My Christmas Vacation

I'm taking vacation time this week and the next, and it's a good thing.  My motivation to shop and wrap and make goodies has been sporadic.

Today will be the busiest day so far.  I "enhanced" my hair color this morning.  I'm in the middle of making Peppermint Bark at this moment.  (Hoping that turns out, as this is the first time I've made it.)  Then I'll go to lunch with my parents and a couple friends.  Upon arriving home, I will head out to an eye exam, which I hope to make on time by 4:00.  After that?  I think I'll crash.

Speaking of which... I have had a major change in my vision.  It's so dramatic in the last several weeks that I am having trouble seeing music when I play piano.  I have to push people's faces farther back from me, so my eyes can focus.  Let me tell ya, this is just weird.  In the past, I've never really noticed a change in my vision.  I just set up exams every couple years and would find I needed a new eyeglasses prescription.  I am anxious to find out how much my vision has changed this time.

So that's what is happening in my little world today.

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Christmas? I Got It Done.

Someone, who shall remain nameless (*cough* Judy *cough*), informed me that she had been looking at the same blog post since December 23rd, and she wondered if I ever got past  "halfway there" to Christmas.  And I wonder how many of you were sitting on pins and needles, waiting to know too.

So I'm happy to report that I did get myself all the way to Christmas, and on time.  The cookies got baked and turned out wonderfully.  They were delicious!  Do you need a picture?  These are the Chocolate Crinkles.

Yes, they tasted as good as they look.

I also got all the presents purchased and wrapped.  The Hoisin wings I cooked in the crockpot got done too, and they were just okay.  I didn't love them enough to make that recipe again, though.

Being on the other side of Christmas feels good.  I've been relaxing a lot and plan to take Thursday and Friday off work this week, too.  I've been reading, which is how I really want to spend my time.  I'm gearing up for a new reading goal in 2010.  Still trying to decide what that will be, but I know I'm going to push myself harder than I did this year.

If you don't hear from me again before midnight tomorrow, have a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Christmas? I'm Halfway There.

I told you yesterday that I would keep you updated on my Christmas preparations.  Well, things are moving along pretty well.

Shopping is 3/4 done.  I went to one superstore yesterday and got most everything I needed.  One more venture out will take care of the rest.

The cookie baking plan is also on target.  I did run into a bit of a roadblock when I tried to make sugar cookies using my unrefined organic whole cane sugar.  Do NOT try this at home.  It is NOT a good substitution.  It will make your sugar cookie dough look brown, and it will definitely NOT smell like sugar cookie dough.  Unfortunately, I had to do the one thing I hate in baking fiascos... throw it away!  Such a waste.

At that point I was about ready to throw in the towel.  Baking is not my forte.  After I settled down and went to read my book for awhile, I calmly decided to run out to the grocery store around the corner and buy more eggs and real sugar.  (I didn't know we were out of sugar because only my husband uses it.) 

You know, I say I hate baking, but I think the key to enjoying it is to have a good, easy recipe.  I didn't just love the recipe I was using out of my cookbook.  I don't think I should have to use my pastry cutter to cut butter into my flour mix for sugar cookies.  I want my stand mixer to do all the work for me.  So I did a search on my favorite recipe website, AllRecipes.com, and I found one for the best rolled sugar cookies.  It turned out to be VERY easy.  Cream the butter and sugar together?  Now that's what I'm talkin about.

After dinner I was able to mix both sugar cookie dough and my chocolate crinkle cookie dough.  Both are chilling in the fridge, ready to be baked this afternoon.  And the really good part is... I actually still feel like mixing up something else. 

See?  It's like I said.  If I have a good recipe that's easy to work with, it makes it more enjoyable for me.

Happy baking to you... and shopping... and wrapping...

Christmas? I'm Workin On It.

So the plan for today is to start and finish my Christmas shopping.  Oh, I sure hope so.  As far as wrapping goes, gift bags are sounding wonderful for every gift right now.

