Weekend Recap

This weekend felt the beginning of the bustling holiday season.  From now until just after New Year's, our calendar will be full.  I absolutely love everything about this time of year!!!  We fall into the "respect the bird" category, and therefore don't let Christmas creep in before Thanksgiving.  However, we do get things all prepared...
I spent Saturday morning in the kitchen, baking my first batch of homemade Chex Mix of the season.  The key is a long baking time, with frequent stirring & a low temperature.  I also had some spiced cider on the stove top, and may have put on some Christmas music for just a bit (wasn't I just saying I don't let Christmas creep in?!).  Everything was feeling & smelling festive; I couldn't resist!  While I busied myself inside,  Conor & Liam took care of our exterior illumination (except for garlands).  We have a snowstorm heading our way on Wednesday, so I'm happy Conor was able to get them up before having to climb on a snowy roof.  Plus now they are ready to be turned on late Thursday night after all the turkey has been eaten!

I used to be the official light holder for Conor, but Liam is now old enough to step into that role.  I much prefer to be making goodies inside, all toasty & warm anyway.  Liam is already feeling the anticipation of Christmas and all the fun to come, while I am full of excitement about all that we have planned!  He knows Thanksgiving is almost here, and then it will officially be Christmastime!  The allusive, never close enough Christmastime!

But back to Thanksgiving... Sunday morning we went to the Winter Farmer's market, where I was hoping to snag some Fall goodies & produce for the big feast.  Well the market was a bit of a disappointment, but we did pick up another growler of ginger beer.  At least we know our cocktails will be tasting mighty fine!  Conor has been making some homemade ginger beer lately, but we wanted to try the local stuff again for a little comparison.  The Keenan ginger beer recipe is still being tinkered with!

The next few nights will be full of menu planning & grocery list making.  I hope the next two days fly by, because I'm ready for Wednesday... my big prep day!  Everything takes longer with kids in tow, especially now that I have two, so planning is necessary.  And I really just love planning.  In my planner.  If it's not in the planner, does it even really happen...? ;-)

And lastly, I put the finishing touches on Finn's stocking which is ready to be hung come Friday!

Four stockings and counting.  But not counting yet.  Just probably counting in the future.

But for now, just four!