Hello...I guess Let's start with today and go backwards:)
THIS is what we woke up to:
Pretty? Well, if you like the COLD I guess it is. Nate was pretty excited! Lauren however woke up in the middle of the night throwing up (the kid has NEVER been able to make it to the bathroom:(). Scott and I got up and threw all of her bedding and her two favorite stuffed animals into the washing machine, got her settled and headed back to bed. She woke me up again at about 1:00 and had been sick again...but this time thankfully had used the bowl I had set beside her. She hasn't felt good all day...poor kid. I seem to have a cold and I will admit I have been in my PJ's and on the couch watching Christmas movies and Harry Potter all day. My stomach doesn't feel great, but hopefully it's just sympathy pains.
YESTERDAY, December 6, we had Lauren's birthday party. We woke up to snow that day too, but luckily it cleared up before the party. I want to show you the birthday cake. A week or so ago, Lauren and I were discussing what type of cake she would like me to order (I NEVER make a cake for their birthdays)...and she said..."You know mum, I don't like cake, BUT I liked the white raspberry cake you made a few weeks ago. Why don't you make one of those?" So I said to myself, "Self, why not".
I ended up making this...it is three layers...white raspberry cake, with the raspberry frosting (Sorry sis to tempt you again) and it is three heart shapes:
Yesterday morning as I was frosting it Lauren said "Mum, you should be a cake baker, that is awesome". Talk about the highest compliment...from an almost 17 year old!
and a picture from the party:
Now, here was a problem, my sister Cheryl wasn't there to SCOOP ICECREAM! Bonnie stepped in for her (i think she liked the job as much as you do Cheryl:)
I also took our annual "what the heck are we going to use for a Christmas card photo" photo yesterday. I expected it would take about 100 tries, as Nate usually goofs off...but he didn't, so i got a good one the second picture, so I won't show it to you today...since several of you will see it in a card:) I also took some pictures of Lauren and Joe and this one was adorable:
Now, the day before would be Friday December 5...Karen came up early so that we could spend some time together and get the cookie book cut out before everyone got here. First off...we send out invitations every year and Karen and I usually work on them together, but with all that has been going on...I was a slacker and so Karen made them and we got them sent out...here is the invite...but it is already attached to the cookie book...more about that later:
so the invite is the red apron...minus the white book with black binding behind it...isn't it adorable? Thanks Karen!
Now...it was a COOKIE SWAP...and we each needed to make 5 dozen cookies and package them in 1/2 dozen packages. Thursday night I made my cookies and I made two unsuccessful attempts...the ones on the left were suppose to be "stained glass" cookies...the ones on the right (my 2nd attempt) were candy cane cookies...I was beside myself...and exhausted!
Later that night Nate and I found a recipe for "Brownie crackle cookies"...I made them and they were delicious! PHEW!
So here we are at the swap:
We had a potluck, cookie swap, worked on making the books to hold the cookie recipes in and swapped gifts. You will notice that there is a tree in the background. I , and my family, need to thank Lisa for that (and Karen for helping me get it). I am trying so hard not to be a scrooge, or a Grinch...but my emotions are so up and down right now and the whole tree thing was really getting to me. We have a tree that Scott pulls out every year...puts together and then we decorate it. Last year, EVERY morning, I had to put the tree together because the full grown kittens...pulled it apart. I know I am not up for that this year, and so Lisa offered us a tree, all lit, from her store. It's all put together...looks great in out corner and I am forever grateful to her for the loan. Scott's eyes lit up when he realized we were going to borrow one...I guess he is feeling like me this year.
Back to the cookie swap:
We started putting together our books...and once again I was a slacker so Karen did the design and the work on it...we will all add pictures to it,, ribbon, etc:
and here is a collage of each one of us with out cookies:
AND...just when you THINK you know someone, you find out they have another hidden talent. Nate brought out his accordion and we found out CONNIE can actually play it, really well!:
amazing!
So...to end my blog tonight I want to show you this:
It is my Mimi and Bampie's...it sat in their living room for ever since I can remember. Months ago, Dad and Bonnie asked if I might like to have it. Today, Scott and Nate went over to help BOBO do somethings and they came home with the desk. I am so thrilled...I KNOW things don't bring people back, etc. BUT I have to say...I feel like Mimiand Bampie are HERE tonight...in MYliving room. I am going to have it refinished and it will have a place of honor here at the house. I can't not express in words how much it means to have the desk here. Thank you BOBO.
And that's all folks... I anticipate being home with my baby girl tomorrow as she still feels lousy. I have been "working" down at Silkweeds, so if I can't go tomorrow I will have to find another day to go down...cuz i really like doing it!
Goodnight all
Denise
