AHHH!!!

So, the orgy of greed is over for another year. All that's left is to stuff our selves silly. As usual, I look forward to surprising the kids with things they really want, but never think we will get them. This year Josh got an xbox 360. He was not expecting it at all, but was very excited. It is something he has been saving up for. (Brian looks just as excited as Josh!)
We bought the girls each a t.v. and DVD player. Again, something greatly desired. They will be very handy when they are living in Whitehorse. Sometimes they just like to lie in their beds watching a movie. Actually when they are sick they have to stay in their room, so a t.v. can be a real sanity saver. We also got them ipod docking stations. All in all, they were all very spoiled.
I bought Brian a very cool Greek mythology chess set, a fishing rod rack and a storm proof lighter among other things. I think I was the most spoiled of all. Brian bought me a cappuccino maker and my favorite gift of all - a set of golf clubs. Not just any golf clubs either, but the set I really wanted. Now I can't wait to get out golfing - maybe I will have to settle for some snow golf to tide me over the next few months. (Start warming up Sonya, the game is on!)Of course, no Christmas story is complete without mention of Oscar. On Christmas Eve we decided to let the kids open one gift. However, we didn't want Oscar to get into present opening mode yet. So, we put him outside and opened the gifts, then cleaned up all the evidence before letting him back in the house. When he came in I was playing with some bubble wrap - this was very intriguing for him. He knew we had done something, but couldn't figure out what was up. He was very alert and waiting for something to happen, but we managed to keep out secret until Christmas morning. Then of course he went nuts for his stocking.

Brian's parents and brother's family sent money for the kids. So, I combined the money and bought them these fancy name-brand sweaters. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa.

I think the Mom-of-the-year award is still up for grabs, I should be getting it this year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very merry Christmas.

This was posted by someone on SparkPeople: A New Years wish for you.

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!

May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy.

May the problems you had forget your home address!

I'M FEELING GREAT

This morning is the first day of our Christmas break. YAY! Wouldn't you know it, I woke up bright and early as usual - 5:15am. I decided to start off right and I pulled out my runners and set up my treadmill ready for a run. I determined ahead of time that I would do 8km. A lot of this whole exercise thing is just a mind game for me. When I got to about 4km, I was ready to quit. The lactic acid build up was getting the best of me. I decided that I would just push to 5 and that would be it. But when I got to 5km, I said to myself it is only 1.8 miles left. I am going to make it. And I did!!! 53:50. That is more than 2 minutes faster than last time (56:06). Now I feel great. I will probably crash on the couch in about 5 hours.

EXPANDING MY REPERTOIRE

As the holidays approach I am always on the lookout for exciting new recipes to try. It is the one time of year when I bake. I didn't realize how deprived my family was feeling until I saw them delve into the baked goods. One of the recipes I have discovered is the following, melt in your mouth goodness.

Cream Cheese Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter
2 1/2 tbsp cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp lemon zest

Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and mix well. Add milk and lemon zest. Mix. Gradually add dry ingredients. Mix well.

Drop by spoonfuls, or roll into balls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 for 12-15 minutes.
I usually place a chocolate chip in the centre (white chocolate for Brian). Half a glace cherry would be good too.

Enjoy!

I also discovered this picture on my camera - the beginnings of my very delicious fruit cake, made with real fruit, not just candied, dyed rutabaga.

CHRISTMAS BAKING

I came home from work today and had the time and energy to do some Christmas baking. It seems that all the previous baking I had stored in the freezer has been gobbled up by some very big, hungry mice. Hmmm. So, it was time to refill the freezer. Then I decided that no blog is complete without some pictures of food. Therefore, I grabbed the camera, much to Brian's enjoyment and took pictures of the cookies I baked. I made sugar cookies and glazed them as per Sonya's recommendation. They are delicious and look fancy without being overly sweet. Notice the empty spot where the mice have already started in. I also made some of Josh's favourite - nanaimo bars (over the top sweet). It is my Mom's recipe - far superior to the ones you buy from the store.