(no subject)

[rivka]

We put up our Christmas tree today, and made our first Christmas cookies. (Probably our only Christmas cookies, unless I become strangely inspired.) This made for a very busy day, but it was helpful to have something exciting and fun for Alex to do while waiting for the tree branches to descend enough to decorate.

I didn't realize until just before we started baking that she was hoping to make the kind of cookies that you roll out and cut with cookie cutters. They aren't a usual part of my holiday baking repertoire - in fact, I don't think I've made rolled sugar cookies since I was a kid. Fortunately, my mother was home when I called her and had a good recipe. Also fortunately, it turns out that things that seem like complicated baking techniques when you are twelve are not so complicated when you're thirty-five.

We were extremely pleased to have acceberskoorb and lynsaurus come over to help decorate the tree and - in an unplanned but fun side effort - the cookies as well. I am always surprised when I stop and consider just how short a time it's been that we've known them, and how rarely we see each other except in passing, because when we do spend time with them they feel like old friends. I don't know why - it's just very, very comfortable to be with them. So yay.

The tree is beautiful. It's a Douglas fir, about 6 feet tall, very full, and beautifully shaped. It was big enough to take all our ornaments, even though it's standing in a corner and no one will be able to see the back. And it smells amazing. Our whole downstairs has a lovely fresh winter smell to it.

Lots of pictures under the cut, including a rare picture in which I love how I look.





I look freakishly not-very-pregnant in this next picture. I think it's just the angle. From above, the Pregnancy Rack of Doom overshadows the belly even now.

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Those are some great pictures. Alex looks very intent in the 3rd and 4th ones.

[ex-serenejo.livejournal.com]

So lovely. We are going to rig up a tree-like thing before the munchkin comes home. She doesn't want us to think it's too important to her for us to have a holiday, but she really would like there to be a (calm) fuss, so we shall make a bit of a fuss. And then a BIG fuss on her birthday, which is a week later, and which has historically been completely brushed aside by her parents.

[txanne.livejournal.com]

Beautiful tree, beautiful family.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Aww, you and Alex on the couch are adorable. So sweet and happy looking!

Pregnancy Rack of Doom

[almeda.livejournal.com]

My boobs are now two cup sizes bigger than they've ever been before in my life.

However, and impressively, the belly's so big that looking at me as a total package my boobs look small.

Re: Pregnancy Rack of Doom

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I went from a D cup to an H cup in the first two months.

But yeah, even so, from most perspectives, I'm all about the belly these days. That's why the top-down perspective was so startling.

[marykaykare.livejournal.com]

That is one gorgeous kid you got going there. And she looks happy too.

I find roll and cut cookies depend heavily on the recipe. I just finished a batch from Martha Steward flavored with cardamom which went really well and easily though a little fiddly. I nearly always roll the dough a bit thicker than the recipe says because I suck with small measurements and better too thick than too thin. Because then they burn. Makes them easier to handle too.

Everyone's coming to decorate our tree and eat cookies and cake and drink tea tomorrow.

Happy Holidays!
MKK

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I hope your tree-decorating was wonderful!

[beaq.livejournal.com]

Wo! What a fine tree, and an exceptional cookie baker.

You guys look great.

[saoba.livejournal.com]

That's a mighty fine lookin' tree you have there- goes well with your beautiful family.

Merry Christmas, dear hearts.

[acceberskoorb.livejournal.com]

I am always surprised when I stop and consider just how short a time it's been that we've known them, and how rarely we see each other except in passing, because when we do spend time with them they feel like old friends

The feeling is mutual! Thank you so much for including us. We had a lovely time!

[lynsaurus.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Thanks so much. Our visit will be a treasured memory for years to come.

Family shots

[hazelchaz]

Excellent! Everyone in one picture! Good work.

And speaking of good work, I understand Alex wanting cookie-cutter cookies. Those are the most fun -- and like with the decorating of the cookies, it gives the kid some control over which shapes to use.

I'm delighted to see your happy family. Thank you for sharing your stories and pictures. You give hope to us all.