluffy & cute right now, I hate to have it cut off! But she does get matted, so .... off we go! See ya after lunch!

 

[snowflake22]

I almost forgot I have to take Gracie to the groomer today! She's looking so fluffy & cute right now, I hate to have it cut off! But she does get matted, so .... off we go! See ya after lunch!

Hope she has fun!! Have a good lunch!

 

[snowflake22]

Good Afternoon, friends~
Thinking of you! Prayers!
Have a blessed remainder of your Pines Day!

 

[JollyHeather]

I like Snoopy!

Had my final exams today and i graduated! \o/
It was hard but i got there in the end!

 

[MsRose]

Good morning/Afternoon /Evening/MMC
Wishing you all a Day or Night filled with joy!
Since I am the Boss I think I will take a well deserved day off !*** Yay *
26 1/2/ Years of Self Employment and its finally paying off. LOL
Peace To All, Ms Rose

 

[MsRose]

Good Afternoon, friends~
Thinking of you! Prayers!
Have a blessed remainder of your Pines Day!

LOVE Snoopy,Thanks for Posting,Have a great day Snow..!

 

[snowflake22]

I like Snoopy!

Had my final exams today and i graduated! \o/
It was hard but i got there in the end!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

 

[snowflake22]

Good morning/Afternoon /Evening/MMC
Wishing you all a Day or Night filled with joy!
Since I am the Boss I think I will take a well deserved day off !*** Yay *
26 1/2/ Years of Self Employment and its finally paying off. LOL
Peace To All, Ms Rose

Hello MsRose!!!
Happy Pines Day!!
Enjoy your day off, friend!! <3
xx

 

[snowflake22]

LOVE Snoopy,Thanks for Posting,Have a great day Snow..!

You're very welcome!
And Thank you, friend!!