Well the weekend was busy! We started our Saturday with a trip to the local thread store for their 25th anniversary celebration. I picked up another bead kit ornament – Woodland Santa and another bag of orange tri-cornered beads (25% off total purchase!). In buying something I got my name in a draw AND a special edition skein of speciality floss and a pen. The boys each got a snack and time to play in the playhouse so definitely worth going!
A New Santa Project!
We stopped in at H&W and picked up a nice bunch of bananas at 49 cents a lb. So I am planning on making and freezing banana chocolate chip muffins to give for Christmas this week (oh so much baking yet to do!). Speaking of baking – we started some more Christmas treats with simple chocolate Truffles! Rolled in icing sugar and refrigerated… they look and taste DELICIOUS!
Chocolate Cream Truffles
14 oz semi sweet or dark chocolate
3/4 cup whipping cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter, optional
sifted cocoa powder
icing sugar
Method:
1. Chop chocolate. Combine cream and butter in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove cream from heat; add chocolate, stirring until chocolate is melted and smooth.
2. Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or until firm enough to handle.
3. Using your fingers, a small melon ball scoop or spoon, shape into small balls. Roll the balls in the cocoa or icing sugar then place on parchment lined baking sheet or tray; cover and refrigerate until firm. Makes 36.
Truffles can be refrigerated for a couple of weeks or frozen for a couple of months.
Karyn and the Truffles!
Of course Saturday evening we had our Gingerbread Men making event!! And then this morning on the way to the freezer we ended up with gingerbread men parts — oh dear! So next time they will need to be baked longer! BUT fun was had and some perverted men made (look at who was there – are you surprised?). The boys ate their weight in gingerbread and got to try the piping bag as well as a knife to create.
Chris making the men
Everyone Hard at Work (Gavin yellow)
Ken and His Cookie
The boys and Ken headed off to Church this morning to sing in the Advent service. Trinity had kept me up most of the night in an attempt to avoid sleep so she and I were too worn out to be useful and Emanuel stayed behind with Sean to keep us company. So a bit of a lazy morning though Ken didn’t manage to get a picture of the boys singing they were VERY proud about their opportunity to be a part of the service.
I could not resist sharing these two pictures of my babies – Ken managed to get Trinity’s hair into a ponytail Saturday night! AND Emanuel in his “biker style” gear ready to go out and play in the backyard!
Pony!
Emanuel!
Oh Saturday was also the day we put up the Christmas Tree… I am still working out the organization of the living-room to accommodate the tree but the kids are over the moon – we still need 4 C batteries for the train they got from Grandma and Mike for Christmas last year – of course I have 4 D’s but not C’s… figures. I love decorating the tree, each ornament has a story… I have ornaments from when I was born, ones that were gifts, things I have made, even ones my Grandpa made me (gingerbread men I drew made into wooden ornaments). I have to make a few for the kids this year – if I can find the time that is! But at least my beaded Santa is already up there in a place of honour!
Babies Under the Tree
Gavin, Trinity, Emanuel and Zander
Karyn stopped by after her card making day to spend a nice and restful evening – though of course that included a slurpee run and a trip to The Mall to check the window displays since most places were closed.
Tomorrow is going to be a busy day full of stitching and wrapping and organizing of ornaments… no rest for this family! I have great hopes for this week, completing some Christmas projects, my commission will be done tonight… cards and mailing prepared… get myself feeling a little more in control of my Christmas plans and preparations.
Keeping Busy! (Zander red)