New blog abode

Now I can't promise that the new place is in show home condition, but please drop by and say hello over at the new 'domesticali' blogging abode.


Bye bye Blogger, I'll miss you. You've been a good friend, but your comments shenanigans finally drove me to desert you.

I'll leave this old blog up here, but pretty please would you update your blogrolls and subscriptions, because I'm the new kid on the block over there and I need my chums.

Thank you for sharing so many good times with me here. Wishing you all the merriest of Festive Seasons and a hope 2008 that brings you joy.

Nesting

There have been all manner of problems recently with non-blogspot bloggers leaving comments over here. Judging from the last few days, if you don't have a google/blogger account, you've just given up. I don't blame you. But it's sad without you. So over the Christmas break, I'm going to be busy with a little blog nesting.


I'll let you know where to come and find me when I've unpacked. Somewhere a bit more welcoming hopefully.

The wonderful goodies in the photo arrived from Jennifer at Scissors Paper Glue yesterday. The boys were very put out that I was allowed to open my parcel when they have to wait for Christmas! If you want some similar booty of your own, she has an etsy shop. With lots of ephemera. I love that word, don't you?

Preparations 8 - Primped and packaged

Feels like we're entering the home stretch now. A little bit of wrapping to indulge in, some last minute distribution and the big day will be here.

Dishcloths have been ironed (what a hoot - I don't really understand 'blocking', but the wavy edges look somewhat straighter) and packed up with vanilla sugar and cookie cutters and a gingerbread house kit for good measure.

Chocolate pretzels baked (Mama? Why you making those poos?)

But he ate enough of them once they'd been dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled.

The recipe was from the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Cookies special (thanks Michelle!) . Call it a little Christmas gift from me to you to say thank you for stopping by here and leaving such lovely comments.

CHOCOLATE PRETZELS

1 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
Unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

In a small bowl, combine flour, 1/2 c. cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.

Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. Add flour mixture, 1/3 at a time, beating on low speed until combined. Divide dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 2 to 24 hours or until dough is easy to handle.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Remove one dough portion from refrigerator; keep remaining dough portion refrigerated. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Sprinkle work surface with sifted cocoa powder, repeating as needed. Roll each portion of dough into a 9 inch long rope on prepared surface. Twist into a pretzel shape and place on a cookie sheet, 1 inch apart.

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until just firm. Cool on the cookie sheet on a wire rack for one minute, and then transfer to to the wire rack to cool completely. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.

'Tis the season to be Jealous

Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.

Why am I home with the bath bed boy routine and leftovers while Hubby is eating at Gordon Ramsay at Claridges tonight?


Oh the photo is theirs. When do you think my kitchen last produced something like that? Holey moley, sometimes I really miss corporate life.

Well, bits of it anyway. But I know you get all that family work life balance stuff. It's hard to put it into words, but Sooz has found the perfect analogy. And done it brilliantly. Go and read her post.

Tomte fabric

Yes, I spent a small fortune, but it was SO worth it.

Design by Ruth Vetter: 'Tomtar'

Perhaps I'll even iron it.

Migration

Dallas sent me this lovely little embroidered bird recently.
It has nested on my bedroom door handle so I can see it when I wake each morning. It's the little things that make me happy.

Dallas's blog (Sallad.net) is one of the most cheerful places I visit . Do you ever label blogs in your head? My mental tags for you all include talented, funny, thought-provoking, visionary, savvy, self-aware, outrageous, genuine, beautiful, stylish - I could go on and on.

But apparently one of the words which comes to mind when you stop by here is 'nutty'.

Thanks for the award Kitty! And for her advent calendar story alone, I'm passing it on to Laura.

Preparations 7 - the Nativity

Johnny's preschool nativity was yesterday. I'd show you photos, but they all look like this (he's the snowflake on the far left).



The parental paparazzi were out in force snapping away in the non existent light trying to capture something. Sometimes I think it's better to forget the camera and be in the moment. The only in focus photo I achieved was the box of tissues thoughtfully provided by the nursery.



I helped myself, because I knew I'd need them. I cry at all Nativities, even those that don't involve any offspring of mine. Just show me a wonky tinsel halo and I'm off.

Gorgeous sunrises get me in the same way. Something about innocence and new beginnings I think. If I were Megan, I would be able to find something profound to say. But I'm not.



Happy weekend people.