monday miscellany

Good Monday to you!

1) Christmas is almost here! Which is nice, but also means I'll have to put away the decorations and Christmas music and Christmas-y smelling candles soon.

2) Our subdivision has been ready for big snow for a while now. These babies have been at the ready for a few weeks:

 

We don't mess around.

3) Yesterday I had several housework types of things to get done. After I put Celia down for her nap I rushed around folding laundry, putting another load in, printing some papers I needed, and tidying up the toy-strewn living room. And when I was finally ready to sit down and relax for a few, I found the couch was already occupied:

All worn out from a night out with the boys and a trip to the mall with a 2-year-old. Tough life. 

4) Since my customary couch spot was taken, I decided to make vegan pumpkin pie cinnamon rolls. I know, it would have been easier to just find a different place to lounge. I was just looking for an excuse to get in the kitchen for some heavy duty baking :D.

I'm freezing them to bring for Christmas. I've never used this much butter (vegan or not) in one recipe before. Vegan food isn't always health food...

5) And as you can see here, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

 

6) In preparation for Christmas at the in-laws', I broke the news to Chris's family that I've switched completely to a vegan diet at home, and am planning to stay away from animal products for Christmas dinner. My goal was just to let them know, and tell them I would bring a few vegan dishes to add to the meal. But there is bound to be confusion over what a vegan diet is, and what I do and do not eat, and whether veganism is a fad they should try. Should be interesting. In Chris's words, "This is great because it provides the drama my family needs, but in a controlled way". Ha!

7) During that conversation, Chris was elbow deep in a plate of chicken wings. 

  

8) I had leftover pumpkin puree from making the cinnamon rolls. Wanna know a great way to get picky little kids to eat an orange vegetable? Blend it up, add a little sugar and some spices, and call it pumpkin pie :D. Little monkey gobbled it up.

9) We took Celia to the mall this weekend, and Santa was there. We didn't wait in the ridiculous line to see Santa, but Pita rode in the little train there with her Daddy. She wasn't sure about it. She kind of liked it, but wanted to get out.