It's Almost Christmas

I have been a "day late" this week.  Thought today was Thursday and it's been Friday.  Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  Riley has been dragging his toys all over the house---so we'll be reminded that he should get a present.  Or presents.  He's getting a new rabbit.  With a squeaker.  And a table for his bowls as the Vet thinks eating low may be causing some of the reflux.  And I am thinking something chewy would be welcome.  Chewy and squeaky.

I spent the day up in the sewing room closet looking for fabrics to use with a wonderful charm pack that a dear friend sent me.  I even found some "insulated pot holder batting" so hands won't get burned.

I prepared the cheese filling for my daughter's pierogi.  And made four batches of the noodle dough. I even managed to set up the Atlas pasta roller thing all by myself.  Using Bob's AP flour has made such a difference in the making of the pasta sheets.  Easy.  Used to be a gigantic struggle.  So easy, I may make my own pasta for manicotti.  Tomorrow I'll make the potato filling and the sauerkraut filling.  I had intended to try the meat filling recipe we got from G's cousins in Wisconsin--but not happening.

G and I had homemade meatballs and marinara for supper.  It's so easy to make now that I BAKE the meatballs instead of browning them in a pan.  So much mess and it was just tedious.  Now I make the meatballs (adding a great deal of water to the mixture---who knew that was the secret to tender meatballs) plop them on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper and let them bake for 30 or 40 minutes (or longer) and then pop them into the cast iron casserole with marinara (LOVE Trader Joe's low fat) and back into the oven for another 45 minutes to an hour.  I made meatballs quite often over the summer when I couldn't eat much of anything.  A bowl of meatballs was a frequent meal.

I did little to no shopping this Christmas.  Once the children were in college--I sort of lost interest in Christmas gift shopping.  Now that they are adults and even middle aged--they have the means and opportunity to buy what they want whenever they want.  As do I.

And I haven't felt really well most of the year---well, honestly, the entire year.  Not feeling well.......that's a real downer.  Today, it's hard to breath.  Too many trips up and down the stairs.

The Christmas Boozy Bundt Cake has been made and drenched in a sauce of butter, booze and sugar. It looks amazing.  No cookies yet--but there's still time.  It is the 12 days of Christmas.