DPP: Merry Christmas

DPP: Bakefest

"Bake while the oven is hot" was my motto today.

In addition to a jello salad, homemade cocktail sauce, breakfast casserole, chocolate covered pretzels and peppermint patties, we baked two loaves of bread, three pans of cinnamon rolls, chicken pinwheels, chocolate chip cookies, macaroons and sugar cookies.  The last one just about put me over the edge, but the kids really enjoyed themselves.

DPP: Elf Andrew

It's that time of the year to deliver fresh-baked goodies (cinnamon rolls!) to neighbors.

Usually it means Doug and kids out of the house so I can frantically wrap.  This year, though, the boys tackled the closest houses on their own giving Doug a few extra minutes of football before heading way down the street.

DPP: The First Day of Winter

It was just a dusting but I felt like we were in a snow-globe all day.  Perfect!

DPP: Christmas - Round 1

This year Christmas is being celebrated in three stages: a pre-Christmas, out-of-state gift exchange; our first at-home-just-us Christmas; and a post-Christmas/birthday to-do with Doug's folks.

DPP: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

DPP: Home for the Holidays

DPP: The National Marine Corp Museum

DPP: The Boys

They clean up pretty well.

DPP: Out the Door

We're headed out for a week of pre-holiday festivities and gatherings.  

DPP: Stuff and Bother

Even as a child, I would think to myself after Christmas, "What am I going to do with all this stuff?"

So in preparation, we made some donations to our local thrift store.

DPP: Plan C

Brainstorm: we had this lovely dress hiding in the closet so I can put away the sewing machine, at least temporarily.

DPP: Plan B

The photo is terrible, but you get the point.

I have been laboring over this dress for the past month in preparation for a wedding this weekend.  It's a bit too large; it may fit in another four years.  My mother talked some sense into me this morning and convinced me that it was a crazy idea to think that I could pleat, smock, and construct another dress in three days so we have moved on to Plan B.  It involved another trip to the fabric store  with all the children as well as calls to my mother and sister while there to get opinions on fabrics they could not see.  With a little *coaxing* that it really didn't matter and a round of Eeny-Meeny-Miney-Mo, we (namely, Stephen) made a choice and that was that.  Now for nap time, and the chance to get to work.

DPP: French Seams

The name sounds exotic and mysterious; the execution is easy; and the result is so very satisfying.

DPP: So Cheery

Gloomy, foggy mornings call out for something bright.

Orange slices provides just the right lift to the morning and a much-needed boost of vitamin C to boot. 

DPP: Yule Logs

A surprise gift from new neighbors.

DPP: A Creche, LEGO Style

I charged the big boys with the task of building a nativity scene out of LEGOs.

Stephen set to work on the stable:  "I made it so that it looks like it was built into a hillside."

Andrew made Jesus.  "I used a technic pin and a minifigure head.  That's all I could think of."

And here's the whole family together.  I love Mary's skirt and the lantern hanging down from the ceiling.  These boys are very creative.

DPP: A Moment's Reprieve

In the midst of the witching hour, it's nice to have a beautiful-if-brief diversion.

DPP: The Stash

Usually these babies are kept in a high cabinet, behind the tea and sundries, away from little hands.

But they were too pretty to be kept in a dark cupboard during the Christmas season so now they live atop the fridge, a cheery display still safe from the reach of little hands.

DPP: Souper Mom

I love the fact that my kids think I'm Top Chep whenever this meal appears.

It really doesn't get much easier than Potato Soup.  Here's what we do.

Chop 2 whole onions and saute in olive oil in a large pot. 

While the onions soften, peel and chop 8-10 lbs. potatoes (they like it that much!)

Add to onions; add chicken broth and/or water to cover.

Simmer until potatoes are soft and somewhat mushy.

Add 2c. white beans, pureed for extra protein (thanks for the tip, Lisa!).

Add salt & pepper to taste.

Top with cheese, onion, bacon, and/or broccoli.

DPP: "Go Outside!"

We continue to be blessed with awesome weather which means lots of outdoor play for the kids.

While I've been slow to catch the festive spirit this season, the youngsters are on overdrive, and an afternoon in the out-of-doors, is exactly what we all need.

DPP: Oh, What Fun!

What fun to be able to crop such a face from a group photo shoot!

Just one of many interesting expressions.

DPP: Off to a Great Start

Once again it's time for the December Photo Project:

an effort to capture images daily of this most-exciting of months.

It was a great day to begin: sunny weather, warm temps, and happy kiddos (well, all except for the two that managed to disturb some yellow jackets).