Outlasts

A very special visitor came for a wee tiny visit. 

Not even 24 hours but these two hit it off famously. 

Cooper is on the verge of playing strange... disclaimer : must look at mommy when he is cuddled in the arms of "another". But with Leslie he was really good - like he just knew we have seriously known each other forever! 

Life long friends - We met back in 1983 She was one and I was almost four.  Way back in the day we played hide and seek on our street together as in "on" the street, back when playdates weren't scheduled .    We were both part of the Shakespeare gang, she was part of the fab five families we "called on" -Hogan's, Zettels, Emonds, Parsons and Us , with the odd appearance of the Shane's and the Toman's - but we were the hard core . Back when our bikes weren't constrained to a "driveway", snacks were a communal thing - sort of a potluck type contributions on somebodies driveway. We truly all just played HARD and we all just got along! Our fresh aired kissed clothes filthy with mud, koolaid and crumbs, but we were oblivious and just kept on a playing. 

All Friendships bend, stretch strengthen and take turns and even breaks but it is a rarity and very special when all this happens and the result is still a friendship that outlasts for the long haul. To me, Leslie is one of these people.It had been a year seen we had seen each other and it is just as comfortable and easy as we just saw each other yesterday.
 This girl has loyalty, honour and she is one of my true and real friends.

In January 2010, she was my very first visitor at home with Charlotte,  this gal busted up from Seattle - where she was living at the time ...just for a few hours of cuddle time. Her presence meant the world to me.
She was there on my wedding day.
She was there through my first second third fouth and possibly definitely more break ups.
We've jetsetted together to Florida ( with both of our families) Cuba, Vegas ( 3 times!)  and New York.
Next year she gets married and I am so happy to be part of that day !
Love you Les!

The Christmas baking bells are on in this house. I have my little Elf just LOVING to help out.

Mommy I's such a GOOOOD helper

We had an open house for the neighbours on Sunday and these were
some of the treats.

My friends and neighbour hosted a cookie exchange last weekend and I made Chocolate haystacks
Delish and Easy Peasy.

I was going to make this for the cookie exchange - good thing I did a trial beforehand because thou they are completely and utterly scrumptious! They are messy to cut into 72 pieces. I recommend
for a dessert anytime.

caramel ooziness a.k.a millionaires shortbread

If I thought of this I think I'd be a millionaire -  can we say taste bud FRENZY
- Found it in this book  called the Home Baker.

Then this morning I was feeling rather festive and creative, so I figured I would veer away from the usual rotation of : smoothie, cereal, peanut butter and toast, and make french toast. A European "spin" on the usual.

It was a hit, considering Charlotte doesn't like eggs so much,I wasn't sure.

Except she completely gagged on the coconut atop the mitten. Not a big fan...but worth a try!

I used raisins on the star and chocolate chips for the snowmen bling and rudolphs eye and of course a red jujube for his nose. 

It was fun.