…and a variety of activities are stirring in and out of houses. No sitting on Santa’s lap this year for photos but Santa flew into the Colville airport to hand out gifts to kids. Our grands were there on Saturday morning.
Also on Saturday Dear and our son Dan started installing the siding on the back side of the shop. Earlier in the week Dear installed the back pull up door.
I missed getting outside to get the final photo. They have 3 panels left to go on this side and all the siding will be done. We are so thankful for the help!
Our daughter in law sent us these next photos of Addy and JJ enjoying each other on Sunday. Sibling times like these make our hearts glad!
We had a good trip to Spokane yesterday and found all the things on our list and more.
One of our stops was at the Kiev Market where we load up our freezer with Pelemeni, a family favorite that I’d rather buy than make. While there we bought these lovely Piroshky, two cabbage and one cheese…delicious.
At Costco we filled up our cart with other goodies, some necessaries and a few un-necessaries. I was going to go into TJMaxx but the people line-up outside the store because of “you know what” wasn’t appealing to me and we carried on. Our refrigerators and freezers are full now so no more shopping until after Christmas!
Way down south in California my family was having their annual Christmas Vareniki making day. Vareniki are a Russian treat we’ve enjoyed at Christmas for many years. This year the crew included my two older sisters, one sister-in-law, 4 of our nieces and one grandniece. My mom would be so proud of them all!
My oldest sister Kathy with the finished product which is first boiled and then ready to freeze and then bake in half and half and butter on Christmas Eve. Our family tradition is to stuff these dumplings with a sweet cheese mixture and serve them as a dessert or for breakfast in place of pancakes. We serve them with a dollop of sour cream and maple syrup.
Pierogi and vareniki are actually the same thing. Again, stuffed dumplings, they are common throughout Central and Eastern Europe and most of the old Eastern Bloc states. While vareniki is the more commonly used term in Russia, pierogi are the national dish of Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia.
Today I’ll continue on some cleaning and cooking up some things I can make ahead for all the Christmas meals.
I forgot to mention that for the next two weeks the Thursday Bible Verse Challenge will not be happening. We will resume the challenge the first Thursday in January, January 7th on the letter O.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Lovely that you keep family traditions going. Love the photos of your grandchildren. They look like they have such fun together. Well done on the shopping. B x
…what happy little ones!
What a delightful post! I love seeing the children with Santa, even if not on his lap. I am glad they still did something special for the kids. And so nice to see families helping each other with building projects as well as cooking projects! I am happy that in spite of the “you know what”, people are still able to carry on and enjoy their family traditions happily and safely. May God bless your sweet and beautiful family with a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! Wish I could taste those delightful delicacies that they made…and those that you purchased look so good too!!
Thank you, Pamela. May you and yours enjoy the merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year!
The Grandchildren are darling!
Merry Christmas
So I just learned some things I didn’t know! I LOVE IT when I learn about different cultures and traditions!!! I feel smart!😉 I don’t think I’ve ever eaten pierogi/vareniki, although Ramon says I have at a multicultural festival a few years ago. Hmm.🤔 That’s something I’d think I would remember! I’m all about food!🤣🤣🤣
Great progress on the building project! Hooray!
Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 🎄 !!!!
Your grands are adorable!!!!
So nice to see Addy and JJ having fun together. 🙂
Baking time sounds like great family time and they sure look like the are enjoying themselves.
Adorable post! Blessings!
i had to study that beautiufl kitchen photo! So great to have three generations working together!
Happy to see the shop done and JJ and Addy enjoying some laughter together.
It’s great that the shed is close to being finished. The grands look so happy to be playing outside. Enjoy those delicious Russian foods. As a Mennonite, we always called them vareniki and filled them with cottage cheese, and served them with a sour cream gravy. I do enjoy them so much. Merry Christmas!
Sure hope nobody in your family gets the “you know what”.
For a woman of the Lord, many of your posts come off as very judgmental of others with different views. It’s sad.
Happy holidays.
Maggie, Sorry you feel that way and that I’ve come across as judgmental to you. I’m sad about the state of the world and the fear that is being produced in many. We honor those around us that aren’t in our bubble by wearing masks. We also know there are those who are compromised and not healthy and need to be careful.
Merry Christmas.