Memory Making

It's getting closer... the big day... the day we've all been waiting for.

Are you ready?

I can't even believe that I really only have three days to finish getting ready. Curt and I need to mobilize, strategize, and synchronize. We still have quite a bit of shopping to do-- but we tend to always leave it til the last few days, so this is nothing new or surprising. He has promised to do quite a bit on his lunch hour on Monday and Tuesday-- he said all he needs is my list and he will get it knocked out. One can hope... but I have a feeling there will be at least one more Target run in my future.

We spent the day today with Zoe, this time making yummy butter mints. It took us several hours but we made a bunch in that time. I will post some photos later and Zoe has promised to post the recipe, which comes from Erica. We have decided that these marathon baking sessions will definitely be part of our future Christmas traditions, as it's always nicer to talk (and laugh) while you work.

After we finished up at Zoe's, we went to lunch, then headed home. It was a rainy afternoon and we all curled up and watched Miracle On 34th Street. It was so nice and I was so tired I wasn't capable of much else after being out late several nights in a row. (A party animal, I am not.) Thankfully, we had spaghetti and meatballs in the crockpot, so all we had to do was make the noodles and we were good to go for dinner. Apart from that, my family would have been eating cold cereal or sandwiches.

Tomorrow I am hoping to make eggnog bread, and peppermint marshmallows. I promised my daughter we could make some chocolate dipped candy canes and package them with one of our homemade marshmallows and a package of hot chocolate for some of her neighborhood friends. (She's been begging to give them all something and what mom can resist a child who is asking to give and not get at this time of year?) So after church I imagine I will be making yet another run to the grocery to get any ingredients we need, then spend the rest of the day in the kitchen. With a little rest, I will be ready to do just that.

I am even toying with the idea of surprising my girls by making up some of this and giving each other foot treatments at some point. It might be fun and it will definitely be memorable! We also might get together with Erica and her kids tomorrow night to watch Christmas Vacation. I hope we will work that out, as I know the kids will love it, and of course their mothers won't hate it either!

In the meantime, I am thankful for a slow afternoon with time to rest and recharge, time to gear up for a busy flurry of activity in the coming days. Christmas is about so much more than just one day-- it is about a season of memories, a season of special moments etched on our hearts to treasure all through the year. Today was one of those times, and for that I am grateful.