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Barking almonds and other news
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 07:44AM 
Merry Christmas, Darlings
We are having a busy Christmas season.
Something tells me that you are too, but I'll go first.
It's funny because this year's was what you might call a short Christmas season; there were exactly four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Not a single almond -- barking or otherwise -- is present in this product
In accordance with that time frame, I got out ahead of everything. I worked at it like it was my job. Which, in fact, it was. It is.
Ninety percent of my Christmas gifts were purchased, wrapped, and situated under and around the tree before Thanksgiving.
On the day after Thanksgiving, I replaced my autumn wreath with my Christmas wreath. It lights up on a timer so I just let it glow there throughout the season.
I made this easy Crock Pot Candy today
I removed everything orange and brown and yellow from the decoration scene and replaced it with green and red and gold.
My regular coffee mugs were switched out for my Christmas mugs. Fall-scented candles were replaced with Christmasy candles.
And once all of that was done, I turned my attention to what we would be eating for the holidays.
I wore my mink vest to the Presbyterian Christmas party
I made list after list. The grocery orders came in tranches: the first wave was basic groceries but the second wave, I went to the Walmart in person to get.
Next, a Trader Joe's opened up about three miles from my house. The girls and I were there on opening day -- December 12th -- and I bought some more Christmas gifts and groceries there.
More lists were compiled: things I needed to make for gifts, for friends at church and for friends outside of church, and for neighbors.
On Black Friday we did our usual photo shoot ... Stephanie and family
(I had already made cranberry sauce and apple butter -- several times -- and bread to give to folks at Thanksgiving, so it was more or less of a continuation of that, for Christmas.)
Lists of what we'd have for our traditional Christmas Eve buffet, this year being held at Audrey's house.
Lists of what we'll have for Christmas dinner.
Loaves of homemade bread for the neighbors
Lists of all of the many treats I will be making for those two occasions, plus gifts for the aforementioned church/non church friends, and neighbors.
At any rate, the last four weeks have involved a great deal of planning, list making, buying, preparing, wrapping, giving, cooking, and so forth.
(Preparing my Christmas cards took an entire day. My list needed lots of work, and I sent out one hundred fifty-five cards. To do that, and do it right, takes time.)
Uncut and under wraps: Carmelitas
(The day after Thanksgiving, we did the traditional all-families Christmas card shoots. In addition to the Mike and Audrey and Dagny subjects, we had Stephanie and her family.)
(The Chericas could not make it that day so we got a shot of them for their card, on December 7th when we attended a Christmas program at Florence Baptist Temple in Florence, South Carolina.)
(Also, Allissa wanted a second shoot for her senior pictures, and we took those on Black Friday. They turned out even better than the ones from the first shoot).
Allissa wanted a second shot at senior pictures
All of that was a lot of work. But still, other stuff was going on without any sign of slowing or stopping.
On the second of December, we partied with the Presbyterians. Columbia's historic First Presbyterian Church -- established 1795 -- is a delightful place to visit and make friends. The girls and I have been there for several events in recent months.
December second was the day they held their Christmas Cheer party for ladies, in the late morning with a light lunch format. There were sandwiches and endless sweet treats, plus hot chocolate, tea, and coffee.
TG and me and the Chericas and Maudags, last Sunday
TG got me a ranch mink vest for an early Christmas gift (I bought it from a wonderful seller on eBay; it's vintage and was inexpensive but looks expensive) and I wore it on that day because unlike this week, which is flip-flop weather in South Carolina, it was nippy around the first of the month.
(A few weeks ago, my sister turned seventy. TG and I went to Greenville for the day. I made Southern Living's Poppy Seed Chicken recipe to pop into the oven when we got there, plus a special meal for Henry, who can no longer eat salt, and my sister's birthday and Christmas gifts.)
(Henry, my mother's widower, age 93, was extremely sick and there was a great deal of concern, but he seems to be doing much better. I'll go back and see him again next week.)
Fresh-baked banana breads for the neighbors
(Our Melanie turned twenty-one on Sunday. It was her golden birthday. All of us traveled to North Carolina on Friday and spent the night in hotels, so as to be there for her birthday party and for our Christmas with Stephanie and her family, who as I write are in Pennsylvania for their Christmas with Joel's family.)
(Melanie, who is disabled, has also been extremely sick for several weeks. She is on the mend and is almost back to normal but it has been a harrowing experience for her, for her parents, for her siblings, and for all of us.)
I had seen a reel on Instagram about the aforementioned Poppy Seed Chicken, and all I can say about that is, you should make it. Soon.
Melanie was feeling better for her party
I'd also seen a reel about making Crock Pot Candy, something I've never done before but which looked incredibly easy and good, so I decided to do it.
One of the ingredients listed in the recipe was Almond Bark.
I'd never seen or bought that product before so I was excited to use it. It just sounded so interesting and delicious.
