:coffee2: I need a big cup of coffee this morning, or better yet, the entire pot! I woke up feeling panicky about everything I have to get done in the next two weeks, and next weekend is booked full already, so I don't even have that time to count on. :yikes: I thought I was doing good and was ahead of the game, but now it's just getting downright crazy.

Ruth, I sure hope Disney's sore is starting to heal up! Avoid the extra stress and just go get yourself a new tree. Then, if the tree stand legs do show up, you'll have an extra tree you can put up in another room to enjoy. Aren't you glad you stayed in and watched the Christmas shows? Taking time to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Grinch" are musts on our Christmas agenda every year. :)

Well, I'm going to finish this last mug of coffee and then get on with my day. I have to get back in time to bake cookies with Amber this afternoon. She found out that Caite, Carley and I baked gingerbread men yesterday, and so I have to bake with her today. I would have asked her over to join us yesteday, but it just would have been too many cooks in the kitchen. :dizzy:

Maybe by this evening I'll have time to stop and catch my breath.

Good Morning Ladies! :)

It's 7 degrees here and the wind is howling. I won't be walking outdoors today!
I'll be too busy anyway, after church I've got to make an appearance at a bridal shower and a Christmas Open House this afternoon and my husband is hoping to make a quick trip to Lewiston to do some shopping after that.


Cottage, I had a shock this morning when the news anchor said, "Only 11 days til the Christmas Eve....." I've got a lot to do between now and then, too. Enjoy your baking today. It must be nice to have little girls around who want to bake with you. I miss those days.
Ruth, I love It's a Wonderful Life, I watch it several times a year, any time I get kind of down or grumbly and it always gives me a little lift. I'm glad you finally had a chance to see it!
Chelby, I hope Auston is feeling better today.
Hi Rikki - congratulations on the 9 lbs! This is a tough time of year to loose, you're doing amazing! :bravo:

Kara, I love Go Dog, Go! Year after year my 5 year olds get upset with the dog that says, "No, I do not like your hat!" and then they cheer in delight when he FINALLY says, "Yes, I do like that party hat!" :lol: My own children were the same way with that book. Dr. Seuss' stuff may be boring for us to read but the little guys sure do love them.
I think you're very kind (and wise) to do the gifts for the teachers' whose classrooms are used for Sunday School. When I taught in Bad Aibling we had the same situation. I was happy to share my classroom but I always went in early Monday morning prepared to pick up a mess and to take out the things I'd put out of sight. (I taught preschool there, lots of toys and things that made it hard for kids to concentrate during Sunday School. lol) I remember getting a thank you note from the class that used my classroom one time and it really pleased me.
Rose, what a busy life you've got this week! :eek: I hope you were able to get a little sleep and that the final shows go as beautifully as the first did.
Cat, How did it go yesterday? I'll be watching for a new recipe! :)

Debbie, Kierie and the rest of you - have a great Sunday!

Why is it 8 here? I think I should go back to bed, until spring!

Ruth - Hope Disney's little sore heals up without a hitch.
We love It's A Wonderful Life. When DD was little a good friend of ours always spent the holiday with us. We would put that movie on after dinner on Christmas Eve partly to keep DD up as late as possible and just because we love it. When it was over and the lights were back on the guys always muttered about dust in their eyes ;)
I still watch it every year.

Cottage - Take a deep breath and just enjoy baking with the kids :) Everything else will get done but those moments are so special.
We love the Grinch too, the original of course!

Heidi - Stay warm :brr: It's supposed to rain here this afternoon. How crazy!

Debbie - How was the dog party? Are there pics?

Kierie - Glad to hear you got a little down time.

Chelby - I hope Auston is feeling better and no one else is sick

Rikki - Wow, 9 lbs! Way to go. I need to follow you around for a day.

Kara - I am so enjoying your kid pics on facebook :)

Cat - Yum, looking forward to hearing about that class :) I hope the sun comes out today.

Pearl - Sorry to hear about the work stress but glad it isn't totally interfering with your weekend. Hope the play continues to be hitchless :)

Had a lovely time at the pub last night listening to DW play. Dinner wasn't too far off the rails but I did indulge in an extra glass of wine.

Today is another quiet at home day. I might try my hand at a healthy gingerbread. I'd love something festive though not sure I entirely trust myself right now. I haven't baked in ages.

Good morning chickies,
I've been missing. Had a wonderful visitor for five days, my SIL and grandson. SIL came for another interview but no answer yet and brought my grandson because my DD just didn't want to book off sick, it was cheaper for him to fly over. I loved having him here, he is two and three months and is he ever chatting away. So many precious moments. What a Christmas present.

Glad to see everyone is well and the Christmas preparations on going strong.
I still have some baking to do and today will try to make French macaroons which I have never done but it will remind me of Paris.