I also might try to get a couple batches of cookie dough mixed up today and put in the fridge.  Then I'll leave the baking for tomorrow.  Sugar cookies are a must!  I also plan to make Chocolate Crinkles, which I haven't had in a long, long time.  Depending on how I feel after that, I might whip up one other variety.  No-Bake Cookies or Peanut Butter Kisses?

In between all of that, I hope to finish a book I'm in the middle of reading.  It's *Uncharted by Angela Hunt.  This one is very hard to put down because the storyline is about five old friends from college who are reunited after 20 years, who through a chain of events, end up stranded on a deserted island.  Bizarre things start to happen, like items from their past are washing up on shore.  And one of them has a haunting secret that must not be found out by the others.

Well, I'm off to do stuff.  I've got filing to do at the office, which is almost done.  Then I'll probably get all my information together to be ready to make the Sunday bulletin tomorrow.  Then I'm off Thursday for the holiday.  Woo-Hoooo!

I'll keep you updated with my Christmas checklist.  See ya later.

*This is an affiliate link.  If you make a purchase through this link, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.

Christmas? I'm Not Ready Yet!

I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet.  Can you imagine?  I only have a few people to buy for, so it's not an extremely big deal. 

I also haven't baked anything yet, but I like to do it closer to the time that we'll be eating the goodies.  I'm thinking I might just make two types of cookies.  My family always spends Christmas Eve together, and we have a buffet of finger foods.  With my sister and mom pitching in on the food prep, I only have to bring a few things to share.  I found a wings recipe to make in the crock pot, so I thought I might give it a try as something new this year.

Speaking of recipes... Do you know how I can tell I'm a different woman this year?  I have a cookbook on my Christmas wish list.  Now that's something that's never happened before.  This is the cookbook I found the wings recipe in.  You should check out  *Make It Fast, Cook It Slow.  There's everything from breakfast to dessert in there.  It looks terrific!

*This is an affiliate link.  If you make a purchase through this link, I will earn a small percentage of the sale.

That Holiday Feeling

It's December 11th.  I've been listening to Christmas music since two weeks prior to Thanksgiving.  I'm involved in the children's Christmas program at church.  I've watched portions of The Santa Clause and Home Alone movies on TV.  We've had snow.  The Christmas tree is up.

So...why don't I feel Christmas-y?

And then I ask myself, Is that very Christian-like?  Wanting to feel a feeling?  I know Christmas is all about Jesus' birth.  He is the Gift.  He was born to be my Savior.

It just seems like something is missing.  I've lost the excitement I had at Christmastime when I was a kid.  The anticipation of surprises, of the school Christmas concerts, of wishing for snow days, and the fun we had in visiting with cousins when we traveled to see our extended family for the holiday.  I guess I don't see anything wrong with feeling nostalgic about those things.  I miss that time in my life so much.

Does anyone know how to get that back?

"I See What You're Saying" - Christmas Edition Vlog

Hey, everybody!  Glad to have you here today to view my vlog for the I See What You're Saying-Christmas Edition, especially if you're visiting for the first time by way of 2nd Cup of Coffee.

Here is my contribution....

I See What You're Saying from Liz on Vimeo.

And since I seem to talk really fast and haven't quite honed my Vanna White skills, here is a snapshot of the sweater I'm wearing in the video, just in case you really wanted to see it.

       

Now, if you want to see some more I See What You're Saying vlogs, you better get yourself on over to Linda's blog and start clicking links.  I'm sure there are some funny bloggers that are just waiting to be discovered.

My Christmas

Maybe it's a good idea I write a little post, just so as to not lose my two faithful readers.  You've probably been wondering what I've been up to the last few days, eh?  Between work, shopping, and Christmas preparations, I didn't have a whole lot of time to do other stuff, like blogging. 

Shall we go with a list format?

1.  I've been battling a sore throat since Monday, and it's driving me nuts.  As soon as it starts feeling better, I wake up in the morning and it's worse again.  Ugh!

2.  Rich appears to have a sinus infection, so he's been fairly miserable and living on NyQuil.  And just between you and me, he's kinda been Mr. Grumpy-pants, which can make me feel like Mrs. Grumpy-pants.  In spite of being sick, though, he has been involved in the holiday to the best of his ability, and I appreciate that.

