christmasy projects for the weekend

Last night was quite busy around here. Let's see, I baked 100 cookies (yes, you read that right!) for a 'cookie exchange' party I have today and wrapped all the presents that will be residing under our tree until Christmas morning. I didn't get started on these projects until around 6:30 p.m. so needless to say, last night was yet another very late night!

The cookies I chose to make were the ones that turned out to be my favorite from last year's cooking baking marathon...Amaretto Chunk Cookies (they have amaretto, chocolate chips, coconut & sliced almonds). We needed to bring six dozen to the party and since this recipe yields four dozen, I figured it was a wise choice. They turned out pretty yummy and I'm sad to say I ate FIVE last night!! Figured it wasn't too bad since I baked 100 but still didn't feel very well this morning!

Here they are last night fresh from the oven...


And here they are 'boxed' up and ready to go to the party (all 72 of them!)...

Another big accomplishment last night was getting all of our presents wrapped and under the tree. I hadn't planned on being quite so productive and had only originally planned on getting the presents wrapped that I helped pick out on this end for Lee & the girls from various members of the family. Before I knew it was I in wrapping paper heaven and loved seeing how this year's paper crop looked together. The next thing I knew I was done! Check out how they look under our tree...


I must say, I'm rather enamored with this year's color scheme of red + turquoise + white. So much so, in fact, it may become our yearly choice! I just love how the colors play off each other...



Prior to having presents under the tree, the kitties enjoyed getting behind the tree to hide (Panther) and play in the water (Maggie). Maggie enjoyed playing under the tree so much that she emerged the other day with tree sap on one of her ears and in the spot behind it. Poor girl, only time will be able to get that out of her fur! Needless to say, once presents were placed under the tree, the kitties were quite curious and continued to somehow climb through them to get to their hideout/play area. Check out Maggie when she saw me coming at her with the camera in hand...


We thought we could plug their path with presents and escape any future cat fights under the tree. Unfortunately, since they continued to crawl back there and it seemed that Maggie was rather intent on chasing Panther behind the tree (sending packages flying), we decided leaving an open path may be the best way to go. Check out the picture below of Panther guarding the open path...


Now that these projects have been completed, we're about ready to undertake the one Lee has most been looking forward to...making a gingerbread house. Seriously, Lee thought it would be fun so I picked up a kit by the Wonka Candy Co. and we'll be building our little 'cottage' on Monday. Can't wait to show you how it turns out!! Here's a pic of the kit we'll be using...

Wish us luck! We'll need every positive thought we can get!!