I had every intention of knitting Dave a sweater again this year....
Last year I knit this one...

(wow his hair is short)

This year he got this.....as you can see, I have made him a hat to wear but the sweater is in it's raw form so to speak. My Goal: to finish the sweater by Valentines Day. The Problem: I haven't even picked out a pattern yet. Grim. I figure I'll scout out Ravelry and see what I can come up with. However, I'm open to any ideas....??

A festive Christmas Eve to all!

I have decided I will travel the world and take pictures of my favorite mug in wierd places. Similar to the couple that did it with their nieghbours garden gnome... but mine will be filled with yummy java.

A walk down the driveway.

Our annual Caramel Popcorn. A sticky, sweet, yummo Christmas tradition.
In honour of a beautiful Next mamma.... how to make your own:

1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup popping corn

Pop the popcorn and place in a buttered roasting pan.
In a saucepan bring the butter, sugar, syrup and salt to a boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling stop stirring and let boil for 5 min. Take off the heat and add stir in soda and vanilla. Pour over popcorn and stir well. Place in 250 degree oven. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 min.

** As someone who values learning from others misfortunes... please note that the saucepan should be big enough to allow the sauce to increase in volume as it boils. Cleaning up molten sugar lava is not an activity I suggest for putting people in the Christmas spirit. Trust me on this one.

A little school work and hot chocolate. Sweet.

I just love a red door. This is my Aunt Carols cottage.

These are my favorite cookies to make with the boys. They don't require a mixer, just a bowl and a wooden spoon. I like them because the are so versatile, you can switch up a few things and have a completely different cookie. (You will see what I mean) In the time it took me to get the camera I lost one as you can see (Dave, I know where you sleep!)

1 cup butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 pkg vanilla INSTANT pudding mix (I highlight this fact because I have purchased the wrong one in the past with very dire results)
1 tbsp. milk
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups milk chocolate chips

Line baking sheet with parchment paper (or grease them).
In a large bowl mix together butter and both sugars. Stir in pudding mix and milk. Stir in eggs and vanilla.
In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir into butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by heaping 1 tbsp about 2 inches apart (I use a small ice-cream scoop cause I'm lazy!) on prepared pans. Bake in centre of 350 degree oven until edges are golden, about 12 min. Let cool for 5 min on baking sheet. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 3 doz.

NOW... I have done the following combos:
Chocolate pudding with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Butterscotch pudding with Scor bits
Chocolate pudding with white chocolate chips and pecans
Chocolate pudding with peanut butter chips
Butterscotch pudding with milk chocolate chips
and so on, and so on, and so on....

and THAT is why I love this cookie!