my attempt.

My attempt at a gingerbread house...made me realize why I could never be an engineer...

taking a breath...

With the holidays rapidly approaching, it can be really hard for me to appreciate all of the simple pleasures that are around us.

another first..

Well, by the time I managed to get out of my PJs and get out of the house, and make the trek to Balducci's today to get molasses, it was way too late to make my gingerbread house...so instead I made my very first red velvet cake.....in mini form!

The pictures don't really show it, but the cakes are only about 4" in diameter...

mmm good

made my first (low fat) broccoli chedder soup!!! it was DELICIOUS :)

next to conquer...gingerbread house from scratch...

Recipe From: www.fitnessandfreebies.com

Broccoli Cheese SoupLow Fat Recipe
Ingredients:

1 quart (4 cups) water

6 cups broccoli florets

1 cup chopped onion

1 clove minced garlic

1 cup plain nonfat yogurt

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 (10.5 ounce) cans reduced sodium chicken broth

3/4 cup water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:

>Bring 1 quart water to boil in large soup pot. Add broccoli and cook for 7 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.

>Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat until hot. Add onion and garlic and saute until tender. Add broccoli and onion mixture in a blender or food processor and pulse blend into small pieces.
>Combine yogurt and flour in a large saucepan and mix well with a wire whisk. Add broth and next 4 ingredients and stir well. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes or until thickened. Add broccoli mixture and 3/4 cup cheese and heat until cheese is melted. Top with remaining cheese and serve.

Recipe makes 10 Servings Broccoli Cheese Soup; Serving Size: 12 ounces

PS..good cause

This past semester, our office planned a hunger banquet with Oxfam America to increase awareness about global problems, specifically hunger. This holiday season they are doing a great thing by having 'Oxfam America Unwrapped'. You can purchase a goat, chicks, school supplies for a reasonable price for countries that have nothing and it is the perfect gift for the "do-gooders" in your life.

Are we merry yet?

*sigh of relief*
Semester is over, passed all of my courses mostly with flying colors, and here comes the holidays!!! Work was cancelled today because of this winter dumping we are receiving, so Kristian came over to get snowed in with me, stay in our PJs, work on his drawings/website, and relax before the upcoming week. So first on the agenda, we made a delicious hot chocolate treat LOADED with goodies. homemade marshmallows, chocolate chips, whipped cream, chocolate chips, cocoa powder and a candy cane topper!! :) Next on the list...wrapping my last gifts and taking a nap while he works on his stuff.

This Christmas I've been thinking a lot about Grams. I miss her, but her hand made ornaments are up on the tree are comforting to know that she'll ALWAYS be in our hearts.