building a surprise fort for my youngest son today...it's gonna rock! can't wait to see his face.

Soooo, I am cleaning out my clothes! I had so much laundry to do and had a pile of clothes that needed folded and put away. After folding everything and making piles for each person....I realized I had 5 stacks of clothes and everyone else had one stack! Ummmm....I think it's time to downsize!!!

Oh my goodness...I finally finished my painting for the mantle!! I painted the Christmas subway art and was trying to come up with a cohesive idea to go along with it for another painting! I'm so glad I asked my readers for suggestions! Well, it is done and I feel relieved. I was wanting to reveal it on my blog, but was so nervous that it wouldn't turn out well! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go eat some Christmas cookies! Yes!

Well, only 5 days til Christmas and there is not a snowflake in sight. We did have some nice flurries all day on Saturday. It's been raining all day today, but it is just too warm...just a little colder and we would've had some beautiful snow! I did a little shopping today and had lunch with my in laws...nice day.

Christmas will soon be here. My husband and I only shop for our 2 boys..that's it. Usually we buy each other one thing..sometimes 2 if we're lucky...but we don't even care if there is anything under the tree for us. The only ones who care is our children...they really delight in watching us have something to open as well. My hubs usually asks for the big bag of pistachios, and I usually ask for shower gel from Bath n Body Works...if we get that, we are usually quite content. :)

If it doesn't snow soon!!!!! It just really does not look anything like Christmas here in PA. It is cold, but we are having sunshine and blue skies. Grateful for the sunshine though...but I would love to see the snow fly!! Putting the finishing touches on my Christmas tree today!!

Last night I bought a 1/2 gallon of chocolate ice cream and a 1/2 gallon of peppermint ice cream. I scooped equal amounts into my bowl and man was it good!!! This is the first time I have tried any seasonal Christmas flavors of ice cream. I think the peppermint would be a little much standing on it's own, but side by side with the chocolate, it was the perfect accompaniment!

Last night we had our small groups Christmas get together at the church. Good food and good friends. We had a great time! My friend gave me 3 cupcakes to take home....of course they were staring me in the face this morning and I had to have one before breakfast while the coffee was brewing! Store bought....but really, really tasty! I was impressed!!!

Baking Magic Cookie Bars today....these are for us...love these things!!

Today I baked peppermint snowballs topped with a glaze and crushed candy cane. They turned out so good!! These will be going to my church for fruit baskets for shut ins. It is trying so hard so snow flurry today. The temperature is right...about 30 degrees...but need a little more precip. I looked out the window a few minutes ago and it was like almost a flurry...little pieces of fine slush falling from the sky. Come on snow!! Let's go...I'm ready!

the peanut butter cookies I made turned out great...I added mini Reese's Pieces and chocolate chips...very delicious! baking gingerbread cookies today....using star cookie cutter, baking them for fruit baskets for church for the "shut ins".

planning on baking peanut butter cookies today!

outdoor work

Late this afternoon, the kids and I did some outside work that we have been putting off. Me and my older son raked leaves...old dead yucky brown wet leaves now! LOL! My other son cleaned out the front half of the chicken coop and the nesting boxes. Also, together we brought in some damp kindling to dry by the fireplace. Now it's time for dinner and I believe I'm going to make chicken salads with french fries, hard boiled eggs and cheese! Oh yes!! I'm hungry and ready!

Woke up to major thick frost on the ground this morning. We still have to rake up some leaves in the back yard before the snow comes. My oldest son has been doing target practice with his bow and arrow out in the field. My hubby set up a nice 6' x 6' wall of bales of hay and a cardboard cut out of a deer. I have yet to try my luck at shooting the bow, but I think I will go out and try later this afternoon.