"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." ~Charles Dickens

We made it safely to the city and back home...it was a long day though. I finally got home from my parents around 9 last night...Matt and I were in bed asleep by 9:45.

Today has been an exciting day, so far. I've managed to make one of the most time consuming of my Christmas cookies: Linzer Tortes. The reason why these are so difficult is that there is very little flour and a lot of ground nuts, which results in a much drier, crumblier dough. When you try to roll it out it cracks and falls apart. Of course this is a cookie that has to be rolled out A LOT and very, very thin. They are definitely one of my favorite though. It's two thin layers of almond cookies, with raspberry preserves sandwiched between, and a sprinkling of powdered sugar on top.

The other cookie that I manged to get made is Magic Cookie Bars. These are delicious and are so, SO easy to make.

The other exciting thing is that I got a gift from my Braces Bunch Secret Santa at Slaying, Blogging, Whatever. It's an awesome gift and definitely something right up my alley; a collection of quilting stories from quilters, "American Patchwork". I can't wait to finish my current book and get started on this one!

This afternoon we're heading back up to my parents' to do Christmas with my aunt and uncle, as well as spend some more time with my cousin. Last night my cousin gave us all gifts. I got a beautiful necklace that she made herself, all hand beading.

I just have to tell you how awesome my cousin is: I don't speak German, I don't write German; however, I do have family there that I send Christmas cards. This year I actually wrote a Christmas letter. My cousin translated my entire letter into German and then retyped it. As of Monday I have 6 letters going to Germany!

Tonight we also have one of our Christmas dances (the only one we're going to). Our friends R & R are going as well as my sister, Kate, and her friend W. It should be fun! It's at the Polish Community center (an hour away) and they have the MOST delicious food. We haven't eaten all day, just to save room for halukis and chicken: YUM!