Some sweets cooked today

I'm trying to do everything simply and this is how I started our Christmas baking today.  

Double batches of oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies and one batch of that "crack" cracker toffee candy. 

  My husband tasted them all and gave them the thumbs up.  The oatmeal cookies are his favorite and he joked I could just put that container in our room (so he wouldn't have to share.....) 

But I packed them all away in containers we already had and put them in the freezer.  

I'll take them out later this week when the family gathers here.  

The cracker toffee chocolate candy is very simple to make and it makes a lot - I do recommend it if you're  still planning your holiday cooking.  Just look on Pinterest for the recipe and method-  lots of people have blogged about it.  

My brother's birthday was in the summer and I sent him this coupon.  He sent it back to me last week in my birthday card.  I happily filled his request while I cooked today and now his container of cookies is labeled and in the freezer too.  

Are you cooking this week?  I'm guessing most all my readers are! 

I'm back with a gift idea

I cook a lot but I've never had or even thought I needed a pasta pot.  But I got this one free last month from a Proctor Gamble cancer awareness refund.  

It quickly became one of favorite and go-to things in the  kitchen.  

It has a nonstick finish and the lid acts as the strainer or colander.  The lid locks on so it is so easy to drain cooked pasta or any cooked food like corn on the cob or potatoes to mash. 

Last week, I used it to cook a batch of fried rice.  

I thought I would blog about this pot in case anyone is trying to come up with a last minute gift for a cook.  

Or if someone is asking you what you would like for a gift,  this might be something to ask for. 

I did see them, in different colors, for sale on Amazon and I'm guessing about any store with a big kitchen selection also sells them.  

I had a sweet little observer while I cooked the fried rice.  

And would you believe that even though we are having winter weather and it's just a few days until Christmas,  this rose bush is still blooming?   I guess it is protected just enough being near our front door.  

This month

Hello everyone.  

I thought you all might like to see our Seven.  We were all together for lunch yesterday to celebrate my mother in law's 80th birthday.  

Life is good here, to say the least.  

One family group photo from the birthday party - it was at the clubhouse of our aunt's retirement home and was a very nice setting for a gathering. 

In the photo are my in laws, my husband and me, our 7 adult children&spouses and the 7 grands.  

My to do list and manicure from last week.....I haven't made my list for this week yet. 

The nails are Impress press on nails, with a sticker type adhesive and I really like them. 

My brother's tradition is to make fresh wreaths for us- here is this year's.  He decorates them different each year and they are always so nice. 

One of the pleasures of retirement- Grandpa and the grandchildren sharing lots of time together.  

CVS

I didn't go last week but I went yesterday. 

I used 4 $2 Tide coupons that were in a Sunday paper a few weeks ago and a $5 ECB. 

4 Tide detergent pod packs were $2.76 and I got back $5 ECB.  

Days are busy here and we have yet to find a routine with husband being retired but I think that will be happen after all the busyness of December.  

Would you all believe I have not bought or wrapped a single gift nor have I rounded up any stocking stuffers? And it takes a lot of stuffers for the 20 or so stockings that will here.  

So, this will be last blog post for 2015.  I hope to keep reading blogs and I plan to be back blogging in January.  

Merry Christmas everyone !