The Butter Bean Report: Holiday Memories for 2008...

This Holiday Season was truly merry and bright! We shared with our family and friends fun activities nearly everyday. I do have more to share, but this is long overdue!

We made Ginger Bread houses this year...all shapes and sizes!

All loaded with goodies!

All the Beans helped decorate this huge Gingerbread house at our church.

AND...their very own wood gingerbread at Lowe's Build and Grow project.

Very Accomplished!

Thanks to the Big Dog Daddy for makin' this happen...
You are Da Heat!

Butter is the best helper!

We made doggy bones for all our four-legged friends this Christmas.

We arranged the doggy bones in a dog bowl and attached a card with this image. The recipe was on the back of the card.

Favorite Dog Biscuit recipe
3 c. whole wheat flour

2 c. multigrain oatmeal (or old-fashioned oats)

1/4 c. wheat germ

1/4 c. nonfat dry milk powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1-1/3 c. water

1/3 c. creamy peanut butter

1 large egg

Adjust rack to the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the flour, oatmeal, wheat germ, powdered milk, and garlic powder in a large bowl to blend thoroughly. Blend the water, peanut butter, and egg until smooth. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until well blended. (The dough will be stiff. You might find it easier to knead the mixture with your hands.) The dough will be a little moist and just slightly sticky. Roll or pat the dough to a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle. Cut out biscuit shapes using a 3-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. (Scraps are reusable.) Place on the baking sheet and bake for about 1-1/2 hours. For crisper, drier biscuits bake an additional 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Store in an airtight metal container. Yields 3 dozen.

Butter Bean has been practicing for the big dance recital later this month.

What a ballerina!

Few images spark romantic notions of Christmas like a horse drawn carriage ride! Jing...jing...Jingle!

Beauty Beans out for an evening ride.

Shining Stars.

The Children's Choir performs at church.

Butter Bean receives a special delivery from the North Pole...it's official!
Butter Bean is on Santa's Nice List!

Of course there is room on our tree for some more ornaments

Our local merchants set up a 30 foot Christmas tree. The lighting was spectacular and the event especially fun when shared with friends.

December 1st

Butter Bean is ready for her advent calendar. Each of the tiny treasure boxes contains a beautiful foil wrapped delicious chocolate bell. Once opened the box is flipped around to expose the other side and inserted back into the tree. With each passing day another image begins to appear.

The Polar Express
"The thing about trains... it doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on." The Conductor in The Polar Express

All Aboard!

I Believe!

"At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe." Hero Boy in The Polar Express

"There's no greater gift than friendship.