On the Tenth day of Christmas....

...I got to make cookies with mom and andy...and get sick...

Mom has a great big piano recital that she does every year with her cute students. It is the Cookies and Carols Concert of the year! So, I helped her make cookies for our 10th day of Christmas. Making cookies really is one of my favorite pastimes. But then I had to get sick as well. I am hoping that it is just a 24 hour quick little head cold! Because I don't tolerate being sick in the least. So, I am acting like I am not sick and still trying to get everything done and enjoy these last days at home.

On the Eighth day of Christmas...

...our Cousins came for an Ugly Sweater Party!!!

We had our Doug and Elizabeth cousins come over in ugly sweaters and enjoy homemade bread, cookies and they brought homemade soup. It was a delicious and cozy dinner! Then we had a fun time decorating cookies together! It was such a FUN night to be together. We LOVE them so much!! It was a really great evening! And then afterwards I gave mom and dad their Christmas presents!

On the Second day of Christmas...

...we made a jolly Gingerbread House...

Making Gingerbread is one of the most fun Holiday Traditions to have. I made a house when I was in college in my baking class and it was thrilling. To come up with a pattern, cut the dough, bake your pieces, glue them all together with frothy white frosting, decorate the home and make it come alive. What could be a more delightful second day, I do not know! It was a blast! Can you spot my sister missionaries :), the Penguin gummies are my favorite part!!

Barbara Dear's Birthday

We just celebrated the birthday of Barbara Dear! The greatest of all women. I had such a fun time spending the day with her! In the morning we went and got her hair cut and shopped for some new clothes. Then she had to teach all afternoon, which gave me the time to create our restaurant meal.

I was so excited to make a fall dinner! And I just had a blast thinking up the menu and cooking it all, I love being in the kitchen. Andrea and Dad helped me out as well because it was a lot to make. It was such a fun day cooking away and dinner was such a wonderful time to celebrate our dear mother!

Bon Ape'tit!

Julie & Julia a delight of a film! It shares a wonderful message of doing what you love, finding yourself, having courage, not losing hope, not forgetting those around you, sharing your joy and just being yourself. Meryl Streep does an incredible job, she is transformed into Julia Childs; like a kitchen oven mit. It is quite amazing. Go and enjoy a bite of it yourself! It inspired me to keep on cooking away! (sneak some truffles or delicious decadent chocolates into the theatre to enjoy during the film :) for what is life without a little chocolate in it!).

Cookies and Scones.

Bakings of the Week

Some of my fun bakings in the past week were scones and cookies. Luna our "sister" from Spain saw pictures of a giant cookie I had made so on our last night we made one together. It turned out perfecto just for her! And then we made little ones with coconut and pecans in them.

Then I just had to make scones on a fine sunny morning before everyone got up. They were so much fun, I sprinkled cinnamon sugar on half I pressed a blueberry into the center. I love scones for breakfast, especially in the wee hours of the morning when the whole wide world is fast asleep.

I Just Couldn't Contain Myself!

I had a blast creating these fun little bottles of homemade strawberry jam and banana nut muffins for those whom I love. I created a little set of cards to go with it that I attached on the outside. Delivering them to my dear friends was such a treat! I am so grateful for all the wonderful people in my life! I truly have been blessed! Thank you to ALL who have touched my life in so many countless ways, I adore and love you all!

Jam tomorrow Jam yesterday!!!

So, after all that strawberry picking we had to make lots of jam!!!! Mom and I had a blast cutting, mashing, mixing and pouring jam in to bottles. I had to put a movie in to keep me going on ALL those berries, they seemed to never end! The empty box in the photo is 1 of 3 boxes we filled with berries. But it sure is worth it because the jam is SO good and we have lots to share with others! And then mom and I made this strawberry tart for Father's Day! It was delectable!!

Cookie Day at Work!

I am currently working at Packaging Specialties and we just had a Cookie Day where each of us workers got a recipe from a Martha Stewart cook book we were selling. All of us made at least 2 dozen (I made about 4) and brought them to the store. We sold them for a $1 to donate to the Ronald McDonald Fund. And everything that was used for packaging was 20% off that day! It was a lot of fun, and I got to use my new cookie cutters!! The Cookie that I made was the "Chocolate-Ginger Acorns and Leaves." As you can see I did an owl and a squirrel instead of a leaf. All the ingredients smelled so good together, ginger really is quite the spicy and delicious ingredient!

Strawberry Rhubarb Delight!!

I love to bake and I am hoping to do LOTS more of it this summer! Pies are such an old fashioned and wonderful thing and I have been testing out our rhubarb in the backyard with pies. This is the second one I have made here at home and we got to enjoy it with Grandma while she was here! Baking is quite a joy, I would love to open up my own bakery someday!!!