Cozy Christmas

My homemade, handcrafted holidays are finally over, though I’ve still got time off coming up to enjoy.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday I was on my feet a lot, and definitely had moments of “never doing this again.” Two of the kids were sick and thus I didn’t have a lot of help in terms of cleaning the house before our family party on Christmas Eve. I made gravy on Tuesday (tomatoes from summer, and basil from my inside plants). I also made more than two pounds of meatballs (using the basil again, and parsley from the garden, still very alive).

In the afternoon I baked a loaf of banana chocolate chip bread for a gift. We went out for dinner, at everyone else’s insistence; then I came home and made M&M bars. The bars were not cooked in the middle, and the bread stuck to the pan, coming out in three large pieces. I still gifted the bread, since it was family and they have to put up with my baking. Hey, it tasted good. Next time I’ll try parchment paper — I left myself notes on the recipe. This happened the last time I made this recipe too. Too much sweet stickiness on the bottom. The bars, I just kept the sides and we snacked on them ourselves (er, mostly me).

Wednesday, I assembled the shells so that they were ready to pop in the oven later. I also helped F make “Tini’s mac n cheese.” As always I enjoyed listening to “The Night Before” on XPN. And it was fun to cook with F.

I did spring for cannoli from DeLuxe Italian Bakery — wanted to give them a try. They were very good. At $35 for a dozen, though, we’ll be back to the Costco kit next year. Guests brought appetizers and other desserts. We had plenty of food, and plenty left over.

The gifts I gave were happily received. At the last minute I bought one more thing on eBay for my dad, which has yet to arrive. So in total I only bought two things from Amazon (and one was purchased with a gift card). Not too shabby.

We did not have to buy new wrapping paper and in fact I found a whole roll I forgot I had, in my closet. I might try to save brown paper from packages this coming year, to use next year.

Our party was really fun and I was grateful that my whole family could be together, and that T’s GF and friends of F came over too.

Christmas itself was relaxing and quiet. Made bacon and eggs, took the dog for a walk. Later, dinner at my parents. I received great gifts: books on gardening, multiple candles. Best of all, a bird feeder with a camera from Tom. They get me, they really get me!

And love my sunglasses from local maker RD Shadez that I’ve been wanting since the spring! They have wooden arms.

The past couple days have been spent lounging around reading under cozy blankets, playing Spelling Bee, and admiring the tree. I’ve walked Rocco every day. Sporadically I’ve put some stuff away, paid bills, cleaned, and organized. I got two very messy drawers of the sideboard decluttered and organized, and I glued a sole back onto a boot. The best was the early evening of the 26th; I was just zoning out looking at the tree, the dog snuggled up with me, thinking of Christmases past, while sleet tinkled outside the windows and leftover meatballs simmered on the stove for an easy dinner.

Saturday I made potato soup with the Pioneer Woman’s recipe. It was delicious! I had most of the ingredients on hand already, and I pulled the last two green onion stalks from the garden.

I’ve tried to just relax but I can’t help thinking about what’s next: seed starting!

I spent a lot of time looking at shelving online, especially on the Nellis Auction site. But ultimately I realized I can use the shelves I have. I just may need Tom’s help with moving the lights from where they are now. I have five shop lights and plenty of shelves.

Similarly, I’ve looked at a lot of seeds online and have two open carts currently. I looked at the seeds I have today, and I really probably don’t need to buy much. Plus, T’s GF gifted me some!

I drew up a new plan for what will go where in the garden this year.

Finally, I printed out some instructions for winter sowing because I 100% am going to try it, at least with onions.

Some small wins:

• Got a free Wawa coffee for Tom with points.

• Got my foundation at CVS for half off and mascara was 20% off with a coupon.

• Cashed in my Fetch points for a $50 Acme gift card! I’ll need it. I’m broke!

I have thoughts on this past year and 2026, but I’ll save them for a New Year’s post.

I work from home tomorrow and Tuesday, then off again til the 5th.

Just a couple more pics. It’s the most photogenic time of the year.