She had a brief hospital stay last week
When I got to the Walmart on that day that I broke my recent habit of having Walmart deliver all of my groceries, and drove over there to get them myself, I noticed that my package of Almond Bark was the last one on the shelf.
I was relieved when I reached up into what appeared to be an empty box module on the shelf and saw in the shadows, at the very back one lonely slab of what was labeled in huge letters ALMOND BARK.
But it was not until I got home and inspected the heavy, chunky package -- which just today, I dropped on my foot, and trust me you don't want to be doing that -- I realized that it was not almond bark at all.
She will graduate in May
It is chocolate candy coating. And that's all it is. There is not a single thing related to almonds in that package.
It's Make Your Own ALMOND BARK Chocolate Candy Coating.
Have you ever heard of anything so outlandish? The package proclaims loudly that it contains Almond Bark. That it IS Almond Bark.
I call them the Maudags -- Mike, Audrey, Dagny
EVERYONE who uses this in recipes online states that one of the ingredients is Almond Bark.
But it's not Almond Bark. It is Chocolate Candy Coating that you could use to Make Your Own ALMOND BARK.
IF you wanted to.
We girls on December 2, 2025
Which I do not, because one, I do not have an almond and two, if I did, I would not be inclined to make it bark.
Barking almonds is one thing that I definitely do not need, and never will. Simply not appealing.
I did use the Make Your Own Almond Bark Chocolate Candy Coating to make Crock Pot Candy -- which involves said so-called almond bark, semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels, creamy peanut butter, and dry roasted peanuts.
The Chericas in Florence, SC, on December 7th
The pirate is not one of those people who wraps gifts in a box that says it's one thing when in fact, on the inside is something else.
So I don't appreciate being led to believe that I am buying almond bark when in fact I am not.
I have so many other funny stories to tell you, but they will have to wait until after Christmas.
At First Presbyterian, they served red velvet cheese ball
Today I made Carmelita Bars, Butterscotch No-Bakes, Andes Mint Ritz Cookies, four loaves of fresh bread, six small loaves of banana nut bread, and the aforesaid Crock Pot Candy.
Tomorrow I plan to make Christmas Crack, Natchez Cookies, Candied Pecans, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Pretzel Bark.
I'd like to make Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies but I'm not sure I will have time.
Andes Mint Ritz Cookies
Have you noticed that everything you make calls for basically the same ingredients, but comes out to be something unique when you are done?
I have a tower of brown sugar (both light and dark), pecans, almond slices (the non-barking kind), walnuts, oatmeal, semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, caramel melts, Heath bits 'o brickle, coconut, sprinkles, nonpareils, and sanding/finishing sugars, along with flour, white sugar, vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, eggs, heavy cream, and flaky salt.
Then there are the crackers: Honey Maid Grahams, saltines, Ritz and knockoff Ritz -- along with pretzels and corn chips (for the queso dip I am making for the Christmas buffet). I haven't even rattled off the myriad canned goods, to include pineapple, yams, green beans, Rotel, et cetera.)
Melly celebrated her golden birthday: 21 on the 21st
These same ingredients will yield countless different treats, each of which will delight and amaze.
On Wednesday, in preparation for Christmas Day, in addition to the Queso Dip for that night's buffet, I am making Sara's Pecan Pie (my friend Sara's recipe -- excellent and so easy; email me if you need it) and a Cranberry Tart in my new tart pan with the removable bottom.
For Christmas Dinner we are having baked ham, Broccoli Casserole, Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole, Slow Cooker Creamed Corn, mashed potatoes, green beans, Ambrosia (the kind with fresh oranges and grapefruit, pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries, coconut, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans), Rhodes Rolls, and assorted soft drinks, teas, and coffees.
It was my first time to make butterscotch no-bakes
It's shaping up to be epic.
I have so much more to tell you but it will have to wait until after Christmas.
And I hope yours is perfectly lovely, or if not reaching that height, at least passably tolerable.
Centerpiece at the First Presbyterian Ladies' Christmas Tea
I have a new favorite saying: ... until the shadows flee away. (Song of Solomon 2:17 KJV).
We will keep striving, keep working, keep believing, keep loving, keep praising, keep helping, keep looking up, until the day breaks, and the shadows flee away.
Until almonds bark.
And that is all for now.
=0=0=0=
Happy Tuesday :: Merry Christmas
Reader Comments (12)
Wow! You have been busy! I don't do 1/16th of the baking you do! Happy golden Birthday to Melanie. I'm glad she is feeling better! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your wonderful family! I got your card by the way. Thank you!
