A new take on pizza

Pi, pie, slice, za. However you refer to it, pizza is delish.

It can come in any endless variety--thick crust, thin, hand-tossed, wood-fired or baked. Maybe you prefer yours loaded with meat or heaped with veggies. Whether it's traditional or gourmet, there is no shortage of option for the ever-loving pizza. 

Our family recently took a short road trip to an establishment where they served wood-fired pizza right on the farm. It was a beautiful drive from the La Crosse area, up Hwy. 35, through Fountain City. From there you wound your way down a winding country road, up and down beautiful lush valleys. The destination is a family-owned farm where they serve pizza on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the summer. 

We read on the website to bring your own chairs or blankets to have a proper picnic-style dinner. I packed some juice and water, snacks and veggies, plates and utensils and we were set! The kids grabbed a spot on the lawn near the swing set. We ordered our Za at the window, we were pizza numbers 65 and 66. They were currently working their way through the thirties. We settled onto the blanket as the kids ran and played, with the many other kids and families who were relaxing nearby. Somehow our beer seemed to taste better out in the open, the smells of campfire and pizza ever present. Our wait didn't seem so long, without having to contain kids and make them sit. Within about 45 minutes we had our two pizzas and sat down to enjoy! The kids devoured a cheese pizza, and we enjoyed ours with beautiful heirloom tomatoes and a touch of bacon and basil. Not too shabby for a Friday night! 

I had packed the fixin's to make s'mores, and the farm provided the sticks and the fire pit. We didn't even have to bribe our kids to finish their food to get dessert! Our drive home was relaxing and everyone fell into bed more than happy! Next summer if you find yourself with a free Thursday or Friday evening, might I recommend packing up a picnic basket with some goodies and a blanket and heading to Suncrest Gardens outside of Fountain City. It might not be great for the waistline, but it sure is wonderful for the soul!

Wrestling with technology

Technology, good or bad? Helpful or not? 

I think my answer to this is simple, when working properly and used in moderation, technology can be a wonderful and enhancing addition to our everyday lives. However, there is always the evil flip side to this scenario. 

Often times technology seems to operate and go about it's merry way, not behaving the way we want or need it to! Think about all the computer gadgets now in our vehicles and the constant updates, upgrades, notifications we receive on our computers. We have a home equipped with some "smart" technology. Our heating and cooling system is run via an iPad in the wall. Looks neat, until it isn't working properly. I have spent more time on the phone with repair people and can practically call them friends for how frequently they've needed to come "fix" things. My husband swears our next home will be equipped with the bare bones and less technology is better. 

I have to say, it is nice to have fun music at my fingertips, a car that cools to my desired temperature, the ability to see loved ones face to face, even when they live thousands of miles away. Most of the conveniences we live with would be very difficult to give up. Today I am grateful that we have an alarm on our freezer when the door is left open, even if the beeping is truly annoying! It saved us a lot of money not having to replace those waffles and ice cream! 

There is always the constant battle in our home with our children and technology. They are so accustomed to electronics--iPads, Tv's, smart phones, digital cameras and so on. We have to monitor their frequency and what type of sites they are visiting. If given the chance, our son would love nothing more than an uninterrupted day spent playing MineCraft on the iPad. Rules are constantly in place so this won't happen, but it really is a battle! So to live in relative peace with the technology that is such a part of our lives, I must keep chanting the mantra use in moderation, and if broken, be nice to your repair guy/gal, they may be your new best friend!

Another chapter ends

Well it is truly that time of year again, when the days are getting a bit shorter and the kids a bit antsier. 

That's right, the end of summer is just around the corner. Sprinklers will be jumped through just a few more times, Kool-Aid and lemonade stands will be flipping their closed signs over until next season. Soon the days of sleeping in and staying up late will be over, replaced by frantic mornings rushing out to catch buses and race into school. All over the city parents are checking their back-to-school lists and checking them twice. 

