Preparing, and pressing on...

Last week, I was sweating over, and ironing out some details, wanting to add a personalized touch to our well-wishes, instead of having to rely entirely on store-bought gifts. Time wasn't exactly on my side, because we were already running late for stuff meant for those across the miles.



Now I don't want to perpetuate the myth that homemakers have "all the time in the world" to do these things. In reality, unless my memory is failing me, I believe I got to sit down more throughout the day as a working mom, than now as a stay-at-home mom on my feet a lot, even though my job back home wasn't a completely deskbound one!



Maybe it's the busyness of the season, it does seem like the boys are acting up more. Or is it just me? It's not easy to keep my cool, when I'm trying to fit in this and that, on top of our regular day, which itself can be quite crazy, too!

It is also quite a crazy time of the year! Everywhere we go, outside of home and school -- not just the shops but the supermarkets, too, there are long queues, car parks are full, and traffic's crawling at first from the snow that has more or less melted, and now, as Christmas draws near, more and more frenzied shoppers (and drivers)! There are also more road closures, before very soon, a major highway will be shut down for upgrading works, and we can expect more diversion of traffic.



Along the way, with a reminder here and there, including a big one for me not to forget to take care of myself, I pared down our to-do list for Christmas. Because the exhaustion's setting in, and my hands' quite full, as it is.



But it did help that eventually, I chose instead to go with easier options, and simple recipes, and targeted to work on some things at a time. And mostly, to do what comes first, instead of being overly ambitious and wanting to get as much done ahead.

For no matter how early we start, there's always lastminute shopping to do, gifts to wrap, and cards to write out... which I still have to go work on. And I've already got the boys' understanding that I'm "saving" theirs for last, because we have till Christmas Day itself to give them theirs!



A few prezzies are held up, because of a particular service provider's own backlog, and good thing these are meant for our most loved ones, and I know they will understand! So I'm not going to worry about that... too much! Better late than never, no?



Meanwhile, the pictures scattered throughout this post are some gestures on our part, to add a homemade touch. Later, when the time is right, I'll show you a sample or two of what the end-product of that first picture at the top of this post, is all about, too! That one was trickier than I thought, and it took a few tries to get it right.



- The cupcakes were for a year-end party last Sunday, in Jon's Chinese class, that I relied on a boxed cakemix to bake the cake itself -- a real lifesaver when you're strapped for time! Only the frosting I made from scratch (quite easily done, out of powdered sugar, butter, and a bit of vanilla and milk), and used green colouring, and Jon helped add the sprinkles, to give them a festive look. The pink version was especially for the girls, and Lao Shi (the class teacher)!

- The peppermint cookies and chocolate crinkles were for Jon's and Ben's teachers, and a few people Vern does work with. Both recipes were among the simpler ones for Christmassy cookies I came across! Still, it took me all throughout the day to bake them all, on Wednesday, while Ben was in school in the morning, and the last batch was done at about the same time dinner was ready. Also because I drove half the usual amount, and Vern helped keep an eye on Ben! And yes, we've given all of the cookies away, yesterday and today -- while they were at their "freshest"!

- The cards need no explanation. I had grander plans originally, but this way worked well too, when I just left it to the boys and their creative juices, to do what they would, with the glitter glue! For those well-wishes that have gone out though, the recipients get a different version with our faces instead, as a way of saying "We're thinking of you!". Maybe I should have the boys work on such homemade cards first thing, next year.

Admittedly, at the beginning of this week, I was rather overwhelmed. But now that we're about halfway there, perhaps more, I can sit down for a little bit... while the three guys are watching "Man vs Wild" right now! What's next?...



We're really looking foward to our friends coming over tomorrow! Of course, there's also more of the house to clean, and whatever hideous clutter to put away, out of consideration for our guests... really! The husband, whom I ordinarily try not to bother with such chores, has been roped in to help, but for a very good reason! I'm sticking to familiar dishes, and marinading the meat ahead, so hopefully, I won't be working myself up into a frenzy!

You too, if it looks like you may be carried way with the much to do, try to slow down some, OK? Be sure to enjoy yourself! For joy to the world it is, the reason why we celebrate Christmas! =)