cookie baking

We headed downtown this evening to see the lighting of the City Christmas tree. But we missed it due to having dinner with E and L. Dinner was great, so I don't think we missed anything.

After dinner we walked out to the square and we saw these Santas. Santa with the bag handed Bug 2 candy canes. E and L.

L, me and Bug. L and I used to work together. It was great hanging out with friends this evening.

Bug is watching the concert.

The fountain

This afternoon, E came over and we made 12 dozen cookies. 6 stayed with us and 6 went home with E. Here they are working on Snickerdoodles.

We made peanut butter cookies.

And we started with gingerbread cookies.

E's are very artfully decorated.

Lots of concentration and effort was put forth

careful positioning of the cookie cutters.

lots of smashing the dough- Bug liked this part

And there was some toddler effort- lots of smashing and lots of opportunities for momma to help out.

Mixing the dough.

Bug- mixing, which entails certain sections being mixed and then some stopping so Momma could move the bowl

putting the shortening in the bowl.

I got pretty brave and let Bug crack open the eggs. One made it into the bowl and one ended up on the kitchen rug. Oh well, you can't learn to cook without breaking some eggs. plastic bowls don't make breaking eggs easy.

So another busy day. Bug and I are going to take it easy tomorrow and Sunday.

Love to you,

Deb

Thanksgiving

The feast was great. It actually was the least stressful Thanksgiving I have ever been a part of. seriously, it was like everything just flowed through the day. so thank you God for the peace today.

Bug waited all day for this part- the pies and the CREAMMMMMMMM His plate after he was done, still had the pie on it, untouched. yes, he ate just the whipped cream. I should just let him have the bowl of cream and be done with it.

Of course, Momma spraying cream directly into his mouth was the ultimate highlight.

While we watched football- Bug decide it was time to put the ice bucket on his head. He ran around for almost an hour as Bucket head, or using it as a feed bag like a horse. he is a riot.

The women folk- wiped out after cooking and cleaning up. We needed a rest. Thankfully, the men folk (Pap and Uncle Dave) kept Bug occupied. Which just means they kept him from jumping on us for about 30 minutes.

Dinner- I switched it up on the family (shhhh- don't tell Pap). I used new stuffing for the turkey- more spices. I actually cooked the turkey with rosemary- the house smells great. I will be switching things over this year a little more. Bug ate Turkey and corn. I figure if I can cook stuffing through the year eventually he will at least try it. So with the leftover stuffing we had, I put it into a cupcake pan to freeze it so we have individual servings for later (less waste).

we had some football playing in the backyard. Bug was running for a touchdown here.

preparing to kick the ball

Uncle Dave was the opposing team

breakfast- the traditionally cinnamon rolls. Bug not like them. he had a car show with Pap instead of eating. he also was not happy about watching the parade- until Santa showed up at the end.

It was a good day. I am think I am going to get some pie now.

Love to you,

Deb

The day before the feast- part 2- the evening

Our afternoon/evening recap- again in reverse order.

8 pm- finishing our evening at the zoo. Bug was tired, I was tired, Mam was tired. Bug stayed awake until we got home, then was asleep in 5 minutes after I put him to bed.

The gang. Y was not happy- she was one tired girl.

Oh my goodness- Bug touched a character. Of course it took Y coming over and showing him how to be brave. maybe we should have gone to Disney with them???

Yes, I am holding him in the picture. He was not happy about having to smile.

Here he is listening to the puppets. He even talked to them and told them his name. I am amazed at how much Bug comes out of his shell when Y is around.

The mommas and kids.

the kids together. T and I joked that one day when they get married, we will have a slide show running for 3 hours at the reception. Of course, we will be happy if they are friends for life, marriage is just a dream.

Another character- Frosty.

Bug and Y played on the slide after the rides.

Howling at the moon and loving it.

the first ride

T and Y arriving at the zoo.

They had the penguins out!!!! Too cool.

Measuring up against the tigers.

We took Mam and Pap to Skyline for dinner. Bug only eats the crackers and cheese. he was not shoveling the cheese in his mouth, he was playing.

But here is was really playing. This son of mine is too cute.

Well, I am tired and tomorrow is turkey day. Love and hugs,

Deb

The day before the feast- part 1- the morning

This is out morning. I took pictures every 30 minutes from teh time we got up. And of course, the pictures are in reverse order 1:30 pm- filling up the car with gas. Bug likes to press the selector for the gas grade.

1 pm- lunch at Red Squirrel resturant. Momma needed a prescription filled so while we waited for the prescription, we ate grilled cheese sandwiches.

12:45- pies done 2 pumpkin and one apple pie. The house smells wonderful

12:30- football in the front yard. it is getting colder- definitely we will need warm stuff for this evening.

My little kicker

Apple pie waiting for the top crust to be added. We like monded apples- none of that flat apple pie stuff for this family.

Bug, cutting up the apples. He asked for a glove to keep heimself from cutting his fingers with his not so sharp plastic knife. he is a riot some days.

pumpkin pies in the oven to cook

My little helper.

Cleaning the living room floors. Yes, we stayed in our jammies until after 12 noon today.

10 am- the pie baking starts. This is the stuff ofr the pies. I decided that making pie crust from scratch was not a good thing this year, so we have pre-made pie crusts.

Bug putting his clothes away. Yes, I took one of those toy bin things and turned it into Bug's clothes area. he was having problems opening the drawers on the chest of drawer (dresser) so thsi works much better.

While Momma works on folding laundry. This is 2 loads folded at 9:30 am

9 am- Bug makes a road with the blanket on the couch and plays cars

Momma on her conference call at 8 am. Still in my jammies and thankfully you can't see my hair.

8 am and Bug is ready for breakfast. he wanted a candy bar (not happening) and got a cheese stick instead. he ate 3 cheese sticks (i offered him other things) and 2 glasses of blueberry juice

7:30 am- wake up. Momma has a conference call at 8 am, so Bug camps on the couch and watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

we'll be leaving the house again soon- to pick up Mam and Pap for an early dinner and then off to the zoo with Mam to hook up with T, Y, and M&M to see the lights. I think I will be ready for bed tonight - very early.

Love and hugs,

Deb