Is it really December already?! Where has the time gone? November was another extremely busy month for us. Among the usual madness it was also Ewan’s birthday and Thanksgiving of course. Now it is already time to get ready for Christmas. Some day things may calm down a little, hopefully in January after the holiday break.
So a new month brings a new In My Kitchen post, thanks to the lovely Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Here’s what has been happening in our kitchen….
First off is this set of letters, numbers and symbols to stamp cookies along with some new cookie cutters. We have already used them several times.
I used them to stamp the cookies used in our new header. In the header the images were too small so I had to type the text over the cookies, but if you look closely here the cookies are stamped. I also used them to make farewell cookies for the aquatics director at our gym. We already miss our dear Miss Lindsay. She started Jack and Ewan with private swim lessons when they were nearly three and four years old and has helped them grow and improve. They love to swim thanks to her. Finally, I stamped the name of each child and teacher in Ewan’s class for his Thanksgiving program on a pumpkin cookie sprinkled with orange sugar. They were the centerpiece of each placesetting. The kids were all surprised and excited.
Okay, this isn’t in my kitchen. There is a food story behind it though so I thought I would include it. Several weeks ago Sean and Ewan were playing in the garden. The only things left in there were a huge squash, cucumbers and the peppers. They somehow decided to play with the peppers. They picked several and did who knows what with them. I can say for certain that they opened up the peppers. First Ewan came running and crying in the house, his eyes hurt. He obviously rubbed his pepper hands on his eyes and they burned, badly. Josh and I calmed him down and got some eye drops in. While Josh was trying to calm him a little more Sean came running and crying in, his mouth hurt. So I washed him off and when I turned to get a towel he rubbed his eyes, before I washed his hands! After more eye drops and many tears shed, this is a photo of the boys napping after their pepper ordeal! I’d like to say they learned their lesson, but somehow I’m not so sure of it!
Then we had Ewan’s sixth birthday. He is our foodie and had a fantastic day. It started with opening his presents from Mom and Dad….the kitchen utensils he requested! He then started helping make French toast using his whisk and flipping with his laydybug spatula. He was incredibly excited! He also used his utensils to help make his birthday cake, yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Like his brothers, he got to decorate his own cookies too, he chose dolphins and palm trees.
I couldn’t do a December post without an introduction to Christmas. We were out of town for Thanksgiving weekend and didn’t return home until November 30. That left me the morning and early afternoon of December 1 to throw together this Advent calendar for the boys. Nothing like last minute stress! I used several sizes of canning jars, lined them with Christmas paper, tied a ribbon around the top and added the numbers on the outside. Every night after dinner the boys get to pick out what is in the jar for that day, anything from pencils to stickers, candy, clementines, etc.
So that sums up what has been happening in our kitchen and lives this past month. It was so hectic many of this month’s photos were taken with my iPhone or iPad, also in the dark hours of the morning or night so I apologize now for the quality. December the madness continues with Christmas preparations. The boys and I are working on our list of cookies we want to bake, along with all the other goodies. We have Christmas brunch and dinner figured out too. What is happening in your kitchen? To see what everyone else is up to check out the list at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.
Feeding My 3 Sons 
Ohhhh, the chilli peppers. Such a steep learning curve on that one. The letters for the cookies are very fun looking and so is your Advent Calendar idea. Thanks for posting, enjoy the holidays.
Thanks so much! We’ll see if they remember their pepper incident next year. Enjoy your holidays as well and see you in the new year for more IMK posts.
G’day Love the cookies that are personalized…so unique! The little ones are cuties and thanks for this month’s kitchen view too! Cheers! Joanne
Thanks for stopping by. I am loving all the possibilities of personalized cookies!
What a fantastic idea for an Advent Calendar! and Where did you get those stamps for the biscuits… I NEED THEM 🙂 Not sure where they will fit, but I need to get them 🙂 thanks for sharing! Liz x
I can’t remember exactly where I got the stamps, ordered from some baking supply company here in the States. Luckily they are so small they will fit anywhere! They are so fun and the possibilities are endless. Thanks for stopping by, Gretchen.
I feel tired after reading your post! How do you do so much? I love the idea of your Advent calendar–something to plan for next year. I am usually lucky if I can get the floor sort of picked up before passing out at night (because I’m tired, not because of any cocktails I may have made haha). Any of the above and beyond seems too much right now, though I’m going to have to figure out how to get going on holiday cards and Christmas gifts. Cookies sound like fun, too. Thanks for sharing your kitchen 🙂
I hear you on being tired at night! Luckily we go to bed, we have to given the early hours. The boys are FINALLY breaking through their habit if waking at 5:30 every day. That went on for a couple weeks! I have the cards in my possession, just need to address and get them out. Whatever gets done gets done, it’s quality time with the family that counts. Happy Holidays Liz!
