Makin' Cookies

Today I made cookies.

The traditional Christmas cut-outs.

In all sorts of fun shapes and sizes!

Before the cookies I made myself some scones for breakfast,

and Katie decided chocolate chip cookies were needed as well.

So far it's been a good baking day.

I'm thinking I'll get down to scrap some things later.

Also, if you haven't seen Alex read Twilight, you should.

Whether you like the book or not

(but especially if you don't)

he has an interesting (and honest) take on the first of the saga.

Operation: Squeaky Potato

There is not much I can share about this mission,

but we made a mess.

A really really BIG mess!

We also jammed out a little.

That's right, dancin' it out while scrapbooking-

that's how I roll!

Some random thoughts to end the evening.

I (with the help of Adam) have been thinking about sports.

Specifically the future of the Sabres.

Also, I love Grier!

Stand Tall

I'm already in love with my new camera!

Can you tell?

In other news,

I'm very behind in scrapbooking.

I have stacks of pictures and

pages of sketches

that just need the time

and inspiration to make them come together.

Slowly I'm chipping away at them.

Slowly.

It's also really fun to be this far behind.

To look back and remember what I've done in the past year.

Makes me really think about what's around the corner for next year!

*Note to self!*

Get through December first.

So here's one page for today.

"Standing Tall"

When I was hiking in Colorado.

Other things that make me especially smily this week:

Christmas cookies are ready to be rolled when I get to them,

John Green was on Jeopardy,

I made a trip to Archives today,

and Chapbooks are on the horizon.

college kids on beer, and ex-girlfriends,

the Sabres won last night,

I had coffee with a kid I haven't seen in forever,

(a welcome surprise)

I'm HOME!

(in case you haven't noticed)

Oh yeah, and I'm going ice skating later today!

New Camera, Cake, and Pages

It was my mom's 29th birthday today,

again.

I made a chocolate cake!

Grandma's recipe:

(not really a secret though)

1 cup milk

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 eggs

1 cup hot coffee

Heat oven to 350.

Put all ingredients into large bowl and use electric mixer to blend.

Pout into 9x12 cake pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.

It's good stuff.

Rich, and very moist!

And now . . .

for your consideration . . .

pages courtesy of my new Christmas camera!

Care Package

Next week is finals week.

The above picture is the care package from my mother.

THANKS!

So instead of stressing,

I finished my homework and decided to sit down with a cup of mint tea

and write you a blog about how beautiful this season is.

It's been snowing,

and more snow is in the forecast,

that makes me really happy.

I have nine days and then I'm home for breakfast making and stew simmering.

Also!

On a completely unrelated note:

Operation Smile so Wide it Hurts

is in final stages.

This epic long distance adventure started with this cupcake.

It ended

(or will later tonight)

with a

(hopefully)

huge smile on a special someone's face.

I mention this because the surprise has kept a smile on my face all week,

and the people of SinnersSaintsSweets deserve a shout out for how awesome they are!

Have a great hump day!

Welcoming December with Open Arms

We made snowflakes.

Drank hot dranks.

Made a Christmas Pandora channel.

Forgot about the stress of college.

Said hello to December the best way we know how.

Hope your first day was as good as the girls at Putnam.