Tea And Me

Knowing that I am pretty spoiled by my family the other 364 days of the year, it seem silly to have a whole day dedicated to spoiling me. But they did. Breakfast in bed, mimosas, the day to do whatever I wanted, a cocktail and appetizer hour, and a homemade dinner. But Jon, being one of the best gift-givers ever, put together this lovely "tea-themed" package that just thrilled me to no end.
A tea infusion pot, infusion stick, tea bag squisher, a beautiful cookbook, and because he knows I'd never buy it for myself . . . . (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!) . . .
. . . two skeins of Claudia in "Eat Your Veggies" colorway. This should make the next 364 days just perfect.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day 2009

Just a few cards and some "token" gifts. I'd already bought myself some boots so Jon just got the "Bourne" trilogy on Blu-Ray. Yea - that's actually more for me too!

And homemade heart-shaped pizzas three ways:

Plain with just cheese for Kathryn,

Half sausage, half pepperoni and olive, (any guesses whose half is whose?)

and Holli's!

This year's dessert - Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes.

I'm still stuffed because the next night was my mom's birthday and besides the huge dinner we made for her - we had to have the same dessert again. Saturday was just a trial run.

Sleepy Time

In honor of President's Day, the Penguin Princesses (Christmas gifts from my mom & dad - and yes, Jon has a pair too!) will be sleeping in. We had a very busy weekend, filled with tons of food and family time. More on that later.
Because right now - it's bed time. If Monday is a day off for you, enjoy some snuggle time with someone (or something furry!) that you love. I know I will be.

Thing 2

I can't really rank Christmas gifts by favorites because each one means something different to me. This one means that I should be able to spend more time at my spinning wheel. Before receiving this from Jon, I used an old desk chair when spinning and it didn't take too long before my back would start to scream: "HEY: YOU'RE OVER 50 NOW!! YOU CAN'T SIT LIKE THIS ANYMORE!!"

So now with the new matching stool and this . . .

. . . 5 ounces of Lorna's Laces Shepard Wool Top in "Tuscany" . . . another gift from Kathryn (where DOES she get her ideas?), I should have no excuses for not at least searching for my spinning mojo.

Well, there is the little problem of the stealth kitty.

My Favorite Things

By far, my favorite Christmas gift this year was two weeks off from the usual routine and running around. But since that can't be wrapped and tied with a pretty bow and placed under the tree, Jon, Kathryn and a few others felt a need to get some of those things for me. I'm planning to show you a few of my Favorite Things in the next couple of days. (Note - I said "planning" since it's now back to the usual routine and running around!)

Thing One

A well placed hint to Dad along with a very detailed description, GPS coordinates, and a thorough sketch of the shelving of the Starbucks closest to our house and . . . "Oh, honey!! How did you know? I LOVE this cup! All my blog friends have one and I really, REALLY wanted one and now I have one of my very own! Thank you Kathryn!!! I'll use it every day!"

And since I've now declared it "my cup and and only my cup and no one else can ever use it", I've hired a stealth kitty to guard it. I'm so happy to be in the cup club - finally.

A Tradition Begins

"How come we never make Christmas cookies?" "Um, because it's two days before Christmas and I have tons of other stuff to do."

Of course that's what I was thinking, but not what I said. And I'm a happier and better mom for it. So we gathered our supplies from the grocery store . . . or . . .

. . . from the baking cabinet (and secret chocolate hiding place).

We made ourselves some cocktails - pomegranate orange fizz for Kathryn, Pinot Noir for me. Hey - we're on vacation!

And we began. First up: the sugar cookies. I cheated and bought the pre-cut frozen ones. Just bake . . .

. . . and decorate!

Peanut Butter Blossoms - unwrap twice as many Kisses as you need, eat half as many as you unwrap.

That way all the math works out just fine.

Everyone has a different name for these: Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Swedish something or others.

The perfect little hands of a future baker.

They get a little boring after the third roll through the sugar - but they are SO worth it.

The ghost of Christmas cookies yet to come. We had a such a great time. I hope she remembers to ask me next year. And I hope I remember to say "Yea - let's make some cookies again."

Outtakes

Unlike the treks, we here at the Wound Too Tight household have no shame when it comes to posting pictures of ourselves on the interwebs. Our recent Christmas card experience provides just such an opportunity. Mister fancies himself quite the photographer. We have lights and umbrellas and timers and - well, stuff I can't even name. This self photo really proves just how good he is doesn't it?

Dude - is that another chin?? Finally! I thought you'd be perfect forever.

C'mon honey - FOCUS! We have to get this done tonight!

Time for the stand-in. She looks so thrilled doesn't she? Jon - the lighting is too light!

Too dark. Plus - will she be cleaning up at all or is that the look you're going for in the Christmas card photo? Early PJs and pony tail?

OK - I see we've cleaned up and dressed for the picture. Or at least I think we have. Hello - flash??

This picture says "Not everyone will be receiving cards this year because we spent all the extra money on braces"!

"Well then I just won't smile at all - how about that!"

"I am not adjusting my bra strap!"

No - you still can't be in the card Jon - but your eyes look really good in this picture and I do like the scruff!

"Do my eyes match my sweater?" Why haven't we fixed the lighting yet?

Guess who just found out that there is nothing - absolutely nothing - behind any one of the doors in that advent calendar! Yep - just a prop!

Finally, somewhere in the mix of funny, goofy, too light, too dark, wardrobe malfuntion and what have you, this gem stood out. That's my daughter!

It should be noted that from start to finish, I have nothing to with the Christmas card. From conception to mailing, and everything in between, this is and always has been Jon's baby! I do no stamps or envelope licking or anything. I know - I'm lucky!

How Many Days??

Jon and Kathryn take Holli to Petco every year so she can participate in the Christmas frenzy. Holli loves shopping for her own presents. She tolerates participating in shopping for presents for her feline brother and sister. Once home, the presents are hidden in a secret place, only to magically re-appear on Christmas morning. You know dogs - "out of sight, out of mind".

Sort of. Much like the bell on her "go outside" door, Holli has been ringing this "not bell" since the presents went in to the secret hiding place on Saturday.

"Open dammit"

"Maybe I can just get my nose under there and open it up from the inside."

" Oh, I'm sittin' right here until the jolly fat man comes and opens up the closet and gives me those

damn presents. I don't care how many days it is until Christmas!"

Dogs! Just to mess with her, today I think I'll move the presents and see just how long it takes her to figure out she's guarding a bunch of coats and the silver chest!

Boo!

I think I liked it better when Mom bought costumes for me instead of going through Dad's closet. This year for Halloween, I'm supposed to be "Dad".
But don't you think I look more like "Gangsta Dad"! Sure it's his shirt, his hat and his boxers but - - look! My pants are hangin' way below my butt. My hat won't stay on.

And I know Dad - he would NEVER go out with his tail sticking out the hole in his boxers. But if this is what Mom wants, and there are cookies in it for me, I'm all in.

And while I suffer this humiliation, look who saunters in to show his disdain. Oh well, at least it's not the the little black kitty. Everyone knows you don't want to get the stink eye from the little black kitty on Halloween. It's bad luck.

"Heh! "Dog in Drag!" I'm ready for Halloween just sitting here! With my stink eye of course!

Happy Halloween from all the WTT animals!