Pretzels, Cookies, and Time With Mom!

Today I'm baking for the Hephzibah Missions Trip Bake Sale Fundraiser. It's at Jay's Sporting Goods in Clare, tomorrow, although the time fails me at the moment! Just be there early, how's that? Anyway, while my cookies are in the oven, I'm forced to stay close to the kitchen so as not to burn those precious donations. Every time the timer goes off, I race back to the oven and it's so funny...my dog gets all excited and runs with me! I think she's finally getting tired of my craziness. It's the only way I may get decent exercise today, who knows??

My mom and I spent a fun day yesterday, making chocolate dipped pretzel rods for Serena's 3rd grade class. It was G-Ma's idea. Now that she's retired, all of her creativity has been restored to its original valor!! My mom once did ceramics, crafts,sewing, cake decorating, and is a wonderful cook and baker! All while working full time. How did you do it, mom? Watch out, Martha Stewart!! Anyway, I got a chance to use my handpainted dishes that mom and I found together at the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival one year. I served up yummy chicken salad made with herb roasted chicken (mom's little secret) on a croissant, with leaf lettuce. Oh, it looked so pretty! We used my pretty green goblets that seem to just gather dust ordinarily. I didn't have my spring decorations out, so I used a gift I just put together for Sara (shh) as my centerpiece! Well, mom walked in with a huge vase of pussy willows! How perfect for the table!

I positioned mom at the table where she could best watch the birds and wildlife, and wouldn't you know it, she got to see the deer! You would have thought she just saw deer for the first time. She appreciated them so much! Mom lives in town, by the way.

I appreciated this time with my mom, and for her enthusiasm to create treats for the whole class. We slopped melted chocolate and sprinkles all over the place. Boy did they turn out cute and they are very yummy too! Gee...I should have made those for the bake sale!

Tonight the girls are going to G&G's to spend the night. Steve and I have plans to go out for Mexican and do some shopping. I insist it's Easter shopping. He insists I will be picking out clothes for our trip to Texas in May.(business trip, of course) We'll see who wins. Maybe this is a secret I'm sharing, but I don't happen to enjoy shopping much at all!! I love to shop for gifts, things for my girls, things for the house and yard, or scrapbooking supplies. Clothes, shoes? I can take it or leave it, girls, sorry!! I love that stuff, but I would rather hire someone to do it for me!! Give me a million plants and a pile of dirt, and it's bliss! Make me go shopping for clothes and shoes, and it's like getting my teeth drilled. You're laughing, but it's true!!

Okay, so I'd better get back to the oven. I have a ton of things to get done today, including a workout, packing for the girls, laundry, a couple deliveries, and of course, I have to get beautiful for my date tonight!! I am so excited to be spending time with my honey alone! Oops...there goes the timer!

Have a great weekend and enjoy winter break!! ( pity the fool who calls it spring.)