It seems that this summer was on super warp speed for some reason. I think it had something to do with the weather, and summer arriving so late after such a rainy spring. Then when it hit, it hit with a force and it continued on at a frantic pace. About a week ago I was lamenting the fact that I would be sending my kids back to school so soon, and I wasn't ready. 

Then another week went by, and the whining seemed to amp up to an almost unbearable level, and suddenly, school cannot start soon enough! I'm sure I'm not the only parent feeling this way! Kids are tired of the same old same old, and I'm ready for some routine to enter back into our lives. Brains need to be challenged and bedtime routines reestablished once more. Now I would feel so much better if those dang school lists were complete. Can anyone tell me where I can find the elusive skinny dry-erase markers? 

Ah summer, you will be sorely missed. Come back soon, and thanks for all of the wonderful memories.

Refreshed in the North

As the summer slowly slipped from July to August, our family closed

the chapter on yet another week-long family tradition.

We spent the week up at a lake cabin near the Hayward area. While no vacation could ever be "perfect" this was a much-needed escape and came close to reaching this title. We spent the week on a glorious lake with fantastic weather nearly every day. 

Some very close friends of ours were just across the bay with their three kids. Our families are close, and our kids get along swimmingly! They played hide and seek in the dark, sat by a campfire, roasted countless s'mores, fished and swam daily and just generally enjoyed each others' company. 

By having their companions to play with, the adults were able to enjoy some conversation and down time. We didn't solve any critical world issues, but we didn't even try! We too enjoyed our companions and the scenery of the great outdoors. Even our dogs romped with abandon and ran to their hearts' content. 

The only down side was the week came to far too abrupt an end. Why don't these moments stretch on a bit longer? Why does a hot dog taste so much better roasted over an open flame? Why is the sound of your kids' laughter like music as they bounce across the water on an inner tube? Like I said, it wasn't perfect. The gnat bites along my leg are evidence of that, but that was so worth it! So we came back a bit lighter, a bit more refreshed, even if we are scratching and itchy for the next few days! 

So until the great north woods beckons again, we have some wonderful new memories to carry us forward.

Time

Time is a strange creature. 

When you are young, you have all the time in the world. Just watch a kid stroll home from after school, not a care in the world, unaware of time. Summers used to feel like they stretched on endlessly, one hot afternoon after another, until, like magic, it was time to go back to school. 

You probably heard the saying a time or two as you got older how "time flies." Maybe it means time moves faster as you age. Well suddenly I'm that person and time seems to be melting away. I felt like I had all the time in the world, my kids would stay young, I would forever be far from "middle aged" and life was just ducky. 

Now I face the prospect that I have a child nearing the end of his time at grade school, and having to wear deodorant! My first babe now has feet the same size as mine and soon will surpass me in height. And if he ever ate veggies that would be sooner rather than later! I'm no longer looking forward to my thirties, they too will soon be a thing of the past. Thank God that 50 is the new 40! Ha. 

And time this summer, where oh where has it gone? June was all but a blur and then we welcomed another Fourth of July and oohed and ahhhed at yet another fireworks show. I'm still in denial that we are past the middle of the summer season. Heck, I just started wearing shorts like, last week! So Time, please oh please slow down just a little bit. 

Let us enjoy the brightness of a fresh-bloomed flower and the chirp of a baby bird. I want to ride on a roller coaster until I'm dizzy with laughter and eat a fresh ear of corn dripping with butter. My kids need to stay young and innocent just a bit longer, because this far from "middle-aged" mom needs them to! I'm not quite ready to talk about the remember whens, and the used to be's just yet. I want to embrace the now and soak up every moment before it too is gone.

Embracing Summer...

After enduring a cold, unrelenting winter and a wet, dreary "spring," we have finally made it to summer! I know my spirits are lighter and brighter seeing the sunshine and feeling the warmth of the sun again. Everything in our area looks so fresh and green, and pops of color are adorning our streets and doorsteps! We have so much to experience living in an area that truly gets all four seasons. It is fun to see how everyone embraces or rejects them, as the case maybe.

