Wednesday, December 9, 2009

It's December--Oh my!

We had grey drizzly weather most of last week, with the first hard freeze of the season. We were supposed to have gotten 1 1/2 inches of the white stuff last Thursday. The grands were so excited--with talk of an early release from school, and the expectation of actual snow. We waited and waited. Finally, around 12:30 we had about 10 minutes of flurries, and then the sun came out. They were so disappointed. But, their teachers all let them go outside to play and catch snowflakes on their tongues while it lasted. We have had grey drizzly weather off and on all weekend with lots of fog. Yesterday late afternoon, it cleared again, and I was able to get a shot of the sunset.




I know most can relate to the craziness of December that I am feeling. It seems after Thanksgiving, time speeds up, going faster and faster as the days become shorter and shorter. This week, we have had a wedding shower, a Christmas party, and an old friend stop in town for a visit. Thankfully there were several of us that worked on the shower together, but even so, I made 4 dozen cupcakes and two batches of truffles.




The Bride-to-Be's colors are called Truffle and Pool. I just had to make the truffles with a color name like that! I thought the cupcake turned out rather well with the little pearl dragees
I found to sprinkle on top.


We still have another Christmas party and then my mother will be flying in this weekend if her flight isn't canceled because of the weather.
I hope that I can find the time to stop even for just a moment to catch my breath once in awhile and enjoy a few more sunsets like I was able to do yesterday. I think what made me feel a little calmer, was getting out and planting the last of the bulbs that have been waiting patiently for me. I hope that you will be able to find quiet moments throughout your day to stop and breath--and enjoy the season.

27 comments:

Rose said...

MG, those cupcakes look beautiful--you could start your own cupcake business, which seems to be quite the craze right now:) Excellent advice to find some moments of quiet and calm in this busy season and to remember what it's all about. You did that for me this morning with the John Denver song here.

Marie said...

Time is flying in December. I too have a long list and every minute seems carefully choreographed. Thanks for the reminder to stop and enjoy a sunset.

Roses and Lilacs said...

This is a frantic season. It sometimes seems we lose the meaning in the madness. Hope you find time to get everything done and still enjoy yourself.
Marnie

Susie said...

Sounds like you have been busy, but in a fun way.

The sky picture is a beauty!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Wow, that's a lot of baking! And, now I'm not being facetious, what colors are "truffle and pool"???

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Dear Rose,

I took a cake decorating class when my kids were small. I knew I could never pay the prices the bakeries ask for cakes. That class has paid for itself many times over, but I would never want to do it commercially. The time and stress factor would be too great for me! I made both daughter's wedding cakes, and have vowed never to do another--but the grands have already told me they want me to make them for their weddings! Lord willing, I will be around to see those joyous times.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Marie, you put it so well--choreographed is right! I have lists that have become a part of me over the next few weeks...if I lost them, I would fall in the middle of the dance.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Marnie, I have found that everything that really needs to get done, will, and what doesn't, wasn't that important to begin with. Even so, it is so easy to become frantic trying to fit it all in.

I hope you are weathering the winter weather were you are.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Susie,

That sunset was a beauty, even more so after the days of dreary weather we have had.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Monica, I asked the same question, and the Bride-to-be pulled out her swatches to show me. Truffle is a deep chocolate brown, and pool was a very pale turquoise--very pretty, and a nice change from the usual pink.

Cheryl said...

Hi MG....the cupcakes are just so pretty.....perfect for this lady that loves white...I wanted to pick one up and eat it. That is a great compliment I am not a cake lover.

I understand about catching ones breath and just taking in the moment. We need to be outside with nature to find balance.....

I hope all goes well with your arrangements........

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Dear Cheryl,

I wish you could have been here to enjoy one of the cupcakes. I like them better than a piece of layer cake--smaller and more manageable.

I get so cranky when I am couped up inside for too long. I need to be outside, and I immediately become serene.

I am sure everything will come together--it always does--the trick is not to get stressed.

ShySongbird said...

Dear Jenny how lovely it all looked and the cupcakes looked far too pretty to eat! I loved the peek into your kitchen (I enlarged the photo) and those strawberries looked delicious, as did the truffles ;)

I have often thought how having two such important celebrations so close together must be difficult for all of you on the other side of the 'pond', I struggle with one and with the extra events you have also had it must be really hectic!

Noticing Rose's comment I really miss listening to your playlist, it is such a shame that licensing laws have prevented the UK being able to hear music on the American blogs.

I loved the sunset photo, a scene of calm beauty at this busy time.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Dear Shy Songbird,

What a shame you can't listen to the music online. I hope we don't get the same licensing laws here. I haven't updated my music in a long time, but had been thinking it was time.

What made the shower so nice, was having several of us sharing hostess duties, so I only had to make the cupcakes and truffles. The strawberries and blackberries were wonderful.

I hope your holiday season is restful and wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Yes, the Christmas season is daunting almost. Yours, my dear, had some extras thrown in too. :) Love those cupcakes. They are quite beautiful. We just put our tree up last night, and I'm enjoying its sparkle this morning. May your season also be bright.~~Dee

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

As much work as it is, putting up the tree is always special. Now that we have a two year old in the family again, it becomes almost magical. Loudon will move his little chair to the tree, and sit and look at it, finding all the ornaments he views as treasures--mostly those with a candy theme!
;-) I hope that your Christmas is merry and bright with family gathered around.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I love the colors in your sky photo!

That's a nice kitchen. I'm assuming it's yours. Your cupcakes turned out pretty.

Yes, this is a busy time of year. I'm always behind, though, whatever time of year it is.

Nola said...

This month has flown by and I haven't gotten much accomplished; where does the time go?
We had a really hard freeze a week or so ago, too. Now I have the mess of all those frozen plants to clean up which may, or may not get done before Christmas.
I'm way behind on reading blogs, too, so if I don't make it back before next week, have a Merry Christmas!

Gail said...

I agree with Rose~~Those cupcakes look beautiful and the JD song was a treat. I might have to put his cd on and sing at the top of my voice...Have a wonderful week and peace filled holiday. gail

Nina said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! XO
Nina

A wildlife gardener said...

Those cupcakes are works of art...

Wishing you and yours a Happy and joyous time and blessings for 2010 :)

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Wow those cupcakes look good! I have been wanting to try my hand at making truffles but it did not happen this holiday season, maybe next year.

A wildlife gardener said...

Happy New Year, Morning Glories In Round Rock :)


Come and see all the wildlife around me...

http://ourlittlecornerofparadise.blogspot.com/2010/01/importance-of-finding-beauty-in-light.html

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ShySongbird said...

Hi again Jenny, I just thought I would pop over again to say I hope all is well with you and yours and to wish you a very belated Happy New Year :)

You seem to have been absent for longer than usual (says she whose posts can be very few and far between!) so I thought I would just say you are in my thoughts and that I look forward to your postings again when you are able.

Wendy said...

Hi Jen,
I don't have your email anymore as my computer crashed around Christmas time and all email addys lost.
If you feel up to it, send me an email - would love to hear from you(thanks for your comments on my blog).
Hugs

A wildlife gardener said...

Thank you for your faithful visits, dear MG, and for your gracious comments :)

I am busy writing down a few good things I see in the garden each day to keep those winter blues at bay... and spring will soon be here :)