Happy New Year's Day!

I'm ready for 2010. No resolutions to make--I never keep them anyway. But, it's going to be a great year. 2009 was not so great.

We woke up to snow this morning. I need to go to the grocery store and one of my kids is not feeling great. Yep, tomorrow (next year) will be better.

Pete went to the Finger Lakes area to hunt this weekend so the kids and I are on our own for New Year's Eve. I'm such the party-er. He wanted us to drive up today to join him but I'm content to sleep in my own bed after traveling for Christmas. And tomorrow there is football to watch. We'll be heading over to our friend's house for lunch and then we'll watch LSU (hopefully) beat Penn State. Sorry, but I'm always rooting for the Southeastern Conference. I don't care who they're playing. I normally don't root for LSU, however.

So, I must get ready and head to the grocery store. I need to buy some black eyed peas for New Year's Day. What do you eat for good luck on New Years?

Christmas recap

Well, we had a nice Christmas but never made it to New York City. We left on Christmas Eve and arrived to Cambridge around 10 pm. Because we weren't going to be here for Christmas, I got to open a gift early. OK, it wasn't wrapped. Anyway, I got a 32 inch flat screen TV. Yahoo!

All Kendall wanted from Santa was a 'Just Like You' American Girl. Santa delivered. This is the doll Kendall wanted even though it doesn't look just like her. Oh well. She was a very happy girl.


The day after Christmas my in-laws took us to Legal Seafoods in the Charles Hotel in Cambridge. They have really good seafood. I just love the way Clayton looks here with his knit hat on. Sometimes I feel like I'm looking at a much older Clayton. After the late lunch, the kids and parents went ice skating in front of the hotel. It was a blast and worked off some energy from the kids and calories from the adults.

We drove home on the 28th. It was a good drive and the kids and dogs are good travelers. We were all very tired from the few days visiting Pete's family. It was a good visit, though. On Sunday night Pete's 96 year old Nana insisted on making dinner for everyone. While Pete was cleaning the kitchen, Anne (Pete's sister) and I got to sit and chat with Nana.

Me: Nana, what's the secret? How have you lived so long?
Nana: I don't know.
Me: I know. It's coffee in the morning, an alcoholic drink at 5 pm, and ....?
Nana: Dark chocolate!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We opened some presents this morning since it looks like we're headed to the in-laws today. The weather isn't cooperating and while I'm stubborn, I'm not stupid. We need to beat the freezing rain that is coming our way. Besides, my kids just love being around their cousins.

So, Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you get everything you want. Don't forget the real reason for Christmas. We've all been given a precious gift.

O Holy Night

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

At least in my kitchen. Tomorrow the kids are putting on some sort of program at school. I think they are going to sing some Holiday songs and do other things. It's a big secret for the parents. The parents are bringing in the sweets. I decided to bring in cut-out sugar cookies with a Christmas theme. After all, that is the big day this month!!!

I found this recipe on the web and it is delicious. The buttercream frosting comes from Mark Bittman's How to cook Everything cookbook. The frosting uses cream as well as butter to make this the most heavenly frosting ever. I only ate two of the cookies this evening.

Our tree is up, as well. We got a real one and the presents are surrounding it. The kids got to open one present each tonight. I always got to open a present early when I was a kid. They were so happy.

We might get to stay here for Christmas Eve and then after the Santa stuff on Christmas, we will drive up to Boston to see Pete's parents. I'm hopeful it will turn out that way. There's just something about watching your kids in your own home opening their presents under their own tree.