With Christmas around the corner, I get sentimental as I get out my box of decorations and ornaments.
This is my Dad's family. Take a moment to really soak it all in. My Dad's the one with the red rider bb gun. my Uncle Lee is the baby boy in the back who looks like he just got away with something. my Aunt Sandy is the one with crazy eyes in the front. Grandma's got her eyes closed and Grandpa obviously rolled in after setting the tripod timer and is just happy to be taking it all in. Isn't that what the holidays are all about? It makes me laugh every time I open the holiday boxes in the first weeks of December.
Last week I made a slow cooker pot roast with veggies to fill the house with delicious smells while we put up the Christmas tree.
I took a photo before putting the lid on, but forgot to take one after of how it turned out! oops! It was a no-fail combo to ease the soul and gut for a few hours, while decorating and ornament-hanging.
And the tree! tada! I love the warm glow of a Christmas tree in the corner.
I haven't been slacking on projects, I promise you. I decided to re-visit knitting for Christmas presents this year. Scarves for everyone! I don't know what I was thinking. While I've thoroughly mastered the knit stitch, I've committed myself to another expensive, time-consuming, callus producing 'homemade' Christmas gift that I'm not sure is really all that special. Only a few more to go. I swear I'll try a hat or sock or sweater once I get a satisfying break from these knit sticks, post-holidaze.
Today, I woke up to this in Columbus... awww hell snow!
Can you see how white it is out there? I love the snow, as long as I don't have to go out and drive in it. I saw this snow coming and got most of my errands done yesterday, thank goodness. Several gatherings and holiday parties to prepare for and never enough time it seems in these last weeks before Christmas. Not enough time to get the last gifts, wrap, bake, send cards or actually enjoy the incoming holidays until we land at our parents' homes, drop everything and can finally un-wind. But even traveling north comes early this year with how Christmas falls, so less time to prepare than usual. I swear I'm not feeling like a grinch this year, just a little overwhelmed with the to-do list I have created for myself. again. I need to stop thinking all these things NEED to happen to have a supposedly great Christmas. Always a work in progress, this personal-growth thing...
I was actually feeling really good this morning with the progress I made Saturday and was looking forward to making some pizzelles (snowflake cookies). My grandma (same one as above in the photo) made these cookies regularly through my childhood, the anise kind, and though I like them with anise (that black licorice flavoring), I know most don't. They are delightful, light and flaky cookies that go great with a cup of coffee. It's a very simple cookie to mix up, and my mom got me my own pizzelle maker two years ago for Christmas, so I whip up a batch every year now. Perhaps my own continuing family tradition in the making. I just did vanilla cookies this year (with powdered sugar sprinkled on top) and I also tried it with gluten-free flour substitution this year, and I couldn't tell a bit of difference in taste or consistency at all. Very happy with how they turned out!
So it began. 100+ pizzelles made and frozen today. It took a long time, with only being able to make 4 cookies at a time. I've not frozen them before, so I really hope they survive. Still have a few other cookies to make before we leave for the holidays up in northern Ohio. I have a full week of work and then holiday (and birthday) celebrating ahead and I'm looking forward to it, but also looking forward to some time away with family, eating good food, playing board games and true relaxing with all the holiday prep behind me!!
Here's to making joyous memories with the ones you love that will carry you into a peacefully blessed new year.
Happy Holidays!! xoxo
