altarflame | We're a bit late, but are still milking it for all it's worth... (Reply)

Gingerbread.

My house has basically been a happy disaster for three days straight as we try to get enough for our tree and to take to Oma, with everyone eating them left and right.

There have also been many, many hours at the dining table stringing popcorn and cranberries - Ananda, Aaron, Isaac and I have done it, while Jake and Elise steal popcorn and throw things from my sewing kit with great gusto.

"MOM QUICK GET THE CAMERA THEY'RE DOING IT AGAIN!!!"

A couple of pans before baking...

And these are all Annie. If you look closely you can see the holes near the tops of the heads that we poke as they come out of the oven, for hanging.

I have to say, Martha Stewart's Spicy Gingerbread Cookies are SO AWESOME. It's what I've been using for years and they make the whole house smell happy while they bake. Then they come out all warm and fragrant and so yummy and subtle and perfect. I wholeheartedly reccomend them for everyone, particularly rolled out thicker than most people would and only baked until chewy rather than hard ;)

My sister and I coincidentally met up in the closest Publix shopping center tonight, I'd been ransacking Marshall's for drastically discounted tablecloths and tree skirts and chocolate spoons and things, while she bought gift bags at Party City. So we loaded the four youngest of our kids in two truck carts and went grocery shopping together and then both came back to my house for tacos, kid nonsense and general fun times. I loaned her tons and tons of specialty sprinkles and cookie cutters, my rolling pin, bundt cake pan and some other things after she wrapped some presents for me (I AM SO BAD AT WRAPPING, and SO SLOW). She learned from my nana, who has it down to some kind of science. Grant had a co-worker Christmas party tonight that ended up being a lot of fun and so he stayed out for a long time and actually pulled in just as she was pulling out, after midnight.

I sometimes think Brian sees my house as Disney World, with 5 young kids, bunnies, cats, toys, trampoline, riding toys, art supplies, etc etc. He especially likes having a big milk party, nursing alongside Jake and Elise while Laura and I roll our eyes at all of them to quit popping off and leaving us exposed :p