In our house, summer is welcome with wide open arms. Socks and shoes are shoved aside for the feel of bare toes and flip flops. The change in season also brings the end of a school year for the kiddos. With that comes the added schedule change and activity planning. I've written before about the fine line in keeping your kids busy and involved in activities, but also trying not to over schedule and allow them free time, *and gasp* a chance to be bored!

My friends and I have discussed how we would play outside from sun up to sun down, rarely breaking to eat. Sunscreen was never a priority and neighborhoods were our domain to explore. Although times are a bit different, and the importance of sunscreen is a big priority, it's still wonderful to let your kids be kids. Drink from the garden hose when you get thirsty, set up a lemonade stand and charge a quarter to all your neighbors who may stop by. Lay on a blanket and watch the clouds, just because you can!

Sure summer camps and organized play are great, and essential for this mom's sanity, but I am trying to have less "organized" and more figure it as we go time. I'm devising a chore chart so we don't steer too far off course, but I'm remembering to embrace summer because as we know it is far to fleeting in this part of the world. So go forth, put tassels on your bike handles, swing on a swing, drink from a hose and stop to smell the roses! Hello summer!

Lifelong learning

I've written before about my attempts at learning to play guitar. 

I haven't visited this topic in quite awhile, simply because I feel that I am a miserable guitar student, at best. That is not to say that I have not thoroughly enjoyed my dive into this pool of opportunity. I love the way that it challenges my brain and lights up a sense of learning that I have never experienced before. 

I attend my weekly guitar lesson, and now it is something that our 8-year-old son does with me. In our hectic schedules, we don't often find the time to have some quiet together. So now we find ourselves, once a week, trekking to lessons together. 

We will often talk about school or the books he's reading, or whether we like a certain song on the radio. Sometimes we drive in comfortable silence, me just enjoying having my not-so-little buddy alone in the car with me for a bit. He's doing a wonderful job learning to play, and far outpacing me as a student. It is rather humbling to have your 8-year-old show you up so handily! 

Lucky for me he doesn't read this blog, so this isn't a fact I'll be sharing with him anytime soon! My husband has taken his new skills to a different level, and has starting jamming with a couple of fellow friends. I played with them not so long ago, and it recharged my enthusiasm for learning to play! There is something energetic about playing with others, even if you are in the wrong key the entire time! But we ended the jam almost sounding, dare I say, mediocre! No, we are not booking any gigs soon, or even ever, but it was a fun way to put into practice all that I've been learning. 

My husband aspires to write his own song soon, this too will enhance his joy that he's found in playing guitar. I'm fortunate to have found this little hobby so enjoyable. It's enhanced my appreciation for music, and will continue to do so for years to come. Now, if I only practiced like I am supposed to, I might be able to play a recognizable tune! One thing at a time.

Transforming a house into a home

While the list varies from person to person, some of the most stressful events in life include moving. 

I can attest to that, especially when you toss in three kids, a dog, and a whole lot of stuff! We made the move, and are on the other side of the difficult part. Whew. 

Now comes the unpacking, sorting, and placing of those things deemed worthy of gracing our space. Pictures that have resided in boxes for the past six years have been unearthed, to keep or not to keep? That has become the major question in our household. But I know we are fortunate and this is a great problem to have! 

We have explored our new neighborhood and the kids are already having a blast. We've been the recipient of several plates of scrumptious cookies and home-made meals, making a move almost worth it! I keep telling people that the house is a work in progress; every time I think I've made progress, there is more work! Ha! But our new place is already feeling like home, and our housing woes are already becoming a fleeting memory. 

I am trying to tell myself to take things one day at a time, one box at a time. There is no deadline for getting things done, and just enjoy the house one step at a time. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, unproductive. But this too shall pass. We have already hung things on the wall! Wow! That doesn't mean that this is where they will stay, but they are out of boxes and giving our walls personality. So as each day passes, and another box is emptied, we are one step closer to transforming our house into a home!