Happy birthday to Mellisa! Did you need me to send you my address so you could send me some of that almond bark? Not that non almond almond bark, but the real almond bark. All your pictures turned out great, but it was Allissa's that stole the show! Hoping you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
@Jeanette ... Oh great, I'm glad you got it! Yes I go a little wild with making treats. I am never quite sure why but it all works out in the end, hahahaha! Merry Christmas to you and your precious family too, my friend! xoxo
@Jim and Barb ... Oh sure, that almond bark will be winging its way to you in no time. SO ridiculous! Just put on the package what's in there, or AT LEAST put a recipe for almond bark on the back, hahahaha! They don't even do that! Yes that Allissa is quite something, isn't she? And not only beautiful on the outside. Merry Christmas to you both and the doggos! xoxo
Hello Pirate, you all are so beautiful. I love that you all care about how you look when out and about. In today's society you just never know, I recently was at a Christmas program, and yes, people came dressed in pajamas.
Oh dear anyway, I love, love the photos of Allissa. I am looking forward to hearing about her future plans.
Happy Birthday to your Melly, and I am praying for her health.
Merry Christmas my dear friend. Love and prayers to you and your family.
Carla
I got the biggest laugh when you said you will not be barking almonds! You do have such a way with words! Allissa 's photo is gorgeous! Oh my gosh, all your baking!! It makes me stuporous to even read about it! You have a lot of energy. The food all does look so delicious and is actually making my mouth water. I think my favorite pic is you, Dagney and family in front of the beautiful poinsettia tree. thank you so much for the card! You are such a beautiful couple, and the photo is wonderful all topped with the pretty greenery! I cannot wait for your other stories! You always are such a brilliant storyteller! I hope you have a great Christmas! Love, Ginny
Oh girl! You have been busy! And that's why we don't need appliances being delivered on Dec 23... :)
I'm so happy to hear all this good news on Henry and Melanie. Just an answer to prayer.
Your photos of all the family are stunning, but Alissa's take the cake. She is blessed to have a Grandma that is so talented with her camera. And it doesn't hurt that she's so photogenic.
You look lovely in the mink. Good job TG!
Almond Bark - I've used it before and wondered why it was called that too. no almond, no bark!
I've made the poppy seed chicken before and it's so good.
My kitchen has been busy too, but just a little more to do.
Merry Christmas and lots of love to all of you!
@Carla ... Thank you my dear friend, and thanks for your beautiful card and letter! I save everything so it will not be going into the trash after Christmas. Yes we do get "prettied up" every time we exit the domicile to hobnob with the general population. I got that from my mother and both grandmothers, gorgeous ladies all, and I managed to pass that habit down to my girls, who have passed it down to their girls! No way am I going in public wearing my pajamas or looking like I don't care how I look, hahaha! Life is both too short and too long for that! Allissa is truly a treasure and she will be attending Crown College of the Bible in East Tennessee come the fall. We are excited for her future. Melly seems to be getting stronger by the day. Love your family too and thank you for your prayers! Merry Christmas! xoxo 🏴☠️
@Ginny ... You are always so kind and give me too much credit, but I thank you! No barking almonds here, today or any day, hahaha! Life is nutty enough without that nonsense. I promise to have many stories in the new year -- some funny and some sad! I hope you and Phil have a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and that you are well and happy. Love you dear! xoxo 🏴☠️
@Mari ... HEY! My dishwasher WAS installed yesterday! But therein lies a tale (hahaha I know. you're not surprised) and I'll tell it later. Ugh all I can say is, it's in and it's gorgeous and it has a shallow upper rack for those long utensils and this morning when I unloaded it, ALL OF MY DISHES WERE BONE DRY!!! It was truly a Christmas miracle! Hahahaha love love love it. Yes that Lissy girl really is quite something, isn't she? I know she's human but I have yet to detect a human failing or flaw of any kind, hahaha. Not that I search very hard for that. But yes, photogenic could be her middle name!~ And she knows how to model with such confidence. I'm glad you like my mink! Unfortunately it's going to be 71 degrees today so I doubt I'll need it as I flare out for Christmas Eve service! More's the pity! I am thinking of you all and love you all very much. Give my love and xoxoxoxoxoxo to everyone! xoxo 🏴☠️
Jenny,
The photos are so lovely! My favorite photos of Allissa are the ones where she is in her red dress. She would look good in a potato sack, though!
Happy Holidays to you and your family and we all look forward to hearing about all of it in the new year!
Truly,
Amanda
Merry merry Christmas Eve my friend!--- I'm waaaaay behind on blogging and will try to catch up later!! 🎅 🌲 🎄
@Amanda ... Thank you! Happy New Year! xoxo 🏴☠️
@Debbi ... I hear you girl! Thanks for stopping by. Happy New Year! xoxo 🏴☠️
Love all the photos! And poor Melanie! Hope all is better with her now?!!
Happy Birthday to her, as well...love that cake!
Allissa is gorgeous, as usual...comes from gorgeous "stock"!
Happy New Year sweet friend!
hugs
Donna
@Donna ... Melly is some better but it's still hard times. Being sick was an emotional setback for her and they're going to get her some help for that. Yes wasn't that cake gorgeous? I don't know where Stephanie got it. And Allissa surely is a beauty, but I don't guess she could miss with two beautiful parents! Happy New Year to you and Larry and all the family! xoxo 🏴☠️♥️