Enjoy your day
take care
Sophie

Oh Sophie what a wonderful present :) I adore macaroons. I don't suppose there is any way to make them SBD legal? Not that I'd ever be able to stick to portions anyway ;)

Well there is now a freezing rain warning here. Fun, fun, fun. I hope my power stays on. I have the crockpot, dehydrator and bread machine running. :crossed:

Good Morning:sunny:

I was up for awhile earlier, and went back to bed. We're both kind of "grinchy" here today so I think staying home might be in order. Dog party was super fun. I took some photos, but I only thought one was worth posting. I'll do that later. I wish I could learn how to put one right in a post.

Ruth :hug: You were in my dream last night, perhaps because I was thinking of Disney. You are all in my healthy family thoughts today.

Chelby, I hope Auston is feeling better.

Kierie, what book signing did you go to? I have several recipes for dog treats if you decide to try PM me.

Kara, I hope you all had fun at the church Christmas performance. BTW, I haven't read the Go Dog Go book, but I'll bet our therapy dogs read it with the kids at school. We don't go, because Rudi really doesn't enjoy the youngsters :shrug: Adopted pets sometimes have irritations we'll never know about.

Cat, I'm interested in the raw candy recipes! I might even start googling for some recipes. I need something healthy to make for the boxes I mail and I need it fast! The clock is ticking.

Pearlrose, :wave:

Rikki-You go girl! When you said you're back you meant it!

Cottage, panicking is :nono: here! I do think your suggestion for Ruth's tree is a good one.

Heidi, stay strong at those parties!

Cyndi, my Sis created a healthy gluten free GB that rolls out well. What recipe are you going to use? Won't we all be excited when Spring rolls around. I've pretty much decided I'm going to call "maintenance" for awhile and enjoy it's success until I can get back outside on my bike.

The grinch is back from shoveling, so I guess I'll fix breakfast or something. Raspberries are thawed for making jam. I sold 10 calendars for the rescue group yesterday by offering a jar of jam for each purchase.

ETA Hi Sophie! Glad to hear you had such a wonderful visit. Good luck with those macaroons! I've never made them either.

BTW, we're going out for breakfast to our fav diner. They'll serve me a salad with my omelette rather than the usual toast and potatoes. A bribe, for sure, but DH did mention the concert tonight so it looks like we may be back on track. DH is such a happy recluse and my holiday schedule sometimes takes a toll.


Have a great day everyone!

Michelle, I hope Auston feels better soon!

Ruth, I hope Disney's elbow is nothing serious!

Linda, enjoy what you're up to and take time to see the magic in the season. I'm sure you are making a beautiful holiday for your family!

Rikki, congrats on the 9 pounds! You are doing great!

Heidi, what's so funny about that book is that the hat at the end is the ugliest of them all, I think! My favorite in the book is the little bird and his expression when the cars are screeching to a halt so they don't squish him. :)

Cyndi, so glad you had a nice time at the pub! What kind of music was it?

Sophie, have fun with your baking! I say anything to remind you of Paris is a good thing!!!

Debbie, I hope you enjoy your breakfast this morning! How nice of them to substitute the salad for you!

We are home from our B-U-S-Y Sunday. We left the house at 7:30 this morning to make it to church in time to get all the kids in costume and get Connor warmed up to play his violin. The performance went so well. I was so proud of the kids. No one ran out crying and everyone remembered their lines. Connor played beautifully and he got several compliments afterward. I know I'm a proud mama, but I really think he's something special. We had to skedadle afterward to Sunday School because I have to open the building. The kids all got a kick out of signing cards for the classroom teachers and I gave out presents to my Sunday School teachers as well. They do such an amazing job and they put SO much into these kids. I am so thankful to have them. After that we grabbed lunch and headed to AWANA. Did I mention it was snowing all day? Gorgeous! We only had about half our kids at club but the ones who were there had a great time. Such a fun group. Got home around 5:00. I have two towering baskets of laundry that need to be folded and I'm trying to get up the motivation to do it. I also REALLY want some cookies. GO AWAY CRAVINGS!

I guess I'd better get to Mt. Laundry. Have a good Sunday all!

Kara - your day sounds so wonderful. Nothing like having sweet children at Christmas. You really adapt yourself so well to wherever you live.

me - I baked the French macaroons and lets just say I won't be putting any French pastry shops out of business. There were a few that were just perfect but some cracked. No licking the spoon here, I poured myself a glass of V8 and believe it or not licking the spoon isn't that great after having a sip of V8.
Watching the tour of the White House tonight with Oprah.
take care
Sophie
oh yes, my son called me mom and my little grandson gave him quite an argument, saying NOT MOM.