Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. Norman Vincent Peale

 

I love Christmas, my favorite time of year.  And this year is going to be very special because, for the first time in years, we are going to be with family.  I’ve enjoyed shopping for everyone, playing Christmas music while wrapping presents, and making my Christmas candy and Christmas cards

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I made a new candy this year, Oreo Truffles.  I decided to make the ones with sweetened condensed milk instead of the cream cheese ones because I didn’t want to worry about refrigerating them.

1 package Oreos
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
melted chocolate of your choice
Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Crush oreos using a food processor. I put about 12 cookies in at a time.
Add vanilla and condensed milk. Stir until ingredients come together. Work quickly to form the mixture into small balls and place on cookie sheet. Put into refrigerator to chill (for easy dipping).
Melt the chocolate using your favorite method.

I have a Wilton chocolate melting pot that I would recommend to anyone that makes a lot of candy.

Dip chocolate balls into melted chocolate and put back on cookie sheet.  Refrigerate until firm.

These were very rich, but oh, so good!

I haven’t had a lot of opportunities to take many photos, but I did get a couple of interesting ones yesterday.

I’ve won a bunch of different things lately.

JVC Ear buds from Networking Witches

Emerald rhinestone earrings handmade by BohemienneIvy

RCA/Audiovox Camcorder Giveaway from Nicole's Nickels/Grateful Giveaways

 

Imango from www.Born2Impress.com

A protective Case for mp3 players.

25 dollar gift certificate to Tanga from

OurKidsMom

 which I used to buy a Polaroid digital camera that I can keep in my purse.

Snowman Magnets from Funky Dreams Art Studio

Himalayan Salt Lamps from

Sweeps 4 Bloggers

Himalayan Salt Lamps are used to aid in the treatment of health environments.  The negative ions produced by natural ionic salt lamp, gives the air its invigorating freshness and airborne bacteria free, and significantly reduces the extremely environmental concerns; dust, pollen, animal dander, odors, and smoke, which is beneficial for human beings.  Crystal salt lamps illuminate soft, soothing glow, and different color lights and create an extremely calming and tranquil color therapy, and gives a beautiful and pleasant affect to the mind.

 

A pair of Malachite Earrings from Mystique Jewelry from

The Romantic Type Blog

Sterling Silver Silpada Bracelet from

The Party Plan Coach

Powermat from

Army Wife Life & Reviews

Powermat Mats and Receivers allow you to wirelessly charge your iPhone, iPod, BlackBerry and other cell phones and devices.

So I have been very lucky the past couple of weeks!

A lot of people ask me how I win so many things online.

I go to this site, and do the required entries.

http://www.online-sweepstakes.com

It’s really that simple.

I’m reading a new series by Charlie Huston about Joe Pitt, a story of a vampire caught in a clan war.  The first two books in the series I enjoyed and, while I like the story in the third book, the graphic descriptions of violence have really gotten to me.

So that is it so far.  To all our friends and family, I hope you all have a magical, wonderful Christmas!