Friday, December 9, 2016

Let the Celebrating Begin!

Today we were guests at Becky's Brunch. It is the official kick off of the holiday season celebration. 
These are retired teachers connected to Des Moines Elementary School that Tom worked with. They adopted me.  Our host Becky is the lovely lady glittering in the bottom right of the photo. 

We enjoyed good food and lively conversation with topics ranging from driving in ice and snow to former students to health concerns to travel.

Ice and snow were on our minds because of our current weather. Officially you could say it is slushing - light rain interspersed with big wet flakes falling on the remnants of last night's light snowfall. 


 It's cold and nasty and a good day for celebrating warm friendships and a cozy evening at home. 

This was my baking week. In four days, with Tom's help, I made six kinds of cookies, which are now all tucked away in the freezer, awaiting the filling of cookie tins to give as gifts and for our own family enjoyment when the big day arrives. 

This was a photo from last year, but I made the same kinds again this year. They are traditional and each one is someone's favorite. 

The decorating is done, the baking is done, except for the cookie cutter cookies we'll make with the grand kids, and most of the shopping is done. We have no plans for the weekend, other than watching the Sounders play in Toronto for the MLS Cup on Saturday and the Seahawks play in Green Bay on Sunday. I have no desire to be in either of those places in person during the weather they are experiencing. 

I'll work on our Christmas letter and get photo cards ordered. Next week we have a Christmas shops field trip on Tuesday, and weather permitting, a Christmas lunch here at our house on Thursday. The weather man is warning of more snow by mid-week, so we'll have to wait and see what happens. 

At any rate, I have declared that the holiday season has now officially begun. I will find a way to make each day a gift. Today was a good start. 

17 comments:

  1. It is so much fun to get together with good friends. I hope everyone enjoyed it. Seeing all these happy smiling faces is heartwarming. I LOVE it!

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  2. That is such a lovely group photo! The treats are amazing! Happy Holidays! Definitely!

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  3. You're well prepared so enjoy. You deserve it.

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  4. It's hard to beat an outing with good friends and good food. Too bad the weather is not that good. I don't drive in this mess; nothing I need badly enough to even try.
    Your platter of assorted cookies looks so good!

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  5. Your cookie tray is beautiful! I may bake one kind of cookie, not sure yet. We got Truffles in the mail today:) I don't need the calories and will have to do extra miles on the bike :( I hate the bike:( I wish I had a kick off day...seems like I find other stuff to do instead of decorating:)

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  6. Sounds like a wonderful get together. That is my favorite kind of Christmas party - aside from Cookie Swaps. I do so love Christmas cookies. Yours look great.

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  7. Goodness gracious you are a prolific baker! Glad you had a wonderful time at the party!

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  8. Let the season begin. Your cookies and tray look amazing, getting together with friends is a great way to kick start the season.

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  9. What a nice gathering. She is glittery and pretty as well. And the cookies make me realize I'm hungry! Beautiful spread. :-)

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  10. I like the idea of making each day a gift. Oh, those cookies!

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  11. traditions can bring comfort and peace as we celebrate the holidays...

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  12. You and Tom really know how to enjoy the season. Sure wish I knew how to bring that old fashioned warm Christmas feeling to our home. Maybe I will show this post to Poppy when he comes home and say, "see, this is how I want Christmas to be"! The Christmas cookies are so pretty!

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  13. Our weather is very similar to yours. Your cookies look wonderful. You seem to be on schedule with all your Christmas preparations, why am I not surprised. Love looking at your pretty decorated house.

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  14. Always fun to talk shop with like persons. I'd call all of those cookies my favorites.
    Sure hope the soccer game is played under the dome. Brrr. Hope the Sounders win.

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  15. Boy, I wish I were as prepared for Christmas as you are. I'm having a hard time getting into it this year. Maybe tomorrow. (Hour cookies look elegant and delicious. Oh, it was 13 degrees here this morning, so winter is definitely here.

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  16. Those cookies look great. I would not mind eating one of each kind.

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  17. Hooray for the holiday season! Like everything else, you sure do it up in a grand fashion! Your cookies are as beautiful as they are numerous. Impressive!

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