Happy Thoughts: The Christmas Edition

The tree turned out nice this year.

Happy Holidays, lovely readers!

I hope they've been wonderful and merry and bright. I hope they continue that way all the way into the new year. (2012!! Can you believe it's only five days away?)

My holidays have been splendid so far!

I got an e-reader for Christmas - yes, dear reader: I will soon join the ranks of the Kindle- or NOOK-lovers. But unfortunately, it can't be a happy thought for THIS month. I need to go pick one out and purchase it, and first, I'm trying to read my way through all my hard copies before I get too excited about my new toy and its digital library. (But I am SO excited. - Can you tell? I'll be able to buy my OWN e-book. SQUEE!!)

Another awesome gift came from my sister. Does anyone remember this show?

Click through to check it out on Hulu.com

We loved it when we were kids! It ranked right up there with Disney's TV series for Chronicles of Narnia. Because she's awesome and thoughtful, she gave me the box set - definitely a new Happy Thought.

Another Happy Thought?

(It's the holidays. I'm full of happy thoughts this time of year. :-P)

I'm going to make cookies these evening! Giant Oatmeal Spice Cookies to be more specific. They're my very favorite cookies in the whole world (outranking even my ginger chocolate chip cookies!). Probably because I only let myself make them this time of year, which makes them extra special.

Here's the recipe in case you want to try it out: 

Giant Oatmeal Spice Cookies

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground ginger
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups quick cooking oats, uncooked
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)


Combine flour, soda, salt, and spices; set aside.

Combine butter and sugar, creaming well.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Add flour mixture, mixing well.  Stir in oats and nuts.

Drop dough by ¼ cup measure, five inches apart onto lightly greased cookie sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned. 

Yield about two dozen.

NOTE: You can also convert these to regular-sized cookies. For spoon-sized drops, my oven cooks them at 375 for 8.5 minutes. (Your oven may be different!)

Adventures in Un-Decorating

I know it's a little late for Christmas decorations. When I realized how fast February was coming, I figured it was probably time to take them down.

I had a reason for my sluggishness! I promise! One of my novels takes place just before Christmas and features prominently in the story. My mother wanted to take the decorations down multiple times, but I said, No! I need it! I must keep in the Christmas spirit while editing! My mother was very supportive, like she always is. (I may have also inflicted Christmas carols on my family for several weeks too long, but only my little brother complained.)

Of course, this excuse can't be used anymore since I sent in that manuscript on Thursday. :-/

Also, the tree was looking a little dry.


We had to unplug the tree for fire-hazard reasons a few weeks ago. :-(

I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it say, the un-decorating was also an adventure.

There were mishaps. :-o


And when I took the tree outside (the plan is to let it dry out until the snow disappears and then chop it up for kindling), the snow proved more treacherous than expected.


It's hard to tell from this picture, but I sank in the snow! All the way up to my waist! Instead of slogging further, I threw the tree as far as I could (see picture) and spent five minutes trying to dig myself out.

Sadly, now that the tree is gone, and the stockings, the cabin looks a little bare and a little empty.

Whoops! Looking around at the cabin just now, dreaming up new decorating possibilities, I just noticed I missed the mistletoe. There might be a reason for that.

Points to those who can find it!

Off now to find a ladder....