Christmas cookies

It is no secret that I have never really been able to master the art of baking cookies. No matter what I have done in the past, my cookies always come out looking distorted or super obese, or all the cookies just "Grow" into one giant cookie. It has become some what a joke around my household, a joke that kind of pisses me off.

This year, Baby DIVA being at an age where Christmas cookies and decorating are a fun activity (well for about a minute and half anyway), I was bound and determined to master the art of baking a cookie and having it come out of the oven looking like the cookie I put in the oven. Thanks to Dr. Google and a friends thought of possibly turning my baked goodies halfway through cooking time, I MASTERED THE SKILL!!! Cookies went in looking one way and came out a little golden brown and looking just the same!

But perhaps I have not quite mastered the decorating aspect of this fun activity. Id like to introduce you to Zombie gingerbread man!!!!

And here are a few looks at Baby DIVA's food art. Clearly she has skills momma doesn't!

Do you bake cookies every year with your family? What kind do you bake and with whom?

Holiday MAGIC

Thanksgiving came and went. And we all know what that means! Despite the retail industry trying to force us to accept some Holiday cheer 4 months before the old jolly guy comes down for a visit; it is NOW officially time to get our Christmas on!

For me, I simply must deck the house in Christmas the weekend following Thanksgiving. I do not care what my plans are. What is on our schedule. It WILL happen. Even if it means decorations go up at 3 in the morning. Christmas will magically appear the weekend after Turkey Day Dammit!

And I did. H4L was kind enough to scamper up the attic ladder and bring down my zillion boxes of Christmas décor. I emphasize the number here, as H4L noticeably mentioned to me how he carried each box down. Love yah Hun! Sorry but the belly prevents me from doing any strenuous activity. (Side note: Someone toss me an excuse for next year). Once the boxes were down, I began to rummage through them finding all sorts of treasures that I forgot about over the last 11 months. Ahhh it was just like Christmas. HA!

While Baby DIVA napped ever so sweetly, I turned her castle into Christmas wonderland. The tree went up and was adorned with numerous ornaments that we have collected as a family. Mementoes from previous vacations, Baby first Christmas, Wedding memories, and even little hand and footprint ornaments from Baby DIVA made right after she was born. Yes hormones kicked in and I had myself a little cry while hanging ornaments. Isn’t that why we have these ornaments?

After the tree went up I carried on the Christmas magic to all other areas of the house. The mantle now houses the old familiar Christmas frogs, the kitchen is covered in gingerbread men and nutcrackers, and the guest bathroom screams winter as it is decked out in snowmen galore. Gorgeous. Wonderful. Christmas!

Now in, oh about 3 ½ weeks I will be itching to put up as this “clutter”. Funny how that happens huh?

Baby DIVA broke my camera so you will have to settle for a camera phone pic. Enjoy. HINT TO SANTA!!! I need a camera!

Christmas Breakfast

Last year on Christmas morning, H4L and shared the joy and magic of gazing at our beautiful bundle of joy, Baby DIVA and her fabulous exactly 4 week old little self. We basked in the glory and happiness that she was healthy and thriving despite being born exactly a month before she was due, Yep you read that correct. Baby DIVA was in fact scheduled to make her big debut on Christmas Day, however she arrived in the nick of time for turkey day instead.

Christmas morning brought us 3 hour feedings, lots of dirty diapers, and two stumbling adults still trying to piece together how parenting a newborn works. This year things are quite different. We have a toddler, not a newborn infant. The tree is up and the house has been thrown up upon by all the crazy Christmas decor. The gifts are all wrapped and snug under the tree. The stockings are hung and ready to be filled. Santa has made contact and assured us that the assembled toys (got to love that frustration free packing) will be nestled precisely under the tree upon the waking of Baby DIVA on Christmas morning. There is just one little tid bit of final formalities we need to firm up.

H4L and I are trying to pick out a traditional food we will devour on Christmas morning. H4L is quite partial to French Toast, so I have found several routes for this feat. Here are the 3 choices:

Haitian French Toast
Overnight French Toast
Overnight Apple French Toast

I now ask for your opinion on which route we should go. I would also love to hear about you. Do you eat a certain something special on Christmas morning? Why do you eat it? Is there a story behind your yummies or are you like H4L and I, and you and your family just chose something delicious to devour on this magical morning?