Remember me?

I thought maybe you forgot because it's been 2 weeks since my last blog! SHEESH!! I've been a mighty busy girl. Between work and keeping the house clean...oh yeah, and taking care of my above-average-energetic child...

Anyway, let me think about what we've all done. We went to a family Christmas party, for Brian's side, which was a lot of fun. It was a really warm day too so the kids got to go outside. I got to go off my diet for a day too, and lucky me, because Bethany made the famous pineapple gooey butter cake. OH MY GOD - must be the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. I've gotta get my hands on that recipe. So much delicious food and such wonderful company. We had a really good time, as usual.

Madison had her Xmas party at her dance class, which was adorable. It took me forever to find her teacher a suitable present. We settled on an adorable, plush, musical reindeer and a porcelain pair of ballerina slippers ornament. Also made goodie bags for the little ones. They had a blast! I love taking her there as she is in heaven for that hour.

Then, of course, the major time consuming part of my month - shopping, wrapping, shopping, shopping and more wrapping. Wrapping paper is starting to make me sick. :D I must say though, this year, I went all out w/ the wrapping and bought that wide ribbon with the wire. My packages look beautiful this year, compared to last year's - boring, simple wrapping, no ribbon, no bows. Tried a few unique ideas for a couple people this year. We shall see if they like them - I'll let you know.

Took Madison to see Santa. She took a really good photo this year. Little doll. After Santa, (at the Chesterfield mall), my mom and I treated her to a big sugar cookie and 3 rides on the indoor merry-go-round. My mom then treated us to lunch at Mimi's - my first time going there. I must say - WOW- that place is absolutely awesome. I will be returning many times. The atmosphere was beautiful, ritzy and relaxing and the food was incredible. I opted for a plate of mixed greens with some chicken breast, cranberries, grapes, strawberries, melon and just a tiny amount of feta cheese (the healthiest thing i could find on the menu). I was kind of mortified when they also brought me the biggest blueberry muffin I've ever seen, followed by a plate of bread, pumpkin cake/bread and carrot raisin cake/bread. I decided, right away, not to eat any of it.

I ended up eating the whole damn muffin, along with half a piece of pumpkin bread and a few bites of the other stuff too. :(

Diet, by the way, is going ok. I've obviously hit a plateau though. I'm watching my calories/food intake closer than I ever have in my life, and walking/jogging 4 miles a day, 60 mins a day, 5-6 days a week, and still, no weight loss in weeks. Oh well, during this month, I'm just happy if I don't gain.

Sunday, Madison and I baked ALL DAY LONG. I went to 7:00 mass and then started cooking at 8 am....didn't finish until probably about 6 or 7 that evening. We baked everything except the kitchen sink.



I tried a new idea I got off of my friend Tricia's webpage - a peanut butter cookie with a mini snickers baked inside! YUM.

We also made rice krispy treats drizzled w/ chocolate


chocolate covered pretzels drizzled with white chocolate,candied pecans
chocolate covered peanut butter krispy balls
sugar cookies shaped/decorated like teddy bears, snowmen Xmas trees and little sandwich cookies,
fudge
chocolate chip cookies, white chocolate macadamia cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, and brownie cookies
MMMMMMMMMMMMM. I made a huge tray for Brian to take to work today and when I looked at the tray and saw the variety, I could not believe that Madison and I made all of that in just a day and a half.

I'll be bringing a big tray for Xmas too - so everyone in my family - bring a sweet tooth!

Merry Xmas everyone!