Holiday Hubbub

Where have I been?!

Shopping, baking, and watching my niece and nephew's hockey games, that's where.

One of my many New Year's resolutions is to blog more often, as soon as I get my desk organized enough to post every day. I am hoping to start a whole new recipe section and share many of my families best recipes with you in the new year.

Our Christmas celebrations have changed a bit over the years. Thankfully we don't have the pressure of buying "big" gifts for each other, since we only buy gifts for the kids in our group, and we do "white elephant" for the rest of us. Yes, the kids DO get a bit spoiled, but I think Christmas is really for them anyway. This year we are each bringing five $1 gifts and playing Poker. We played some Poker at Thanksgiving and it was so much fun. I might even let the kids win again. :)

Riley and I are feeling a bit more settled in our house. The new kitty is only driving us crazy 80% of the time, and the rest is spent watching movies, enjoying some Christmas treats, and anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival. We have been receiving Christmas cards and holiday wishes from so many people, and this year especially I am so grateful for those people still in my life that care enough to think of us this time of year.

I am looking forward to a four-day weekend and hope to get in some morning fishing on Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day. My dad has been going out and killing the perch and walleye, but I of course can't tell you where! I told my mom the only thing I want for my birthday, which is on Christmas Day, is for her to join us on the lake. It's hard to get the old gal out there, she doesn't like the cold, or the wind, or...you get the picture. If all else fails I'm going to wrap her up in a giant blanket and throw her in the truck. Perhaps filling her full of Peppermint Patties will keep her warm.

What is a Peppermint Patty? It's not that round, yummy, minty candy, at least not in the winter. Simply make a good cup of cocoa and add a dash of peppermint schnapps, or some peppermint extract for the kids. I like to bring a whole thermos out on the lake. If you make it at home you can also add a bit of whipped cream and a sprinkling of crushed candy cane on top.

I am so looking forward to Christmas Eve. That is traditionally when we all get together and open gifts and eat a lot of good food. This year there will be a cooked ham, made into sandwiches, I am making deviled eggs, which everyone loves, and there will be spinach dip and chips, and sugar cookies, and homemade nut goody candy, and lots of good wine and beer. The only thing missing will be my sister and her family, but we know our hearts will always be together at Christmas time.

Christmas morning is Santa time, and after Riley leaves to spend the day with his dad I will head over to my parents for breakfast and Mimosas. I may even stay in my jammies. Then we will go out to my brother's house to spend the day with his family and eat pizza and oyster stew, which used to be our traditional Christmas Eve meal. Okay, I am only going to eat pizza, I have tried very hard to love oysters and I just can't do it.

It's very hard for me not to be with my boy both days, but it's something I have to get used to. I am lucky enough to have him almost every day and night, so I have to be grateful for that. My family does a wonderful job of making the day special for me anyway. When he comes home there will be birthday cake for me, and more gifts. I have always felt a little spoiled getting to open more gifts after everyone else is done, but then I remember that I have to celebrate two big events in one day and all is well.

Riley and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Laugh out loud, eat good food, hold each other close, and make sure when you leave each other that you say "I love you."