Follow up to my cranky Christmas post

After I had my meltdown on Friday night I made myself put down my phone so I wouldn't call anyone and begin to verbally beat them, I walked away from the computer so I couldn't bah humbug anymore and then made myself some food.

(Let me add here: I fully expected to wake up on Saturday to some nasty comment about how there are starving children in Africa with no house at all and that I should quit my bitching and just be grateful. That's something I've been telling myself since I hit publish on Friday night and I totally would have deserved it. But no one said anything (yet) about how I was being a major brat. Thanks for that.)

So anyway, back to the food. Turns out I was kind of hungry. Ok, like a lot hungry and putting something in my tummy other than Reese's peanut butter cups was a very good decision on my part. Then I sat down in front of the television and put Julie & Julia into the DVD player. It was a gift from my fabulous in laws and I hadn't seen it yet. I LOVE it! The combination of eating good food and watching a movie about people making good food improved my mood considerably. And right about the time the movie was over our water came back on. It just so happens that we are on a well and the pump for the well is on a different power line than our apartment. The power for the well hadn't been restored yet. Not until about 10:30.

At first the toilet was making some seriously crazy sounds. I thought for sure it was going to blow up, which would have just been the icing on the cake that had been Christmas day. So I shut the door to the bathroom and walked away. Next, I called Andy to tell him about the water coming back and the toilet situation and he said, "You just shut the door?" Um, yeah I just shut the door. What the hell did he really think I was going to do about it if the toilet did explode? Being covered in sewage would have completely destroyed the small semblance of a good mood I'd managed to create and I thought shutting the door was a stroke of genius. I told him just that and that if the toilet did explode then at least the mess would be contained to one room.

But, whatever, the toilet didn't explode. So at 11:00 I took a shower, then Andy came home from work and he took a shower and we happily tucked ourselves into bed where visions of working plumbing danced in our heads.

On Saturday I finally got to see my family.

There were several people missing, but it was nice to see most of them anyway.

Highlight of my day:

When my youngest nephew opened his present from Andy and I (a t-shrit with a Mr.Potato head face on it). He held it up to his chest, said, "OH! Thanks!" then tossed it over his shoulder to contiue playing with the toys I'd interrupted him from. I do not have that on video, though I wish I did.

What I do have on video is my family trying to arange themselves for the annual Christmas picture I impose on them.

I thought it might be funny to document, but instead of telling them I just set the camera up on the tripod, pressed record and waited.

Let me apologize in advance for how nasaly and whiny I sound. Apparently that happens when I'm being bossy. I'm gonna' have to do something about it.

What you can't hear is that my uncle Tony is making farting noises at me the whole time. He hates having his picutre taken, like my sweet little husband, and has grown increasingly surly about this photo every year. Also, my grandmother had not had a bath yet that day and refused to be in the photo at first. We got her in there, but she's probably going to tell me not to put the picture on the internet the next time she talks to me. Too late.

There were several missing components to our family because I was there a day late, but I still insisted because there were more than four of us gathered at one time. That's something that only happens on holidays, and after losing some vital people in my family unit I've decided this is absolutely necessary. One day they will all thank me.


It did turn out to be a wonderful Christmas anyway. Somehow it always does. I think it's just the season.

I hope yours was merry and even if you don't celebrate Christmas I hope that you've taken some time out to spend with your family. Even if they drive you batty it's worth it.

Merry Christmas (kind of)

All Christmas season I've kept my cheer in tip-top shape. I feel like I have so many blessings this year that even stress on the holidays couldn't get in the way of my high. Not a lot of money for presents? No problem! I'm here and able to spend the holidays with my family. That's really all that matters.

So why the Grinchy attitude all of a sudden? Hold on. You'll see.

We need to go back a few days, so I can fill you in.

Wednesday Andy and I went to a funeral. A funeral for a 22 year old that should still be alive. He was healthy and there is no reason he should have passed away. I know that God has his reasons, but so often with death they are hard to see.

After the funeral I asked Andy's sister to take our picture because we are so rarely dressed up together.

(Do you think that's tacky of me to want our picture taken in our funeral attire? I'm not entirely sure that I care what anyone's opinion is. I didn't take the pictures at the funeral or even near it. Seven years ago when my grandfather died, one of my distant uncles took pictures of me with my bereaved family while we were walking to the graveside. That was tacky.)

