When we had about 45 minutes before our exterior lights were due to come on, we went outside to play and to watch our lights appear. Katie found two of Boppa's irrigation pipes and we used them as walking sticks and talked about going on a journey around the yard. Then we used them to hit a green ball back and forth. She really thought that was hilarious.
We sang some carols together. She knows all the words to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and so we sing it together often. I love hearing our voices together.
Soon after we saw the lights light up, we came inside and took a warm bath. Then she ate some dinner (she loves my homemade tacos with ground meat and kidney beans, and she also had some fruit).
When the dinner dishes were done, we made some Scottish shortbread. Bill's heritage is Scottish, Irish, and English. I am Irish and Norwegian with a little French and German thrown in (and maybe some Hungarian---not sure though). So during our holiday season, I love to give our Christmas a real Scottish and Irish feel. We listen to Irish carols and highland bagpipes with other favorites mixed in. We love The Chieftains and Bonnie Rideout and the Irish Rovers. I have also been playing English medieval wind ensembles. One of our main decorating motifs this year is plaid ribbon around all the garland and staircase and the chandelier in the dining room. It's not the official "McGaugh" tartan, but we'll pretend.
Katie helped with every step of the Scottish shortbread:
She measures the sugar, pouring it over the butter...
Some salt goes in, as well...
Patting the shortbread dough in the pan...
My little Scottish shortbread helper...She even helped me prick it all over with the fork. While it baked, we read stories by our Christmas tree. Very cozy evening!
