Kid Heaven.

 Every holiday season The Little Girls and I make Gingerbread houses. They pick out the candy and wait anxiously for me to make frosting, build the graham cracker homes and place them at the table.

 Two fresh graham cracker canvases.

 The sweets.

 What happens to a gingerbread house when it is overladen with heavy sugary candies?

This just about broke Savannah's heart.

"Mommy can fix anything" she said, so I did.

 

 Ivy's "ginger-man house", she licked every piece of candy she touched.

Antique Faire-December Edition.

 The thrill of the hunt never dies at the Sacramento Antique Faire. It was a beautiful Sunday morning for December, a month very testy weather-wise for an outdoor market. I took very little home, spent more on food than antiques, but I found myself finding objects I would love to give as gifts if only it were in my budget.

 For my sister-in-law Jenny, we drove ALL OVER Orlando, Florida looking for lawn flamingos-to no avail...here they are in our own backyard.

 Joshlynn, we were just talking about chenille throws yesterday!!

 

This poster I really wanted for myself, I adore it. But could I afford the $85 price tag, I would have given it to Sharon along with these baskets and burlap sacks...very French.

 

 

For Bethany of Rinse Repeat, this is your color and seems like you, and can I just say...I am completely starstruck from your comment on this blog. I admit to squealing and jumping up and down. For reals.

These are the real deal. $255, never worn and a complete deal in terms of Louboutin. Size 8. Too big for me and I am so unsure of my girlfriends' shoe sizes...I couldn't think of an owner for these girls but had to post their photo.

 These tinsel trees were fancy, and not a one for sale (why, oh WHY?). 

These for Jeni, I wished you were there.

 

 

Weak.

Honey Hutters, 

Just stopping by briefly to check in. My creativity (and life) has been under the control of a searing headache these last two days, I simply cannot kick it's shadow but desperately wish to. Wishing you a happy weekend, I'm hoping to beat this thing and do that baking I crave with or without Tim's help reaping the rewards. Have a happy weekend and as always, thanks for stopping by The Hut.

(photo as dated, traveling by train somewhere between Austria and Italy)

Stick It To Me.

 The Little Girls got large sticker books from their Aunt Angela, they spend at least a half hour before bed playing and arranging them on...the wall.

 Savannah's

 Ivy's

Last night when Ivy asked me to snuggle her in her bed while Tim and Savannah read The Chronicles of Narnia in the living room, it was I who was the canvas to her artistic sensibilities. What is really wrong with this picture is how I've passed out and she couldn't be more awake!?!?

 

Yes, Please.

My Baking Itch needs some scratching...if I knew that I would have Tim's help consuming Christmas cookies, I'd be in the kitchen instead of drooling over this post. But alas, Tim has cut out sugar (cold turkey, literally no sugar except 1 cube in his coffee each morning) since early October. So between The Little Girls and I well, I'm just not sure we need this quantity (including Tim's portion) of sugar during flu season. I might break down, and if I do I will make these holiday treats. Someone will have to come over to help me in the joy of celebrating...any takers?

 Peppermint Whoopie Pies

 Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies.

 Surprise Cookies.

Buttery Lemon Squares.

Chocolate Thumbprints.

Comfort and Joy.

 

My Mom's Macaroni and Cheese recipe is a classic. Nothing compares, of course I was born and buttered on it's creaminess. She used various types of cheeses and different shaped pasta yet it always tasted the same...yummy. Here you go:

Macaroni and Cheese-Patty style

Boil 1/2 box of pasta in salted water, cook according to box instructions.

In a sauce pan melt 1 Tablespoon butter on medium heat, 

when melted whisk 1/4 cup flour (this makes a rue, or a thick paste of butter and flour).

To the rue, add 1 cup milk and whisk until thickened. 

Add 1 cup cheese (I use sharp cheddar). 

As cheese melts, add a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper too.

Add drained pasta to cheese sauce, serves four.

Our main accomplishment this weekend was finding a Christmas tree, we weren't able work it out schedule-wise for our Tree Hunting Tradition, but we made due and found a solid tree.

 Ivy wanted this one...too small.

Savannah and Tim on the hunt.

All In A Week.

 Hello Honey Hutters!
It's good to be back after a week off, here is what we did while taking a break from The Honey Hut.

Thanksgiving Eve, Jeni and I went on a little road trippin' adventure to Reno to see Sara Bareilles in concert at the Knitting Factory. Sara did not disappoint. If this Northern California girl is ever in your area, do not miss a chance to see her perform live. She is very talented and the kind of girl you want to be friends with.

Jeni and I in a silly self photo. I blame the blurriness on the quick snapping of the lens due to oncoming traffic and an outside temperature of 3 degrees. Yes, 3.

 

Thanksgiving at the three J's (Jared, Jenny and Jackson's house).

Savannah and Sydney, cousins and Squaw's.

My Pilgrim.

The whole family, I love this photo and the people in it.

A new generation of cousins.

The sweetest thing. Baby Jack.

On Black Friday we skipped the crowds and headed east to Tahoe with Tim's family (thank you Margaret and Gordon!). The mountains were in full snowy splendor, demanding the start of the Christmas Season.

Little Botting's and Botting's of the male variety.

More Botting's.

Marriot's Timber Lodge couldn't have been more ideal for our group. It is so centrally located for whatever activity anyone might desire including planned kids activities by the hour. The Little Girls got their faces painted every afternoon, complete with warm cookies and a new shiny balloon.

Savannah and her Grandpa Gordon.