Schedule

It always takes me a while to adjust to a new schedule...and this school year is just proving that point.
I'm noticing that as the kids get older, they get busier. August is helping the school out 3x a week by doing crossing guard action which means that he needs to be there before 9:00 on those days. Both kids are involved with the choir that takes place the other 2 mornings so they have to be there by 8:50 on those days. And that's just the before school activities!
Between School of Rock and soccer after school I have a hard time keeping my days straight. I've been happy with the cool breeze that's been creeping across Seattle these days because it means that I can prepare stew and chili in the middle of the day. Coming home to a hot meal at the end of a day full of running from this end of town to the next has been very nice.
I do spend too many hours trying to find the easiest dinners for Tuesday nights though. We don't get home until after 7:00pm on these nights. Tonight? We're having bean and cheese burritos, Hazel's favorite. Quick and easy.
But because it's a semi-hot meal I decided to make a dessert while the kids are in school. I look at this gal's website pretty regularly and have tried a few of her recipes...but I couldn't pass this one up: YUM!

I'll let you know how they turn out...but right now? My house smells like warm peanut butter and chocolate!

Holiday Baking

I've officially begun the Holiday Baking Season! My thoughts shifted directly towards the fudge Tania would make every Christmas. The Many Family looked forward to the fudge every year. The last year The Walsh Family lived in Washington we were given a copy of said fudge recipe and I have had it tucked away in my cupboard. I thought that maybe, if I never looked at it, never made it for myself the idea of them moving back to Boston would not register in my heart and mind. This year, I took the recipe out of the cupboard and started mixing the chocolate. It's time I accept the loss.
As the chips slowly melted in the pot I thought of Tania and the boys. Thought of how their lives have changed yet again with the new baby. And not just any old baby, no, they have themselves a baby girl! Oona. So lovely.
The fudge is alright, not as good as when Tania makes it, it'll never be that good!

The kids are out of school this week. Perfect timing if you ask me. We have minimal plans for the week and I think we're all loving that fact.
Tomorrow I have some wonderful lady friends coming over to do some more baking. I couldn't help but start a little something this evening...made August's favorite- pumpkin scones. They turned out pretty good this time. He can hardly wait till the morning!
I've got a recipe for cranberry pistachio biscotti that I'm going to attempt tomorrow, I'll let you know how they turn out.
Happy Holiday Baking Season!