A Really Good Saturday

So, considering that all of my classes are over and I've been harping about this for a while, I'm still waiting on the actual holiday break to occur.  The K-8 school work has been in full swing, and my tutoring sessions have actually increased over the past couple of weeks, so that break?  It ain't here yet.

Plus, I have been majorly procrastinating a huge final paper that's due next week.

But let's talk about Christmas instead!

Yesterday was the annual cookie exchange at my place, and it was a huge success!  I'm breaking out the fat pants as we speak.  Actually, let's be honest, it'll be a miracle if I get out of my pj's today.

First things first, though.  Check out the Hopi/Pueblo-inspired coffee mug that I got in Mesa Verde.  I have a habit of collecting coffee mugs from our trips.  Love. It.

In between rounds of cookie baking, I prepped all of my client Christmas cards.  This week I'll get to the friends and family ones.

These sugar cookies are what I like to call High Maintenance.  But they're so, so worth it.  The icing is home made, too! (#overachiever)

Three designs: circles, Christmas trees, and gingerbread men.

I also made deluxe chocolate chip cookies.  Man, these turned out really well.  You can't go wrong with a classic, I think.

We had a great turnout (introverts prefer the small groups) and enjoyed a roasted corn crab dip and some of Nat King Cole's home made chex mix with some wine and festive conversation.

Cookies included:
* Nat King Cole's pecan shortbread delights (which bring out my hoarder tendencies because I want to eat them for breakfast until about February)
* Smores cookies that I practically pop two at a time
* Cranberry/Oat/White Chocolate cookies so that we can pretend we're being healthy
* Iced pumpkin cookies so we can enjoy fall a bit longer
* Peanut butter/chocolate/oat bars that will bring on a heavenly chorus

But the fun didn't end there!  Afterwards, G and I joined Nat King Cole and Chef Campo at a fundraiser dinner for a Christian indoor skate park/youth outreach ministry call Skatuary.  They sponsored a table and we got to meet some of their church peeps, and learn more about shreddin' some narly stuff for the Lord.  "Board for the Lord."  I don't know, I think I'm too old to fully understand all the lingo.

Then!  We went over to their house to chill for a while, eat some cookies (I mean, let's be honest), and love on their animals.  It was a perfect day.

And look what's for breakfast!