Holiday Fun

The embassy hosted a little party for the kids today and we all had a very nice time! Pizza and cookies. We watched the Polar Express movie and went caroling too.

So glad that the kids are still open to getting a photo with Santa :)  (although they didn’t want to sit on his lap!)

But we were gone for hours(!), which is like days and days and days in cat time. Ninja missed Honor terribly.

Magic Cookie Bar (Sorta) Surprise

To give credit where credit is due, I started off with this Magic Cookie Bar recipe (LINK) from Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, but I knew it wasn’t going to happen when the first ingredient was 1 1/2 cup graham crackers. I don’t have any. When we first arrived in Kuwait, I saw graham crackers here, but it’s the holidays, so they’ve obviously been bought up. I need to make a new Netgrocer.com order.

Now, ordering online is all and good for future recipes, but I wanted to make this recipe … NOW. So I just winged it using what I had. As the kids declared the result to be AWESOME!!!, I guess I’ll share what I did. 

Magic Cookie Bar (Sorta) Surprise

Preheat oven to 350

3 regular wheatabix cereal bricks (Nope. Not kidding. Plain ol’ whole grain wheat chunks, broken up, about 1 and 1/2 cup. You could probably substitute plain whole wheat flakes of some brand?)

1/2 cup oatmeal, uncooked

100g butter

2 tsp cinnamon

some nutmeg, anis powder and vanilla (I didn’t measure)

3-4 tsp honey

1/4 cup hazelnut spread

Mix all of the above in a bowl and then spread very flat into a 9x13 rectangular pan.

Pour one 14oz can of Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed milk over the top.

Combine 2 cups (total) of chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and/or raisins. Spread this mix as the next layer.

Spread 1 to 1 1/2 cup flaked coconut as the next layer.

Chop 1 cup nuts very finely (I used pecans) and spread on top.

Press flat with a spoon, and then bake for about 25-30 minutes until lightly browned.

The original recipe suggested allowing it to cool. We didn’t wait and ate the first gooey helping while it was still hot! Amazingly good. We’ll let the rest cool off and try it cut into proper ‘cookie bars’ tomorrow! 

A 2012 Holiday Poem (apologies to Mr. Moore)

Twas the day before this one,
with holidays approaching
Not a box had been unpacked,
‘tho we did move the cat thing.

The kids went to school with festivities planned,

With hopes that us parents would find our way, and….


The 4th graders sang,
and tootled recorders quite loud. 

 

We could barely see Honor, 
lost in the crowd.


But we listened and clapped,
and felt very proud.

Then we made our way home,
through honking and braking,
and changed into uniforms,
for punching and kicking.

An hour long class, and then finally
Mom got out a box, to make all smile happily.

No. Not the chocolates, or toys or (for mom) the red wine,
But the big pre-lit tree, all wrapped up in twine.

The cats sprang inside,
to see what was what,
No waiting to play,
for the tree to be up.

With a ‘No’, and a ‘Get out!’ 
and many ‘Let me be’s’
Many cats were removed,
I’m sure more than three.

Across the carpet, the parts were arranged


Mom’s mind about ‘help’, was sure to be changed
 
With an advisor, 

and spectator,
 
and supervisor too
 
Mom was repeatedly told 
just what to do.

From a favored position, 
up on the gold seat

A view of the lights 
were a hoped for treat

But what was this? 
Not again, mom murmured from below,
Some lights, they were still, refusing to glow.
Some branches were dark,
stubborn, unlit.
So we started the hunt, 
like Raiders’ lost Ark,
for that naughty culprit.
 
And Honor she found it,
with eyes brown and bright
that ornery ol’ lamp,
that refused to act right.

With a yank and a tug,
and bulb tossed in the waste,
the tree was all finished, 
and ready to taste.
 
I mean decorate!
The tree, 
not the kids
altho’ that happened too

and not just with hats,
but glitter and stars,
and a favorite green rat
and many things more

The kids wrapped the tinsel, round the tree front and back,

Ninja made sure to straighten the slack.

Dad helped with hooks,
for his little pink elf


Pixie helped too.
Her own fuzzy self.

Finally ‘twas done.
The stuff was attached.
Bells, balls and pretties,
randomness unmatched.

Brian placed the angel,
way on the top,
Needing our help?
Not him, not a lot!

The stockings were hung
on the daggers with care

And we’re constantly asking,
who put this there?

There was a slight incident
on the nativity table,
but we keep things upright,
as much as we’re able

One donkey will never stand quite the same
Because it is Christmas, we’ll not mention any names.
(hint)

(hint)

Thanks to Miss Honor

and big brother Brian

Our house looks quite festive,
on that I’m not lyin’

We still have a ton 
of work we must do.
Cleaning and cooking
and wrapping and school
yet I feel we’re quite ready now,
to celebrate Yule.
And so from all of us here,
to all of you there,
Best Wishes for the Holidays,
and lots of love too.

(btw - most of the photos were taken by Honor!)