A Moving Tale

As Spring creeps ever closer, teasing us with temps inching towards 50, our family prepares for a big move into a new house. 

I've blogged in the past about our efforts to try to build a home, like the saying goes we "gave it the old college try." At this point in our lives a custom-built home is not in our immediate future. We ran into obstacle after obstacle, and after awhile it was time to start listening to what the cosmos were trying to tell us, and scrap the idea! 

After much time spent house hunting and weighing the pros and cons of one home vs. another, we chose a house we thought would best suit our family's needs and an offer was accepted! For the past few months we have been prepping ourselves for our move. 

As any of you readers know, moving is a dreaded chore to most. A few positives do exist, like the never-ending purge that seems to occur! How did we manage to accumulate so much STUFF? Wow, it is a bit amazing to think about all the things that have resided in our home for the past four years! But with that comes a duty to rid ourselves of the things we no longer use or want. Some have made it to local consignment shops, some to friends, some sold online, and a vast amount were donated. It is a very freeing feeling to shed some of the material weight we have been carrying. Of course, that means we are making way for a few new things that will be fun to purchase, but all in due time. 

For now, I must pack another box, carefully wrapping items in paper and labeling where each thing should go, or so I'd like to think. My version of reality is a bit different (think shoved into a container and thrown into the back of the truck and crossing fingers most things survive)! I've never claimed to be super organized, this is a true challenge for me. But somehow we will manage and the kids are very excited about new bedrooms, and a new neighborhood to explore. So while I pack another box, I'm focusing on the positives, a place to call our own will bring. I will be doing my best to make this experience as stress free as possible.

Let me know if you need any moving boxes as we will have plenty to spare in a few weeks!

Show someone you care!

Was your house been bombarded by red and pink like mine last week? Are your kids bouncing off the walls from the sugared hearts and sticky suckers they received in their Valentine exchanges at school? Did you spend hours creating the perfect Valentine for them to give or the perfect "Mailbox" to house all of their sweets? 

It is a fun holiday, and with the winter that we have endured it has certainly helped add some color and fun into our rather cold, white world! My kids were so excited for all of their parties at school, and to give their teachers the special treats they prepared, or rather their mother, prepared! 

Some consider it a Hallmark holiday. I say bah humbug to that! What better excuse do you need to send a fun card to your favorite aunt or special grandparents? My kids were racing to the mailbox all week to see their cards come with only their name on it! Brighten up your niece or nephew and send them a giant card like my sister did! Seeing the excitement that a gesture like this brings is worth it! And I haven't even mentioned the opportunity to indulge a bit in some chocolate, perfect! So forget your bah humbugs and remember to celebrate those you love. It doesn't take much to show that you care, and bringing a smile to someone is well worth it, on Valentine's Day and every day!

The magic of Christmas

We are only young once, and boy does that seem like a long time ago! 

I was struck yesterday by the magic of youth, and how wonderful it truly is. Our kids are eight, six and three. They believe one hundred percent in the magic of Christmas, in Santa, his elves and all the wonder that this season brings. 

Well our elf on the shelf is back for another season of mischief and fun. Jingle Bells, as he is very appropriately named, arrived the day after Thanksgiving and has been delighting the kids each morning with his antics from the night before. 

Well, as you can see from the picture, this was how the kids found him this morning. They stood in awe at his predicament, but debated whether Jingle Bells had used his magic to tie himself up, or if the Lego guys caught him and were tired of him causing trouble and so they tied him up for us to see! 

It was a wonderful, magical conversation and our 8-year-old was completely convinced that his "guys" woke up and caught JB in sneaking back into the house. Not only do they believe in the magic of one stuffed little red elf, but that their toys are also alive and well. I hope a bit of this belief will rub off on me, and I say to all kids everywhere, whether old or young, hang onto it, the act of believing is the true magic of the season! 