3.  I confess with all the goodies that have invaded our home, I'm in serious trouble.  You know it's really bad when you're craving a vegetable.

4.  Judy is visiting family out of town all week.  I miss her.

5.  We went out for Christmas dinner with my parents.  We had Chinese.  It's sort of a yearly tradition, since my sister and her family spend Christmas at her in-laws.

6.  Rich and I watched Prince Caspian tonight.  It was okay, but I don't think it even compared to the first Narnia movie.

7.  If you know me in real life, I beg you not to stop by my house tomorrow unannounced.  I'd have to deny you entry.  My sink is overflowing with dishes because my dishwasher is broken sick with a sinus infection.  I'm dreading having to tackle those things all by myself.

8.  Note to self - New year's resolution #28: You need more self-discipline in 2009.

Hope you are all having a good Christmas.  Until next time...

It Hurts To Be a Hoosier In Winter

If it reached 10 degrees today where you live, count yourself blessed.  It was 0 degrees with wind gusts here in northern Indiana at noon on Sunday, but who knows what the wind chill is registering?  It's a cold that's intolerable and makes you feel like you just might die.

When I got home after church, my toes were so frozen they hurt.  I finally had to get my feet into the bathtub to try to get the blood flowing.

There was no doubt I needed a change of wardrobe before heading out to the evening service.  I decided to wear pants, and my husband loaned me his long underwear.  Thank goodness they fit me!  It made all the difference in the world.  I guess I've been missing out on the toasty-ness.  I had no idea.  After singing the praises of the long underwear, he said maybe he would get me some for Christmas. 

Hmmm.... 

I was really hoping for some new gold earrings for Christmas, but the long underwear might actually be a fair tradeoff.  Besides, if this insane arctic snap continues for very long, my earlobes will fall off, and I won't be able to wear the earrings anyway.

'Tis The Season?

I can't believe we're smack dab in the middle of December.  Is Christmas really only 9 days away?!?  I feel like the seasons are passing me by, and I'm hanging on for dear life.  Somebody just tell me where to be and what time to show up.  I'll be there. 

Our Christmas tree is up and decorated, but that's all.  Christmas shopping?  What's that?  Okay, I have placed one order online, but that's all.  In my defense, that small detail of not being allowed to operate a motor vehicle because of my license suspension has made it somewhat difficult to get into the full swing of Christmas shopping. 

Somehow I just don't feel right about calling my mom up and asking her, Could you please drive me to the mall, so I can buy you a Christmas present?  Suddenly I have memories of being 10 years old again and going to the Osco drugstore to buy her a gigantic, holiday boxed, Hershey's Kiss.  I mean, there's a gift that keeps on giving.

But that nasty, old license suspension is coming to an end tomorrow (Merry Christmas to Liz!), so I will be hitting the shopping centers hard in the next 7 days.  I have no idea where I'm going or what I'm buying, but by golly, I'm getting out there and mingling with all you crazies jolly, last-minute shoppers. 

Christmas With the Family

Well, folks, I managed to get through every Christmas practice, church fellowship, and family gathering by indulging in only ONE sugar cookie. I can't believe I did that! People said it couldn't be done (people=ME), but it really can be. So to celebrate such a feat, I devoured an entire package of Oreos today.

I'm kidding.

Really.
My family had our traditional "Finger Food Christmas Eve". That's when we gather on Christmas Eve at my parents' and eat... well... finger food. Shrimp, meatballs, BBQ smokies, cheese & crackers, veggies & dip, little pigs in a blanket. Stuff like that.

In my earnestness to stay true to my First Place commitment, I prepared (or attempted to) several low-sugar low-fat treats like no-bake cookies (2 kinds), rice krispie bars, and a pecan and graham cracker thingy. Would you believe that NONE of the recipes were any good?!? Totally inedible. Translation = YUCKY! I really tried. :(

I took my guitar this year, hoping to sing carols with my nieces and nephews. I wasn't sure if they'd be game because we've never done that before, but they were great. They named a song, and we'd all sing. Dad sang as he passed through the living room. Mom was singing from the kitchen while she continued to prepare the food. It was a really nice thing, and I'm glad I did that this year.

