I am taking a slight detour from our Texas Thanksgiving adventures to share the fun Christmas gifts that I have already received. If you are one who waits until Christmas before opening all your gifts, SPOILER ALERT!!!!! I am not one of those people. I am like a little kid, and I just have to open presents as soon as I receive them. By the same token though, when I give someone gifts, I want them to do the same, because I get so excited when seeing the smiles on the faces when they open them. π π π
I have always said we have a real tight knit “family” and community here on WordPress. And everyday, I feel the bonds growing stronger and stronger. Gail, from http://snapshotsincursive.com/ sent me a delicious jar of her festive pecans and nuts, direct from her kitchen to mine. This little surprise package was waiting for us upon our return home from Texas. π Thank you so much Gail. Perfect timing too. As much as I hate to share these delicious treats, I will. We are having our annual Christmas Ornament exchange party on Saturday, and I will put these festive nuts out on the table too. Though I confess, I will hide them a bit, making them harder for everyone else to see. π

And my dear friend Julia, from http://retirementrvdream.wordpress.com/, also sent me a beautiful present from the heart. Those are ALWAYS the best gifts. As many of you know, Julia is an exceptional artist, fabulous cook, and gifted in so many other ways too. She drew her own Christmas card for me, knowing how much I love Santas, and sent some dried basil from her garden, along with a pair of beautiful turtle earrings and a froggie/wine tea towel. She knows me SO WELL!!!!!! I LOVE turtles, and have a collection, along with many other sea creatures, all around the house. And the froggies have a fun story behind them too. When I was teaching H2O Aerobics, which now seems like a lifetime ago, one of my favorite exercises was “froggies”, so all of my peeps started giving me all kinds of fun things with frogs on them. So I also have a fun collection of frogs around too.

And when we visited with our nephew Jared and his family in Pratt, KS, https://ajeanneinthekitchen.com/2025/12/04/our-texas-thanksgiving-part-2-pratt-ks/, we exchanged our Christmas gifts too. Our niece Lexi knows how much I love wearing scarves, and she gave me a beautiful Christmas scarf, as well as other beautifully fun gifts. Here I am modeling it. We had our first Christmas event on Thursday, so it was the perfect time to wear my new Christmas scarf. π

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays everyone. ‘Tis the season to be jolly and to celebrate with loved ones. I am very blessed indeed to be gifted with so many wonderful, thoughtful friends and family. Thank you all. π
Thank you for the shout-out! I am like you, I like to open a present as soon as I get it! ππππ
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My pleasure. I think that’s the best way. π
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Love that scarf! π§£πβ₯οΈπ
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Thank you. Isn’t it pretty?! π
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Very cool! Merry Christmas! πβππ₯
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Merry Christmas to you as well. π
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Gratitude! πβπ
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π π π
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Thanks for sharing. Have a great day. π
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You’re very welcome my dear friend! β€οΈπ―π₯
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π π π
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β€οΈπ―π₯
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I hope you receive loads of presents Jeanne
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Merci. The best present though is the gift of friendship and love. Don’t get me wrong, I love gifts, but the most important gifts come from the heart. π
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That’s a lovely way of putting it Jeanne and no better way to show that love than through cooking.
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Absolument! Merci. π
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such nice gifts you received Jeanne! Merry Christmas βοΈβοΈπ€π€
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Thank you. Yes, I agree. π
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