Andy hates having his picture taken and is a serious pain in the ass, but he's been sick since the beginning of the week so his whining was almost unbearable. This is the best we managed to get out of him before he stormed off proclaiming, "That's it!"


So Wednesday was spent mostly grieving. We got home later than expected and I spent the rest of the evening in the kitchen decorating cookies. Because, like our friend's father said at his son's funeral, "Cameron would want you to have a meaningful Christmas."

I decorated and cooked until I couldn't take anymore and then I woke up early on Thursday morning to do some more.

Thursday was a much more pleasant day. Tiring, but very enjoyable.

I was in the kitchen all day, right up to dinner time. I made sugar cookies and truffles and carrot cake cookies and cinnamon rolls. Plus a few side dishes to go with dinner.


Andy's family came up at about 4 then Andy got home just after 6. That is a miracle in and of itself because Andy never gets home on time on Christmas eve, so we finished up dinner and sat down for a fantastic meal after we opened presents. We gluttoned ourselves as people are likely to do this time of year and after cleaning up and divvying out the leftovers we sent them on their way. They were in a bit of a rush to get going because the forecast was warning of an ice storm on its way.


No matter. Everyone got home safely and, though I was exhausted from the day's activities, I went to bed with great anticipation for the lovely Christmas day ahead of me.

Then the ice storm hit.

Andy slept like a rock because he took his nighttime cold medicine. I, on the other hand, did not self medicate and woke up several times in the night to gale force winds throwing tiny little ice spears at our window. It seemed as though our house would for sure come down on our heads and we would either be crushed or frozen.

Neither of those things happened though and I suffered through the restless night. Waking up at 6:30 to the power flickering on and off. It finally settled on staying on for a bit so I got up to stuff stockings and go ahead and make some coffee lest the power decide to fizzle completely.

I got the coffee made and the stockings stuffed. The power was holding strong; no more flickers. So I attempted to waken my sick, sleepy husband. I don't like to wait to open presents. The five year old in me can not be put off on Christmas morning.

I did not manage to get sir grumps-a-lot out of bed until the power finally died at 8 o'clock.


When he did rise we went into the living room and tore into the gifts... in the dark. Much jubilation for gift opening was had and the bunnies enjoyed playing in the wrapping paper and inspecting their newest treats.


But our little living space was growing cold quickly so we built a fire and Andy set out for the ski shop (which also did not have power). The forecast told of rain to come in the afternoon so I waited a bit before I set off down the mountain to see the family.

Andy came home around noon. The ski shop was cold and going to stay that way until the power came on, so they closed up until that great event occurred and he helped me pack up the car to head off the mountain.

At this point in the day our roads were only wet, so I felt safe making the hour long trek. I kissed my husband goodbye and hopped in the Hulk. Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house I went. Until I got to the next town that was covered in ice and people were totally ignoring road conditions and driving like maniacs.

I decided I'd quite had my fill of car accidents for a lifetime so I turned around and headed back to my husband.

On the upside of all this: I haven't spent Christmas day with Andy in about three years because he is always working. So it was a blessing in disguise that we got to have a little Christmas time together. Even without power, heat or water.


We heated up leftovers in the fireplace and Andy made a make-shift cooler for his winter brews.


Then instead of talking, or playing a game or any other shenanigans, we proceeded to fall asleep on the sofa because I was tired from lack of sleep and Andy's cold hasn't gotten any better.

Then at almost five o'clock I woke up to my sickly love telling me the power was back on and he was going to work.

So here I am. Alone.

I have power, but guess what didn't come back? Our water. Yes, that's right we haven't had water all day either. It's been well over 24 hours since I had a shower and my present mood is declining in direct correlation to my cleanliness.

I keep telling myself that I still have so much to be grateful for, but it isn't putting any pep in my step. Right now I just want to be crabby and upset, and wallow in self pity. So that's what I'm going to do.

The sun is supposed to shine tomorrow and I'm going to go see my family then. Also, come hell or high water (which seems not only possible, but likely at this point) I'm going to have a shower. If not tonight then tomorrow at someone's house who has water.

