Every year, every December, without fail, I get sick. Last year, I managed to escape with just a cold. Usually it’s more like the walking dead … you know the kind … in bed, covers pulled up, lights out, full do not disturb mode. Yesterday it hit. The small meal I just had for dinner was the first time I have eaten since yesterday morning. It was that bad. But now, thankfully, I am starting to feel a little more human again. At the very least, I’m sitting upright in a lit room without holding my head.
It’s always the week before Christmas, when I need to be at my absolute best, because there’s still so much left to do. I still have Christmas cards to get in the mail (although I do have all the pieces done), cookies to bake (now slated for Sunday), a Christmas Eve menu to decide and … yikes … Christmas shopping left to finish!
Last weekend, we took the kids (and dog!) to go get the annual Christmas picture taken. After spending about half an hour with the photographer, I was completely convinced that we would not be getting any usable shots. When he saw Eli (the dog), he asked if he was going to be in the picture (um, yeah, we usually just wander around the store with our 120+ dog). Then he wanted to know if Eli’s fur was real. The Husband and I just looked at each other. He followed that up by asking everyone’s names … twice, and what picture combinations I wanted … twice. And then he wanted to know if I had any ideas for what I wanted him to do. Seriously. Folks, common sense just ain’t so common anymore.
Since it was one of those while-you-wait places, we killed some time by visiting with Santa and then headed back to check out the pictures. Surprisingly enough, he actually took 5 very good pictures, so no more judging a photographer by his conversation or retention skills, or lack thereof.
And that picture up there of Madeline? I took that right before he told me that I couldn’t take pictures inside their studio. Yeah, sure. If he had been taking pictures of the kids at that time, I would completely understand. Not so much when he hadn’t even set up or unpacked his camera. Must’ve been afraid I’d get a better shot and wouldn’t want his. Puh-leeze.
So … back to cookies. Nicholas and I are going to be spending the entire day Sunday baking cookies for assorted cookie trays and gifts. I think the plan is to make 5 different recipes total, and then we’ll divvy them all up for assorted bags and platters. I know we’re definitely making Mexican Wedding Cookies and a Cinnamon-Nut Spice Cookie that is still my favorite cookie thus far, but what else? I need help and inspiration. Help a poor girl out!
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Inspiration…heck, I need some too – lol.
how about jam thumbprints, snickerdoodles, gingerbread men, peppermint bark (no baking required!), peanut butter suprises, peanut butter kisses… just to name a few ideas! ;)
I hope we get to see a finished product of these pictures! Sick time is no fun…I know I was just praying that I wouldn’t get sick last week during our Christmas program…I don’t think a sick Mary would have been very good!
You could do some fudge or those peanut butter balls you’ve done before. Molasses cookies always seem to make my family happy. I also think that the peanut butter cup cookies/tassies are good…and who wouldn’t like a Nicholas-decorated sugar cookie!
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I’m glad to hear you are feeling better, Cate!
Those picture places stress me out… I hire them to know what to do and to have the ideas. Grrrrr.
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I’ve not really seen a photographer who is good with kids at places like those.
Glad you’re feeling better. Merry Christmas to all!