My daughter Tiffany’s Christmas book has been published! It is a murder mystery surrounded by the fun and festivities of the Christmas holiday and a budding romance. Get it on Amazon

Well, it’s been a very busy week for us! I didn’t get the cookies made on Thursday as I had planned but I did get them done before anyone got here. Tiffany was a huge help, as always.

I always forget that the cookie dough needs to chill for at least an hour. I’ve since gone and updated the recipe to highlight that instruction so it sticks out to me next time.

It took some creative cookie stacking to get them all on three racks.

We made some keto “sugar” cookies too because, quite frankly, we don’t need all that sugar. In the midst of all the other sugar cookies, since I made a double batch because I made them thicker this year, the sugar-free ones didn’t taste all that great but the next day they tasted pretty good, even without frosting. We just finished the last one Wednesday evening; Sean and I shared it. We tried to share it three ways but Tiffany didn’t want any, which was astounding. I guess she’d already had her fair share.

The keto “sugar” cookies are in the white bowl between Michael and Tiffany.

Actually, to be honest, and give credit where credit is due, Tiffany did most of the work on the keto cookies. Brian, Lauren, and Liam had already arrived when the dough was finally chilled enough to cut-out. Tiffany just took over because I had Liam! Being a grandma rocks!

Tiffany and I made meatloaf and scalloped potatoes for dinner. It was delicious. However, one day I may actually get the timing right where everything is done at the same time and as soon as the last person arrives. My potatoes tend to soak up most of the creamy sauce by the time Sean gets home and we are ready to eat. Oh well, still yummy.

We were all pretty tired and didn’t finish painting all the cookies this year but that is okay. Tiffany finished painting the sugar ones the next day and we just left the keto ones plain. Liam is teething already, so he and Lauren aren’t getting a full night’s sleep every night.

We have fun and it is always interesting to see what their creative minds will make out of the normal Christmas shapes.

It just wouldn’t be cookie night if someone didn’t decapitate a gingerbread man. This year Brian hung him. After viewing this next picture, you may never be able to look at a candy cane the same way again.

Sunday was a VERY busy day. We went to our normal first service at 8:30 but then instead of staying for the 10:00 service, we went to Brian and Lauren’s church for Liam’s dedication. That service didn’t start until 11:30 but we’d have had to leave in the middle of the preaching/teaching of our second service, so we were early to their church. Lauren got Liam out of nursery so I could hold him. (Did I already say being a grandma rocks? )

My parents, sisters, and my little sister’s family all came, as well as Lauren’s parents. I believe they even had a few friends there in support as well. We took up over an entire row. We all went up to pray with them and when we came back to our seats a few minutes later, on the second row, I might add, a lady had sat right down in the middle of the row ON Tiffany’s hat. Did she really think there was a whole empty row on the second row, 10-15 minutes into service? Oh well, we just squeezed her in.

Just look at that cutie and those chubby cheeks!!!

After service we all went to eat together and then to my nieces’ piano recital, where we, again, too an entire row. They did a good job with their Christmas carols.

We got home early evening and I took a nap. Sitting around like that all day is tiring.

We had a big errand day this week, although thankfully, not as big as last week. I made Chicken Spinach Soup with chicken thighs instead of breast meat, to up the fat content and used broth left from the turkey carcass, which also had a good bit of fat. I’d say we made that into a fat bomb soup with our alterations this time around. It was nice after a being out on a cold day. Sean bought our lunch that day too; we went to Panera and got their Broccoli Cheddar soup.

Last night Tiffany and I went to a Cookie Gathering/party. We had fun and I got a new game idea for our Christmas Eve eve party, I just don’t know if I’ll be able to pull it off in time for this year. I may just have to write down the idea for next year. It was nice to visit with an old homeschool friend – Sue – she’s such a great person and I always have a good time visiting with her!

Unfortunately, I was true to form and did not get any pictures except for the cookies we did here. (I swiped the one from my son’s facebook page and the other from my mom’s though. )

Well, I have gifts to wrap. I hope you have a great weekend!

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº