Merry Christmas!

Just in Time!

Several bloggers sponsored giveaways from Marley Lilly in the last few months. Unfortunately I didn't win, but I did head over to their site and ordered a few scarves for Christmas gifts! They arrived on Tuesday and are now on their way to their new homes! I love the way they turned out and the customer service was excellent! And, the prices can't be beat!

Yes, even though I have TONS left to do, I took the day yesterday and rode to Spartanburg SC with husband. He had a job to do and I have gone with him a few times in the past, so when he asked if I wanted to ride along, I said sure! While he packages up chemicals and such, I go shopping or hang out at McDonalds drinking coffee and reading a book. (I haven't figured out where there is a good coffee shop, so McD's has to do for me!)
Wouldn't you know we were right outside Spartanburg when my phone rang and it was the nurse from son's school. He was in her office and he had a fever of 100.7. I felt really awful because when he woke up he said he didn't feel well, but I thought he was just trying to get out of his mid-terms, so I told him to suck it up and get ready for school! I am such a bad mom! I explained to the nurse that i was out of town and gave her a neighbor's number to try. Of course the neighbor was gone and so, long story short, son stayed in the sick room almost all day until neighbor finally go there to take him home. When she did get him his temp was up to 102!
I took him to the doctor today and he has a sinus infection. Got three prescriptions filled and hoping we will be as good as new soon!
Now, just trying to get some gifts wrapped as we are leaving in the morning for my parent's house for the weekend.

10 Days Until Christmas!

I still haven't finished shopping! This is so unlike me!
I haven't baked a thing! Well, I did make one thing but I took it to daughter's school.
I just mailed our Christmas cards! And here I was complaining that we had hardly received any so far.
We go to my parent's house this weekend and I still don't have all the gifts I need. And, in the middle of all the holiday bustle, I decide to paint the room that is over our garage to make a new bedroom for son! Just call me crazy!

Chocolate Caramel Brittle

You may have already had this recipe before, but I just discovered it and made it for our teachers at the middle school.
OH. MY. WORD! It is DEVINE! And easy, which makes it even better!

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL BRITTLE

1 sleeve saltines

2 sticks butter

1 cup brown sugar

12 ounces chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 11-17 baking pan with foil. Lay saltines in a single layer in pan, sides touching. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and heat to boiling for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour butter/sugar mixture over saltines, making sure to cover all of them. Bake for 7 minutes. Melt chocolate chips in microwave for 2-3 minutes until they are completely melted when you stir them. Spread them on top of the saltines, covering completely. Refrigerate until completely cooled and hardened. Break into pieces.

Not sure where I first found this recipe, I had copied it into a little pad I keep my the computer to make notes on!

How Many More Days Until Christmas?

I have finally finished putting up the Christmas decorations inside the house! Now, I still have outside to do but that doesn't take very long.... we're pretty low key outside. Things have been so busy I didn't think I would ever get everything done!
Yesterday was the teacher Christmas lunch that the PTSA hospitality committee puts on and of which I am chairman. It was fantastic! We had so much food and the teachers really enjoyed it. Of course I was so busy making sure platters were filled and everyone was having a great time that I never did get around to taking any photos. Take my word, it was very nice. I had my committee members bring their silver pieces and we used that on the buffet table. It looked great and the parents who made food really stepped up and made their most unique party food. I was so tired when I got home, I was in a bubble bath and in my pajamas by 7:30!
Now, I am usually finished with all my shopping by Dec. 1st, but for some reason I just couldn't get it together this year. I have one more week before school is out, so I'd better get hopping!
Drove through the neighborhood tonight and so many have their yards decorated already. I just love looking at the Christmas lights and the more the better, just so it's in someone else's yard! There is one guy in the neighborhood that goes all out. I noticed tonight that he has two life size animated Santas in the yard! I love it!
I made a super easy candy on Tuesday... I'll post the recipe tomorrow and if you've never tried it, you must! Easy and delicious!