'TIS THE SEASON!

Hi everybody!  I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season!  It's just two weeks until Christmas and believe it or not...I'm actually calm.  I finally sat down and made a list of all the gifts I have to buy, all the recipes I want to bake, all the things I need for Christmas dinner, and all the parties we have to go to.  Do I feel better?  Yes, there is something very satisfying about a list (although I'm prone to losing them!).  Even more satifying to cross things off!  I'm doing pretty good.  Remember that Banana Nut Pound Cake recipe I showed you last week?  This is it.  Note the little measuring spoons that say kisses, hugs, joy, etc.

It doesn't look as pretty as the one in the picture because they used a bundt pan and I couldn't find mine.  It may have been tossed out when we redid the kitchen last year.  I used a spring form pan and it came out perfect and delicious.  I've made some cookie dough to stash in the freezer and next I want to make salt dough ornaments...I've never tried that but they are SO darling.  Anywho, if you want to try this cake you can find it on BHG.com. under December recipes.  By the way, I received my January issue of BHG and it as dismal as the month sounds.  Very thin, as if they are even having problems finding anything of interest in January to write about.  Oh, except for organizing.  I have spent the last few weeks organizing in getting ready for the holidays.  Why would I wait...especially if I have guests that might decide to take a peek in the medicine cabinet?

No decorating yet, but I did pack up the fall stuff and saw this hurricane in my laundry room and brought it up.  It's about the only festive thing I have out right now.  Emily left for Aruba last night and I realized how I've come to depend on her to help me decorate (she's an interior designer).   She always has new and fresh ideas and she works fast and efficiently, while I sort of stand there and ponder where I'll put what.  She emailed me from the airport...I'm homesick already!

Well, I promised I would show you my orange garland.  This is how I strung the slices so they wouldn't turn sideways.

I just eyeballed how far apart I wanted them.

I hung a stand in the kitchen window.  I think I am going to attach an evergreen garland behind it to jazz it up and make it better able to see.  I really liked doing this.  It smells delicious and I thought limes might be nice, too, keeping with Christmas colors!

And here's a peek of it in the morning.  It's cute.

The Husband and I got up very early this morning and found our Christmas tree.  No elves there this year, maybe they only come out at night.  This is a Douglas FIRbanks, Jr.   I skipped AWhreatha Franklin because they were $30.00, half the price of the tree!  I have seen enough tutorials on how to make a wreath and now I am more determined than ever.  We're letting the branches drop before we put on the lights and ornaments.  Then I will spiff up the house in all my holiday colors.

And on the wedding front, Emily found her wedding shoes.  They are beautiful!  It's hard to see how these crystals really sparkle.  Her dress is in and she's going to go for the fitting in January.  She has her jewelry and recently registered at Macy's and Crate & Barrel.  I had a blast helping her!

On a serious note, The Husband is having his surgery tomorrow.  He'll be in the hospital for at least a week.  I really thought I was ready for this but yesterday I was really down...worried, scared, depressed and anxious all at once.  It really hit me that I was going to see him in pain for the first time in our lives.  That I would be with him all day and come home at night alone.  Life is so filled with curve balls.  Today I resolved to be strong, positive and purposeful.  He has been fasting for 24 hours already and the surgery isn't until noon tomorrow.  I feel so bad for him.  Yesterday I made a huge Sunday dinner for him and baked cookies.  Your prayers would be so appreciated.

Well, I have to go now.  I might bring my laptop to the hospital if possible but if I don't you know why I haven't visited.  I can keep track of comments and emails on my phone.  I've loaded up my Nook with new books and magazines and when he has visitors I can sneak off to Michigan Ave. 2 blocks away to Christmas shop.  Now, be good elves and enjoy the spirit of Christmas!  :)