Holiday Hustle and Bustle

I feel a bit guilty about not blogging, but then again, I don't. We've been so busy with the holidays that blogging just hasn't been a priority. I am sure most of you would agree!

Today I found the time and energy to blog because today is my first Michigan snow day! That means I will have 11 days off for Christmas break instead of 10. Soooooooo nice! In Carrollton, snow days were lots of fun because I could sleep in, and by 10 the snow would be nearly melted so I could go shopping and be out and about. Here, it's snowing 1 inch an hour. We have about 5 or 6 now on top of the 5 from the other day, and it just keeps coming!

I'm pretty proud of myself. I resisted the temptation to sleep all afternoon and woke up and made my husband waffles. After he left for work, I did take a 45 minute nap but woke up and played with Moose and gave him a bath. I also took out the trash, cleaned the bathroom, packed up Steve's clothes, and I am in the process of making cookies.

Every snow day I have the urge to bake. Because of this, I always stock up on baking supplies when I know the snow days are coming. Today, I went traditional and made the plain ol' chocolate chip cookies using the recipe from the back of the bag. I figure I will take some to my dad tonight.

We're heading to New Castle for Christmas as soon as Steve gets home from work. Of course, I am not ready, but I have a few hours. Moose is coming with us as well as his giant crate. He's so big he's a bit of a burdon, but he's so sweet and fun I couldn't leave him at home. We're really lucky my parents like him and are ok with having our "bull" in their "china shop."

We're staying 2 nights in New Castle and then going to Betsy and Kyle's to have Christmas with Bets, Kyle, Owen, Kar, and Justin. I'm really excited about the menu betsy e-mailed me! She's awesome. Moose will get to meet Linus as well. It should be interesting! A BIG black dog with a LITTLE white dog. :)

Christmas cards have been sent, packages are wrapped, bracelets and bookmarks have been made, and dog bones are now (white) chocolate covered.

It's time to celebrate the holidays! :) Merry Christmas!

(Here is our Christmas card this year. My talented husband drew it for me.)

1/2 Year Anniversary!

Today is our 1/2 year anniversary! It's hard to believe 6 months ago we were married. Since then, we've moved into an apartment, moved out of an apartment, moved into a new house, started 2 new jobs, bought a dog, and started to celebrate our first holiday season. We're having so much fun!

Friday, Steve and I headed to the tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. It was 18 degrees outside. We had the tree picked out, shaken, wrapped, and loaded in 10 minutes. Now, we realize maybe we should have looked it over a little better. It's pretty dry and will look like Charlie Brown's tree by Christmas....oh well!

Last night, we went to Steve's company Christmas party. It was a very fancy occasion with great food. It was nice to meet all of the "characters" that are in Steve's work stories.

Over the weekend, it has snowed quite a bit. I had to take a picture of "White Fang" in the snow for Karla. When Justin and Karla came to visit, Kar panicked for a second because she thought the husky in our backyard was a wolf. Since then, he has been referred to as White Fang. Now, in the snow, he looks even more wolflike.

Moose got his first Christmas present this week. I bought him a new collar for Christmas, and I was trying to save it for Christmas morning. I know, I know, dogs don't know it's Christmas, but, anyway, I had to give it to him early. He has grown out of his "medium" collar that he wore as a new puppy. Now, he's wearing a "large." Hopefully, that will last him a while.

Since today is our anniversary, I decided to make Steve his favorite cookies. The recipe is from a cookie cookbook by Betty Crocker (or her people...is Betty alive?) that Betsy got us for a wedding shower gift.

Giant Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c packed brown sugar

1/2 c butter or margarine, softened

1/2 c shortening

1/4 c honey

1 egg

2 c flour

1t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1 package semisweet choc chips

1 package almond brickle chips (Heath)

Heat oven to 350.

Beat brown sugar, butter, shortening, honey and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips and heath chips.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes. Enjoy! :)