Another enjoyable part of the evening is when I got to give my sister her gift. This was the big surprise of the year. Since I took up crochet this summer, she thought that I would be crocheting her something. I totally threw her for a loop, though, and I made her a no-sew fleece throw. She's been wanting one for a looooong time. There's a story behind that. There is a lady at church who has been making these fleece throws for several years for every new baby that is born into our church. They are THE treasured gift at every baby shower. We all sit with bated breath, waiting to see the throw unveiled and find out what motif she used for the new one. Every time Kathy sees one she says, Hey, when am I gonna get one? They are so warm and soft and snuggly good. We've heard of some new dads who steal the coveted baby fleece throw from their infant and to cuddle up in front of the TV. Can you imagine? So somehow during the weeks leading up to Christmas it dawned on me that I should make her one. So I did. And that was the big handmade gift issue I had last week. They're not as easy to assemble, if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

I only took a couple pictures, and none would be worth sharing. My sister, though, had some fun ones that her hubby took. My favorite out of all of them is a picture that my niece *K* took of me. She's 6 years old and may have a career in photography in her future. I think she captured my best feature... my cheekbones.

To My Readers...

I just want to say-

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Shopping? Check-Check!

WOOT! WOOT! WOOT! I'm doing the happy dance! (in a very Baptist fashion, of course.) You know that Christmas shopping thing? Got it done!! Oh yeah!

Wordless Wednesday

This is me, Mom & Kathy at our church Christmas banquet a couple weeks ago. It's very rare to get a picture of us all together, so this is particularly nice.

By the way, I got my personally handcrafted Christmas gifts finished today. They turned out great, and I'm just so excited!

Things Just Got a Little More Exciting

I've kinda felt...uh...just a tad panicked when Sunday rolled around because Christmas is next Tuesday. Aaaagh! The reason behind that is mostly due to the need to still shop for gifts. Thanks to my husband, we are tackling the nieces' & nephews' gifts. What isn't purchased already, is soon to be. The important thing is that we know what we're getting them. Of course, I can't help feeling like Aunt Liz has totally lost touch with her kids that she can't determine what to give them for Christmas. I've ALWAYS gone out and found the perfect items, but not this year. I was clueless. Believe me, I scoured the aisles of Walmart and Kmart to no avail. So I recruited help, and Uncle Rich came through for me.

The other major obstacle is that I am personally making a few of my gifts. I have really enjoyed making personal gifts for people. There's something special about creating something from the heart, almost like part of you is in that handcrafted treasure. I started working on one of them yesterday, and it turned out to be a little bit more effort than I initially realized. Things were tense there for a little while. (Yes, I even sinned and...uh...lost my temper.) But hope springs eternal, and I got that project nailed today. Check it off. One more to go! wOOt!!! :D

So having got that project completed (and I am so excited about the recipient who is getting it), I can't wait for Christmas! You know that feeling you get when you know you have the perfect gift that that certain someone is just gonna love? Elation. I love it!

It's gonna be so great...

Christmas Shopping?!?

Who's idea was this anyway? I thought when I left the house this afternoon I would get all my Christmas shopping done at Walmart. Well, it seems I have no idea what to get for the nieces and nephews. It's a jungle out there. I waded through RC cars, Barbies who I don't even recognize anymore because Barbie is not just Barbie, My Little Pony in 15 assorted colors, Dora the Explorer, and a lot of scary characters that I would never put in the hands of a child of my own. So needless to say, I came home empty-handed on gifts for the kids.

After a bit of a search, I was able to nail down my sister's gift. I cannot divulge what it is, as she reads my blog regularly. (Sorry again, Kath.) All I can say is, I think she's gonna love it.

As I drove home I felt like pulling my hair out. Yes, it was that bad. Especially knowing I'm going to have to go back out and do it all again sometime within the next 11 days. Mercy!

