Chocolate dipped berries for Mom and Gary, originally uploaded by violet913.

I made a bunch of treats for Christmas: cardamom crackers, chocolate espresso cookies, marbled cake covered in ganache, chocolate covered strawberries, cherries and dried apricots, pomegranate jelly, and orange marmalade. I had a lot of fun making all of that stuff. There was one failed recipe but it was because I didn’t have the proper equipment but attempted it anyway and that was cheesy pecan crackers. I was also going to attempt pecan bars then realized I didn’t have enough butter so I will have to try those another time.

Then it was time for Christmas Eve. I didn’t have to work so I went to Mom and Gary’s house in the afternoon. They were very happy with their treats. I also took Mom some of her favorite things from Whole Foods. We opened the box that Aunt Janie first. She gave me some art paper and calligraphy pens, I can always use stuff like that! Then Mom let me open a gift bag that I saw her with when I first walked in. It is a pretty green dish with a fleur d lis as the handle. It belonged to Gary’s Grandma and I was always telling Mom she should put it out somewhere whenever I saw it so she figured out that I liked it. :P We ate chips and veggies with 3 different kinds of dip while we were waiting on supper to cook. Then we opened the rest of our gifts. They got me a jewelry armoire which I really wanted and told Mom about. Usually I can’t think of anything when people ask what I want but I did a good job this year of actually expressing what I wanted. I also got a sweater and blanket that I was with Mom when she bought. Then there was a pretty set of earrings and matching necklace, a neat old glass with polka dots on it, a gift certificate for Heart of Ohio antique mall, and a bunch of treats in my stocking. I am sure I am forgetting something important. I liked everything. My brother had to work but he got me a gift certificate for Hot Topic which was much appreciated. Everyone seemed to like what I got them too so that is good. Then we ate dinner, Gary grilled a bunch of veggies and sweet potatoes for us. I had never had grilled sweet potatoes but they were really good!! I spent the night at there house so I didn’t have to drive back and forth to Columbus.