Wonderful week-end

Despite the gray skies and high winds we had an awesome week-end with temps in the 50's. It was very Christmasy (sp?) around here. Friday we finished our gift bags by making Honey-chipotle pecans - YUMMY! I was surprised how easy this went together and how sweet/salty /spicy it was. I had about 5lbs. of pecans in my freezer from a sale last year and decided to use them in my gift bags.

Remember I am doing the gourmet salt? Here is a bunch more I finished and put in little shaker jars a friend gave me.

Here are the pecans cooling after being roasted and rolled in sugar/salt.

I put about 2 cups of pecans in a zip lock baggie and put matching tags on all the salt and pecans.

This is what the finished project looked like, one of each of the three gourmet season salts and a bag of spiced pecans - all have matching tags. I then pop them into holiday gift bags from the $ store and add a holiday card, also from the $ store. Then I take my home made blessings and deliver them to all the people who have blessed our lives this year.

I took one of our blessing bags to our new pastor and his wife today. It was a wonderful visit and I had a great time visiting. However it was odd to see someone else living in a space that my bff use to live in before she moved to the city. Pastor and his wife have not only done a wonderful job making their home their own, but the church as well. I have never felt some welcome and wanted by a pastor and wife before. It was a heart warming change. We also had the privilege of lighting the third advent candle, the Shepard candle, last Sunday at church. We were all pretty excited and honored. The kids were so nervous they didn't know if they would be able to read the scripture verse, Luke 2:8-20. They did fine but we did miss my DH who couldn't make. Since he is now working two full time jobs he doesn't get home until 8 a.m. Sunday morning. He was just toooooooo tired. He has Wed. off from both jobs however and will be able to join us for caroling with the church! Yeah! LOL Grandma S came to see the kids, that was so nice. Grandpa D was home sick with his new diabetes meds though. so lets keep him in our prayers. The church service was rich and beautiful, seeped in the Christmas story and ringing with traditional tunes such as "Go tell it on the mountain". If you get a chance you can check out my church and new pastor at www.cannoncommunitychurch.com

Blessings, Beth Ann