Cookies

The holidays are over. My first Christmas and New Year's as a married lady were fun. I got the chance to see family again, eat some good food, and just relax (not to mention, I got some nice gifts too...loving the iPod Touch!). Growing up, we didn't really have any "traditions" when it came to family and the holidays. Every year, dinner was held at someone else's home. We didn't always meet up at grandma's, like how some people do it and how it's done in the movies. I told myself that when I got married, I could use that time to create my own traditions. Now, since DH and don't have any children yet, I'm sorta limited in what traditions I can begin to create (I don't think DH wants to make a gingerbread house with me). I did tell him that I wanted our home to be decorated on 12/1. Since the holidays go by so fast, I want to enjoy the tree, lights, and other decorations for as long as possible. I usually leave the decorations up until shortly after the first of the new year.
DH had to work on 12/1 and stay in a hotel that night so he could be there to work on 12/2 as well. I wasn't upset about him not being there. I was too excited about finally getting out the Christmas decorations. I woke up early to make my rounds to various stores in search of decorations and other little touches for the house. When I finally got home, I started to clean up a little. Didn't want to have a mess on top of another mess while I was trimming the tree. I was totally in the element. I had Christmas movies playing, music for when I needed to hear some old school Christmas soul classics, and decorations all over the place. I ended up needing more lights so I got in the car to quickly grab some. During that time, DH called me. I stopped to the gas station while we were chatting. I figured he was off from work and in search of something to eat for dinner. I don't really remember the exact order of events but at some point, he said something to me while I was outside pumping gas. Whatever he said clearly indicated that he saw me. Next thing I know, DH pulls up at the gas station. He works in DC and we live in MD. I had no idea he was on the way to the house. Turns out, he wanted to make sure he was around to help with the decorations and the tree...for our first Christmas. I was totally surprised, and touched at the same time. I was going to save the star for him regardless. Having him there that night just made it all the more special.
So anyway, I told DH that on Christmas Eve, I wanted us to spend the evening watching movies, eating cookies, and drinking some of his "special" egg nog. I was so prepared to make the cookies that night. I bought different varieties of chocolate chips (peanut butter, white chocolate, caramel swirl). However, I was forced to deviate from my original plans to make a bunch of different cookies. You see, it turns out that other people like to make cookies for the holidays. Not only do other folks like to make cookies but, they like to "give" cookies as well! DH's co-worker's wife gave us this huge bucket, filled with cookies and other sweet treats. Then, we also received another bucket of cookies from DH's best friend's mom (not to mention a box of home made lemon bars and a bag of peanut butter cookies just for me). Now, who can say no to a gift of cookies? I was still determined to make my own cookies, as a part of my newly started tradition of cookies, movies, and nog on Christmas Eve, so in the kitchen I went. The evening was enjoyable. We watched Elf b/c I had never seen it. Well, it more like I watched Elf b/c DH fell asleep during the movie. I had my cookies, my nog, my movie, and my DH. It was a very memorable first Christmas Eve as a married woman.

Fast forward to present day...

In case you're wondering, it is January 6, 2008 and we are still eating cookies!!! I think I may have to find a way to get rid of them b/c this is not helping me with my mission to get in shape!!! If anyone wants some cookies, holla!