Weekending

 Hello!

The countdown is on.  Fletch said something the other day about how nice it was to see me NOT in a frenzy over the holidays!  LOL  I hadn't realized that I used to get frenzied, but I guess I did.  Now I just think let things happen as they will.

How was your weekend?  Mine was very nice.  I met up with Dee on Saturday morning.  We met at Broad Street Grind, a coffee shop we had not been to in months and months.  We chose it because of where we were having lunch.  But, you know, there is always one person (at least) who annoys you.  Sitting two tables away from us was a young couple and the guy was talking SO LOUDLY.  I'm not sure why, but annoying.

Lunch, however, was so good.  We ate at Northbound which is just a block away from the coffee shop.  It was such a relaxing time and bonus:  I managed to get quite a bit of knitting done!!

Sunday I did the grocery shopping - Fletch stayed home to wrap some gifts.  During the afternoon I did some more baking.  I made Red Velvet Cookies.  Kim had posted about them and man are they easy-peasy to make and they are good!

And then last night I found a recipe for a cookie that (to me) is a great cross between a meringue and a macaroon.  Yum!  I mixed up those, baked them and while we watched an episode of Shetland I let them cool.  Then I dipped some and drizzled some with bittersweet chocolate.  I have to say I think they are better plain, but too late now!!

Not all that attractive, but tasty!  I will mix up dough for cut-out cookies today and will probably make them tomorrow.  Then I will be finished baking except for desserts for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  I decided that for Christmas Eve I will make an almond cake (like Carole blogged about recently).  I believe it is a Swedish recipe and my Grandfather was from Denmark, so close enough!  And, for Christmas Day, Colin has requested a cranberry/pear cobbler.  I'm going to have to wear stretch leggings for weeks!  LOL

Speaking of such, I wear fleece leggings quite a bit in the cold weather.  The ones I wear are Cuddle Duds and are actually long underwear, but who cares?  They are black and fleece and warm.  One of my pairs has a hole (small) in the right thigh.  I think a spark from a campfire landed on me one night.  I want to repair that this morning as I plan to wear these leggings to get a pedicure later this morning.  The legs on these easily pull up over my knees, unlike any pair of jeans that I own.

It is now 7 a.m. and time to pour another cup of coffee.  My head is cold, so I should pull out the hair dryer to dry my hair too.

Mabel has not bothered our tree or the ornaments on it!  And, she caught another mouse in the basement.  I saw it and told Fletch to clean it up (well, I wasn't going to do that!).  I asked Fletch if there was any sign of Mabel consuming any of the mouse (if so, I would have to get de-worming meds, etc.).  Fletch said no - not consuming, but she really rips them apart!!  I guess she is keeping us safe.

Wishing you all a relaxing week before Christmas.  Take it easy on yourself!