Martini Momma

Merry Christmas

 
Well, we've made it hey?  I have a quiet house (thanks to Dora's Christmas special), I have a mug of hot Irish Black tea with milk and honey and FINALLY a peaceful mind.  I cannot believe the marathon that was December this year.  

I too am taking a bit of a break from blogging but wanted to say a few things before I sign off for a rest.  I believe that Christmas to me is love.  It is family.   It is laughter.  It is helping others.  It is thinking less of oneself and more of humanity. 

This blog I believe echoes Christmas.  I wish you all a holiday that is peaceful and fills your hearts with love.  So many of you remind me daily of what is important and I so appreciate that. 

Kiss me!

 
Mistletoe Martini 

2 ounces Vodka

1/2 ounce Melon Liquer

1/2 ounce Grenadine

Shake over ice, serve and smooch.

My 12 Days

My Christmas season is packed and full of delight.  I am counting down and crossing off lists.  Here is my rendition of the 12 days of Christmas.

12 salt dough ornaments cooking in the oven right now.  Kids are waiting patiently, ok, they are just waiting.  We try to make ornaments that we can take to Grandma maggie's grave each year and we will deliver tomorrow.  The part that would make my mother beam is the way that they have such fun in such a sad place.  Oh, to be a kid!

11 ornaments chipped or flat out broken by little Bella.  Good thing, I know her game and put all the crappy ones on the bottom of the tree.

10 more presents to wrap.  Getting there, getting there!

9 days until I can start my resolutions.  yes, I know not many resolutions are kept on that day but I feel incredibly motivated every year as the new year rings in.  Bring it!

8 items to be made for the dinners and breakfasts over the next 3 days.  Caramel-Pecan Log, yorkshire puddings, stuffed mushrooms and the whole coconut ice cream thing just to mention a few.  (The ice cream is decadent and so LOW FAT)  LOL

7 ideas sent off to panicked hubby as he tries to fill my stocking...today.  Talk about pre-planning.

6 cards still waiting to be addressed.  I will admit, I am not the world's greatest mailer-outer, so if you haven't heard from the Kaatz's yet, could be in the mail, on my counter or I just might have forgotten you.  Sorry in advance!

5 am is too early little Sadie Belle to ring in the day.  Despite my wish for more sleep, there is NOTHING on the planet more special than an early morning snuggle in the dark with you.

4 hours that my friend spent at Pan Am clinic to diagnose the fact that she ruptured her achilles tendon after much festive dancing.  As I run around with my head chopped off, I realize I still have it is easier than Shauna with her knee to toes full cast.  6 weeks of fun ahead, get well, my friend!

3 stolen turtles by my hubby as I dipped each in extra dark chocolate.  Oh, these, are good!  Very good!

2 little monkeys camped out in front of the fire as we speak watching Randy travis's Christmas special, Annabelle's Wish.  Peace and quiet, all is good

And one festive wish to all of our readers.  I find this blog to be my little voice in this world.  I feel supported, rooted for, encouraged and inspired by all of you and I thank you all for your comments and advice throughout 2009.  To my fellow bloggers, you are two of a kind, inspirational, larger than life, motivating and I am proud beyond words to share this blog with you and most importantly to call you my friends.  Looking ahead to a 2010 beyond compare.  

I am taking a blog break for the next few days as the festivities rev up around here.  Enjoy Christmas with family and friends and take a quiet moment for an eggnog with your honeys. 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

All aboard to a Merry Christmas!

 
OK, update at headquarters Team Parnell is really, really good.  Well, other than the fact that in a moment of madness (was madly wrapping and madly running to grab a drink of water) I madly slid on the hardwoods in my Smart Wool socks (LOVE THEM! so cozy) and crashed into the water cooler.  Ouch, and then I dropped a full glass of water on my big toe.  I guess there'll be no dancing for this momma.

Toe aside, yesterday was completely fantastic.  I am ALL DONE SHOPPING and WRAPPING.  I have all ingredients for dinner on Christmas Eve and I have one day left of work.  Yeah!!!  So, in honor of all of the prep work being DONE.  Brent and I (along with the outlaws) took the boys on the Assiniboine Valley Railway.  It was magical. It is a miniature train ride for a mere $2.00 and the hot coco at the end of the ride made my night.

It's even in Wikipedia if you want more info....Cool hey? 

Want more?  Brent laughed at me, but I had never heard of Susan Boyle.  So, I Googled her and watched this video...

 

Susan's story made me cry.  Sweet.  Dream big.

Now speaking of cool for kids, H, G & I have begun tracking Santa's arrival.  If you want to see when he'll be at your place, go here.  We have done this for the past few years.  This year however Hud was fascinated with the extras in the elf's workshop (especially the snowman skiing game).

Today is going to be easy, breezy considering the past, well month.  Cheers all you mommas and readers out there.  In case you get a few minutes to sneak away, stay tuned, there will be some blogging in between rum & eggnogs and The Griswold's.

Marry Christmas to everyone.  This has been a remarkable year as a Martini Momma and we are so excited to crank it up with a new year.  I hope Santa is extra good to you.

1 down, 3 to go

We're down to the home stretch and I made the most of this second day of holiday time. 

First off, I have to say my evening out with Miss Parnell was spectacular.  It was de-lish and we laughed as we talked about rolling out of the restaurant.  I think I am a living and breathing butterball these days and I know what one of my resolutions will have to be.  Fabulous books and fabulous ornanments (or not ornaments) but lots of thoughtfulness and we both agreed it was the way that our holiday really gets a kickoff each year.  Thank you, my dear friend!  We will be like the bitties next to us 19 years from now.

I made a wise decision that I will do from this year on.  I hired a sitter so that I had a guilt free afternoon to complete my shopping.  I was prepped, the list was made, groceries listed, returns noted, missing gifts, the works, only I forgot the damn thing on my counter.  Nothing like a little game of memory.  I think I only missed 5 ingredients and cannot for the life of me track down peppermint extract. 

My purse was almost stolen by a strange woman at Superstore.  She was actually rifling and digging through my goods to reach it before her husband stopped her with a curt, "Cut that out".  Seriously?  It's Christmas, man! 

The kids hada agreat afternoon and actually ventured out for a sleigh ride with the sitter. She's good,  Maybe better than their mother even.  Groceries are put away, gifts are set to be wrapped TONIGHT, Sadie just rolled down the stairs.  I'd say we're rolling with it pretty well. 

Coconut ice cream is set to be made tonight, I'll let you know!