Trivial Tuesday

• I am in love with the caramel corn recipe I found here at this lovely blog. I've made it twice in two days! If I was making it to eat immediately (rather then bring to a work cookie exchange) I would eat it without baking it in the oven when the caramel is still sticky and warm. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to make my own caramel from scratch even without a candy thermometer.
• Speaking of cookie exchanges, the girls and I had a delightful little exchange last week. I made the before mentioned gum drop cookies. I received, yummy jam print cookies from Rachel, delicious buckwheat (chocolate, peanut butter) balls from Melissa, beautiful molasses & lemon cookies from Reanna, christmasy chocolate short bread cookies from Steph and to die for peanut butter cookies from Cassy.
• Last night we had dinner at Boundary Bay (yum!) with some of Mr. S' oldest and dearest friends. After dinner the boys drank a lot of beer while the ladies and I ventured down to Mallard's for ice-cream. I sampled the apple pie (just like mom makes) and the cookies & Kremlin (white Russian flavored ice-cream). If you are craving ice-cream or ever in Bellingham Boundary Bay & Mallards are on the don't miss list.
• This morning I had a decaf eggnog latte. So good and rich. Add a banana and you've got my breakfast.
• Do you ever feel like dishes are taking over your life? I do. Last night at just after midnight I was cleaning pots & pans. I think I cleaned the kitchen extensively three times this weekend. I guess it's because of all the cooking I'm doing. We had pulled pork sandwiches Sunday night, I've been baking up a storm and cooking oatmeal loaded with goodies (pecans, milk, brown sugar, craisens!) for breakfast. I guess dishes are my duty.
• This Trivial Tuesday is officially all about food!

Christmas Meme

Found and taken from Swistle...



Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? I like both but drink way more hot chocolate.

Does Santa wrap the presents or just leave them under the tree? Wrap, with special, never before seen paper!

Colored or white lights on the tree? I'm partial to colored for my tree but think white look beautiful on other people's trees.

Do you hang mistletoe? No.

When do you put your decorations up? Usually the first week of December, but it is an on-going process, for instance our stockings still aren't hung.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Lots of lights! This year I was lazy with the ornaments and just put up a couple of dozen. I've tried to do a themed tree before and was disappointed. My friend Cassy always has the most beautiful theme trees.

Snow: love it or hate it? Love it! Love it! Love it!

Can you ice-skate? That's a negative.

What is your favorite holiday dessert? I'm currently loving chocolate peanut butter cookies and candies.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? I don't know if I can pick one...Christmas eve party, watching It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas, Stockings!, listening to Elvis' Christmas carols and decorating the tree.

Candy canes: yum or yuck? Yum, I like the mini-ones the bank always has!

Favorite Christmas show? Top three favorite Christmas movies: It's a Wonderful Life, Elf & Miracle on 34th Street.



Only 5 more days till Christmas and I still have shopping to do. I have been wrapping gifts slowly but surely and wishing like crazy that I had the next two weeks off. Today in anticipation of my work cookie exchange I will be making caramel corn.

Trivial Tuesday

• We had our first snow of the year Sunday. It was beautiful and cold.

The view from our front window Sunday afternoon! Unfortunately it wasn't enought to cancel school or work. I think the average temperature over the last week has been about 23* now that we've finally had some parcipitation the sidewalks are ridiculously icey making me nervous when I walk the dog and she pulls on the leash. Luckily she only weighs 13 pounds.

• I successfully made Udon noodles last night. It was surprisingly easy, FAST, and perfect for a cold winter night.


• This year I've done a lot of on-line Christmas shopping. It has been great for all of the presents we send out of state. Especially when I can get free super savers shipping on Amazon! I still need to find something for my sister Sarah who is typically super easy to shop for. I better get on it if I want her gift to arrive in time for Christmas.


• Over the weekend I baked 6 dozen of my favorite Christmas treats...gumy drop cookies. It was the first time I'd made them without my mom, I'd forgotten what a process they are, luckily they are well worth the work.

  Unbaked, rolled in coconut...no after picture, oops.

  
  
  
• I've moved passed my addiction to ice-cream onto hot chocolate. It might just be the perfect winter treat.

Weekly Meals- Winter!

It's snowing! I've been baking cookies and planning the weeks meals.

Monday- Udon Noodles (Mom, I'm going to need some direction!)
Tuesday- Tacos
Wednesday- Grandpa's 1,2,3
Thursday- Taco Salad (leftovers!)
Friday-Pulled pork sandwiches from the crock pot

All easy, nutritious & delicious meals.

26 Weeks

Here's what 26 weeks but measuring 31 weeks looks like. I didn't realize my belly was so big until I snapped this picture. LBS sure is growing!

Progressive Dinner

Last night was our second progressive dinner. Mr. S and I were in charge of hors'devours. I made turkey, cranberry bites with cream cheese baked in a crusty dough. They were my own creation and I winged it with no recipe just an idea. Luckily they turned out tasty!

Here I am setting up the bar area and enjoying the holiday diet sierra mist with cranberry soda. My belly is definitely growing and I love it!I also made a salad. This is totally my favorite new salad, easy, seasonal and so good. I impressed myself by candying the pecans and mixing my own dressing.

Butter lettuce, dried cranberries, chives, mandarin oranges & candied pecans.

Our "family photo" Mr. S decided it would be perfect for a Christmas card! Also notice how short our tree is! I love Mr. S' new shirt, he looks so cute.

Reanna was in charge of our main course and it was a crowd pleaser. On the menu: Tuscan chicken cakes served with a tomato salad and homemade garlic aioli sauce accompanied by pesto orzo and warm bread. Yum. Unfortunately I forgot to take photos.

Even though we were all stuffed we couldn't leave out dessert. JW expanded his horizon's and took on the challenge that is dessert. If you know him you know he loves his egg so of course dessert was made on the egg and was gourmet! Mr. S was so happy that his dessert was custom made with white chocolate, JW really is a great friend!

Croissant smore with dark chocolate and bananas Foster with Bailey & peppermint bark ice-cream.

If you've never done a progressive dinner I highly recommend you plan one soon. It's a great chance to entertain, be with friends and try new recipes.

Lights!

Last night in negative 5* (Celsius) weather Mr. S and I picked out a tree from the Boy Scout's tree lot. It's a short, squatty tree and we love how it looks with four (!) strings of lights. Our house smells amazing now too.