Despite my unpleasant demeanor I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas. Feel free to share your holiday cheer with me. It might help boost my mood.

Last minute holiday crafting

Yesterday my friend Jessie brought over an early Christmas present for me. Yay me!

The package was beautiful, but Jessie wanted me to open it in front of her. Not wanting to disappoint I ripped right into that bad boy. She got me a package of various fancy sea salts. Right up my alley. I've already got a recipe picked out!

But we're not talking about the sea salts, we're talking about crafting aren't we. That's what the title of the post says. I'm getting to the crafting part.

This is what the package looked like before I ravaged it:

Gorgeous, right?

It was even better in person. The ribbon was so soft and silky and felt like butter. Also, those snowflakes aren't printed on they're velvet. That's not something you just throw in the trash.

I knew I needed to do something with it. I considered making ornaments out of it.

But I already made a couple for our tree this year out of old holiday cards.

So I decided I should make some garland.

I set out to do just that, but about half way through decided it wasn't going to work. The "garland" didn't hang right and it would have driven me crazy.

What now? I was already half way into my craft and it wasn't going to turn out like I'd hoped.

Then I had an inspiration! We're having Christmas dinner here with Andy's family on Christmas eve and I'm planning on using my fancy dishes.

Only problem is that my fancy dishes are silver and white and don't match my holiday table decorations.

See?

Those place mats and utensil mittens are perfect for my every day dishes, but not so much with the silver and white stuff.

What's a girl to do?

I'm really not this dramatic about it. I usually take the decorations off the table and just let the dishes be the decoration.

But not this year. Not anymore!

I rearranged some snowflakes and turned my failed holiday garland into the perfect table runner for our Christmas eve dinner.

I think I'm in love!


I didn't take step-by-step photos. It's really kind of a no-brain-er. I just cut out the snowflakes and backed them with black cardstock to make them sturdier. After I laid them out like I wanted them I used ribbon, glue and metal grommets to hold it all together. Viola!

It was quick, easy and painless. Well, mostly painless. I did cut my finger with a pair of scissors, because I'm totally smooth like that.

Do you like to do holiday crafts? Or are you all retail all the time?

How I found out about Santa

Remember how I said I can't keep a secret and don't like surprises? Those two particular personality traits have been with me my whole life.

In my child's mind it only made sense to me that if I didn't like surprises then no one else did either. And if I knew a secret about a surprise I told it. Every time.

This particular quirk of mine caused a lot of problems for my brother.

He could keep a secret. And he did like surprises. A lot.

For whatever reason my mom often told me what she got my brother for presents, or what other people got him. Or maybe she didn't have a choice. I've always like to shop and my mom was notorious for giving in to me. I was her strong willed child.

So when she went out shopping I made it a point to tag along and didn't often take no for an answer. On a regular basis I spoiled Josh's birthday and Christmas surprises. He hated it, but I kept on doing it. The suspense was just too much for me to handle.

One year my mom got him a video game that he'd been wanting for his birthday and I told him. He was so mad. It didn't help that my mom found out that I'd spoiled the surprise, so she returned the video game and got him a watch instead. She's going to comment that she doesn't remember this at all. But I remember because I thought for sure I was going to be killed.

I'm getting off topic. We're talking about Christmas, not birthdays.

So anyway, at Christmas time the cycle continued. Santa presents were kept under wraps of course, because why would my mother know for sure what Santa was bringing? But from time to time I would know something that a relative was going to give Josh. And I think by this point we all know what I did with that information.

What is the average age that a child learns the truth about Santa? I'm guessing between eight and ten.

I was five.

I don't remember what the present was. I just know that I told him, and in retaliation he told me the truth about the big jolly guy in red. It wasn't good enough to just hit me, and he'd get in trouble for that for sure. So why not spill the beans?

Of course at first I didn't believe him. How could he possibly know? Had he ever been to the North Pole to see?

Josh set out to make sure there wasn't an ounce of belief left in me. He described, in detail, how he crept downstairs in the wee hours one Christmas morning to find our mother stuffing our stockings and piling presents under the tree.

I think I was momentarily distraught. No Santa? Really?

