A Christmas Card for You

1, 2, 3 . . . We Count Up 2008:

1—number of “snow kitties” we’ve made in the front yard this season (so far)
2—days we spent in a hotel when a tree hit our house and cars during a storm
3—the age Sis and Bud turned this year
4—trips to the beach with Ma, Gong, and Goo
5—different times we rode horse-drawn carriages at Mystic Seaport, Old Sturbridge Village, and Lyman Orchards
6—number of outs we saw of the baseball game at historic Yankee Stadium
7—the number of stuffed critters Sis and Bud each have in their beds
8—months Mama and I have been vegetarians
9—of September: Bud and Sis's first day of preschool!
10—the number we can count to in Chinese (we take classes every week)
11— number of years Mama and I have been together (and we got married last night!)
12—number of craft projects I seem to have going at once!
13—number of dozens of cookies we must have made this year!
14—times we’ve seen our cats Albus and Hermione scale the curtains in our living room
15— average number of hits per day on this blog
16—weeks the kids have been out of diapers!!!!
17—total number of days Gommie has visited us so far (and she and Pop are here now)
18—months Mama has been at her job (and loves it!)
19—of July: Aunt Banana and Uncle Soccer’s wedding! Sis was flower girl and Bud was “ringer”
20—dollars: what everything costs when Sis and Bud are playing store

Happy Holidays and a Happy 2009 to you and your family!


Holiday Recipes (we always send at least one)
We made candy this year for Bud and Sis's teachers. These recipes were the most fun to make!

“Christmas Pretzels”
mini pretzels (or whatever pretzel you like; big sticks are pretty but the chocolate ratio isn't always good)
chocolate chipssprinkles/jimmies

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave (1 minute; stir; 30 seconds; stir; and the last two steps until almost melted--they will melt when stirred. Don't over microwave. It usually takes 1-1 ½ minutes).

Dip pretzels in chocolate. Dip in sprinkles. Let dry on rack or aluminum foil. Store in airtight container.Or just eat them all right then.


Peppermint Bark
Makes about 32 pieces
12 oz. white baking chips
½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy cane (approximately 6 candy canes)

Microwave white baking chips 1 minute and then in additional increments of 20 seconds, stirring after each, until almost melted. Stir until completely melted.

Add crushed peppermint candies, stirring until mixed. Spread mixture thinly onto aluminum foil-lined cookie sheet.

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in airtight container.