I cant imagine how busy yu are with all those boys. yo are goinbg to have such a joyful Christmas. Happy birthday to your little foodie
The boys certainly keep me busy and on my toes! Happy Holidays and thanks for stopping by our kitchen!
I keep debating whether to get the letter press set for the cookies. I love your advent calendar! Poor babies with the chillies. Just be grateful they didn’t go to the bathroom – that would have been a whole lot of pain!
Thanks goodness they hadn’t gone to the bathroom, not sure I could have handled that without laughing! The advent calendar was fun, last year it was Chinese takeout boxes with festive washi tapes and numbers. Also fun ideas to find on Pinterest. Thanks for stopping by.
You have been busy! Your boys are so sweet. I just love your Advent Calendar idea and the personalised cookies are gorgeous. Looks like it was a very happy birthday indeed! x
The personalized cookies are such fun, I already have holiday ideas! The advent calendar was another Pinterest find. Last year we used Chinese takeout boxes and decorated them with red and green washi tapes. Thanks for popping by out kitchen.
I guess your boys will be chilli adverse for a while. You Advent calendar is inspired, i did something similar once with match boxes. Have a happy family Christmas
One if them already didn’t like spicy things! It’s always an adventure with those boys. Matchboxes for an advent calendar sounds brilliant, something to think about for future years. Thanks for peeking in our kitchen.
Love all of this Gretchen, the stamps are so so cute and I love the jars for the countdown to Christmas!!!! Enjoy!!! 🙂
Thanks Amy! I love the stamps too and have plans for Christmas cookies using them.
Such gorgeous photos of your boys. It’s good to see them so hands on in the kitchen. You might have some future award winning cheafs on your hands. Love the new header of the boys holding the biscuits with the title of your blog on. Emma xx
Thanks! I am looking forward to all the meals the boys will fix for me. Hopefully breakfast in bed soon enough, with a little more training!
Wow superb post…I love what is in your wonderful kitchen..poor boys with the pepper story my little one is getting naughtier everyday now I get it what’s coming for me in future 😊
Hopefully your little one will stay away from peppers! The adventures never end with boys!
Ha ha same problem I wear uk size 4 as well
Love all the goodies in your kitchen… I miss having little ones around at this time of the year! Happy baking and seasons eatings : )
Little ones at Christmas certainly,do make things a little more exciting. I love their enthusiasm. Thanks for stopping by.
i love that your little boy wants kitchen gear for presents. that is so cute. here’s hoping he makes you many cakes etc. love your cookies with the stamps. have a great xmas.
Thanks! Ewan is my foodie and love to help in the kitchen. I am also thrilled he wants kitchen gear. Someday he will be able to fix me breakfast in bed!!
Oh chilli in the eyes is not fun. Poor fellows!! oh well it is not long lasting. I love your cookie stamps too. Such fun.
They managed to get over the pain, especially after a nice nap! I am loving the cookie stamps. Thanks for stopping by.
Love that you gave your son kitchen utensils for his birthday and that he put them to good use so quickly. Great idea, too, for the Advent Calendar. As for the peppers, I’m decades older than your boys and still can’t seem to remember to avoid eye contact after working with peppers. 🙂
I’m sure the boys will still have pepper incidents in their future! As for Ewan, he is my best sous chef and I do my best to encourage it. He absolutely loves his new kitchen utensils!
Oh your poor boys with the chillies. What an excellent idea for an advent calender – love it.
Have a super festive season.
🙂 Mandy xo
We have fun trying out different advent calendars every year! Thanks for stopping by.
I hope you and your gorgeous family all had a wonderful Christmas! I’m sorry I’m so late to this post – it’s been a crazy busy month, but I’m now settled down with a completely clear Boxing Day, so I’m playing catch up! 🙂 Poor wee peppered boys! I’m not sure which is worth – burnt mouth or burnt eyes – eyes I suspect! And I think your little stamp is absolutely brilliant! Do you stamp the cookies before baking or afterwards while they’re still warm and a bit soft? All the very best to you all for a fabulous 2015! xx
I can imagine how crazy your month has been, I’ve seen your posts! Things are crazy busy here as well. I hope you enjoyed your holidays and have a Happy New Year. The cookies get stamped before they go in the oven, a few letters are sometimes tricky.