Making Christmas and the little Noodle *edit w/pic

[parrishsky]

Okay so as some of you know I had a busy weekend making Christmas. My annual bake fest so I could send my family care packages of home made goodies. Every year I also bring in a plate to work to share with my co-workers. So obviously I was busy with a large amount of baking.

Here's what I accomplished:

Raisin Molasses Gems 3 doz

Potato chip cookies - 4 doz

Chocolate Pepper Sugar cookies - 2 doz

Mexican Wedding balls - 4 doz

Peanut Brittle that didn't turn out like brittle (more like taffy) so I rolled them up into individual candies in wax paper. They are like peanutty taffy and quite yum I might add. Martha always says don't make peanut brittle on humid or rainy days, this is why.... - lots

Fantasy Fudge - 1 recipe, about 60 pcs

Peppermint Bark - 1 recipe, broken into about 40 pcs

Spiced Nuts - 1 recipe - about 5 cups

All the care packages will be sent off today. And the goodies are being enjoyed here at work.

On top of my busy weekend my dd brought home a stray dog, sort of a Maltese poodle mix. Her friend had actually found it wandering and made signs but no one came forward. Her friends dad wouldn't let her keep it anymore and told her to release it and dd's big heart just couldn't see her sent out into the cold. It was in the low 40's this weekend and rainy so hubby and I decided we'd take her in til we found it's owner or someone that wanted her.

Today I got up early, put together my plate of goodies for work, printed and posted signs at the local businesses in the area - Starbucks, post office and grocery stores. I am also going to take her to the shelter to have her scanned for a chip. If she has one we'll be able to find the owner. I hope she wasn't dumped or abandoned. She's scrappy but very cute and friendly. We gave her a bath and warmed her up real nice.

Unfortunately with my cat Cosmo being a Maine Coon we can not keep her. Cosmo litteraly had the dogged pinned like a lion on a zebra. So it's not fair to the dog to live in a home with a cat that's very dominant.

Last night we went to my sisters for dinner (Eggplant parmeson!!!), turkey meatballs and pasta. We brought the dog with us (dd named her Noodles). Hubby named her Lambchop. Anyways, she got along real well with my sisters dog and we enjoyed watching A Christmas Story while listening to the storm outside.

It's still storming today...

I told my son at college we must miss him an awful lot cause we keep replacing him with strays.

I'll keep ya posted on the little Noodle.

Hubby emailed me a pick of the pooch, sorry no pics of the goodies. I didn't think to take a pic and the platter was so beautiful too. Right now it looks as if scavengers had at it...

Here's Noodles aka Lambchop w/my daughter~

Have a great week and remember to save room for dessert !

[LindyLou]

Dec. 15, 2008 at 2:11 PM

Hail Maria baker extraordinaire!  Mmmm!

Noodles Lambchop sounds so cute.  It is so good of you to help her. I am sure you posted her on lost and found craigslist too.  I hope she gets found!

The winds are whipping here and the storm has arrived.  Leaves everywhere, I love it. Maybe it will snow in the local mountains and we can take the kiddles sledding.

I am going to bake tomorrow and I was going to try brittle but it is damp here too and I will heed your advise.

Merry Christmas!

 

[uggs-lover]

Dec. 15, 2008 at 4:07 PM

Awww, Maria you are so sweet to take care of Noodle, and to try and find her home..and it sounds like you have been super busy baking. WOW! Yes, do keep us posted on llittle Noodle!

[parrishsky]

Dec. 15, 2008 at 4:50 PM

- I also wanted to add this tip to those that are making fudge....

Just add a few cups of milk to the fudge left on the sides of the sauce pan, stir and re-heat. In no time you will have the most delicious hot chocolate for your kids.... And on a stormy day it's delightful~

(Original Poster)

[sungreen13]

Dec. 15, 2008 at 8:57 PM

omg Lambchop! remember Lambchop!!

mmmmmm potatochip cookies. . . . . (my best Homer voice). . aaaaaahhhhahahahaa.

[parrishsky]

Dec. 15, 2008 at 10:02 PM

I do remember Lambchop ! And fitting to go with our last name.....

(Original Poster)

[CherBearCM]

Dec. 15, 2008 at 11:45 PM

Sounds like everyone is getting some yummy treats!  And what are potato chip cookies?  And awww what a cute dog.  I hope you find his home or maybe if he has no home your sis can take him.  Poor little guy!

[arthistmom]

Dec. 16, 2008 at 2:31 AM

I also was going to ask what are potato chip cookies? Sounds like you run a bakery/confectionery on the side during the holidays. I admire people who go full tilt on the baking. I'll probably do some biscotti for the gift bags for my son's teachers, maybe a cake or two, and my husband will make a couple dozen of his favorite cookies and that's it. Hope Miss Noodles Lambchop finds a loving home (or her way back) in time for the holidays. She deserves nothing less.

[Ttime]

Dec. 16, 2008 at 3:46 PM

Damn, Girl!  You're a fierce baker!!  Your house must've smelled wonderful!!

What are potato chip cookies?  I'm so curious...

And Noodles, aka Lambchop, is lucky to have befriended you guys...you're so kind to the animals!!  It's sweet.

[Ttime]

Dec. 16, 2008 at 3:48 PM

p.s.....and what are Mexican Wedding Balls (no jokes, ladies...I'm serious. lol!)

[Jeangenie]

Dec. 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM

I'm curious like everyone else...what are potato chip cookies!?  The salt girl in me needs to know! Any way, you are one baking (and very thoughtful) machine! How do you do it? I'm lucky if I can do three batches of cookies in one weekend. You did 8!! 

And the sweet dog...ya know maybe you're right...you love and miss Tommy so much that these loveable animals walk into your life as if they're him saying hello!  Is he an animal lover? You never know! I'm off to read your updated journal now...