So.Cold.Outside

Christmas day Hubby and I got an unexpected surprise- our furnace stopped working. I know it was working in the morning, but when we returned home from my in-law's house, our home was unusually cold. Hubby went down into the basement and returned swiftly to say that something was wrong with our furnace- the pilot light wasn't lighting. I did what I always do when something breaks or goes wrong... I called my dad.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot that can be done with a distance of 320 miles between us. In the end, we had to call our trustly HVAC guy. That is one of the great things about having a husband who works closely with all sorts of construction- we know at least one person in every trade.

To make it through Christmas day, Hubs was able to bang on the pipes and we got some heat flowing before we went to bed. Before that happened though, it was really cold in the house, despite all of the baking I was doing- bread and brownies mostly.

Having the furnace break really put a wrench in our plans. We were both going to head up to my parent's house for a week until New Year's, but we couldn't leave not knowing if the furnace was going to give out again, or if it was going to cost our savings to fix it. As it turned out, I am now Up North, but Hubby stayed behind to get the furnace fixed (insert exasperated and sad sigh). Hubby wanted me to be able to still enjoy the holidays with my family and besides, now he can listen to his music till all hours and enjoy some quality time with his brothers (his oldest brother is visiting from AZ this week).

Thus far, I am having a great time. My sister and her boys are also Up North, which means the week will be anything but dull. Here are some pictures of today's sledding expedition (intense teeth chattering included):

For unto us a child is born

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Chicago Christmas

I have one day left before my Christmas break begins. One of the perks of working at a college is that I get a paid week off between Christmas and New Years that does not count towards my vacation allowance. I always look forward to this “free” week.

Hubby just texted me- it seems I will be starting my break off with a trip to the movie theater; Hubby really wants to see True Grit. I am indifferent about the movie, but I am excited to go to the theater. We used to go all the time, but then the prices seemed to skyrocket, we bought a house, I started grad school, and well… we just stopped going.

On Friday, we are going into the city. I really love the city at Christmastime; it has a special vibe around the holidays. We are of course, going to check out Macy’s window displays. Then, we are going to walk around the Chriskindlmarket, which reminds me (very fondly) of living in Salzburg. After gorging on strudel and potato pancakes, we will head off in search of some good ole Chicago fare- I am talking Lou Malnati’s people! What a great Christmas Eve. And really, this is turning into something of a tradition because this will be our second time going downtown on Christmas Eve.

The first time we went, we were trying to nab a present for Hubby’s mom. You see, my sister-in-law loves Garrett’s Popcorn (who doesn’t), so Mother-in-Law wanted to buy her some for Christmas. Mother-in-Law is always last minute with her shopping. Anyway, she sent Hubs and I downtown on the 6 o’clock train, which meant we got to the station at 7 o’clock. Wouldn’t you know it? Garrett’s closed at 4pm! As a last ditch effort, we ran to see if the Garrett’s in the theater district would still be open, but it wasn’t. It sucked because we missed the next train back home and were left with 2 hours to kill. When we called Hubby’s mom she felt bad that we were stuck in the city and would have to miss our Christmas eve church service, so to make up for it- she offered to buy us dinner in the city. We ended up having a wonderful dinner beside the tree in the Walnut Room of the Macy’s. Normally, the Walnut Room has a humongous waiting list, but because it was so late on Christmas Eve, we were seated right away. The food was so-so, but it was fun to say we had eaten there because it is a Chicago tradition.

I hope you have a very merry eve of Christmas eve’s eve! Eve is such a funny word…

The Stockings Were Hung...

I really love giving gifts. I think about what each person on my list might want throughout the year and jot myself little notes. Usually, I misplace my stash of notes before Christmas, but I can normally remember the majority of the items.

For me, the difficulty comes from finding stocking stuffers. Candy just isn’t a big hit in my family because it takes Hubby and me forever to eat it all. Small gifts are fun, but they need to serve a purpose and be worth keeping around.

My boss actually just told me that in her family, each person’s stocking gets filled with a piece of fruit. In addition, each family member writes a short encouraging note for every other family member and drops the notes in the appropriate stockings prior to Christmas Day.

What a fun tradition! I believe I might give it a try with Hubby this year. Do you have any other stocking traditions I could consider? I’d love to hear them.

