I’ve finally finished my Christmas baking. I do love to bake but towards the end it does get to be a bit too much especially since it ties me so much to the kitchen. My house is in shambles at the moment because I’ve spent the past five days baking around 8 hours each day but I’ve got a few days to play catch-up with my cleaning.

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I baked oatmeal-coconut crisps, Russian tea cakes, thin and crisp chocolate chip cookies, hazlenut thumbprints, almond butter crisps, butter drop-ins, raspberry crumble bars, raspberry jam filled thumbprints, and peanut butter chocolate chippers. I made almond brittle covered in melted chocolate, peppermint bark, chocolate truffles and chocolate caramel dipped pretzels. I wish I could have made a few more candies but since I’ll be watching my little twin nieces and nephews (Hanna, Ellie, Hans and Erich) tonight while my sister Honey and her husband attend his work’s Christmas party, I really needed to finish and to get my kitchen cleaned up.

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Michael, the boys and I are headed out the door first thing this morning to finish up last minute shopping and to get the boys photo with Santa. I’ve already been out this morning (the streets are so empty and boy is it cold 2 in the morning but the moon and Christmas lights were gorgeous!) because Sean’s car is acting up and he needed a ride to work. I, hopefully, will be able to take a nap sometime today so I can be (sort of ) awake this evening to watch all the kids. *smile*

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Michael’s semester ended last night so he’ll be home at nights for the next three weeks!!!!

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Check out Pioneer Woman’s Jesus Loves the Little Mustangs.

Notes from A Cottage Industry is hosting a 2007 Virtual Holiday Home Tour.

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‘Tis the Season…and I love it.