kidding around

Okay, let’s get through 2009! So, after Halloween, time flew by so fast that I’m still trying to catch my breath. Obviously most of my time was occupied with work- I was really proud with how my Thanksgiving pies turned out for orders. There was Bourbon pecan as well, my personal favorite. I love pie and could eat it all of the time if I was put up to the challenge!

During the holidays, you learn to adjust your expectations and have to forgo traditions. Usually, we cut down our own tree, but with schedules and limited day light, Nathan and the kids chose this beautiful tree at our local Loews. It actually was the longest lasting tree we have ever had and the cheapest- WOW. By the time we got it in our house, it didn’t matter that we went to a store and strung it to our van. It was perfect and I was sad to see it on the curb January 2!

Besides being a crazy baker at work, I used my time off to be a crazy baker at home. I love it and consider myself so fortunate to get paid for what I love to do at home! I made these pinwheels and they turned out so cute. I did all kinds of crazy color combinations. Plus they tasted great!

For the third year in a row, I made an ornament for friends and family. I make about 25 and love this tradition I started and no matter what, I will not forgo this one. Hopefully the recipients are equally as happy and won’t let me stop.

The whole process was easy:
1. Ask your husband to use his photo shop skills.

2. Give him description of what you want.

3. Reject a few of his samples.

4. Agree on the 5th sample.

5. Print it out onto iron-on paper.

5. Sew, stuff, sew some more, and “glitterize”.

Did I mention my sister and I cranked out lots of cookies this season? A LOT. I took these shots (there are more) and plan to make ornaments similar to our family ornament we gave out this year. I think they would be well received at her shop- who doesn’t like a reminder of their favorite cookie?

I love hosting Christmas dinner. I spend a lot of my time while working, coming up with lists in my head (big surprise) and the month of December is occupied with Christmas dinner. This year, Nathan made mole’ from scratch, my bro.-in-law smoked a pork shoulder, I made cilantro lime rice and cowboy beans…it was heavenly. Oh- I made con queso too and totally burned my nose with serrano pepper juice/seeds…brilliant.

The week after Christmas we had PERFECT WINTER WEATHER.

A huge snow storm+warmish weather= sledding and we did a lot of it!

I guess it’s nice to live somewhere that gets snow.

And now we are caught up! What should I post next? I got to get my groove back.