Calm Before the Storm

This is a transition Sunday.  Hubby heading to VA for the week.  The big cookie baking and cooking prep starts tomorrow so I have a day off, so to speak -- calm before the storm.  I think I'll watch a couple of Christmas movies -- I loaded a few on Prime and Netflix.  I'll make a soup (or two) to help me through the week.  I'm cleaning out the freezer for December ahead of fresh cook-ups in January.  I also plan a little book shopping for me.  NPR came out with top 2020 books and I can't resist.  I've read about 10 of them, but the list is long.

I made a yummy dip yesterday -- easy peasy.  Cream cheese, sharp cheddar, sour cream, chives, ham, bacon.  Mix and bake in a hollowed out bread for an hour.  Serve with bread and crackers.  Hubby loved it.  Cleaning out some leftover ham, sour cream and cream cheese.

I decided to NOT wear The Green Dress for Christmas because it's too dressed up for the kitchen duties those days.  I thought about ordering a green top to wear and I can't find anything that looks interesting.  I settled on a red gingham apron from Amazon.  $10.  Should feel festive.

We settled on the menu too.  Kids are making cookies instead of pie and we're saving tiramisu for a day in January.  This begs the question ... should I make another slush cake?!?!  I'm hard leaning toward YES (*as my mouth starts to water*).  It requires me to basically buy every ingredient I need so that's the only hang up.  Dessert is my jam for the holidays this year.  I can eat 2 of the cookies I'm making, the chocolate for Christmas Eve and that's all.  Is that enough?  Maybe I could add another of my favorite cookies to the mix instead.  Nope -- I really want the slush cake.  Decided.  

I'm doing a quick "experiment" with intentional gathering per Priya Parker's interview with Brene Brown.  Zoom call with the high school gals where we show our favorite Christmas decoration.  I think that has a little fun flair and can connect us with holiday memories.  It's also a little fun leading to the call as we decide what to highlight.  

As I mentioned, the week is full.  Baking and cooking for the freezer.  Installation of our sunshades on the porch Tuesday (all outside, so no contact).  Early voting -- ugh.  And, maybe my last coaching call with Holly (she's moving away from this type of coaching in 2021).  Lots and lots.  My plan is to be present and enjoy it all.  

Have a happy day.  Stay well in this madhouse world.  Later gators.