Up and baking soon after 5 a.m. as I fell awake and wasn't going back to sleep. Instead of reading, I decided to get cracking on a few things on my to do list and feel good about that. Unfortunately, my oven (which is only 2-3 years old) decided it was maxing out at 350 this morning. What the heck! It worked OK but I need it to hit the right temps for baking and to hold steady for the lasagna on Christmas. Got double chocolate biscotti loaves baked, will slice and double bake tonight, then dip a few and add a squiggle on others later. Finished up the sugar cookie baking and mixed the Toll House cookies. I think I'll have a nice variety to take to the next gen at home when we fly down there. I think this time, instead of prepping their plates, I might just bring pretty ones and have them assemble what they'd like.
Plans to walk to the theatre downtown to buy tickets look like they'll be thwarted by a rainy day. I don't have rainboots or I'd just slog up there. But as it's a casual Friday and I'm wearing jeans, I suspect I'll be driving up there.
I try to wait until the last day before Christmas to catch our office cleaning lady to give her a card and gift card, because I found if I do it early, she brings something in for me and I don't want her to feel she needs to do that. But then I worry that I'll miss her. It's a balancing act that I spend more time thinking about than warrants.
This morning I woke up DH slowly, chatting about this and that, until he reminded me that he was off today and didn't have to wake up so early! OH! My mind is a sieve.
CurlyJax - While I like the anonymity on this board, I know if I lived near you, I'd be reaching out to meet up so I could at least drop off meals for those at home so it's one less thing to deal with.
Bill - I really like that gold coin idea. A LOT. I should start that tradition here. Our bank would probably be stumped for something like that, though. I was trying to think of something special that DH could start for his grandson now - other than a college 529 savings plan
But it would need to be protected from being spent by the baby's mom. I was thinking savings bonds because I was brought up with them, but for those you need to link in the parent or guardian on the online bond account. I'm not comfortable with that. Have you tried the Park Boston app for parking there? They seem to be handier now, as you can extend your time remotely.
OneByOne - SUPER DUPER KUDOS for staying on plan without sugar. I was shocked at how, well, addicted I felt to it after I got off it for months and then indulged. It became obsessive for a bit. Staying on plan without it was way easier than trying to kick it again and again. Artificial sweeteners totally messed with me, too - i wanted to eat sugary stuff when I'd drink a diet pop, etc. The only one I don't have that feeling with is the soda Zevia sweetened with stevia and calorie free. Your soup idea is lovely - that's a great idea!!
Joy - Good luck wrapping up your errands! Do you and your DH have any special traditions like Bill's? I love hearing about those! We set out luminarias, so I hope the snow that's expected still allows that - we'll see how wet it is.
Waving at
Silverbirch,
FutureFitChick,
Maryann!