Rare Sunday Post

I normally don't blog on Sunday because Hubby and I set it aside as a special day for the two of us to attend church, rest, catch up on light house cleaning, and generally love on our pooches. Today however, I am up to my elbows in cookie dough. This is our designated cookie bake-till-you-drop day.

I finished the snickerdoodles earlier (a last minute addition) and we are just wrapping up the baking of the sugar cookies now. I feel like I haven't sat down in ages, so I am going to take a minute and blurt out a quick blog entry just for a moment of rest.

The real insanity in this day is that we have also decided to throw together a feast of a lunch. On Friday night, Hubby made the most delicious pot roast (I blogged the recipe a while back). We have plenty of leftovers, so this morning (when I was still feeling energetic and overly excited about being in the kitchen) I decided we would have pot roast sandwiches for lunch-served on homemade onion rolls. I also decided to go with green bean casserole and broccoli rice casserole as sides. I convinced myself that it would be like our mini-Christmas meal for just the two of us.

What sounded like such a great idea this morning, quickly morphed into a nightmare in our tiny kitchen. We were rotating four baking sheets for the cookies and trying to wedge in a saute pan for onions, a pot for the rice and one for the broccoli, a dish for the green bean casserole, and I was trying to keep up with the dishes (in the sink and in the dishwasher). Aghhhh! It is amazing I haven't singed my eyebrows off the way we've been whipping hot pans and baking sheets around the kitchen.

At the moment however, we are at peace because the casseroles are in the oven with the leftover pot roast, the onion rolls are waiting, and the last batch of sugar cookies are on the cooling rack.

I would say the most positive outcomes of this day thus far, is the way the house smells (incredible- I wish you could smell it) and the heat from the kitchen- which is heating the whole house thoroughly despite the freezing cold weather outside (if my little sister was here- she might actually be comfortable instead of cold like always).

Blessings on your Sunday!

Christmas Shopping= Insanity

It is one week before Christmas! Do you have your shopping done yet? I am happy to report that Hubby and I only have one gift left to purchase. Unfortunately, we are waiting for a miracle in order to purchase said gift (I can’t reveal what it is, just in case the recipient was to read this- you never know).

I was very purposeful in starting my Christmas shopping early this year. I think I actually picked up some stocking stuffers back in July. You see, Hubby and I have to watch our pennies around this time of year because there are a lot less people looking to hire a painter in the winter (even one as talented and handsome as my man). It's just easier for us to spread out the Christmas shopping over as many months as possible.

I also like to keep my eyes open for things I like throughout the year and my Amazon Wish List helps me do that. Whenever I see something in a store or I have a good idea, I go online and add it to my Universal Wish List. Then, when Christmas or my birthday comes around, it is easier for me to answer the “So, what do you want this year?” question.

I also use my Wish List as a sort of bucket list for purchases- things that truly are a wish. For example, I have a Bernina sewing machine on my wish list. Bernina’s are top of the line; running easily between $1000 to $4000 dollars (and probably higher). There is most likely no way that I will ever be able to go out and buy a brand new Bernina sewing machine, but I like to dream about it.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend-before- Christmas… and if you still have a lot of store hopping to do- I wish you good weather and quick checkout lines!

It's Time to Get My Cookie On

Now that my class is finally over (hallelujah- no more homework for the rest of the year), it is time to bake some Christmas cheer. Hubby has been bugging me since Thanksgiving to bake him some cookies and I am finally ready to give it a go.

Here's what's on the docket:

• Sugar cut-out cookies (this was Hubby's request)

• Kolasky (these are a tradition in my bohemian family)

• Cranberry thumbprint cookies (have I ever told you I love, love, love cranberries?)
  

• Peanuttier blossom cookies- these are like peanut butter blossoms, but instead of using a Hershey's kiss in the center, I use a Reese's peanut butter cup instead

I am so excited to start busting out these cookies. Before I do though, I want to share my simple sugar cookie recipe with you. This is always a tried and true favorite. Enjoy and happy baking (or buying for those of you who are baking challenged or just too plum tired to make such a mess in the kitchen).

This SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE makes 2 dozen cookies~

What you'll need to make it happen:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons brandy (that's right!), or milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Royal Icing for the sugar cookies (this is optional of course)

Here are the all-important directions:

1. Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl; then set it aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar; mix until light and fluffy. With mixer running, add an egg, the brandy (or milk), and the vanilla; mix until well combined. With the mixer on low, slowly add the reserved flour mixture. Mix this until it is just combined.
2. Transfer the dough to a work surface. Shape the dough into 2 discs and then cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with nonstick baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.
4. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut the dough into your desired shapes, and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving an inch in between each cookie. Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. Bake until the cookies are lightly golden, which will take about 10 minutes; do not allow the cookies to brown. Transfer them to wire racks to cool.
5. Once the cookies are cool, you can have fun decorating them with royal icing, which is of course optional because they are fabulous without it as well.

To make royal icing, I usually use the following recipe, which makes 2 1/3 cups~

Ingredients needed:

• 1 box confectioners' sugar (1 pound)
• 5 tablespoons meringue powder (this is especially good if you have young kids, are pregnant, or have a comprised immune system), or 2 large egg whites (if you are none of the aforementioned)

Directions for the icing:

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the sugar and meringue powder (or egg whites). Mixing on low speed, adding a measly 1/2 cup water. For a thinner consistency, which is usually used for flooding, add more water. To obtain a thicker consistency, which is generally used for outlining and adding details- mix until the icing holds a "ribbonlike" trail on the surface of the mixture for 5 seconds when you raise the paddle.

A Bed for your Head When you Visit

Tonight, Hubby and I are going to pick up our brand new-to-us daybed for my craft room. I found the daybed on good ‘ole Craigslist and you’ll never believe how it all worked out. Here’s the low-down:

For quite a long time now, I have been searching high and low for a daybed to put in my craft room. Ideally, I want a white daybed frame to match my (still undiscovered) desk , I want the bed to be able to fit a trundle underneath or to come with one, I want to find one that comes with excellent condition mattresses, and I want to pay only up to a hundred bucks. It’s a tall order, even for Craigslist, but I feel pretty strongly about all of my criteria- like the trundle. A trundle is the perfect solution for my little room; allowing it to transform easily from a craft room into a guest room that can accommodate at least 2 people.

My fervent search has been turning up nothing. Do you ever find that when you aren’t looking for anything in particular- you can find a hundred items you love that are at a great price, but you just don’t need them? Then, when you are looking for something specific you need- there is nothing you like? Welcome to my world…

Anyway, on Monday night I was taking a study break (I had a huge exam yesterday). I decided to peruse Craigslist. Right now, I have three key words I always search for: daybed, patio furniture and porch swing. When I typed in daybed, a lot of options came up, but one caught my attention in particular: White Wicker Daybed incl. mattress - $100.

I clicked on the link and read the description: Lightly used white wicker daybed. Comes with mattress for main bed and for pull-out bed, both in excellent condition. Very sturdy piece; must have large vehicle to haul. The bed is currently disassembled, but includes all hardware. Asking $100.

I couldn’t believe it; it was exactly what I was asking for. I e-mailed the people right away, hoping that the daybed was still for sale. Craigslist items can sell so fast and not everyone deletes their posting once an item has sold. Once I had sent the e-mail, it occurred to me that if it was available, I would have no way to pick the bed up (it is approx. ½ hour away from our house). I wondered aloud to Hubby if maybe his good friend, Josh, could haul the bed in his big truck because he works in the town where the bed is currently located.

Only ten minutes went by until I received an e-mail in my in-box; it was from Christine, Josh’s wife. Can you believe it- they were the one’s posting the daybed on Craigslist and we had no idea! Christine had actually posted the bed for her mom. It was just meant to be all around.

So now, Hubby is driving up to meet Josh tonight to load the daybed and bring it to our house, minus the main mattress. Christine’s mom decided she wants to keep the top mattress. This is fine with me because that knocks the price for the bed down to $75 and we can borrow a friend’s twin mattress until we can afford to buy a new one.

Now, the only thing standing between me and my brand new-to-me daybed is a couple of hours; that is unless Christine goes into labor (her due date is Monday). In that case, I will welcome their little newest addition and gladly wait a little longer for my bed (note I said gladly, not patiently).

Spreading Christmas Cheer

One thing I love most about giving gifts is wrapping them! I love presenting my family and friends with beautifully wrapped gifts or items in creative containers. Here are some well-wrapped gifting ideas to inspire you: