Monday, November 18, 2019

A Little Advance Prepping



It's hard to believe that Christmas is 5 weeks from this Wednesday.  I know we all say how fast time goes by, but it really does.  And, I think it's true that the older we get, the faster it goes.  Either way, it seems we just celebrated Christmas.



I have never in my life decorated before Thanksgiving but I have this year.  Well, everything is done except our tree.  My "tree fairy" is coming a week from today and our house will be decorated as much as it's going to be.  I have stream-lined my decorating in recent years and it is so less time consuming but, still very pretty and elegant.  Over the years I have decorated every inch of our house to somewhere in-between and now I do what I call "touches of Christmas."  I'll show you more of it after our tree goes up.



Aren't these pretty cookies and especially at Christmas.  These are Maraschino Cherry Almond Chocolate Cookies and you can find the recipe here.  I love to bake and really enjoy making and baking cookies.  Thankfully I have a lot of self control when it comes to eating them or I'd have a problem.  I have made lots of cookies in recent weeks.  I made these on Saturday and they are very good.  They have a shortbread base and I love shortbread.  And, the cherry and almond mix is perfect. 



These are Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies and you can find this recipe here. I love oatmeal cookies and this is a version I had not ever seen or tried.  And, again, I thought with the cranberries that they would be pretty at Christmas time. And, I'm a huge believer in baking ahead and freezing.  I do not want to have to be rushed or overwhelmed and "doing ahead" keeps the fun in it.

Image result for fudge

And, it would NOT be the holidays if I did not make what has come to be known as "Lea's Fudge."  The picture above is an internet picture, I make my fudge in different shaped small pans that hold about a pound each.  I have had so much fun over the years finding different molds and pans to pour it in.  It makes it so much neater and attractive than cut fudge.  A recipe makes 5 pounds, so I get about 5 containers out of each pan.  I have already made 25 pounds this year and am not finished.  And, the funny thing is I do not even like fudge.  So strange that I would enjoy making something that I do not even like.  If you are interested in this recipe, you can click on the recipe tab below my blog header and you will find it, along with lots of hints I have learned over the years.

Image result for wrapped christmas presents


I have been busy doing my Christmas shopping too.  If you can call sitting at my computer being busy.  I know there are some folks who want to "touch and feel" everything they buy but I am NOT one of those folks.  I have had such success in internet shopping over the years that it is the greatest thing since "sliced bread" for me.  My DIL and daughter send me lists for the Grans with links to where the gifts can be bought.  I mean it doesn't get much easier than that.  And, I love that I know the Grans want what we give them.  I have 75% of my shopping done and I spent this past Friday wrapping the gifts that I have.  

I am feeling very good at this point about a most relaxed season and that's my goal every year.  I do not do well being rushed or overwhelmed if I can help it.  I will start doing some advance meal cooking in a couple of weeks as it really helps when family arrives.

I have a fun week ahead.  We have some family coming in on Wed. for a couple of days, I have the Thanksgiving family meal with my Dad and I will be attending the Grandparents performance on Friday.  Yes, tis' the season and I'm in "prepping mode."


Lea @ CiCis Corner
Lea @ CiCis Corner

Hi there! My name is Lea. I've been wife to the best Hubby for 44 years....Mom to a son and daughter....CiCi to 4 precious Grans....lover of family and friends....enjoy laughter and a good time....shopper....picture taking maniac....maker of delicious fudge....organizational enthusiast....memory maker....Southern Belle...and most importantly.....a Child of the King! Welcome to my little corner!

8 comments:

  1. We have cut down on our decorating too but still have enough to feel festive:) Those cherry-almond cookies look SO pretty and yummy, I would like to make those for our Christmas time get-together. Enjoy your day dear friend, HUGS! (I ordered 2 of the bat-wing sweaters and then I loved them so much I ordered another one... thanks, now I have 3)

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  2. We have also streamlined some of our Christmas decor, trying to just keep the meaningful things in touches here and there. We finished our tree yesterday, and it feels so festive around here. I wanted to finish before we go on a trip for Thanksgiving. The cherry almond cookies look delicious!

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  3. You are always ahead of the game and so "TOGETHER!" I am dreading even the thought of getting things out of the attic this year. I'm hoping my hand will allow me to at least hold something long enough to get it down the stairs. Cooking is another matter. I can't wait to see all your pretties.

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  4. I want to be like you when I grow up!! Actually, we don't have much shopping to do anymore and Christmas dinner is easy with only a few "extended" family around our table. Enjoy those youngsters!! Our youngest is now 23. We will not even see them for the holidays. Folks are too spread out these days and it is a bit sad, but we have established our normal and enjoy the holidays anyway! Your cookies look delicious!

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  5. I greatly look forward to seeing your "touches of Christmas," which sounds like a really good idea. Although this is a big house (3,000 SQ) for a +55 neighborhood, storage space is lacking for big items like Christmas decor, so we have seriously downsized in that area.

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  6. If Joe would give me the green light, I would have had our Christmas decor up two weeks ago, which is crazy considering I'm like you and have always waited until after Thanksgiving! I'm excited to see your tree and any other decor you share. And I agree... online shopping is the way to go, Lea! ;)

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  7. I would love it if you could do a post on baking and cooking in advance with your tips on how to store things in the freezer and defrosting or reheating. I never seem to know how to do that and thus avoid doing anything in advance. The weeks right before Christmas are full of baking and it always seems I am working up to Christmas Eve night. I would love to be ahead of things like you are!

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So glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed your visit. I love your comments and read each and every one of them and I always try to reply to them. Blessings to you this day!