Holiday randomness

I have loved The Nutcracker for years, and have been anxiously awaiting to have a daughter - and then have one who is old enough - to make it a mother/daughter date. On Saturday, Isabel and I had that opportunity; we were so excited!

We had a fun lunch, and then headed downtown for the performance. We've been listening to the music and reviewed the story so she would know what was happening. She loved every minute of it! It was so much more fun that I even imagined. My daughter is a delightfully charming and fun little date. Love her to pieces and them some. She is just so full of life and excitement and joy and expression. Positively adore spending time with her.
She LOVED these ballerina figurines at the opera hall where the performance was held, and kept posing in front of them.
Waiting for it to start-
During the performance she leaned over to me and said, "this is so fun! I love this!" And when it was over she flitted and fluttered and flounced her way to the van and announced that her new name is "Isabel the Nutcracker Dancer." What a fabulous day.

There's been a coyote hanging out behind our house in the wee hours of the morning. I couldn't resist snapping some shots as the first sunlight hit him with the backdrop of the snowy mountains.

My cute and clever friend Jen hosted a little lunch and project party last week. I went simply to hang out, but then she taught us how to make these fabulous paper balls. They are made of 20 2-inch circles, with the edges folded in thirds and then glued together. I have been thinking of different possibilities for these (a Valentine topiary? Halloween ones to hang from my black branches?)-

Made these fun little gifts for the girls I visit teach. It's simply a 4-pack of soda pop in glass bottles. Empty the soda from 2 of them; fill one with popcorn and the other with candy. Cover the cardboard box with different Christmas paper and make a gift tag. Voila! A festive movie night snack pack. These were super fun to make.

I've had a few requests for this, my mom's cherry bread recipe. This was a big Christmas tradition when I was growing up; we had it every year at Christmastime. My mom usually has a freezer full, as we all still love it.

Mom's Cherry Bread
Mix ingredients in this order:
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
10 ounce bottle of maraschino cherries, chopped (and drained, but reserve the juice)
1/2 cup reserved cherry juice (if necessary, add water to get to 1/2 cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix, and divide dough between two greased bread pans. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Warning: it is likely to produce very satisfied customers.