Ahh, the smells of Christmas.

One thing is for sure, I don't need any stupid candle that smells like baked cookies to make my house smell good. I have started making Christmas treats. So far I have made Chex Party Mix, Oyster Crackers with dry Hidden Valley and dill spice, and 18 pounds of fudge. I still have the Puppy Chow and Chocolate Covered Pretzels yet to go.
The kids decided to get into the mix yesterday and dug out my 1001 Cookie Reciepe cook book. Kaitlin and T.J. decided to make gingerbread and butter balls. While we were at Wal-Mart getting the gifts for the Keazer gift exchange we picked up the items we needed to bake those cookies. They got the butter balls done, sort of. I didn't help them a bit. This was their first solo project baking. You know, they can't do anything without fighting. The butter balls are a little on the dry side and some don't really resemble balls, but they are so proud of their efforts. They took some next door to Anthony and Alyssa. Alyssa said "They taste like biscuts with powderd sugar". I explained the difference between baking and cooking. Not all cooks bake and not all bakers cook. I also told them they will never get good at it if they never try it. So, today they will tackle the gingerbread. We aren't making men, just cookies. I didn't have the cash for all the decorations and I don't own a cookie cutter. I made this executive decision after doing quick math in my head and realizing I am broke from Christmas shopping. I can't wait to see the kitchen after this adventure. However, I impressed upon them the need to clean the kitchen as though they had never entered it in the first place, and they did.
As for me, today, I will finish my treats up and start the labor of wrapping presents. This year T.J and I decided to do the "themed tree" and went with all silver and white for decorations. It looks great. I decided to do the same with the wrapping paper, silver and blue, even the shirt boxes. I think some of Auntie Karen has rubbed off on me. Anyone who has ever seen her packages knows what I am talking about. You would almost rather NOT open them so you don't spoil the wrap job. She makes them look so beutiful. Mine won't look that good I am sure but I will at least make an effort, and they will all match under the tree, this year. I may grow tired of matching things and go back ecclectic which is my true nature I think.