Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest

First, a quick thank you to those who participated in my ringtone contest. The fabulous Roh Morgan won a full chapter critique (and I can't wait to get my eyes on her stuff - love her!). Sure, she cheated, but she still guessed the song title...eventually, hehe.

For those that didn't see in the comments, the ringtone is Down In It by Nine Inch Nails (the first 40 seconds).

Now, on to the Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest, hosted by Jen at Unedited and Melissa at Through the Looking Glass.

Christmas decorations, huh? Everyone keep in mind I should not be allowed to handle a camera...

One of my favorite holiday treats is probably what my grandmother called her Pumpkin Sauce. I make it (by demand) for the annual Christmas party with my group of close-knit friends, and use it to top gingerbread. But, I've tweaked it to suit my tastes.

3 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
1 tsp all spice (or to taste)
1/2 c canned pumpkin
2/3 c milk
1 small pack instant vanilla pudding
1 c cool whip

Mix first 5 ingredients together well. Fold in Cool Whip. Chow. Yum.

I don't drink alcohol/liquor much. Just beer. Only if I want to get drunk, cause, well, one does the trick. Oh, and it's only Killian's Red if I do drink.

However...

Last night (Saturday) was our Christmas party and Friend Tammy made my new favorite holiday drink. Hot. Buttered. Rum. I know, old hat to most of you assuredly. But, I've never had it before. She told me I could go virgin, but I even put a capful (yep, I went crazy folks) of spiced rum in it. Oh holy yum.

1 pound butter

1 pound brown sugar

1 pound confectioners' sugar

1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Blend in brown sugar and confectioners' sugar. Remove from heat, and whisk in the ice cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour mixture into a plastic container, seal, and freeze.
In a coffee mug, measure 1 tablespoon Hot Buttered Rum Batter and 1 fluid ounce of rum, then fill cup with boiling water. Stir, and sprinkle top of drink with nutmeg. 

It's okay if you're a lush and add more than a capful. I'll pretend I didn't see it.

The kids did such a great job with the gingerbread house this year. In the end, Mom had more icing on her than the house, but she managed not to curse. Mom of the Year, that's me. Or not, maybe.

Possibly the most tiring photo session I have ever done with the "fam". And the hardest. Grumpy Gus, if you can't tell who that is, well, check you eyes.

*photo removed by Tara

Poor Micki. She's really old, and I wanted to make sure we got some Christmas photos with her since it will probably be her last. She saw the antlers/hat headband come out and instead of running like usual, she gave me a look that said, "Seriously? My last Christmas on earth and you're really gonna make me put those effing antlers on again." I called her. She stared. I called some more; she stared some more. Finally she remembered how stubborn I am. She waddled over to the little tree (pretty sad the poor thing knew that's where I'd want her!) and plopped down. I stuck the hat on and she flat out refused to move again. She laid there while I pushed all 60lbs of her into the position I wanted. Then she never moved a muscle. The Chihuahua's otoh? Holy Wiggle Worms (especially the 9 week old puppy). It took everything we had to get the kids and dogs looking at the camera, mostly in tact. But we managed a few. They're all crooked (more so than my usual) because I was reaching and moving as the dogs tried to break free. LOL.

When I saw how bad the pics came out I asked the kids if they were up for another round. They gave me the same look the Lab did when she saw her antlers...

Happy Holidays to All