Lord only knows who this little sweetheart is. Wonder if she’s making a call to Santa to thank him for her gifts?

It could be Linda Broday, Mary Connealy, Pam Crooks, Geralyn Dawson, Karen Kay, Elizabeth Lane, Stacey Kayne, Charlene Sands, or Cheryl St. John. Go ahead and spit one out. Put your name in the hat for those wonderful prizes. 

My stars, what a busy time here for us Fillies. But Christmas is over, the mistletoe is down, and all the eggnog has disappeared. It’s back to business. Catherine Stang is hitching up her buggy and checking the map for the best way to get to Wildflower Junction. She’ll arrive this Saturday and have lots of interesting things to talk about. Ah do love her new western romance. Set your clock and join us for a bit of fun.

My, my, my what a little snow bunny! Isn’t that coat and hat the most precious thing? She’ll just plumb melt your heart.

Make your choice now. It might be Linda Broday, Mary Connealy, Pam Crooks, Geralyn Dawson, Karen Kay, Elizabeth Lane, Charlene Sands, or Cheryl St. John.

Take a guess. You might be right.

Those of us here at Wildflower Junction don’t want to make our new Holiday contest too hard, so we’re going to tell you at the end of each day which little sweetie is who.

All you have to do is keep track and keep guessin’. By the time we start runnin’ out of little fillies, you’ll have a pretty good idea who’s who.

Keep checkin’ back, y’hear?

 BOTTOM LAYER:

1 1/4 teaspoons butter (no substitutes), softened

2 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

3 tablespoons baking cocoa

1 tsp milk 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup chopped nuts  

PEPPERMINT LAYER:

2 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons milk

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

1/4 cup crushed peppermint candy  

Line the bottom and sides of an 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pan with foil. Grease foil with 1-1/2 teaspoons butter; set aside.In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, milk and vanilla. Stir in nuts. Spread into prepared pan. Chill for 1 hour or until firm.  

For peppermint layer, beat cream cheese in a small mixing bowl. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, milk and extract.Stir in peppermint candy. Spread evenly over chocolate layer. Chill for 1 hour or until firm. Using foil, lift fudge from pan. Gently peel off foil. Cut into squares.

I always have scads of candy canes left over from the tree.  This recipe makes a colorful and delicious treat for the holiday!

Now, isn’t this the cutest little darlin’ you ever laid eyes on? She’s definitely a sweetie.

But is it Linda Broday, Mary Connealy, Pam Crooks, Geralyn Dawson, Karen Kay, Elizabeth Lane, Stacey Kayne,  Charlene Sands, or Cheryl St. John? Take your best guess. 

Here’s a recipe for Oprah’s favorite martini that she shared a while back on one of her Christmas shows.  Every time I serve this drink, it’s a huge hit.  It’s so-o good!!  Not strong at all–unless you want it to be, that is!

Enjoy my friends!

Oprah’s Pomegranate Martini

1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice

2 oz. Absolute Citron vodka (or white tequila)

1 oz. Cointreau liquor (or Triple Sec)

Cup of Ice

Optional:  Squeeze of lemon

Shake ingredients in a shaker and pour in chilled martini glasses.   Garnish with pomegranate seeds or a rind of lemon.

Oh my stars, I’m sure you’ve about chewed every last fingernail down to the quick so I’ll end the suspense. The big secret is: We’re having a Christmas Contest! Yep, we’re doing that just for you because you’ve become like second cousins once removed and we like you a bunch.

Beginning Monday the 24th through January 4th, we’re gonna to post one Christmas childhood photo a day of us Fillies and your job is to guess who each is. I declare we’re set to make you work for it. Ain’t gonna be easy because we’re all cute as a button.

Now I know you want to hear the rules . . . you can vote as many times as you want to but only correct answers will count. The winner will be announced on Saturday, January 5th.

And what do you win you ask? Well, some lucky gal will win herself a 2008 hunky cowboy wall calendar, a DVD set of 34 episodes of Bonanza–remember Little Joe Cartwright?  Be still my heart!–plus a passel of other goodies. Sound good? Okay, get your eyeballs and brain to working because the first picture will go up on Monday.

The Fillies have worn themselves to a frazzle gettin’ ready for ol’ St. Nick so there won’t be a bit of blogging until after Christmas week. We’re taking a little vacation. But, don’t get to thinking we’re hightailing it out of here. On Saturday, December 29th we’ll have Catherine Stang dropping by to guest blog. She has a book called Sweet Serenity that I’m dying to hear about.

So, everybody have a very Merry Christmas. I’ll be listening for the prancing and pawing up on my roof and waiting for that jolly old man to slide down my chimney. And he’d better bring me something too or I’ll fill him full of buckshot. Take care now and don’t forget to come back Monday for some fun.

HOWDY  - I’m filling in for Stacey Kayne today. Hope you all don’t mind!

At the end of the year, millions of people across the world make resolutions for the upcoming year so I thought it’d be fun to take a look at New Year’s Resolutions.

Here’s what Wikipedia says about New Year’s Resolutions: 

A New Year’s Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advant

That being said, I found some sound advice for keeping your resolutions.  See if they work for you.

The Five Stages That Lead to Successful Resolutions

Pre-contemplation: The desire to change is vague. This is a good time to seek information and ask some important questions such as, “What risks am I running by going along just as I have been?”

Contemplation: Weigh the benefits of change. This is a time to get specific, to monitor behavior. For example, keep a record of how much you eat, drink, spend, etc.

Preparation: Begin making small changes. For example, you might give up some TV time and redirect your energy. Now’s the time to tell family and friends that the leopard is about to change his spots. This is the time to make a firm commitment.

The Action: Banish and sacrifice vices while embracing and committing to new virtues. At this point, give yourself all the help and support you can by creating a sense of accountability to others. Encourage family and friends to prod, provoke and push you.

Maintenance: This is the challenging part. You’re finished with your old habit and into your new life. It is a lot easier to maintain your resolution than it is to regain it. Do your self a monumental favor and stay focused on WHY you set this resolution in the first place!

Those who stay the course and fulfill their resolutions share these characteristics:

1. They believe in their ability to change.
2. They did not indulge in self-blame or excuse making.
3. They avoid wishful thinking and concentrate on results.
4. They understand their motivators and reasons why the resolution is important.    

Here’s the Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions? How many are on your list?

   Find a Better Job

 Learn Something New

Volunteer to Help Others

Lose Weight and Get in Shape

Reduce Your Debt

Stick to a Budget

Get Organized

HERE’S MY LIST — IT’S SHORT BUT ALL THINGS I HOPE TO ACHIEVE THIS YEAR

Exercise More  (I do really try)

Read More  (My fondest wish -I miss reading)

Keep One Step Ahead of my Deadlines  (Otherwise life gets crazy))

Spend More Time Away from the Computer  (Which sort of opposes the above resolution)

SO WHAT ARE YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?  WHICH ONES ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?  I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

HAPPY TRAILS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY READING! 

I did my best for you.  Finding pics and info about this flick is nigh on impossible!

Adam Ruebin Beach is a Canadian actor of Saulteaux descent. He grew up with his two brothers on the Dog Creek Indian Reserve until the age of 8. He is best known for his role in the movie Smoke Signals, directed by Chris Eyre, which won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Following the death of both his mother and father within a short period of time, Adam moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he became involved in theatre and in the Black Sabbath cover band Lethic. After landing a part in the film Lost in the Barrens with Graham Greene, he decided to pursue acting as a career.  You remember him from HBO’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

Enjoy!