Stay tuned for more Jingle Bell escapades!

Paying it forward

I read a post on my Facebook page from a fellow mom blogger who took her three young sons to a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game. In front of her sat a young twenty-something man and his girlfriend. The lady told of how her sons were so excited, but did not exactly sit still. 

She said the man turned around and engaged her son during the game, running him down between innings to see the field, trying to snag a ball. He was delightful to her kids, and the mom was super grateful! 

At one point he promised that he would get her child a baseball. At the end of the game he took him down to the side to try to get a ball from the players and coaches, but they returned empty handed. She said her son started to look sad, when the man pulled a baseball out from behind his back and handed it to the little boy! He then whispered "I promised you a baseball, and I always keep my promises!" 

At some point during the game he had gone and purchased a baseball for her child! The mom went on to say that this was the highlight of the entire day for her young son. He talked about it non stop on the way home and even went to sleep hugging his baseball! 

 She sent this story out because she wanted to properly thank this young man, and to remind all of us that even a small act of kindness can make all the difference. He touched this family and through the story she told, it seems like he has brightened the lives of so many others! I loved reading this, and will try to remember that it doesn't take a big gesture, sometimes holding a door open for a stranger, or maybe plugging a meter that has run out for someone, can really say you care. And when we pay it forward, we all win in the end.

Sun Safety

The battle has begun. The battle of sunscreen versus squirmy children and an insistent mother.

"Stand still or you will get it in your eyes."

"Rub it in, you missed a spot!"

"Mom, it's cold, stop!"

All of these and more, are frequently heard in our house, morning, noon and night. We have started our summer activities and the sun has finally reappeared--so has the infamous white cream. I have started to do more homework on the type of sunscreen that I choose to use. There is no shortage of options--sprays, lotions, sticks, foams.

Which is best, which is safest? We want a broad spectrum, protecting from both harmful UVA and UV rays. Guidelines recommend an spf rating of 15- 50+, but do not forget to reapply and reapply often. A higher spf tends to make people believe they are protected for longer, which is not true. In short, ingredients matter. Avoid any sun product whose label says retinyl palmitate, retinol or vitamin A. Look for ingredients zinc oxide, avobenzone and Mexoryl SX. These protect us from harmful UVA radiation. Avoid the sunscreen chemical oxybenzone, a synthetic estrogen that penetrates the skin and can disrupt the hormone system.

The best sun protection is to use common sense, cover up when you can and seek or create shade. Color on our skin does not mean healthy. This is such an important message to teach our children, especially teenagers. So while the battle rages on in my house, and many others, it's such an important one. Be sensible, and proactive, and if you can, practice your wrestling moves! It's helped me, and ultimately we will do anything to keep our kids safe.


Sun Safety Tips

Birthdays!

In our household April is birthday month.

Tomorrow it is my husband's birthday and I dare not disclose his age!

Every year is important, but this particular birthday isn't a "big" one. It occurs midweek, so dinner, cake and ice cream should complete our agenda. A special dinner has been requested, tortellini with meat sauce and a big salad. Sounds like a celebration to me!

One week later our son celebrates his eighth birthday! A VERY big deal to him and his little sisters. We have been discussing the details of his special day since Christmas ended. I'm not sure if it's the idea of a special party or turning one year older that excites him most. He has picked the venue, Shenanigan's it is. The invites are out and we are making plans for the party.

At what age do you stop having the kid parties? I think I was around nine or ten and birthdays were more about just one or two friends, maybe a sleepover, and dinner out. I know it's different in every family. It's so fun to get caught up in the enthusiasm of turning one year older, until you don't want to and dread the coming of your birthday! So we are getting caught up in the excitement and rocking out those birthdays, complete with two cakes, a pile of gifts and lots of laughter.

ME. In a nutshell.

I wake up, it's 6:15 am, I am in this moment, a wife. We say our good mornings a quick smooch, he jumps in the shower. It's 6:32, I am me, alone for a few quiet moments of solitude.

