Good Tuesday morning!

Another brutally cold day is on the horizon here before the temps start to rise a little. And we still have January and February to get through. Ugh.

Since I don't have any plans for today, I'm going to try to take it as a quiet, restful day before the festivities start tomorrow. We're having a big Christmas Eve Italian buffet here tomorrow, and more family for Christmas Day dinner, so I'll be bustling. Right now I'm wondering how in the world I'm going to get everything accomplished, but somehow it all works out.

What's happening in your part of the world today?

Good morning Cottage It's below zero here so I feel your pain We have another weather advisory for tomorrow too. I've missed so many days in the office this month because of weather. I'm glad my job is so flexible but this is ridiculous!

Enjoy your day of relaxation before the festivities It's sure going to get quiet around here for a few days.

I've got a regular work today and tomorrow, then a quiet day at home Thursday. We are traveling Friday and Saturday so will enjoy our quiet, at home day.

I hope all you Chicks with travel plans are getting where you need to go and everyone else is staying war.

Good Morning!

I woke up this morning freezing as well. Obviously it isn't as cold for me as it is for both of you, but we didn't have the heat on and the house was a little nippy this am. DH turned on the heat when he got up for work and I just recently got up and made myself a cup of hot cocoa. It was wonderful! I don't drink much coffee anymore because I really like stuff I shouldn't have in my coffee. It was just easier to give up coffee than to learn to like it with SF syrup and light creamer. I'm wondering now though if I made it more like a latte with hot milk if that would work...

Today I will be baking a SF chocolate cheesecake to take for Christmas Eve at the in-laws and hopefully I will be able to find unsweetened coconut so that I can make macaroons. I checked at Walmart yesterday and they only had sweetened coconut. I think I'll try the health food store today.

Have a great day everyone and keep warm!

Morning Chicks. The ice is supposed to be moving in soon, but frankly I don't trust the weather man anymore. I guess I will take whatever we get, not like I can change it.

Cottage enjoy your calm day.

Cyndi We are traveling Friday and Saturday also, be careful.

Murphy hope you find your coconut!

Me just work today, still need to get a gift for my MIL, we have a couple of knick knacky stores next door to work so I will probably just venture over there.

Hope you all have a great day!

Good cold morning to ya.

Thank you all for the well wishes and the prayers I am so thankful and I will be sure to keep you posted.

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Good morning

Cottage sounds like everything is organized at your place. Enjoy your day.
Cyndi - hope its a bit festive at work today.
Murphydoodle - your baking sounds good and on plan
Stephanie - my late MIL was a very hard person to shop for. Oh yes how could I forget. I told you that in the real world I am know as Stephanie but guess what my DHs name is - Stephan.
Gonnabe - Hope everything works out.

I had a good nights sleep and know everything will work out. My DD and SIL are very hard working people.
I still have to go out for tomatoes and iceberg lettuce(ugh hate the stuff) but one of my sons enjoys turkey sandwiches more than anything so I have to be prepared. Otherwise the plan is set.
Have a good day everyone
Sophie

Cottage: Have fun on your restful day. Sounds like you have some busy days ahead.

Cyndi: enjoy your relaxing Thursday. I remember the week leading up the Christmas being my favorite week during work because it was so quiet.

Murphy - I've seen unsweetened coconut at Wal-Mart in the frozen section (by the frozen fruit). I usually thaw it, lay it on some paper towels to get the excess moisture out and throw it in the food processor to make it more fine. Macaroons sound divine. I would make some but only my immediate family likes coconut and I would end up eating far too many if I didn't have anybody to give them to.

Gonna - I missed what everyone was congratulating you about - whatever it was, well wishes coming from Louisiana!

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We had our nephew over last night to play video games with DH. They ended up going to bed at 5 a.m. and nephew was up at 8 wanting to play again! Boys!! We have to bring him home at some point today, but I figure I'll let them get their gaming in before the baby is born.

LL is here working on the tiles. I'm trying to get as much done in the kitchen as I can before he moves in there as well. He is a very heavy smoker and my house is stinky already in just the half hour that he has been here. Time to light some candles! I wonder if he'll get the hint if I light a candle right in the room he is working in.

It's going to be a rather relaxing day around here - not much to do other than some light maintenance housework and maybe baking a batch of cookies that I found yesterday. Chocolate peppermint is my weakness

The Christmas spirit is definitely setting in - with everything related to Christmas done, I can finally just sit back and enjoy the wonder of it all.

to everyone. Have a great day, girls!

ETA: Sophie, you're such a good momma getting the things that you don't like but you know your kids do. I always appreciate it when my parents do the same Enjoy your day!

zeff - tell him that you or your DS have breathing difficulties and can't tolerate smoke. maybe open all the windows to say that it will clear the smoke. Second smoke is my greats irritation.
Sophie

Sophie - he isn't actually smoking in the house....it is a residual smell from him smoking sooooo much and not washing his clothes. It is horrible.

I am trying to modify a recipe, make it a little more "beach" friendly. It calls for 1 cup of brown sugar... how can I do this with Splenda?!? Any suggestions? Thanks!

I sometimes use brown sugar Twin. While not SBD, I might add a smidge of molasses and use Splenda. I know this isn't legal, but I figure 1/2 tsp of molasses and a cup of Splenda is way better than a cup of brown sugar!

Jen, I agree with Murphydoo. I would use splenda and add a bit of molasses for the flavor that brown sugar imparts. They do have a brown sugar splenda as well, it's half regular sugar and half splenda though so it still isn't 100% OP.

*food porn alert*
I saw a Christmas cookie recipe this morning that I just had to make. Chocolate cookies dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermints. I finished all of the cookies and have to wait until they cool to dip. They smell so freakin' good. I'm glad Christmas eve is tomorrow night. I'll bring them all over to MIL's and get the temptation to eat them all out of the house!!!

Zeff- I found unsweetened coconut at the health food store and just finished the macaroons. It was really easy and only made 14 macaroons. I'll post in the P2 desserts I guess. Is coconut legal in P1?

um....I think so? Honestly, I have no idea. I would love to have the recipe though. I love macaroons more than....well....I just love 'em.

I thought I remembered the molasses trick. Now to see if I have molasses!
I am making caramel corn in the microwave. It isn't OP no matter what, but I thought if I could lighten it a little, I wouldn't feel so guilty about eating it. My mom is really watching her sugar, so if I make it with Splenda, it will be a great Christmas Day treat.
Zeff - your cookies sound so good!! I made some gingerbread men and sugar cookies today with the kids. They love to decorate them and have them ready for Santa. I tasted one of the sugar cookie, and they aren't that good! (Or at least I felt they weren't worth the spurge!).
The snow here is getting bad! We took the kids sledding today, the hill was pure ice. I sure hope I have some company still show up tomorrow night. I bought a lot of food and have been preparing all day!