Blue Yonder

Twinkly And Bright

Can it be that there are only ten days left? 

As a child, it always seemed like such a terrible long wait for the big day. Now... well every year it seems to slip through my fingers more quickly than the year before. 

It's true, Mr. Frost, that nothing gold can stay. 

Really, if I thought I could get away with it, I think I'd leave up the twinkle lights and the snow village, the tree and the garland all year long. I'd sing carols year 'round and forever be in possession of delicious secrets. I'd fill up the kitchen with the smells of baking goodies everyday.... 

But you and I both know that it wouldn't be the same. 

Like so many of the most wonderful things in life, what makes this season so good is that it's only here for a moment. It is precious, because you only get to hold it for a little while. 

 That look and those whispers when they peer in those little houses and imagine life inside... 

 Those squeals, "I remember this one!" as they pull ornaments from their boxes and hang them on pine boughs.... 

 That cozy, snuggly feeling, with the fire, the candles, the twinkly lights... an old story under an old quilt, a warm little dog curled up in your lap... 

 

 That glass of wine after rowdy boys have come to rest on their pillows... sitting by the tree and trading stories of the day with the man that I love ... 

... then blowing out the candles and trailing off to sleep, warm, and filled, glad to be right here, right now. 

 You know I kind of think that it would be just fine to live in a little house, lit from the inside with candles and twinkle lights, at the center of a snowglobe, while the rest of the world swirled 'round us.

Better Watch Out

"Did you hear that?" he says standing in our front yard.

"What?" says his brother. 

"THAT!"

"What is it?"

"Don't you remember?"

A confused look and then clarity spread slowly over his countenance. "Oh whoa! Do you think it's really.... really????"

And so they watched. 

And they waited. 

For a minute they thought that maybe they'd be passed by this year. The sounds seemed so far off. 

After an interminable wait though... 

Is that... 

.... could it be??? 

Is it really....???? 

It is!!!! 

It's fireman Santa and his firemen elves!

Here he comes, blaring his crackly christmas tunes from the loud speaker. The sirens give a quick wail and the lights they are a-flashing. 

It's magic I tell you. Magic. 

It doesn't even matter that this particular Santa and these particular elves aren't really all that convincing. You see, when they get close enough for inspection, they hurl candy at the children by way of distracting them.

Works like a charm. 

While the small folk are busy gathering up their sugar high and divvying it up amongst themselves, Santa is gone with a wink and a grin. 

Totally cheesy, and completely the stuff that great kid memories are made of. 

Thank you fireman Santa. You made our day. 

Peanut Butter Kisses

... because it wouldn't be the Christmas season with out them. There are far more sophisticated and impressive Christmas cookie recipes, but my boys love these. They love them fiercely and they will not have a Christmas without them. Oh no. 

And yes, I totally know that you can buy the kisses already unwrapped, but what on earth is the fun in that? Busy little fingers and piles of foil are absolutely essential to this recipe!

Peanut Butter Kisses

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 eggs

1tsp vanilla

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

Cream together the shortening, butter and sugars. Beat in the eggs and vanilla, then add the peanut butter. In a separate bowl combine the flour, soda and salt. Slowly add to the peanut butter mixture. 

Roll into balls (we like ours a little smaller than a tablespoon) and then roll the balls in sugar. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, then remove the pans from the oven and press a chocolate kiss into the center of each. Put them back into the oven for 2 minutes. Allow to completely cool before handling. 

Happy weekend to you all!

Boy + Box

Well, as promised, we went on a dumpster diving mission to find fodder for our little box building enthusiast. 

 I felt like a criminal, driving around the backs of strip malls. And I'm sure I looked like one too, casting furtive glances before a quick dash out of, and back into, the car. I felt like I should have worn a shirt that said "I don't usually do this sort of thing."

As a matter of fact I kind of think that my entire wardrobe should consist of shirts with disclaimers printed on them. "Sometimes I bathe." "Yes, they're all mine." "One day I'll match." "No, I'm NOT too old for a pony tail."

Anyhow, the box fort building was good. I passed out flashlights and rolls of duct tape to all six little sleepover dudes. They made themselves welcome to every butter knife and marker in the house. They had themselves a rip roarin' good time.

And the birthday boy? He could not be more happy. 

White Magic

I think this might be the end of the world as we know it.... at the same time that folks in Maine and Vermont were enjoying balmy temperatures and sunshine, we Texans were getting our first snow in years. 

 Last Friday James and I were at the grocery store gathering up last minute party supplies for Ryder's birthday sleepover. We walked out with our cart and found ourselves right smack in the midst of a snowfall. You could have heard a pin drop. Everyone, EVERYONE, around us was in silent, gob-smacked awe. 

Now you must understand, we haven't seen so much as single flake in six years. SIX! So you must know that this was a show stopper. 

Real. 

Live. 

SNOW!

We raced home and ran outside to soak it in with the brothers. 

It was like a quiet miracle. White magic. Not a flake stuck. It was gone as quickly as it came. 

Still, Ryder says that his very first snow sighting (and Jasper's too!) was "the best birthday present ever." 

I have to agree. There's something so right about seeing the melty wonder of Texas snowflakes and the fleeting days of childhood all swirled together. In that one brief and shining moment you know, you just KNOW, that this is the good stuff. 

************

Don't forget to get all your entries in on the Julie and Julia contest! I will be drawing our winner tonight!