you would think....

 ....that life would slow down when the kids grew up and started moving out.  I guess it really has, I mean, I was at a gathering at my niece's place today, and I just relaxed, had a delicious cup of coffee, and shh, a peanut butter cookie (Jonathan made them last night, mmm!).  I had gone to the pool, then home to make a batch of sugar cookie dough, then a batch of ginger bread cookie dough.  That alone took over an hour.  I vacuumed, did some laundry, and puttered a bit, then sat down for a few minutes before getting up to make up a cookie plate to bring to Becky's, one for the man who works at the dump, and one for our old friend Joe.  

When I got home, I decided to go out before the snow rolls in to get what we need for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Cam asked if we could get orange juice for Christmas morning.  Ha, we used to drink it all the time, but then realized it isn't actually that good for you, so now it's a treat.  Cinnamon rolls too, for Christmas morning.  For Christmas Eve, we might have smoked brisket (Darius), I'll smoke some ribs, and a big pot of homemade meatballs.  Also, some of this little hot dogs in the crescent rolls, and chips and dip, and cut out cookies, and fudge.  

For Christmas Day, I have a brown sugar cured spiral ham, some potatoes to either roast or bake or make mashies with, depending on who is here and who feels like doing what, ha.  There is unsweetened applesauce and a bag of apples to make some yummy baked applesauce, and some green beans, and rolls. 

Home again...I wrapped a few presents after switching laundry over, then we headed back out the door to visit our friend Joe.  He gave us a bottle of wine for Christmas, we gave him a plate of cookies.  Then to Becky's to get my coat that I left there today, then home...again.

Dinner time...I had bought some cubed steak, and a marked down sirloin, and had to cook them, no problem, yum.  I also had a big bowl of salad.  

Now the day has gone by, and the house is amazingly cozy.  All the soft white string lights, the tree too, and the little fake fireplace with it's hum and warmth and fake flames flickering, I do love this season.  

Tomorrow, I plan to stay home.  I can't bake those cookies yet as our freezer space has been taken over, venison, but I have presents to wrap.  And Miss Char's room to vacuum.  Maybe I'll bag up the stocking stuff so I can see what I have for whom.  (I am only doing three stockings this year, Jon, Char, and Cam)

So no, life isn't as busy as it used to be way back when there were babies and toddlers and small children, and big children, and teenagers too.  But I keep busy, alternating that with being super lazy, ha.  I know how to put my feet up.  :). 

This weekend is looking very busy too, but you know what?  I'm not going to think about that right now.  

Have a good evening!