Good morning! From all reports, it's going to be a white Christmas for the eastern Beachers. Anybody snowed in? Some folks really got a big dump and even lost power. We missed it all up here but we will get hit later, I'm sure.
Church this morning. I'm in charge of coffee this morning and need to bake a batch of cookies right away. I made that sherry cake yesterday and it burned a bit! My oven may need calibration. On the other hand, never try a new recipe and a new pan at the same time. I really do know better.
After Church, some decorating, cards (finally!) and a bit of party prep cooking. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Sit and chat a bit before you jump or plough into the day.
Ruth, The only time I burn anything is when I have to take it somewhere or have to impress someone. Makes you want to say bad words!
I'm all recovered from the birthday party. Everyone had a great time. Auston was in bed by 7:15 last night and is still asleep. He was pooped out! I actually got in bed at 7:30, but watched Elf. That show cracks me up!
I got my assignments from the MIL yesterday. For Christmas, I'm in charge of cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy. I'm making the dressing today. Tonight is my night to cook for everyone on The Hill. They may get leftover hot dogs from the party. I'm going shopping!
I think we ended up with 16 to 20", depending where you are. It's a lot of snow, but it's just gorgeous! Today begins the digging out, and I hope our neighbor comes back with his snowthrower. He cleared us out yesterday during the storm, and I ended up giving him the rum cake as a thank you. But there's plenty of time to make another one.
We're supposed to go up to my brother's in Collegeville for our family Christmas party this afternoon, and we'll have to see what shape the roads are in before we venture out there. The snowplow's been through our neighborhood, but the roads are still snow covered. The main roads should be in pretty good shape, though, I hope.
Sorry your sherry cake burned, Ruth. I bet it was good, too. But at least cookies don't take long to make. How was the birthday party last night?
Wow, Cottage! That's a lot of snow, even for me. I hope your neighbour didn't eat all the rum cake yesterday or he will definitely NOT be back today to blow snow.
Chelby, I made a good recovery instead of making cookies. I trimmed the sides from the cake, sliced and buttered it and am calling it "sherry loaf". Your MIL has the right idea about assigning parts of The Dinner. I've never had corn bread dressing - must be a Southern thing.
Time to tiddle up for Church. No dogs are going today as I still can't figure out which one has the "problem".
RUth - my DH always asks me why I try I new recipe for guests. I sit there fretting how it turns out, giving excuses if it's bad. I guess I can't help myself!
Cottage - my DH would be jealous !! We got 5 - 6 inches here in central PA. He has his new snowblower, and was out with it 2 or 3 times yesterday (see facebook pic). It is beautiful!
Chelby - what a fantasy...a child in bed by 7:30?!?! Glad you had fun at the party! Did he get lots of good presents?! My DD received clothes from my mom in the mail, and had a basic melt down "I DON'T WANT CLOTHES, I WANT TOYS!!!". Wow. Too bad for her, huh? SHe was quite the crab that day!
Me - Church today, CHristmas "party" for work this afternoon. Still have that bummer cold, so probably not a whole lot else. For those of you who remember him, Matt is coming back today for the party!!
I never got around to checking in yesterday, it was a wild day! But a nice one.
Fergie and I went to North Conway to pick up a few last minute Christmas things and ended up staying longer than we'd planned. We expected crowds but it really wasn't bad and the prices were wonderful so we ended up visiting all those stores we like but don't usually make time to go to.
No snow for us We've got enough for our white Christmas and it's plenty cold enough for the ski areas to make snow, so I'm happy not to have to shovel out today. I sure feel bad for all the folks who were supposed to travel this weekend though. My daughter's due to fly here from Houston on Tuesday, I hope things will be moving smoothly again by then.
I'm off to church in a few minutes. More goodies to avoid there this morning I'm sure, but I'm finally getting used to saying, "No, thanks."
Good morning I slept in and it was great! I might just do it all week.
Ruth - Something about making things for other people just causes problems. I make bread every week and even when I experiment it comes out great. Thursday I made bread for the party and the middle flopped down so it looked really funny. Luckily it still tasted good. Nice save with the cake and I bet it's still delicious.
Still have a dog with the runs? Hope that gets better soon.
Chelby - I'm so glad everything went well for Auston's party. Sounds like another busy day for you today.
Cottage - Wow, that's a lot of snow anywhere (and I lived outside of Buffalo for 2 years)! Have a safe trip and a fun afternoon
Twynn - My BF's granddaughter actually gave instructions when she was 2 - I want toys, no clothes Meme, just toys. Hope that cold bites the dust ASAP!
Heidi - Wow, I'm surprised it wasn't crazy there. I might have to brave it again one of these days. Keeping my fingers crossed for perfect cross country weather this week.
Well no snow here either and we are not complaining. We've got more than enough on the ground already and are in no hurry for more. It was Christmas Bird Count here but we were both under the weather and decided to just do our own neighborhood and skip the party. Not sure why it's been such a long week but we were exhausted with slightly sensitive tummys. Mediterranean Vegetable Stew and early bed was just the right way to spend the evening.
Today will be another at home day with chores (not much got done yesterday) to do. We have a few errands to run but will do that tomorrow when more people are at work
Somehow I ended up offering to make pumpkin cheesecake for dessert for our family dinner on Wed. I'm also making Butternut Squash lasagna and a breakfast casserole. Guess I'll be doing some cooking. That lasagna will be a new recipe for me, of course trying it the first time for a family dinner. Guess we all do it Twynn
Chelby, I'm glad Auston's party went well. My DD had to postpone my GD's party because of the snowstorm, but Carley was OK with that. Have fun on your shopping trip today!
