Christmas to do list

My list is long and today it got a little wacky

1. wrap presents CHECK (except for the ones to be delivered Monday)
2. take day off to go to kids school Christmas parties CHECK
3. send hubby to store for mint that I forgot for cookies CHECK (although they had no mint)
4. wait for school to be cancelled for incliment weather to come CHECK
5. incliment weather come NO CHECK
6. bake Mint Oreo Cookies found on Jamie Cooks it Up minus the mint CHECK (and boy are they good!)
7. bake Charleston Chews CHECK
8. bake meringue cookies IN PROGRESS
9. bake butter cookies
10. clean kitchen for fifth time
11. figure out dinner
12. take kids to see the lights at Zootastic

I wonder what tomorrow's will look like. 
How's your Christmas List going?

Christmas Questions you say?

Laugh until you Cry tagged me in a little Christmas Meme which is from the Top Christmas Blog.  So if you want to know all about Christmas at my house, read on my friends, read on.

1. Have you started your christmas shopping yet?
Well I bought a little bit, and won a couple of things.  So started yes, but anywhere near finished? NO!  Which is really bad for me.  I usually start mapping out a plan and shopping in October, but this year, well October just slipped right on by - and for that matter so did November.

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.

If you read my post a couple of weeks ago - you know I am in need of some traditions. I've adopted one Helen gave me that the boys will open one present Christmas Eve (that I've always let them do) and it will be new PJ's.  I like the idea that I can at least make sure they have matching pjs on for all the pictures that are taken Christmas morning.  The only one we have is our annual trip to Mcadenville the city of Christmas lights.  The boys love it - we went last Sunday and even little man kept saying "lights, lights, lights"

3.When do you put up your tree?
The weekend after Thanksgiving.  I prefer one holiday at a time, but as much Christmas as I am able to squeeze in.

4. Are you a black friday shopper?
I wasn't.  Last year was the first time I ventured out and that was because a friend dragged my butt out of bed.  This year, dear hubby had to work, so I didn't make it.  But I feel like I missed some really good deals and a great time.

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?
We don't travel far away - but we do go to the in-laws just down the road for brunch and dinner. 

6. What is one of your funniest Christmas memories?
My favorite -he he he- is from when my brother and I were little.  He really wanted a jambox for Christmas and our very cool aunt got him one with a cassette player and all - it was so great - and I was very jealous.  Until he opened the box and saw it was pink.  That gift went to me - with the promise that he would have another one, wonder if he ever got one???

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
There are so many great ones.  I am a big fan of Polar Express - have loved the book since I was a  little girl.  I also have to watch the Grinch every year and Charlie Brown.

8. Do you do your own Christmas baking? What is your favorite treat?
Yes I do my own baking!  I love to cook, good ol' southern food and desserts.  Last year the twins and I made batches and batches of cookies and peppermint brittle for them to package up and give to people as gifts.  My favorite thing to make is fudge, or cheesecake.  I make a mean cheesecake.

9. Fake or Real tree?
I like a real one - sprayed with anti-burn stuff.  But we bought a fake one the first year we were together and it has been that way ever since.  I just can't see spending the money on a real one when I have a fake one (make that 2, someone gave us their old one) right here.

10.  What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
Panic - I've never felt any panic before.  Usually I have it all done in a timely fashion and try to enjoy every bit of it.  This year though - there might be a little panic if I don't get some shopping done soon.

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Nope - I had that experience once in college when I came home and my step-mother hadn't wrapped anything yet.  And I may be caught wrapping gifts for my mother in law who saves them all for me to do, but all of my stuff is wrapped.  I enjoy wrapping and will take my time in the evenings doing it all.

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
I'm probably the most excited person Christmas morning, I've always been the first one up and have even woken up my children out of sheer anticipation.  I love to see their faces when they get up and can be found with my cup of coffee in hand sitting near the tree waiting on them.  That is my favorite part - the joy and wonder of their faces first thing in the morning.

13. What Christmas craft do you like best?
I made really neat stockings one year.  But my favorite is making the Gingerbread house, I try to get better each year.

14. Christmas music?
Dear hubby isn't a big fan - although he enjoys the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  I am not picky and love Christmas muic.  The Christmas station has been on in my car since the first day of December.

15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
Hopefully before the 20th. I do not want to be caught out the week of Christmas. One year I fogot the gift for my brother and had to go out  Christmas Eve, it was pouring a cold rain and the mall was packed.  It was the most miserable shopping ever. 

The original version of this meme says to tag 5 blog friends, so that is what I'll do. I'm going to tag:
Desert Rose Moments
Diaries of a Coach's Wife
I'm Living Proof that God has a Sense of Humor
Twinsomnia
Anti-Supermom

Cookies for a Month?!?!

Did you know October was National Cookie Month? I didn't until I went over to Multiples and More and read their question of the week. I know I'm late (the question was posted yesterday) buts that's life as a Mom - you'll get over it. Today I am answering their question (with a lot of side comments)

What is your Favorite Cookie Recipe?

I think this may be a trick question - my favorite cookie recipe or the one I make all the time - or the one that my hubby buys. Yes I said buys, because he likes the tubs of premade cookie dough from Sam's.

We make the toll house recipe a lot (you know the one on the bag). My bigger boys all LOVE chocolate chip cookies - although I use mini chips and only put half the bag in the mix - then it's good for 2 batches.

Little Man loves any type of cookie - and frequently calls anything sweet a cookie; graham crackers, donuts, danish.

I on the other hand love ALL KINDS of cookies except chocolate chip. I know, I know, they are America's favorite - but I'm not a fan. I make them for my family all the time, but I don't eat them. (I do lick the bowl). I like peanut butter cookies, or white chocolate macadamia nut, or oatmeal raisin, or peanut butter with a kiss in the center, or butter cookies, or mint cookies, or M & M cookies. I'm not even sure I could chose a favorite.

But I must try.

OK Butter Cookies it is. They are super easy, light, filling, sweet and sometimes the simple things in life are just the best!

1 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix well. Mix in flour. Roll dough into a log and chill dough for at least 45 minutes (or overnight).

Preheat oven to 400. Cut slices 1/4" thick and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes.