The Christmas Whirlwind

A part of me is sad that Christmas is gone. The rest of me is grateful for the rest and relaxation. I can't remember the last time I cooked so much. The final week leading up to Christmas involved waking up at 7am, taking Jake for a walk, and spending the rest of the day in the kitchen. I have no complaints, minus the sore feet. I truly do love to cook.

Not everything on my list got done though despite the marathon cooking episodes. I never did make my molasses cookies or dinner rolls. Goodness knows that we will still have Christmas cookies by Groundhog Day, so perhaps it's a good thing I never made them.

The 3 cookies in front are my family's look-alikes. From the left is me (in my apron), then Jake (with his collar on), and lastly Dan (with his beard).

Since you have to have dinner rolls, I cheated and bought them from the bakery. They were still homemade - just not by me. The rest of the Christmas Eve dinner came out lovely. Dan's sister enjoyed the veggie dishes I made up and Dan's SIL isn't nearly as picky as my own sister!


The giving of Christmas presents was so much fun. Aunt Bette loved her Marjorie Mohair Stole. My sister plans to hang her Chili Pepper Quilt in her kitchen. Dan was thrilled to have a copy of Muppet Family Christmas, a movie they grew up watching every Christmas. What did Dan get me?

Isn't it wonderful? It's a rice cooker.

I tried it out last night with some chicken curry over top of it. The rice was delicious. No more Minute Rice for me. No, Sir! I'm converted.


Plus, Dan got me some chocolate, since my supply was running low. He's so well trained now. It only took me 7 years to get him this way.