Best-Laid Christmas Plans

I guess it's about time for another Christmas memory, having taken a few days off from this venture. I'm starting to wonder how many more of these I can post. Some of my memories may be a tad uninteresting to anyone who doesn't know me personally...and maybe even to those who do know me personally. I probably would bore you to tears. But I digress.

I remember one particular Christmas - I don't remember how old I was - when I decided it would be fun to go looking for the presents. If I had to guess, I was probably 10 years old. Now in order to understand the humor of my idea, you must know that I was the "good" daughter, meaning my sister was known for sneakiness and mischief. (Sorry, Kath.) It was totally out of character for me to go sneaking where I knew better than to be going.

I knew where Mom hid the presents. Up in her bedroom closet. I don't remember how I knew that, but it's not like we never went in their room. So how could that be such a big secret? But you see, this is evidence enough that I was known as being the good girl because they assumed I would never go up snooping in the gifts. My sister would be much too short at the age of 5 to reach the shelf in the closet.

So I dragged a chair into their bedroom and got it situated for the best access to the presents. Then I went and got Kathy and told her to stand on the chair and tell me what she could see. So you see, I was NOT the actual one snooping. She was. My plan was brilliant because I had not stood on the chair, and I had not looked through the packages. Yes, it was brilliant... unless you forgot to make a solemn pact with your sister that required her death upon divulging any information to the parents.

She gave us up! And yes we were threatened with the, "We're taking all your presents back, and you're getting nothing for Christmas." I don't remember if we got spanked for this offense. Most likely we did because it was a pretty big deal, especially for ME. That was the first and last time I went snooping for gifts. Really, it was.

I'm Singing Tonight

We're getting ready to go to our church's Christmas banquet tonight. It's at a dutch-themed restaurant/bakery/gift shop, and they serve fried chicken, noodles, mashed potatoes & gravy, and a different flavored slice of pie at each place setting. It's very enjoyable!

I will be singing with my bosom friend J as part of the program. I sing lead, and she sings harmony and plays the guitar. She's written a song especially for the occasion. We've been memorizing Romans 8 together, and many truths from that scripture passage are in the song. We agreed to make it the theme of the song when we were conferring on the songwriting process. It's about the glory of Christ that is being revealed in us now as we are being sanctified, but also the groaning that all creation has in waiting for the full glory that will one day be revealed when Christ redeems our bodies. That's possible because of the hope Jesus brought to us when He chose to humble Himself to become a baby born in Bethlehem, that He might one day die on the cross for our sin, so we could be reconciled to the Father.

I guess that's what will make it very special for us. Not only did J write the song, but it's written for us...it speaks our heart.

I'm looking forward to a fun evening. Maybe I'll have some pictures or something to share afterward.

Wordless Wednesday

My First Christmas - 1972I suppose all those gifts were for me, too.

A Christmas Secret

Okay, I'm going to reveal a secret about my childhood Christmases. I don't even think my parents know about this, and yet I'm sharing here on my blog. On the worldwide web. Practically with the whole world. Or at least the 3 people who read this. (You know who you are.)

Anyway, it is a little-known fact that my sister and I are underground entertainers, meaning we did it subversively, and Christmastime was the time when we would go nuts. The reason our parents may not know is because while Dad was at work and Mom would head to the grocery store, we would wait until the car was out of the driveway and then make our move.

I'd go to the family room, move the furniture out of the way, head to the record player, find our favorite Carpenters Christmas album, and pop that baby on the turntable. Next thing you know, we were variety show stars. At least, in our own minds. We had this wonderful fireplace that had a brick ledge all the way across the front of it. It was perfect for standing on and singing with a microphone. (This is a picture of the room. Don't ya love the red shag carpet?) Oh, the shows we put on! And we danced around the room to I'll Be Home For Christmas, Sleigh Ride, and Jingle Bells...as every good Baptist girl would. :) It was the time of my life.

So now you know my biggest Christmas secret. You won't tell anyone, will you?