It is 6:34, my youngest child, accompanied by her ever faithful, furry, four-legged brother, climbs/jumps into bed. I am a mother, listening to the tales of my 3-year-old's dreams, snuggling up to her warm, pj-clad body.

Out to the kitchen, rousing the other two children, on full force mommy duty.

Husband emerges, we grab sips of coffee in between rushing kids out the door to school, he to work. Roles merge, I am chaos director, wife, mom, short-order cook, dog walker.

Kids arrive at school, all but one still home with me.

Time is 8:12, off to the gym. Drop remaining child in child watch.

8:18: Alone, I am gym-rat extraordinaire. Work up sweat, chat with a few fellow friends, enjoy a bit of me time. I am me. Alone for awhile.

10:20: Pick up child, resume mommy duty.

Head to grocery store - grab necessities, plan dinner in my head, buy food.

11:10: Pickup child number two, head home. Prepare lunch for kids two and three. Mommy in full force. Play with girls, dog, clean up lunch, laundry.

1:12: Nap number three, bit of TV for number two.

1:32: Jump in shower - ahhh- me time for a few blissful minutes.

3:02: Rouse youngest from nap, load up car with girls and dog, pickup child number one. Listen to son tell about his day, return home, make snack. Check email, referee kids, homework, laundry.

4:46: Prepare dinner, chef hat officially on!

5:36: Set table, gather kids.

5:42: Greet husband- roles merge again. I am wife/mother/cook.

6:45: Prepare for bedtime routine- full mommy mode--baths given, books red, bed.

7:22: First tucked in. Only two trips back to get her settled.

7:34: Second child in bed. First trip a success.

7:46: Sit down with husband and kid number one, I am mommy/wife.

8:08: Last child down for the night.

8:12: Ahhh--wife mode--chat with husband, make tea and watch a bit of television.

9:36: Let fur-baby out (mommy mode still on!).

9:48 Head to bedroom--grab book of the moment--ahh a bit of me time!

10:27: Husband snuggles in--out for the night.

10:34: Kick dog off the bed, NOW, out for the night, ALL ME TIME!

Tradition!

If I had to describe a family tradition we do every year, without fail, it would be coloring Easter eggs with my grandparents.

My father's father was born in 1919 and one of this man's greatest joys comes from dunking many dozen hard-boiled eggs into little cups of color. Each and every year, through moves and new houses, my parents, grandparents and now my kids, get together and color seven or eight dozen eggs.

There is the discussion of the proper way to boil the eggs, are they peeling well this year? How does the color look? Which crayons work best to write the names on the eggs? My husband just laughs and can't really understand our love for such tradition. But we've managed to do this every year, without fail, for the better part of thirty five years.

No one gets a bigger kick out of it than my PaPa. He positively beams at my kids as they dunk their eggs in each cup to get the perfect color. He's the first to enjoy a cracked egg, always remarking at how it peeled or didn't peel. At 94 he's slowed down a bit. But nothing dampens his love for coloring eggs. And I say to my husband, the look on my grandpa's face as he looks around the table at his family is reason enough to keep up this tradition.

Wet! Wet! And more wet!

If I had to pick a theme for my life from the past week I think I'd keep it simple and call it "WET."

From my constantly wet, dirty floors, to the damp snow pants, hats, mittens, etc.

We get the swim stuff from swimming lessons and swim team, to the constant sneezing happening with all three kids. Then there is the giant dog who resembles a 100-pound woolly mammoth with snowballs instead of paws. He likes to come in from outside and rub all the snow off onto the furniture, so not only are the floors wet, so is the sofa and all of the chairs too!

Wet.

My vehicle is caked in yuck, both inside and out. I'm terrified to clean it, what's the point? I'd just have to wash and repeat again tomorrow! So to combat this, I've taken to looking the other way at my floors, until the end of the day when I can stand it no longer and Swiffer them until they gleam! The sneezing will eventually run its course, and except to totally shave my dog, he's going to continue to enjoy the snow and bring it in for all of us to enjoy too, in one form or another. And I say, "Van Schmann," it looks like everyone else's car right now anyway! That's why they call it spring cleaning right?

