Thursday, December 20, 2012

Christmas Preparations

I have to tell you, it was difficult getting into the Christmas spirit this year, but we're trying.  I'd really like to thank everyone out there for being so supportive with messages and cards.  It was so appreciated.  I never realized how much a kind word can change the outlook in a persons day.  I'm sorry to say that I didn't even start my Christmas cards this year, so please forgive me.  Honestly, we've been spending a lot of time together as a family and I've been hugging my kids a lot.



A big time saver for me this year was shopping on line.  I despise crowds and long lines anyway, so for me, it's totally worth it to price compare on line and then click and ship.  I was surprised at how many items I was able to get shipped for free by googling for online coupons for the different stores.  I saved a bunch that way.  If you don't do that already, check it out.  Wow!

We put the tree up on the first Sunday of December, like we always do.  Now that my kids are older, I just wrap most of the presents as I buy them and stick them under the tree.



The stockings were hung by the chimney on the book case with care and almost immediately the Christmas Elf starts filling them each day with little trinkets.   I'll tell ya, my kids get a bigger kick out of checking their stockings every morning than they do about almost anything else.  It's the most favored tradition in our family and one that I'm glad I started when they were little.  Almost every night the elf visits and leaves a small gift in one or two of the stockings.  The kids would always get up quickly on December mornings to see who got a gift.  They were allowed to remove it from the stocking, squeeze and shake it and even guess what it might be.  So much fun for such a simple thing!


How many different varieties of cookies do you make for Christmas?  We're whipping up about 14 different kinds this year.  We usually start around the 1st of December and make a batch per day until we're done, but with all the turmoil around here this year, we got a really late start.  As of right now, we only have 2 batches left to make, so I don't think we did bad at all.  Here's Chablis with the recipe scrapbook I made for her last year.  She's been adding new recipes all year and this year she really learned how to cook.  I'm quite proud of her!







Lucky always has to lay right in the middle of the kitchen whenever we bake.


Petey sits and hopes for a crumb or two to hit the floor....


Tony likes to help make and smell the cookies, but he sticks to his apples, thank you very much....


5 days until Christmas and we're back on track.  Most of the food for Christmas dinner has been purchased, house cleaning started, baking almost done, tree and stockings up and most of the gifts wrapped.  Christmas music is constantly playing in the background.  Hugs and kisses all around.






15 comments:

  1. Your hair is growing!!!! It looks awesome!

    Love the pics :) Your dogs are sweet.

    Ummmm your bookcase looks a lot like mine with the tv in the middle and the ship on top ;)

    You are several batches of cookies ahead of me at this point. I still have shopping for food to do. I did make zucchini bread yesterday, and the Christmas music will be on repeat until the season is over.

    Merry Christmas!

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    1. I came THIS CLOSE to cutting my hair short the other day. It's at that crappy -in between- length and I hate it. LOL!

      If you look closely, I have all kinds of Sanibel stuff all over that shelf. My husband made that ship when he was a kid.

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  2. KIm, We have been non-stop Christmas music here as well!! What kind of cookies are the Christmas trees? They look awesome!!

    I've been cooking up a storm as well, but Jess can't be here until this coming weekend so it's not the same alone.....we will catch up when she gets home!! Hug those kids as often as possible...it's pretty difficult when they are gone and you can't!!

    Merry Merry Christmas to you and your family!! My heart is with you all as we ALL go through this difficult time!!

    ::Hugs::
    Cheri

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    1. Cheri, I'm thinking about you too. I know how difficult this Christmas is going to be for you. Big hugs!

      The tree cookies are Spritz. I took a picture before they got their frosting glaze. My daughter is the expert at making those. I could never get the hang of using the cookie press.

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  3. I recognized those Christmas Tree spritz cookies! My mom had one of the cookie makers and now I have one too. Making spritz cookies is a Holiday tradition in my house. Isn't it nice to have your kids home? Mine came home last weekend. Hope you get some snow! Enjoy your last few days before Christmas!

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    1. It's always nice when everyone is home. The spritz cookies always remind me of my mom.

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  4. I'd have to hang with Tony and eat some of his apple slices but oh, how I have always loved to bake! And don't the two of you look cute in your holiday aprons! I always loved making lots of different cookies to share with neighbors but I don't bake much any more. I know a 'birthday boy' will want something special in a few days and I'll bake for him. But it's hard to bake goodies when you can't eat them. Merry Christmas to your sweet family! I would so love to live next door to you!

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    1. I recently bought my apron at the Goodwill store and Chablis bought hers at the antique mall. We just love how cute they are.

      I wished you lived next door too - I'd drag you geocaching! :-)

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  5. Everything looks wonderful and those cookies! Yummy! I'm really good as a taster is you ever need an extra! ;)
    Merry Christmas to you and your family,
    Shelia :)

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  6. Thanks Shelia! We're making the gingerbread cookies today and then we are finished. Merry Christmas to you as well.

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  7. I had to come by and thank you for your sweet
    comments on my blog today and your cookie
    making is something I just love.. I don't have
    many left because everyone keeps eating them.
    Happy Holidays
    Sandy

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    1. LOL - My husband keeps eating ours too. I have to freeze them out in the garage freezer to keep them away from him!

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  8. It's not easy getting into the Christmas spirit when your family is missing someone... I can only imagine how hard it must have been for you guys this year! :o(

    Those cookies look AMAZING! I haven't had proper Christmas cookies since my Grandmother died in '95... I never learnt how to make them either. I should do some research on the topic some day... I would definitely be snacking on those, carrots are for after the holidays!!! ;o)

    We only put up the tree a week before Christmas, and the Nativity scene (our crazy Belén, remember from last year?) a few days later. It's hard to find a good tree around here! They're all still up twinkling away, won't be taken down until the holidays are officially over after tomorrow. We did finally finish our Christmas leftovers with some delicious turkey soup today! My favourite part of a turkey meal is definitely the sandwiches and soup which come in the days that follow! :p

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    1. If I would have known that I would have mailed you cookies too. :-)

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    2. My bad for not commenting sooner! I might of just gotten crumbs though... :p

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