Christmas #3

The past 3 days we spent upstate with Sarge's sister, brother-in-law, nephew and mom.  We didn't "do" much other than hang around but it was great to see them and re-connect.  We did a small gift exchange, had some good meals and relaxed.  I got plenty of time with T-Man, he just turned 2 and is really fun.  He's really talking and I'm getting much better at understanding him.  Here are the highlights!

Read books Aunt Lolo!

Yummy cookies

I spilled potato chips on the floor and Star is helping me clean up

My hosts were very concerned for my safety...

Lollipop drum for Christmas!

Merry Christmas! (Very Belated)

Christmas with my family was lovely as always.  We still do the PJ's on Christmas morning, only now it involves coffee and isn't as early.  We open gifts and then enjoy breakfast (yay for Marty's!)  Then it's cleaning, set-up and cooking for the party that afternoon.

The aunts, uncle and cousins came over in the afternoon for dinner, something I look forward to each year.  Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, gravy.....yummmm!!  We do a white elephant swap, all re-gifts.  This year I was the proud recipient of an electric plate warmer.  I think the box and warmer are almost as old as I am.  My uncle said he planned to give it as a wedding gift and changed his mind, haha!

The family also got to Skype with Sarge for a few minutes which was a big gift.  My mom came and sat with me and we all talked for about 15 minutes which was great.  I think they both really enjoyed reconnecting live.  I was crying afterwards and my brother-in-law came to give me a hug and told me that the day he comes home will be so wonderful and that he still remembers how great brother's homecoming was.  It was the perfect thing to hear and I knew he didn't expect me to stop crying either.

Tomorrow: catching up with Sarge's family upstate!

The Final Countdown

There are only 5 more teaching days in the calendar year!  This would be even more exciting except that this is one of the most challenging weeks in the school year for the music teachers.  So many of us are fitting in evening concerts, in school performances and sing-alongs, etc.  I'm lucky that my evening concert isn't until January but I know that getting my classes to focus on it is almost impossible.  They are so hyped up and excited about all the parties and presents (and let's face it, so are the adults) that memorizing a song is low on their priority list.  I am attempting to combat this in the most basic of ways.  Bribery!

I have tempted my classes, starting last week, that if they could have 4 of their 5 songs concert ready by Wednesday we would have a movie day for their last class of the week with me.  I only see my students every other day at most and some even less so this is a big challenge for them.  It's also a challenge to me.  My ears go bonkers at this time.  I hear mistakes I've never heard before and turn into the nitpick queen.  I have to make sure I'm praising as much as I'm critiquing (sp?) their singing.  It's hard!  We all need to stay motivated and positive and not get bogged down in details.  Middle school chorus is a learning experience, not just a performance class....right?

Christmas baking

So, I've already make a holiday bark with cranberries, toasted hazelnuts and candied ginger in dark chocolate for tomorrow's tree decorating party at my mom's.  I made and sent Sarge a batch of mint chocolate cookies on Tuesday.  Last night I made the cupcakes and lemon curd for today's Lemon Meringue cupcakes. (I'll post pics later but if I don't post now I'll forget totally as I have most other days this week!)  I'll be taking 1 dozen to donate to a post-concert reception and the 2nd dozen to family Christmas party #1.  I have been a busy baker this past week!

Lemon butter cupcakes

Homemade Lemon Curd

Filled cupcakes

Swiss Meringue topping

Perfect!

This week I have to decide on and prep for the desserts I'm making for Christmas day.  I'm feeling the urge to try a Buche de Noel but am a little intimidated as well.  I've never done a "roll-up" and if it falls apart I won't have a back-up.  I have now watched a few online demos and read a large number of recipes...anyone have any advice?

Need a Little Christmas

I was feeling the characters in Mame today, totally bummy and trying to pull myself out of it with Christmas.  I lugged the Christmas Tub out of the basement this afternoon and made it my goal to start decorating tonight. 

As I began taking out the Christmas stuff and I realized that I don't have nearly as much as I used to.  I think over the years I culled out the decorations I didn't really like and never replaced them.  I do have more ornaments, cookie tins and coffee mugs so I need to start being selective with those now.  I do think I'll be picking up a few new things for this year to brighten up the condo.

I don't know if it's just my state of mind these days but I really need a little Christmas!  I'll settle for decorating, a glass of red wine and Harry Potter movies on TV.