5 Nights before Christmas

T'was 5 nights before Christmas and all through our house, the smell of baking cookies, sounds of baby and spouse.  The cookies were placed in tins far and near , in hopes of filling hearts with holiday cheer...

 The baby was nestled all sung in her bed, while visions of Elmo danced in her head.  From pulling up on window sills to climbing the stairs, try to stop her- if anyone dares. 

When mama arose to hear such a clatter, Lilly smiled that sly smile as if to say-"whats-a-matta?"  Back to the baking-add salt-just a dash, mix up the batter add vanilla just a splash....ok that's enough with the fun rhyme...I didn't realize how long the poem was!

Well the baking has started!  So far in 3 days I've made 2 batches of chocolate chips (with a new secret ingredient-see below) 2 batches of peanut butter balls, 100 chocolate covered pretzels, a batch of sugar cookies, and a batch of peanut butter blossoms and coconut macaroon blossoms-oh and did I mention I also started and finished all of our Christmas shopping.  BAM.  Are you impressed?  I think you should be.  I still feel like I have a lot to do.  I am hoping to make a batch of almond crescents and peppermint patties to round out the line up. The candy thing is new this year and so far it's been a success!

I've learned a few tricks this season and both were very beneficial.  A friend told me that she tosses in a pack of dry vanilla pudding mix into the dry ingredients of her chocolate chip cookies.  I tried it and wow-yum!  Also, parchment paper...what did I do without your all my life.  No more scrapping off cookie sheets or having burnt cookie pieces all over...parchment paper lends to perfect cookies every single time!

Whew...still have to do all the wrapping and clean the upstairs. I have two more days of work until I have off for 10 days!  Wahoo!!!  I cannot wait.  That means more snuggle time with my snuggle bunny who is into everything these days! And in case you are wondering why Fiesta Santa is guarding our cookies, Lilly convinced her Mimi to buy this for her at Wal-Mart, and she loves it.  It sings Feliz Navidad. 

Well I better get back to baking, and wrapping, and cleaning...but if it doesn't all get done, I won't fret because all I need is currently snuggled up on the couch.  Well they may be playing instead of snuggling...

*This makes me nervous but at the same time I love hearing her belly giggles! 

5 more days!!!