So I'll just turn on the fireplace and curl up with a hot cup of something, try to find a relatively dry spot on the couch, and roll with these wet winter punches.

Winter quiet in the north woods

My family and I were fortunate enough to escape for a long weekend to a cabin up near Hayward. It's a beautiful area full of lakes and wilderness.

We try to make a point to go at least once during the summer and once during winter. My husband prefers to go in the dead of winter, and takes great comfort in the quiet and solitude that a cabin in the woods provides. The kids enjoyed exploring the frozen lake, looking down while standing on black ice is pretty intimidating!

My 5-year-old's wish for the weekend was to see the northern lights. So we bundled up late one night, and with only the moonlight to guide us we went out onto the lake and looked up. While we didn't see any sign of the aura borealis, we did get a front row seat to a beautiful sky full of stars. It's so nice to be able to check out from the rat race of everyday life and slow down together.

We even managed to put together a 1000 piece puzzle! I cannot tell you the last time I did a puzzle, and what great pleasure we took to work together to see it through.

It's not everyday that we get to have time to watch a movie in the middle of the day, or just play a board game. You don't need a cabin to do these activities. But there is something a bit magical about getting away, wearing comfy clothes all day, and just taking pleasure in being together doing little things.

Who knows, maybe next time my little girl's wish will come true and we will get to see those northern lights after all.

Good friends and great bakers!

I spent the better part of a day last week baking cookies.

Trust me when I say that I am no baker! I absolutely love to cook, but somewhere in my lineage, the baking gene passed right over me!

As luck would have it , my mom was down for a visit, and I chose two family recipes, so she could assist me. The results were wonderful, all due to my mom's tips and helpful guidance!

The cookies were made for a cookie exchange being held at a friend's house. If you've never participated in a party like this, I highly recommend it! It's a fantastic excuse to get a group of friends together, and it sets such a festive tone.

Everyone was told to bring three dozen cookies, a container to bring our confections home in, and include the recipes to exchange. We put our goodies into our bins, dividing them equally. We had a beautiful selection and were fortunate enough to get to sample and take home some amazing cookies! I dare say I have very talented friends! One of my girlfriends at the party is from Europe and she remarked several times what a wonderful tradition this is, and one she will be introducing to all her friends when she returns home!

It's funny how things we are used to doing we tend to take for granted until their splendor is pointed out to us. With every cookie that I and my family have nibbled on this week, I've tried to reflect on the morning spent in the company of good friends and great bakers!

Cherry Cookies
Great Grandma T's Recipe
1 3/4 C Flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 C butter- room temp
2/3 C sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C maraschino cherries chopped and squeezed

Cream butter, mix sugar and egg. Add dry ingredients and vanilla, last gently stir in cherries.
Roll into quarter size balls, press with fork dipped in water.
Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes. Don't let them get brown!

J. Bells is still watching! Where is he now?

Our elf, Jingle Bells, has struck again.

He's been a bit more mischievous this year, much to the delight of our kids!

He's been spotted high on top the Christmas tree, suspended from a door lock in a pair of undergarments, and hidden in a potted plant. The other morning he was on the kitchen counter covered in flour and had made a snow angel!

It sure has been a terrific way to see the kids get excited for Christmas. Every visitor to our house gets to see where Jingle Bells showed up that day. We get to listen to the kids tell the tales of what the little elf has been up to, and how he is full of magic!

We have seen the kids behavior improve when they know Jingle Bells is watching, so who knows, maybe he is magical after all! The time of holiday magic is so very brief. Before long the kids will be doubting Santa's existence, a thought so very sad to imagine. I'll do anything I can to keep the holiday spirit, even if that means helping Jingle Bells cause trouble the month of December!