Note: we have no Jewish ties, but we think it's important to expose the kids to other religious traditions - Hanukkah is one way to talk about, and appreciate Judaism. I got out the kid's Christmas and Hanukkah books and we officially kicked off the holiday season with a reading of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Yesterday I wrapped the out of town gifts that need to be mailed and got them into a box. Isn't winter amazing - by the time the spring rolls around I will have forgotten how much time I spent out in the garden, and I'll be just itching to get out there and get my hands in the dirt.ДЎ0 gallon bags of premeasured and choppedДў pans Mommy's Recipe (chili cornbread casserole)Д¤ bushels winter squash (gift from the laundry fairy and bought at pumpkin patch)ДЎ 5 gallon bucket of beets (layered in sand)ДЎ 5 gallon bucket of turnips (layered in sand)ДЎ bushel pink lady apples (bought from local orchard) It was a good year - but even thinking about next year tires me out. The gourds were the last official big harvest. I'll probably do those two this coming weekend, so I can be really, truly done by the beginning of December. I do have two small canning projects - pumpkin butter and apple pie jelly. A bit of Swiss Chard and a handful of beets and parsnips are lingering out there- we havn't had a really hardВ frost. Spring Garlic and onions are planted, and there are some spring greens growing under row cover - I won't even peak at them until after ski season. The garden isВ pretty muchВ closed until February. He was inspired by the Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra. Soccer Boy hopes to turn these into bird houses and instruments But, no matter how many times I remind them that we are baking for other people they just can't resist. I swear they wash their hands every time they stick their little paws in their mouths. I love being in the kitchen with my kids, but it does drive me just a little bit crazy when they keep munching on the ingredients. I think you all know about this one, but just in case you don't, here's a link. We made Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread cookies - a recipe from Jane at Thy Hand. Yesterday the kids and I did cookie baking number two.

I don't know about you, but a house without a lot of stuff, and with that stuff in the right place makes me relaxed.

I'm also decluttering as I go - thank you Fly Lady, so my house is getting cleaner and more peaceful each day. It's also having a clear plan and being organized. The advent calendars will come out, and the first candle on the advent wreath will be lit. That might include making that batch of pumpkin butter and the batch of apple pie jelly. This week/weekend I plan to focus on finishing up the projects I intend to use as gifts. each evening so there's no big rush, and I have all of the materials for the gifts I'm making. I'm right on track with where I'd like to be.

How many pans of mac and cheese for 30