So I went and asked my mom. She could tell that I had way more information than a five year old should have, so instead of perpetuating the myth she gave in and told me the truth.

Then the skies opened up and the heavenly angels began to sing. No Santa! My mom was Santa!! I had a direct link to the source of the gift giving!!! No more writing letters!!!! No more sitting on some strange man's lap to try to get my message across!!!!!

I was experiencing Christmas "gimme" bliss.

My brother had inadvertently done me a gigantic favor. He had told the world's worst secret keeper the truth about the biggest secret in a child's life. I'm afraid his revenge didn't have quite the impact that he'd hoped for.

Somehow I was able to grasp the importance of this secret. My mom managed to convince me that my friends didn't want to know and it would be very bad if I told them. So, as far as I remember, I did manage to keep the secret from all of my school chums.

My knowledge of the truth never seemed to be a problem, with one small exception.

The next year, when I was in first grade, the teachers were making a bulletin board with students' letters to Santa. One-by-one they called us up so we could give our list and they could write our letter. When they got to me I told the teacher that Santa wasn't real and I didn't write him letters. I flat out refused to give my Christmas list until she asked me what I was asking my mother for that year.

When my letter appeared on the bulletin board it read, "Dear Santa," and I distinctly remember being upset by that. Hadn't I told her Santa wasn't real? Why did this grown-up keep insisting on the existence of a fake person? Clearly, she was delusional.

How did you learn the truth about Santa?

Tree skirt bandit

I've never been able to bring myself to fork over good money for a tree skirt. There are many Christmas-y type things that I'll waste our hard earned money on, but a tree skirt isn't one of them. One reason for that is because I've never really found one I like enough to buy and the other reason is because... well, you'll see.

In lieu of a traditional tree skirt I just use festive fabric that I found for the right price. First I cover the tree stand with a solid red piece of cloth and then I bunch up green tulle around it for a little extra kick.

These stay in place exactly as long as it takes the bunnies to realize they are there. Presents under the tree? I think not.

The following videos show you just what Milton thinks of the tree skirt.

After I filmed this first one Andy* told me Milton wasn't growling. He thinks the sound I hear is Milton's nails scratching the tulle. Since I've never heard either of my bunnies growl at anything I'm guessing that Andy is probably right. But I think it's more fun to pretend like he's growling at the tulle. (In case you're wondering, yes, bunnies can, and do, growl sometimes)

Thirty seconds after I stopped filming Milton moved to the other side of the tree:

Now, I feature Milton on this blog a lot. I don't want you getting the wrong idea and think I prefer Milton to Brunswick. That's not the case.

The thing is that Milton gets into a lot more trouble than Brunswick.

To illustrate my point:

While Milton was doing this

Brunswick was doing this

We're the proud pet parents of one very high strung bunny and one very lazy bunny.

Not to say that Brunswick doesn't have his moments. Just this evening I caught him as he was successfully chewing through a strand of Christmas lights. I just didn't get it on video because I was busy trying to keep him from being electrocuted.

How do your fur babies get involved in the holidays?

*Did you hear what Andy was saying to Milton in the first video before I shushed him? He wonders why the bunnies behave better for me.

Festivus weekend!!!!!!!!!!

It has been one hellish day around here. I haven't got anything accomplished that I wanted to. Mostly because other things demanded my attention.

I was so angry at one point I couldn't speak to other people without biting their heads off, so I avoided society for a while today.

So this post is coming about eight hours later than I had planned and after a cocktail (or two) to take the edge off. Please forgive any typo's that are sure to occur. There is a good possibility that I'll edit this tomorrow.

This past weekend was positively filled with the holiday spirit. Just bursting with it!

It has become a tradition of mine to spend a weekend early in December with my bestie Julie. It gives us the opportunity to spread the collective cheer and not just say hi and bye on Christmas day when we are trying to spend time with our families and everyone in between.

So I went to Raleigh this weekend. Spent some time with Julie, Frank and Mina and also got to see some of my "creepy internet friends" from The Nest. If you don't know what The Nest is you should totally check it out. I would link to it, but like I said, I've had a cocktail (or three) and I just don't have the patience for that right now. Google is your friend.

Here are some photos from my fun filled weekend.

