Monday, December 5, 2011

December Welcome!

Hello!  How are you?  Happy December!  So much has happened since last week's post.  For one, December is here and it finally snowed!  See?  Here's proof...


This is the front of our house, snow falling steadily in the morning hours.




My snowman family covered in snow. 




This photo was taken on our morning walk to school




But, guess what?  It's all gone now!  Yep, all of it.  The mild weather melted all the snow and has been providing us with many rainy days. 

This past week, I started my Christmas shopping!  Nuno and I bought most of our gifts.  There are only a few more to buy!  And then we can enjoy waiting for Santa, without all the stress.




You can see me wrapping one of the gifts, here! 



This is my cat, Buddy; sleeping and covering his eyes.  I was wrapping gifts and listening
to Christmas music while he slept in the living room.



If you don't already know, Buddy is my baby.  He's lived with us for 11 years now.
He loves to cuddle and snuggle.  I love him.  He's actually sleeping on my lap
as I sit and type this.  His two front paws are wrapped around my right arm, as I type, and his head is resting on them.  He's just adorable!



I was also invited to a Cookie Exchange on Saturday.  My friend, Sandy, has invited me to her annual cookie exchange for the past three years.  Each of the invited guests picks a cookie recipe and bakes one dozen cookies for each person attending and one dozen for the table (for sampling).  She also provides the recipe for the others.  At the end of the night we go home with a vast assortment of cookies.  We can choose to eat some and then freeze the rest to have at Christmas and over the holidays.  It's really great!  This year, I chose to bake sweet and salty cookies. 



Blending softened butter with a combination of brown sugar and white sugar



After beating in eggs and vanilla, I stirred in flour, baking soda, and salt.  And finally, added chocolate chips, crushed regular chips, and chopped walnuts.



Here are the cookies ready to go into the preheated oven.







Here are the cookies, packaged in clear bags and tied with gingerbread ribbon



This is the cookie table at Sandy's home.  You can see the cookies lovingly packaged for gift giving.  Some in bags, gift boxes, and clear jars too.  Some had pretty ribbons and bows and others were wrapped in pretty tissue paper. 
Sandy provided punch, strawberry wine and coffee.  There was a shrimp ring with dipping sauce, delicious puff pastry appetizers and other yummies.  I think everyone's favourite, was the brie en croute.  It was all so wonderful! 



Cookie types included: orange glazed, molasses, chocolate candy canes, oatmeal chocolate-chip, raspberry jam thumbprint, hazelnut lace cookies, vegan carrot cookies and sweet and salty.



All the ladies from left to right (Me, Elisabeth, Sandy (hostess), Sharon, Michelle, Liz, Lucy, and Nancy)



Last, but not least, on Sunday morning, we went out for breakfast and then visited the Cookstown Antique Market for their 19th annual Victorian Christmas In the Barn.  The staff and barn were decked out in Victorian style and they were giving 10% off all purchases, all weekend long.



The double green doors are the entrance to the barn


As you can see, all the snow had melted



A peek at the top floor of the barn



Pretty table offering hot apple cider, apples, oranges, chocolate mints and
sweet treats, including nanaimo bars.  Mmm!


I could not resist a cup of hot apple cider and a treat or two from the table.  It was a great way to spend the morning and add to the Christmas spirit!



I must also add that I took the girls shopping for the Barrie Food Drive this weekend.  Their school is collecting non-perishable food items for those in need over the holiday season.  This is a cause I strongly believe in and always try to help out as much as I can.  I asked the girls to pick out ten items each, of their choice, to bring to school. We took the shopping cart around the grocery store and filled it up with items for the food bank.  It is important to give to those in need, especially around the holidays.  The girls love helping out and having them choose their own items makes it fun for them, too. 


So, as you can see, I've been keeping busy this past week.  I hope you are all enjoying these first few days of December.  There are only 20 more days till Christmas and it's really beginning to feel like it (except for the lack of snow).  I'm not complaining.  I know it'll arrive soon enough.  Happy December, everyone.  Thanks for stopping in!  Hope to see you here again soon! xo


11 comments:

  1. Very festive post...thank you for taking me along for the cookie exchange (and I didn't gain a pound!)...your snowy home looks very Christmassy..don't worry, I am sure there is more snow on the way! Happy wrapping, baking, and humming along with carols.xoxo

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  2. So nice to see what you have been up to these days before Christmas. The cookie exchange is such a nice idea and they all looked so pretty on the table.
    Would love to see what's for sale in that antique barn, lol!
    Your house looks so charming and I love the heart cutouts in your shutters.
    Nice that you took the girls to pick out the food for the food drive instead of just sending them to school with a bag you chose. Makes more of an impression on them when they actively participate in it. You are such a good mom!
    Wish I could sample those sweet and salty cookies, they look and sound amazing. Think they would be just great with sweet and savory all in one cookie.

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  3. Ohh how much fun to share in all of that. Your house is always so darling but in snow it's like something out of a fairytale. Your cookies look great and so do all the rest. I would KILL to go to a cookie exchange. And now I have--no murder necessary. Very nice antique place and a good job involving the girls in charity. Someone in need will get a meal and the girls can feel good about that. It's always so fun to have a ticket into your world.

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  4. Rosinda,
    As always so nicely done. Loved everything. Reading and looking at all the beautiful pictures, takes my mind of work. Well done!!! Can't wait for your next post. Luv ya. XOXO

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  5. Your house should be a Christmas card! Wonderful post! I see that little runner again :-)

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  6. I have always wanted to have a cookie exchange. How darling everything looks! And your perfect home--u can use that pic next year for a card! Always lovely, Rosinda

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  7. This post put me right into the Christmas spirit. Everything looks perfect!

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  8. Hi, honey, I am so very sorry I haven't been online much, but here was your wonderful post all filled with the Christmas spirit! Oh, look at your yummy cookies for the exchange!!! Wow!! I just love cookies exchanges and you get to try new recipes and then go home with lots! Your home IS a Christmas card! And Buddy is precious! Can I come to the barn to shop?? Just adored the entire post, dear Rosinda!! Love and holiday hugs, Sherry xxxx

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  9. How fun! If I lived nearby, I'd be at that barn, lol!! I really enjoy your posts and pics, Rosinda!

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  10. Just catching up on posts---my goodness; that cookie exchange was amazing---everyone did such a beautiful job...what a table!!

    I love your shutters on your house--first time I noticed the heart cut-outs; just perfect!!!!

    xoxo
    Joann

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  11. Rosinda, you have the PERFECT house for Christmas! I love the hearts on the shutters and the red with the white gingerbread trim and door are so pretty! I snow adds the crowning touch! Those cookies look really yummy! Do you share your recipes? I think I'd love to try them. xoxo...Karen

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