Packin' on the Holiday Pounds

Christmas Dinner included this-
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole.
OMG. Basically, mash the potatoes with cream cheese, butter and sour cream. Spread in a pan and top with crunchy bacon and cheese. One scoop and you will have to run around the block twice. But SO worth it.

Today, Brunch includes-
Mini Mac N Cheese & Broccoli Cheese Quiche. YUM.
Can you tell I like cheese???
Oh- and fruit and mimosas, too :)

I think a gym visit is needed...

Lemon Jumbles. YUM YUM YUM

My favorite Christmas Cookie.
A few years ago I took a Christmas Cookie Class. We made a ton of different cookies but this was my favorite and I make them every year now.

2 3/4 All purpose flour
1 tsp. cream of tarter
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 large egg
1 heaping tbsp. lemon zest
1 tbsp. lemon juice (i put in a little extra)

Mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside.

In mixer beat butter, sugar, egg, lemon zest and lemon juice until fluffy and well blended. Add the dry ingredients slowly until mixed well.

Roll into 1 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 11-12 minutes or until the edges just turn golden brown. Place on cooling rack.

Once cooled dip in glaze and return to rack to dry.

For the Glaze-
Mix powder sugar and fresh lemon juice until you have a medium thickness.

HO HO HO-LY MOLY!

CHRISTMAS IS A WEEK AWAY!?
Luckily we (as in me, your are welcome dear husband...) are almost all set for Christmas. Gifts all bought & wrapped, cards mailed, tree decorated and cookies (almost) all baked.
Something about the holidays this year is making me feel like a kid again. I am so excited for Santa to come and I have a feeling that I will have a hard time sleeping Christmas Eve. I think it's because this year I AM Santa & I know Hannah is very excited for Santa to deliver all her wishes.
This year the holiday magic has sparkled in Hannah's eyes. Writing a letter to Santa, driving to see the Christmas lights, decorating the tree and having milk & cookies with the big guy himself have just amazed her. & IT IS SO MUCH FUN TO WATCH. When we went to see the Festival (or FestiBal, as Hannah calls it) of Lights this year I got- "Mama, this is SO cool!" When it was time to decorate the tree she was very proud of herself for putting up the ornaments. She is growing up. And while I hate that she isn't going to be my little baby forever, I LOVE watching her grow and seeing the excitement in her eyes this Christmas. It makes ME feel like a kid again. & that is the best present ever.