Who goes out on Halloween?

Two rolls of duct tape and some caution tape and we're off to Creepfest.

I was not going to squeeze back into my duct tape dress for an outside spooky garden party. So I put on my favorite Pocket Lady costume loaded with pockets full of toys for spooky girls and boys.

This boy's blade was extremely heavy...

This boy made me smile...

These were spooky...

These were bad to the bones...

Frida in the forest was fantastic...

This fairy in the garden was magical...

I just love this growling little literary leopard...

And finally this commando was really the most scary boy of all...

Apron Adventures - Love cookies with the kids

Making valentines cookies with the kids was quite the apron adventure. It also showed me how different each of our kids are.

Aidan's scientific artistic approach: cutting out as many tiny little hearts as possible.

Then artfully arranging them into patterns for baking.

Then decorating each one with precisely one perfect pink flower from a piping bag. It was the cutestest thing watching him with the piping bag held against his forehead, bent over, so focused on making the most perfect little piped flowers! He got really good at it. I know who's decorating the next cake in this family.

Avril's wild animal approach: cutting a few hearts but mostly large dinosaurs, polar bears and elephants.

Then squirting and spreading them with wild frosting designs and circles to match the dots on her cute little shirt.

Thank you Santa for making it to our house...

Kids,

I made it to your house early this morning…
It was a tight squeeze down through your chimney, to deliver some goodies to you and your parents. Aidan, you did a good deed in giving away your Star Wars game. Since this was such a generous thing to do I have made your Christmas a Star Wars themed day! Avril, you have been very good and sweet towards everyone this year. Your smile and laughter makes me laugh too! I brought you some fun things to keep you smiling.

Now, I have to say, that my elves were so overwhelmed this year! They had so many toys to make for all those good little boys and girls. I’m afraid they were a little behind when Rudolf and the rest of the deer were ready to go. So, there will be some more gifts arriving by UPS truck as soon as they can get down your driveway! Some things to look forward to for sure!

Sincerely,
Santa Claus

Twas the day before Christmas...

and we're snuggling under quilts,
by the crackling fire,
reading books, eating treats,
telling stories which inspire.


Tonight we share
our most favorite book of all,
then we tuck into warm beds,
as more winter snows fall.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Nuts for crackin nuts...

These shots go out to my sister, who always loves nuts for crackin around the holidays. I miss you! Have a wonderful time hosting the family up in Canada. Wishing we were with you, crackin some nuts together.

Some day let's get this cute little Bavarian elf to take us on a tour of the Nutcracker Museum.

Apron Adventures... Part 3

I love little hands helping in the kitchen.

Little hands that measure, sift and mix.
Little hands that roll and cut.

Little hands and little opinions about a favorite cookie cutter.

Little proud hands and proud smiles.

Little hands that dance in the kitchen.

A gift wreath from our builder...

At dusk last night, we drove up to find a lovely wreath hung in the peak of our entry way. Special delivery from our friend Mike Miller and his wife, who did an amazing remodel of our home. Thank you Millers for the sweet surprise!

Finding the Wilson Family tree

Every year we visit our favorite tree farm down the hill from our house, JP Landscape Services. We tromped through the field and found a great tall tree for a great price, only $35! Aidan picked up a potted living tree for $5.00 to put in his room. He wants to plant it on our property and cut it when he's older.

Candy canes dipping in hot cider smiles

In front of the tree & Aidan with a living tree for his room

Helping Dada make the first cut

An Aidan evergreen Peek'a boo

Putting on the first ornament

Matt's Cheesy Nut Cone

Matt wanted a cheese ball to take along with us to Thanksgiving dinner at Willie and Jay's place.
He was motivated to make it himself, but didn't realize you had to prepare the cheese mixture the night before. After a couple of margaritas down at Ixtapa, he was in no way able to whip up a cheese ball the night before Thanksgiving.

so...

who do you turn to when you want to make the ultimate cheese ball, but your husband is too tipsy and you are a bit tipsy yourself?

One of my favorite tipsy & cheesy ladies, Amy Sedaris, has the ultimate cheese ball recipes in I Like You - Hospitality under the Influence. An appropriate book, appropriate title, works for cooking under the influence too!

Open book & turn to page 117

Adding the nuts the next day, completely sober mind you ;-)

Turn to page 181 and add steal a couple ingredients from her "Lil'smoky Cheese Ball" recipe (smoked Gouda & butter)

Presto, magic! "The Heavyset Cheese Ball", originally known as "The NutSnacker" by Kraft, comes to life.

Must be served with Ritz crackers for that extra cheesy effect.

Since my husband Matt claimed all night that he actually made the cheese ball himself, our friend Jay and I changed it's name to:

"Matt's Cheesy Nut Cone"