Monday, December 20, 2021

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!

14 comments:

  1. Mabel respecting the tree, how awesome is that?? Holly brought a tree down one year, ha ha ha. She's being so good now that she is four years old.

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  2. I'm not sure exactly why things have changed, but I'm also content to let things happen as they will this year. I've decorated as much as I want to, bought as many gifts as I want to, and hope for a quiet and peaceful holiday. I'm glad you are not frenzied, that Mabel hasn't touched the tree and is protecting you, and your baking all sounds delicious!

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  3. I am settled in for this Christmas (although I have about a half a sock to knit!) I like the calmness to it... it feels good and just enough.)

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  4. I can only imagine how delicious it must smell in your house with all of that baking happening! I'm glad to hear that Mabel is earning her keep (and leaving the tree alone). Sounds like you had a lovely weekend, and I hope the calm continues throughout the week.

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  5. Kudos to Mabel! Your weekend sounds wonderful. Mine was quiet and that was welcome — no knitting for several days, but all is good.

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  6. Mabel has turned her energies to being a mouser. That's good for you--she's a working cat.

    I'm thinking of this as a No-Frills Christmas, a sort of Basic Christmas. I'm not frenzied or hyper-planning, either. And Christmas is coming anyway, just like in Whoville!

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  7. Glad to hear that your tree is safe and the mice are not.

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  8. So many thoughts on this post!
    1. I'm glad Mabel is earning her keep. And so thrilled she isn't interested in the tree.
    2. I'm glad you liked those red velvet cookies. It's so nice to have an easy recipe that doesn't need to be made three weeks before Christmas or that has to sit in the fridge for an hour or four.
    3. Off to find those leggings.
    4. That cake, as you read on my blog, is amazing. Just be sure the pan is really really well prepared. We didn't even put the powdered sugar on it. Tim continues to comment that it's the best cake he ever ate.

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  9. Mabel is doing a very good job! The cookies look delicious! Enjoy the down time!

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  10. Good for Mabel. She knows what she has to do in order to stay a favored pet. Your weekend sounds great, expecially the baking. I get to have Piper and Lizzie spend the night a couple of times this week. She keeps giving me ideas of things we can do together. I think we'll run out of time before we run out of things to do.
    Wishing you a wonderful evening.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  11. I discovered fleece leggings last year and they are the best! Especially in this drafty house!

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  12. I've gone from flannel pj's all day to long underwear bottoms all day. When I go out I just put the flannel pj's over the long underwear and I'm ready to go. I don't think you can get lazier than that but it's really warm and comfy.

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  13. At the beginning of the month, I decided to let Christmas come as it would. It's been nice. I made a few batches of cookies because I like to bake. I also ordered some fleece lined leggings from Land's End because they were on sale. They are back-ordered but I want to give leggings and a tunic a try. My jeans are very worn and leggings and yoga pants are more comfortable but not as warm. So fleece-lined it is. I am going to look at the Red Velvet cookies. I used to love Red Velvet cake.

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  14. My nephew is extremely loud even in ordinary conversation. Don't know why, it drives me nuts. Cookies sound great, thanks for the almond cake link. Merry Christmas Vera and family. And Mabel!

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