a little sugar, a little flour....

I am dreaming all things baking ingredients! I love it...but I'm starting to feel the burn. HA. On Sunday I had a bunch of time to myself (thanks to ribB taking the kids up north to Bart/Donna's cabin for the night on Saturday) and I BAKED and COOKED like a maniac! What did I make you ask...well...here's the list and keep in mind this was just from 10:30am until 8pm (with a couple o' breaks in between):
*peanut butter blossoms
*rosettes
*Grandma K's roll out cookie (dough made Sunday; baked & decorated Monday night)
*peanut butter bon bons ("dough" made Sunday...yet to dip in almond bark!)
*frosted molasses cookies (yet to frost...but better soon, as the kids are loving 'em)
*pumpkin pie
*cranberry salad
*corn pudding
*swedish sausage

Next to come...frosting more cookies (as noted above) and making the Loney family traditional Lefse. As most folks know, my Grandma Loney passed away in May...and she taught me SO much about cooking/baking. I learned how to make rosettes and lefse from her, was given her lefse griddle/turn sticks/etc. I passed the lefse test for a good couple o' years before my grandpa passed away almost 4 years ago. He was the Norwegian who had to approve--ha ha!

I'm really missing my Grandma (and my Dad for that matter) this time of year. She was a big mentor in my life and during special celebrations like Christmas, it feels a bit empty and void without her. I hoping she's my kitchen angel, helping me out. Maybe that's why I was able to accomplish so much! (And, the same goes for my Dad, who also taught me so much about cooking/baking!)

So, all of that said...I love family traditions, especially those that celebrate cultural heritage...and much of that comes out of traditional foods for me...good thing they are tasty! :-)

On a totally non related side note...Kdee had her first basketball tournament on Saturday. How should I sum it up? Let's just say: 1) she got better with every game--ala she didn't defend her defender as much...(so hard to not laugh out loud on that one)...and 2) 3rd & 4th graders are WAY better at Bball than I was in 6th grade. Impressive stuff!

I hope to have some pictures soon...I'm a bit behind!