Magic!

I would just like to let you know that I did in fact sleep well last night. I still was up until midnight or so, but didn't stir until the alarm went off! Thanks to my little friend, the beer (or 2 or 3)!

Oh, and I usually don't work Fridays, but due to my long weekend, I am working today - not - happy - about - that!!!!!!

PROMISE

To post the CLOSE UP pic I got of Carrie Underwood at the concert I went to with all the cousins!!! Great concert and great seats!

ONE

The number of wrapped gifts under my tree!
Now, you may thing that I'm getting on the ball after my previous post about not having anything done, but don't be fooled! The gift under the tree is MINE! Yep, Hubby took advantage of my trip out of town to purchase and wrap one of my presents. Must be nice being him! He only has to worry about me. He tells everyone he got married so he didn't have to remember birthdays, cards, gifts, anniversaries, etc. That's what I'm supposed to do!!! I don't mind, but this year I'm swamped!!!
Little Hauss wants me to open it really bad!!! He asks everyday if its Christmas yet so I can open it. I wonder what he'll do when they multiply??? That's if I get it all done!! HA!! At this point, everything might just be from "Santa" and laid out when he wakes up Christmas morning (they are unwrapped if they are from Santa).
I'm so busy these days, you'd think I'd just fall out at night, but no, I'm wide awake until at least midnight!!!! AND, you'd think if I'm that awake, I'd make good use of my time and work on the many painting projects I have to get to people for gifts to their loved ones before Christmas, but no, I don't! In fact, tonight, I'm spending my night with this:


and a great friend. Hopefully it will make me sleep better!!!

Anything!

"Anything" is what Little Hauss says to EVERYTHING! If he's got something he's not supposed to or is doing something he's not supposed to, I ask "what are you doing?" and he says with a cute little face and side glancing eyes, "anything"! WHICH translates into "nothing"!!!!! He's too cute. At least I know this is what he means to say, but still hasn't caught on and I know thahe's totally in trouble!!! Or will be soon!

Bought, Wrapped, and under the tree!!!

Oh, did you think I meant me??? NO. Now, I am a planner, I thrive on it and LOVE to have my calander full and know what's happening next, but this year, I'm a little behind on the buying, (pretty much just stocking stuffers left), wrapping, and such! I DO have all of my cards addressed and stamps bought, but just not quite ready to send. THIS will happen today! I hope.
I am giving a shout out to a friend of mine who is usually at the mall on Christmas Eve!!! NOW, in her defense, most of the time its to help her dad finish (or start) his shopping. THIS year though, she is WAY ahead of the game. I was over there yesterday and was shocked by all the cute wrapped gifts under her tree! I was more shocked that she was done before me. She's not the planner like me....in fact it drives her crazy if I ask her plans for the weekend on Wednesday of that week!!! She's just a little more laid back than me....oh well, we mesh well!
Now, maybe she can be my inspiration and I'll have all my stuff done this week!!!!

By the way....

I normally don't have this much time to post, but remember I said I was substituting!!! YEAH, translation = babysitting tenth graders while they do busy work!!!
Good for you , huh?

I think I'm done for a while...I don't know if I can come up with anything else!

The Recipe....DUH!

So, I gave you such a great idea about cookie mixes in the mason jars, but I neglected to give you a recipe to FIT into the jar!!!! I know, its been a helluva week! There are tons of recipes of cookies, brownies, soups, and hot chocolate!
So, here are some recipes (including printable recipe cards) I think I will try:

Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
* chocolate chips
Filling the Jar:
Layer the ingredients in a quart size canning jar in the order listed. I used a small funnel and it worked pretty good for most of the ingredients! Use enough chocolate chips so the jar is full to the top. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips. Pack down all indredients, especially the brown sugar!
***Decorate jar and include the following***
ADD:
1 cup butter or margarine softened
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Thoroughly blend together the butter or margarine, the egg, and the vanilla. Empty jar of cookie mix into the butter mixture. Mix until completely blended. Drop teaspoons full of batter about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Brownies:
Ingredients:
1 1/8 cup flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 cup white sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vanilla chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
walnuts
Filling the Jar:
Layer the ingredients in a quart size canning jar in the order listed. I used a small funnel and it worked pretty good for most of the ingredients! The walnuts are optional. If you use the walnuts, use enough to fill the jar to the top. If you do not use the walnuts, use extra chocolate and vanilla chips so the jar is full to the top. Pack down all indredients, especially the brown sugar!
***Decorate and include the following***
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease one 9x9 inch square baking pan.
3. Pour the contents of the jar into a bowl and mix well.
4. Add 1 tsp vanilla, 2/3 cup vegetable oil, and 3 eggs.
5. Beat just until combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Enjoy!