First, thing first
Julie needed to shop for some "in between" jeans
So Mina and I had some fun with
the camera in the dressing room

Decked out for the Tacky Sweater party
People don't sell tacky sweaters anymore
Did you know that?
Some Nesties
More nestiesMere with Harrison Even more Nesties
Julie takes a moment to feed Mina
She was a trouper
(I'm talking about Mina)
Alethea's Hanukkah socks
Food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Booze!!!!!!!!!!!!
And cake
Pami strikes a pose
Most of the group
"The world's ugliest house"
Found on the way to the party
Side building (I'm guessing garage)
Attached to "The world's ugliest house"
The pictures don't do it justice
It really needed to be experienced in person
Going to Church
Mina is impersonating Cindi Lauper
"Stupid paparazzi!"

Ok, that's all folks. I've got some great posts planned for this week, so stay tunned!

Now I'm going to go enjoy a cocktail (or four). Ok, not really. I'm 5'2 and weight... oh, who am I kidding? A lady never tells how much she weighs! Let's just say that if I had four cocktails I'd be in a coma.

I'm pretty impressed with myself for still being whitty after a few cocktails though.

Photogenic Friday: Holiday Bloopers

Attempting to get pictures for our Christmas card

They did not care for the box

Halfway through lighting the tree.
Slightly frazzled.
Someone was playing with the camera
I'll give you a hint:
It wasn't the bunnies
Andy's idea of a good Christmas card photo

What are the holiday's like at your house?

Only two weeks 'till Christmas!

I'm off to spend the weekend in festive
frivolity!
Have a great one!

Mrs.Kringle's Cookie bake off!

Psst!

I entered a cookie contest. After you read my post please go vote for me. If I win I get lots of awesome prizes. And if you go leave a comment and vote for your favorite cookie you can win something too!

Click here to vote for me and view other contestant entries.

This year I thought Santa might like something different when he comes calling. I know the standard is chocolate chip cookies, but those have to get old after the first thousand or so. Don't you think?

I was wracking my brain to come up with something wonderful for Santa, but just couldn't think what to do.

So I had a conference with Santa's helpers.

Wouldn't you know, those sweet little things came right to my rescue. They are partial to recipes including carrots and were positively insistent that I should use those as my feature ingredient. I gave in. They are Santa's helpers after all and they know him better than me.

I spent all afternoon in the kitchen grating carrots and sifting flour to create the perfect Carrot Cake Cookies for Santa.

Once I finished I asked his helpers if they would be so kind as to taste test them for me. "Why of course!" they exclaimed.

"They certainly smell lovely!
Or am I only smelling the carrots?"
"Oh yes! These are positively
delightful!"

The helpful helpers passed judgment on the cookies, "These are certain to be Santa's new favorite cookie!"

So, in case you are reading this Santa, I just wanted you to know that we are ready for you. The halls are decked and the stockings are hung. You're the only thing missing.

And your new favorite cookie is waiting with a nice, cold glass of milk.

But you'd better hurry or your helpers might eat them all.

Carrot Cake Cookies with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 T ground cinnamon
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
3/4 cup shredded carrots
1 cup raisins
1 cup wheat germ
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment.

In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Beat in the pineapple, carrots and raisins until well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again.

Add the wheat germ and flour mixture to the batter and mix until combined.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the oats and walnuts.

Drop in rounded tablespoons onto the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread considerably while baking. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the cookies begin to brown slightly around the edges.

Allow to cool slightly on the cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the icing:

1 (12 oz) bag white chocolate chips
1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature

In a double boiler, over medium-low heat, melt the white chocolate chips. Once melted add in the cream cheese. It's important for it to be room temperature. If the cream cheese is still cold it will cause the chocolate to seize up. If this happens just put the mixture back over the double boiler and stir until it's smooth.

Use a fork to drizzle the mixture over the cooled cookies. Allow the icing to set.

Or go ahead and eat a cookie because you can't wait!

*Baker's note and a disclaimer:

The walnuts and raisins are optional. I didn't put raisins in mine because we don't like them.

Also, these cookies are, of course, for humans. I don't feed my bunnies cookies. However, Milton did take a little nibble before I realized he was eating a cookie and not a carrot.