Ruth, that was a good save on the cake! Bet no one will ever know!
Twynn, I hope your cold is better and that you have fun at your Christmas party. Tell Matt I said "Hi"! How's he doing these days, anyway?
Heidi, too bad you missed the snow. Want some? I have more than enough and will share.
Cyndi, I can send some your way too so you won't feel slighted, OK?
Our party is cancelled for today, which is a good call. It probably wouldn't be a problem getting there, but getting back home in the dark could be dicey. Monica sent me a picture from her livingroom window, and the snow is halfway up her windows! We'll be talking about this blizzard for some time to come.
I made blackberry pancakes and induldged in real maple syrup from Ruth's sugarbrush for breakfast. Right now I have laundry going and Jake is out clearing off the cars. Dustin is going to come by with his snowplow after he's finished with his customers to get us cleared out, so our neighbor won't have to do it. We may run out for the papers and a quick stop at the grocery store after that, but it's a nice day to hunker down and watch old holiday movies all day.
Cottage - You as so thoughtful. Thanks for the offer. Luckily we already have more than enough of our own.
Sounds like staying home is a good idea.
Speaking of - we just bought the Patrick Stewart version of A Christmas Carol and will watch that later. I picked up some hot chocolate mix at the Co-op that 61% dark with a little orange sweetened with stevia and erythrytol. I think we will be trying that this afternoon
Well, I think our grand total for snow is about the same as cottage's. It is a beautiful sunny and cold day here, perfect for playing in the snow. I took several walks through town yesterday during the storm with my camera, and again this morning and got some really pretty shots. In between, lots of cooking. I had the oven on from noon until 6 and it was full the whole time. But the cookies are done, and I got 7 cakes made. Hopefully I can get DD1 to come out and help with wrapping and house cleaning over the next few days, and we should be good to go for the big day. I've gotten my assignments for Christmas dinner - an appetizer and a vegetable. My hot crab dip was specifically requested, so I'll do that, and I took some of that Kale with Roasted Turnips over for pizza night last week and it was a big hit, so I'll probably make that again. Still have to figure out what we want for Christmas eve here.
So far, this has been quite the magical Christmas for us. We expected DH to be back at sea by now, so it's wonderful to have him around. Christmas snow storm, and we have had lots of opportunities to do good deeds as a family, which really makes us happy. It's funny how some years you can kill yourself planning the perfect Christmas and it never really turns out the way you want it to. This year, I've hardly given it a thought, just gone with the flow and done what I could get to, and find myself really enjoying the season!
Kierie, how was the mall yesterday? It's either quite brave or quite insane of you to do your shopping the Saturday before Christmas! Enjoy your days off!. Cyndi, I love A Christmas Carol and I love Patrick Stewart. He's the only reason I was ever willing to watch any Star Treks. My favorite CCs are the Muppets and the old black and white British one, but I've never seen the one with PS. How was it? I've got that BS lasagna on my list to try.
Enjoy your cozy day, cottage. Twynn, have fun at the party and I hope you say "hello" to Matt from the chicks! Heidi, sounds like a fun shopping trip! Chelby, glad the party went off so well! My poor SIL had her Christmas party for her side of the family planned for yesterday. They cleaned and cooked all week, but with the snow, they had to cancel. They live up the mountain a bit and have about 1/4 mile driveway to get plowed to get out. I don't expect they'll be out for another day or two. Sophie, Lexxis, Pearl, Ruth, hello to all and anyone I've missed!
Hello
Glad to see that everyone is safe after the big snowfall and baking away. I guess we just have to learn to live with it.
Happy to say that I am feeling much better and went out today to get some necessities like milk and was very surprised that it wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be, lots of parking lots. All my baking is done and DS1 is making dessert for Christmas which involves lots of bourbon. The guys in the family love it.
Pork Roast for dinner and having my sons over.
I will have to try the kale with greens recipe and will have it all to myself because no one here likes kale.
Enjoy what is left of the weekend
take care
Sophie
I never got around to checking in yesterday, it was a wild day! But a nice one.
I never got to checking in today! Messiah was great, but we got home late last night and I actually slept in. By the time I got up it was into high gear.
I enjoyed reading everyones posts. Snow is the word! Amazing storm...I finally think I'm settled for the evening. See you all tomorrow as we head into our holiday week.
Hey Ladies Peeking in Late our cable internet and phone went down this afternoon
We got about 1 foot + of snow not bad I almost did the 1 woman luge down our driveway luckily DH caught me about 4 inches from the ground
Shopping was fine we were on a mission! I got in and out in under an hour... The mall didn't feel christmassy
today we went for a food porn breakfast at IHOP I had 4 forkfulls of Gingerbread pancakes and 2 scrambled eggs then we went to target which felt christmassy and a quick trip to the Grocery for cookie stuff
our tubes of cookie dough wouldn't take to the cutters
Luckily I had the food network magazine with the cookie pullout in it and we were SAVEd (hence my FB Status)
We missed it all up here but we will get hit later, I'm sure.
I really do know better. 
I slept in and it was great! I might just do it all week.
