Peppermint Bark And All Things Christmas-y

Merry Christmas!  This month went by so quick!  Lots of work, lots of orders, and finally lots of holiday preparation for the family worked in amongst all the work on the list.  

I tried my hand at Peppermint Bark last year and got it just right this year.  The pretty box above was put out for a holiday brunch last week and is nearly gone.  I meant to make another batch, but that may be late tonight.  
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For my holiday brunch last week, I planned to make my favorite Farm Chicks chocolate cake frosted in layers of chocolate and happened to be reading the Farm Chicks blog, and look how she decorated her wintery version of the cake, so I had to as well.  The little woodsy candies are at World Market.  The logs taste like very luscious KitKat bars. 
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Early this month, I had a request for a pillow with heirloom applique embroidery.  I have always loved the look and had to search for a timeless font created for the embroidery machine.  It looks beautiful!  This is definitely a new design option for 2011! 

Well, I'm off to work a short shift at the hospital today.  As always planned, our good friends will come over after Christmas Eve services to spend the evening with us.  My husband and dad will put out a spread while I'm gone today. 
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This is the first Christmas without one of our children, as my son is in Germany for the whole school year.  Thanks to Facebook, Skyping, and affordable VOIP lines, the separation has been a lot easier on me than it might have been.  We are putting up the webcam tonight, so the family and good friends can see and talk with him.  I don't feel too bad for him, though.  He's been to Nurnberg Christmas Market twice and has been eating handcrafted chocolate champagne truffles!  

Merry Christmas!