Cool Cucumber

A.) These babies are not intended to cleanse a filthy bathroom. If you have a beyond dirty bathroom with toothpaste caked on the sink and soap dried solid on the basin, this product just might do more harm than good. I’m just saying.

B.) I don’t even think I need to explain here. Simply amazing.

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It is an annual tradition to decorate cookies at Mom and Bill’s house. Lots of cookies, and then some. My brother Mark and I were fortunate enough to arrive on the 23rd in time to decorate the whole batch with Mom. After many years, we have noticed a pattern that emerges while we are in the midst of our decorating fervor. At first, cookies are decorated with intricate artistry.

The next stage is to start “customizing” cookies. This starts with family members and significant others, then regresses into beloved pets and then, pets who are no long with us. For example:

This leads to the cramping of the hand and then the factory-style, mass production of cookies.

The final stage is the cynicism, in which Mark and I try to outdo each other in the “Ugly Cookie” category. I give you:

The Overloaded Cookie

Lumpy Smile (a personal favorite)

Marky and I took some of photos with the cookies that had personal significance.

I hope your Christmas was joyful. Mine certainly was!

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Quick post from the parents’ dial-up connection. Wow, I miss high-speed Internet, but it is great to be relaxing with the family. Marky is here today and tomorrow Luke and Tori come for the day. I’m also looking forward to the famous Bill breakfast in the morning, complete with farm-fresh eggs.

Now, for the confession part. I was in the mall 2 days ago, at Gap or Old Navy, I think. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” was playing loudly and I found myself singing along. Not silently. What is wrong with me? I mean, I hadn’t heard the song since LAST December and it did seem a little like an old friend whom I hadn’t seen in a while. But, goodness, listen to my excuses- what is wrong with me?

Just typing that makes me feel a little lighter in conscience, but a new problem has arisen: now the song is in my head. In fact, during the last hour, it’s been playing, loop-style, in my brain. Make it stop, please!

Merry Christmas to all!

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Gotta love the card!

Here’s the ornament that’s now hanging on my tree.

Haven’t you always wanted a little box that opens up to 50 other tiny nested boxes? Cleo, in the background, was elated at the chance to play with tape.

Ha ha, Had never misses a chance to label me a liberal.

I’ve never heard of this book but it’s the sort of book I’d want to read! The best kind of gift is something you didn’t even know you wanted.

Thanks, Had; you rock!

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I had to demonstrate how I catch popcorn in my mouth before he truly understood.

He’s a genius, I know.

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It’s funny, but I’ve been dreaming about making my own fruitcake for some time now. I have always been a closet fan of the stuff, despite public ridicule.

For this batch, I modified a recipe I found on the Internet: I used dried cherries, cranberries, and strawberries, with walnuts.

It is WONDERFUL! I’m so proud.

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I couldn’t quite narrow down what I want to say to the blogging world right now, but I DO have lots of great photos from my wonderful weekend. Here are a few:

Friday afternoon at the all-school Songfest, the last song required the teachers to get out in the middle of the gym floor and boogie, much to the students’ delight. In the middle is Jordan and me, trying to direct the masses since we didn’t have jingle bells. Notice the look of glee on the teachers’ faces, with only 20 minutes ’til Winter Break!

Friday night annual Christmas Glam Night Out; pictured is me, Beth, and Ginger.

Saturday was a snowy day; Rob and I made a fire in the fireplace after we cleaned up a rather unfortunate dog-got-into-the-chocolate mess.

Sunday we tackled my new cold brewing system for coffee (AWESOME gift, Rob). The photo is actually from today’s final draining stage. And wow- what a smooth cup of coffee it made!

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I went on a frantic shopping mission tonight: to find gifts for my dear friends Beth, Becky and Melanie. I really want to say what I got, and none of them really read this blog much. But what if they should check my blog by chance before I give them their gifts Friday night?

Merry Christmas to the girls. You make my life more rich and exciting; more full of love and grace.

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A sweet surprise from Rob.
(I know, Stainless, I’m not being very subtle…)

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Royal, outside the bathroom where Cleo eats. I found him this way, waiting for her to come out but unwilling to just barge in!

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