Each and every time I plan to write a blog post I have the best of intentions. In my head my post is filled with Christmas warmth and loving stories.
However, by the time I actually sit down to write the post all I can think about is how frazzled I am and how I just got done yelling at the kids again. Merry Christmas, everybody! Ho, ho, ho! And all that crap. Whatever.
*sigh*
So...
I will attempt to make this post about Christmas goodies, mmm-kay?
I won't even tell you what a completely crazy mess yesterday was, and how I honestly did not sit down all day (or eat) until 9 o'clock last night when we got home from Joey's very late basketball game. I won't even mention the massive migraine I got last night after all the craziness. And I won't tell you how today was the last day of school (complete with class parties and a talent show), I bought and wrapped 40 small gifts for our family Christmas/Eve dice game, and I went grocery shopping and packed everyone's stuff for a trip up north this weekend. All before noon when I had to pick up the boys from school. And I still have a migraine hangover.
But, alas, I will not talk about that! Nope. It will not make the Christmas cut. This is my Christmas fun post! Or something.
I will instead tell you about Grace's lovely haircut. Grace has been begging to cut her hair for a while now (probably since I cut mine- even though it made her bawl). She was just so tired of all the snarls and she wanted a change. I finally gave in. And I cut it myself.
I was extremely nervous about cutting her hair. Sure, I cut the boys' hair all the time, but that is different. This is a real cut. And straight hair is difficult to cut too.
This is Grace the morning before her haircut at her Christmas party.
This is Grace shortly (puns!) after her haircut. Super cute!
Also sweet? This recipe I found for Cinnamon Pecans. My favorites! We always get them when we go to Cabelas and now I can make them myself. They are even better homemade. I am in trouble!
And I'm sharing the trouble with you!
Crock Pot Cinnamon Pecans (you could also use almonds or cashews)
Great holiday gift idea! (if you don't eat them all yourself)
Ingredients:
1 C. Sugar
2 C. Brown Sugar
4 Tbsp. Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Salt
2 Egg White
3 tsp. vanilla
6 Cups Pecans
1/4 C. Water
Directions:
In a medium sized bowl, mix together sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. In another medium sized bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla until it’s a little frothy. Add pecans. Make sure the pecans are thoroughly coated in the egg white mixture. Add cinnamon mixture to the pecans and toss until coated.
Thoroughly spray the stoneware of your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray and add the mixture of pecans and sugars.
Cook on low ( with the lid on) 3-4 hours stirring every 20 minutes. In the last hour, add the 1/4 C. of water and stir well. This ensures a crunchy yummy coating. (*make sure after you’ve added the water that you continue to cook the nuts for another 45 minutes to an hour.)
Great holiday gift idea! (if you don't eat them all yourself)
Ingredients:
1 C. Sugar
2 C. Brown Sugar
4 Tbsp. Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Salt
2 Egg White
3 tsp. vanilla
6 Cups Pecans
1/4 C. Water
Directions:
In a medium sized bowl, mix together sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. In another medium sized bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla until it’s a little frothy. Add pecans. Make sure the pecans are thoroughly coated in the egg white mixture. Add cinnamon mixture to the pecans and toss until coated.
Thoroughly spray the stoneware of your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray and add the mixture of pecans and sugars.
Cook on low ( with the lid on) 3-4 hours stirring every 20 minutes. In the last hour, add the 1/4 C. of water and stir well. This ensures a crunchy yummy coating. (*make sure after you’ve added the water that you continue to cook the nuts for another 45 minutes to an hour.)
You have to stir really well, especially as it gets later in the cooking process.
Line a baking sheet with parchment and spread the pecans flat to cool. The pecans will be sticky at this point, so make sure you separate them a little and have no large mounds.
Line a baking sheet with parchment and spread the pecans flat to cool. The pecans will be sticky at this point, so make sure you separate them a little and have no large mounds.
There you have it! A fabulous holiday treat!
I hope you find some time to relax this weekend and try to enjoy the holiday madness. I haven't perfected it yet, but I am still trying. In the meantime I plan on sitting in front of the fire all weekend up north with a good book. Let's see how that pans out.
13 comments:
Awe...super cute haircut! Hope your book is a good one! Merry Christmas!
I hope you are recovering from your migraine. They are the worst. And, you wrapped 40 gifts? I'm super impressed...I would have bailed on that, I think.
Gracie's hair looks so stinking cute.
And, the pecans? I would eat all of them!
I hope you get to BREATHE and enjoy your Christmas.
Her hair is delightfully cute!
Thanks all! I certainly think Grace looks cute though I admit the bangs are a tad short. Her hair grows so fast and I figured they will be perfect by Christmas. We are on our way to the cabin now, hoping for some relaxation. The snow is making the 3 hr drive more like 5 but hopefully we will be there soon. Have a good weekend all!
FIVE MORE DAYS! Hang in there!
I like Grace's haircut. The little flip on the ends is a nice touch.
Once in a while I cut my kids' hair too. I should do it more often, because it cost a ton of money for a shampoo, blowout, and so-called "ironworks." This is a time when dry hair has its benefits. Shampooing out the ironworks isn't necessary within the next day or two. The straightened hair lasts a little longer. Of course, they can't sweat during that time. :)
ps. We only go to the salon when we need a haircut. My three girls now do their own hair which makes me very happy.
Buy some brown paper lunch bags. Buy some Christmas stickers. Put in your various party gifts and staple them shut...add a ribbon if you feel terribly guilty or get the kids to decorate! Promise you will get some rest, see a doctor for the migraines and watch that you eat three small meals a day! OK, done being a mommy.
She looks so pretty and so grown up! And you, young lady, need to start saying no to some stuff. Just reading about your schedule is stressin me. Hope you get to slow down now and have a merry Christmas! Oh, and on the pecans: you had me until 'stir every 20 minutes for 3-4 hours'. In my mind, that reads, "Burn the pecans because you forgot about them." Otherwise they sound great!
Chrissy- that is exactly what I thought when I read that too. However I did it when I was home doing laundry and wrapping gifts so it wasn't that bad. I stirred about every 30 or 40or so. Also? Tell me what I can say no to. I will be happy to oblige. It is seriously crazy around here. BUT school is out now so I expect it to beuxh easier now. Especially since I nearly killed myself getting everything done before this weekend. ;)
Be much easier. Not beuxh. ;)
Grace looks adorable with her hair cut! Those pecans sound interesting, will have to make them sometime!
I do hope you have a bit of restful weekend!
I have another private journal I wrote in, called "This Too Will Pass" because truly all the stressful hard times in our lives, they do pass (until the next one, LOL) and we sometimes wonder how we will survive that particular stress (and I pray you don't have the stress I did with my kids, LOL), but truly it does pass. These crazy days will eventually pass; just try to enjoy them the best you can, as hard as it might be dealing with it all.
(sorry, I realize I do leave typos in my comments, that's funny coming from someone in my line of work :)
betty
You are seriously Super Mom!
Grace's hair is adorable and I think she looks more like you now.
Merry Christmas! xoxo
Adorable haircut! And she looks so much like you:)
And I'm so envious that she still naps! My son did until kindergarten, but not my girls:)
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