Last Weekend Wrap-up for 2012

I wasn't going to write a post today, but, I'm sitting here all alone, the house is quiet (for now), it's raining, the Christmas Lights are on, "The Family Stone" is playing, and the baking is done.  So, here we go!

I spent most of the day Friday and Saturday baking and making candy.  I got everything done except for Texas Millionaires and the Eggnog Rum Cake, so I did that on Sunday.  I was very, very pleased with the Mosaic Cookies:

I wish I had made more star cookies, but I chickened out because I wasn't sure if they were really going to turn out.  Definitely a recipe I'll save and use next year...with more cut-outs!
This is what my kitchen looked like for most of the weekend:

Yep, one big mess.  I ran across a recipe for Crinkle Cookies that uses cake mix, so I decided to use a spice mix.  They turned out so nice and fluffy:

Saturday, CH surprised me with a Christmas present:  a new droid phone!  Hooray!!!  I am loving it!

OS came home last night, with 4 kayaks in tow.  He put a picture on Instagram, but I didn't think to have him send it to me.  Trust me...he had 4 of them on the top of his car.  One of the benefits to where he works!  I think someone else was glad he was home:

I couldn't figure out what the white spot on his knees were, until I realized it was Laika's tail!

We had a couple that we met through camping over last night, along with their 3 kids.  CH made apple cobbler in the dutch oven, and they brought over ice cream.  The kids were pretty much glued to the tv...thank you the Family Channel!  The kids are very well behaved, and the daughter absolutely loves dogs, so she stayed occupied!

I'm looking forward to a low-key Christmas Eve.  The pork roast will go in the oven this evening, and I'll get the Eggnog Breakfast Casserole in the refrigerator for tomorrow morning.  Other than that, pretty low-key.

I will be taking a break until around Jan. 4th (Or the 7th.  Or somewhere in between.) to savor this time with the whole family + a girlfriend.
Have a safe, happy holiday season!

Hugs for the Holidays

I've been extremely fortunate this far in my life to not know the grieving process first hand.  Both of my parents, all of my siblings, their spouses, and their children, as well as my own children are still with us.  I do know the day will come when this will not be so.

I ran across the above link through Mrs. 4444.  If you click on the above picture, you will be taken to a blogger who suffered a devastating loss in 2011:  the unexpected loss of her 12 year old son in a drowning accident.  This is her 2nd Christmas without her son, but she said that this will be the first year with the shock worn off.  Her blog post is for anyone who has endured a loss, and she invites those to link up for support.

I spent yesterday baking, but those who have lost loved ones were on my mind the whole time.  CH asked me why I baked so much, and I told him that it was Christmas, and that's what you're suppose to do at Christmas.  But, I realized yesterday that there's an underlying purpose:  I reflect on people who have crossed my path throughout my life, remember those whom I haven't thought about in a long time, and remember those who have lost loved ones.  If you happen to be in the last category, please know that you were thought of.

My wish is for those who are grieving (for the loss of a parent, child, or other family member, a miscarriage, or for difficulty conceiving) to be at peace.

photo credit:  click on picture

Last Friday Fragments of 2012

~  This is my last frag for 2012...I'm taking next week off to enjoy my family.  We'll be with all of the boys...all week long!  Plus a girlfriend.  I won't know how to act with a girl around for so long!

~  The shopping is done, the presents are wrapped.  I even put some under the tree.  I was afraid Laika would tear into them, but she's been an angel. She went over and sniffed them at first, but a firm "NO" was all it took.  She hasn't been around them since then.

~  CH asked me what I wanted for Christmas.  Besides a decent phone (I'm using a "dumb phone" right now...my old droid kicked the bucket over Thanksgiving weekend.), I told him there isn't anything I want.  I'm a "giver" this time of year.  I love baking/making things and giving them away.  I'm perfectly content to sit back and watch the boys open their gifts.  I have all of my boys home for one more Christmas...what else could I want/need?

~  Cut-out cookies:  who makes them?  I have never been able to get mine to turn out right.  Either they get messed up going to the pan or coming out of the pan.  Or, they lose their shape while they're baking (I know...that's when I roll them out too thick.).  I used to make the spritz cookies from Pampered Chef and use the cookie press, but I think the press is broken.  I have enough junk to make on the agenda, so I don't think they'll be missed.

~  It's 7:30 a.m.  I love this time of day.  It's quiet, the sun hasn't come up yet, and I have the tree lights on.  And, I'm the only one up after taking the dogs out.  Very peaceful.

~  I hope everybody has a very Merry Christmas!  Stay safe, and enjoy the season! See you next year!