It Smells Like Christmas...

Sophie has a Christmas book called The Sweet Smell of Christmas, and it is one of our favourites. It is the (scratch and sniff) story of a little bear and his family and all the wonderful smells associated witht the season that let him know it is coming.

I can relate.

Every Christmas, I treat myself to a Yankee candle (Home Sweet Home scent - very cinnamon-y). It makes me feel like the season has really arrived, and is worth every penny of it's ridiculous $30 price tag (well, not really; but some buy perfume, I buy a couple of candles/year).

Another smell that is familiar to me is the smell of hot chocolate.

Because the minute the holidays near, my kids drink the stuff like it comes from a tap. I can even smell it all around my home by way of the empty mugs left behind and the chocolate-coloured cup marks left behind on those same tables. I am sure they'd consider it aroma therapy; me, not so much.

This past weekend, I replenished the candy cupboard. It is a December tradition to fill the jars in my glass cabinets in the kitchen with goodies like scotch mints, candy canes, peepermint crunch junior mints and candy cane kisses. The scent of peppermint hangs in  the air every time one of my kids opens their mouths.

I am not sure why I started this insanity, but it does give me something to do in the long boring days of January: I can take endless trips to the dentist to pass the time!

Last, but not least, we put up our (real) Christmas tree. Every morning, I walk out into my living room and breathe in the scent that truly lets you know Christmas is near - the unmistakable scent of a Christmas tree.

You just can't bottle (or light) that!!

Now, if only I could get inspired to bake! For we all know that is the best scent of all.

I think a snow day is in order?

**********************************

Big thanks to Danielle the Design Girl for my holiday banner make-over! I am so pleased with it! Isn't she the best?

If you're in the mood for give-aways, head on over to her blog for some great ones!

Matthew Mead Holiday Style...

Did your pulse quicken when you read that title? For those of you who enjoyed Matthew Mead's Holiday magazine (December, 2006), you well know how wonderful he is at delivering holiday style. Although another Holiday magazine would be the perfect gift to bring you, I have the next best thing. Over at Matthew's website, he has served up delicious and beautiful holiday fare as only he can do.

Here is a sneak peek at some of what you will find:

There is also a winter flip book and you can access the entire e-zine with a membership to the site. Also, enjoy a browse through his past editions for endless inspiration for every season.

Oh, and how could I forget? Have you ever paired chocolate with gingerbread? Lucky for us, Matthew has; and he shares his recipe for the chocolate gingerbread cake you see in the collage above. Enjoy it all, and don't forget the whipped cream!!

Chocolate Gingerbread Cake

Makes 12 servings.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon Ginger, Ground

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon Cinnamon, Ground

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup molasses

1 egg

1 cup boiling water

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, ginger, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon in medium bowl. Set aside.

2. Beat butter, sugar and molasses in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Mix in egg. Add flour mixture alternately with water, stirring just until mixed. Pour into greased 9-inch square baking pan.

3. Bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Invert cake onto wire rack to cool completely.

4. Melt 8 ounces of chocolate and spread over the cake. Dress with fresh berries.

December Countdown...

Am I the only one feeling the holidays approaching at break-neck speed? It is only two days in and my calendar is already pretty full. Today was Sophie's 9th birthday party - her real birthday is on the 3rd... tomorrow - and the entire day was about preparing, decorating, and entertaining.

All I can say is I'm glad that is over!!

Does that make me a bad mum?

On December 1st, I brought out the chocolate calendars. Like a fool and her money, I bought the kids the Lindor chocolate version. The boys had outgrown the  fake chocolate within the dollar store calendars and told me they'd rather pass on the tradition. So, rather than give it up completely, I splurged on the Lindor version. Sentimentality ruled my wallet...

Does that make me a frivolous and stupid person?

I treated the kids to some pancakes that morning and Sophie suggested I make them in Christmas shapes. Apparently, chocolate chips in their pancakes should be more visually appealing, so I did my best. Only, it's not so easy to get a pancake out of a cookie cutter without mutilating it - thus defeating the purpose.

Does that make me a bad cook?

I also packed a candy cane in their lunches, but then started worrying that Sophie might choke on it during recess, so I took hers back out of her lunch box.

Does that make me neurotically over-protective?

I did some decorating on that same day, but still feel stumped on how to decorate my mantel. I did sneak a quick snap of some of my exterior lights....in my nightgown...but bolted back inside when I heard my neighbour start his truck, knowing he had seen me in my grubby flannels.

What does that make me?

A blogger!!

And one who is long overdue for a decent post due to too many life distractions.

Though I'm not sure this qualifies as a decent post!!

**************************

Sophie and Jack say, "Happy Holidays!!"