PREP – WRAP – BAKE

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Preparation for December is half of the fun. I finally understand why they have Christmas stores year-round:) Was looking in San Diego for tree decorations and after I captured the big balls,
I saw on the computer these little guitars in the background – my favorite instrument!

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I shouldn’t be doing so much prep that it becomes stressful though.
It’s not about the presents, but about being together with the ones we love.  Paradoxical enough …
when you love, you are involved in someone’s life. You know most of her of his wishes, desires, and needs.
When you love, you give on all kinds of levels:)

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Deck the Halls is a nice song, but a wreath, a tree, and a collection
of quirky stuffed animals is enough for me.

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Somehow my Christmas cactus always blooms in January

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Sometimes the Weather outside is frightful (
(the vertical lines are reflections of the fence above the green)

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Yet this week we also had a gorgeous ” evening red” (that’s how we call it in Dutch)
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When you’ve read “About me” you know that there are 7 adults and 7 grand children,
which really calls for a Wish List. I like to take my time, From beginning Oct. I have it in my purse,
so if I see something, I can check for sizes and colors.

The package overseas to our son was mailed by Thanksgiving. Of course he couldn’t wait, lol! Next week on Skype he had the hat on I knitted for him.

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About the wrapping. I know there are gift bags. But for kids it’s more fun to unwrap a gift. (Also teaches them delay of gratification).  Wrapping is not my favorite thing to do.

My strategy. I cut the paper to size and use one piece of tape.  I organize the stacks of presents by family. Every time when I look TV or wait for the water for tea to boil, I finish wrapping one gift. By Christmas all stacks are wrapped.

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All we have to do is bake cookies, make some punch  …

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MY FAVORITE COOKIE for a chocolateholic

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*Preheat oven to 350 degr. F.
Recipe is enough for 2 dozen of small chocolate cookies. I like to double this recipe for bigger and more cookies.
Optional: add pecan pieces at the same time as the white chocolate chips

Ingredients

2 1/4 cup of unbleached flour
2/3 cup cocao powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
Combine and set aside

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Beat till creamy

2 eggs
Add to butter mix one at a time
Add flour mix slowly

1 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Stir in

Drop teaspoon full of batter on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 9-10 minutes till edges is lightly browned.
Cool 2 min. before taking off the sheet, unto a plate to let it completely cool off.

It will be done this Saturday night!

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and WAIT for December 25 to arrive.
Joy to the world!

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Thank you All the Hosts!

Our World  *  Blo-Ma  *  Nature Notes  *
ABC – W  * Watery World  *  Outdoor Wednesday  *
Favorite Things  *  Alphabe – E  *
Floral Friday Foto  * Sky Watch  * Weekend Reflection  *
Todays Flowers *  Pink Saturday  *  Maleviks Garden  *
Sunday in my city  *
Blue Monday  *  Orange Mandarin  *  Travel Photo  *