Britney is Back, Dammit

While it seems like most of the internet has cooled its jets with the whole Elf on the Shelf thing, Mila is over here going WOOOAH! ELF! LET'S DO THIS!

It's terribly unfair.

Alexis was only into the Elf thing for a couple of years, but she was WAY in during those couple of years. The whole thing was enough to make me swear off all elfiness forever and ever amen. Do you know how many times I woke from a dead sleep panicked because I had forgotten to move the dumb thing? And how many times I had to dash into the house ahead of Alexis, play like a ninja and sneaky move it because I had forgotten the previous day? The whole thing was nothing but a hassle. I distinctly remember once army-crawling across Alexis' bedroom floor because I needed to grab the stupid thing but she was sound asleep in her bed. I smashed my head when she stirred and I tried to dive beside a bookshelf and OOF. That was a bad night.

We really didn't need to do that again. Ever.

But then along came Mila.

For her first five Christmases, Mila didn't seem to care about the Elf AT ALL. It was SO GREAT. I'd put the thing in one place, Mila completely wouldn't care enough to look for it, and I'd leave it there for a week. There were no panic attacks or, well ... I didn't put any effort into any of it.

And then came this year.

Mila started talking about the Elf a few weeks ago. But, initially, she jumped straight to the conclusion that she hadn't found the Elf yet, so it hadn't moved. As in, she assumed it was around and she just didn't know where.

Confession: It was at the bottom of a drawer. Not on a shelf. Because I didn't bother to take it out.

I rolled with that theory for two whole weeks. Mila kind of looked for it, but mostly assumed she just wasn't a good looker and OH WELL! Some day the Elf will show up!

It was so great.

But then Mila seemed to start taking it to heart that she was failing to find the Elf. She was sad enough about the whole thing to convince me that I would let it make an appearance. I thought she would find it once and we would be done.

WE WERE NOT DONE.

There was a point tonight when I had an Elf shoved up my shirt and Elf clothes shoved in my pocket and was trying to get Mila to leave the room without saying "GO AWAY, SMALL CHILD" and really it was ugly. So ugly.

Mila's lucky she's so darn cute. This Elf thing is not how I planned to spend my adult years.

There's Always a Catch

The thing about having kids 8 years apart is that the differences between them are magnified. While 13 is over here rolling her eyes and complaining about ... wait ... let me check ... EVERYTHING, 5 is over there being just plain happy to exist. Sure, Mila can whine up a storm, but she also can't contain ANY of her emotions ever and that includes excitement.

The other kid has no excitement. She's too cool for that. It's not a permanent state of being; once in a while the wall will come down. Still, SHE IS SO BORING TO DO STUFF WITH.

Case in point: we made our annual trek to make blown-glass ornaments. Alexis has been taking part in this adventure for probably 8 or 9 years. She may deny it, but she looks forward to the tradition of it all. Mostly she's excited to spend time with friends, but whatever. She has complained the couple of years when we didn't manage to go make ornaments. Clearly she cares.

NOT THAT YOU'D KNOW IT BY LOOKING AT HER.

Sure, Alexis, read a book. That's a great way to spend your time when surrounded by molten glass, fire, stabby sticks, and general awesomeness.

Mila, on the other hand, WAS SO EXCITED. It was technically her first time participating in the adventure. She has been with us other years, but this year she got to make her very own ornament. She picked the colors and even did some of the blowing.

She was VIBRATING she was so excited about it all.

Which is all to say, guess which kid I'm taking on adventures with me for now on? I mean, if I'm going to pay good money for things, I ate least want to see a smile or ten. Mila delivers!

Annnnnnd ... she brings with her a healthy dose of Won't Stop Talking About It. The thing about blown-glass ornaments is that you don't get to take them home right away. They need to cool gradually in a special oven and blah, blah, blah. Mila won't get to put her hands on her ornament for a few days minimum. GUESS HOW MANY TIMES SHE HAS ASKED IF IT'S DONE YET?

::sigh::

So much enthusiasm. So little patience.

Apricot Pecan Rugelach

I've been digging through old Better Housekeeping recipes in search of a particular one, but came across this old friend and had to try it again. It turned out exactly as I remembered - REALLY good, but the instructions are lacking a few important key tips. Let's fix that, shall we?

Apricot Pecan Rugelach

2 cups unsalted butter, softened
2 packages cream cheese (8 oz each), softened
1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
2 cups finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar (yes, again - this time it's for the filling)
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
3/4 cup apricot preserves
2 tablespoons milk

1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together at low speed until creamy. Add in 1/2 cup granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat some more. Then slowly add two cups flour while beating on low speed. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the final two cups of flour.

2. Divide the dough in half and then divide each half into half and then into half again (you'll have 8 pieces of dough). Roll each portion into a ball and then flatten into a disk. Wrap each piece in wax paper and refrigerate for at least two hours. I have been known to freeze the dough for a few weeks and then return to use it, so it's pretty forgiving. Just saying.

3. Once the dough is good and cool, it's time to make your filling. In a medium bowl, stir the pecans, apricots, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon until well mixed. For the record, you can substitute the apricot preserves for really any flavor. I also did some with cherry preserves, strawberry preserves, and blackberry preserves. Feel free to swap out the dried fruit and nuts as well. (Almonds + cherry = happiness.)

4. Line four large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

5. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough until it's about 1/8" thick. Spread two tablespoons of preserves across the top. The thinner it's spread, the better. If you get it too thick, it will make a mess in your oven. ASK ME HOW I KNOW. Once the preserves are spread, sprinkle some of the nut/apricot mixture over top of the preserves. Press it all down with the back of a spoon. Then cut your circle of fruit/nut-covered dough like a pizza. You should end up with 8 "pizza" slices.

6. Starting at the wide end, roll your little happy cookies up like a croissant. Place each cookie on the parchment paper, point side down.

7. Brush milk on top of each cookie. Mix together the last of the granulated sugar and cinnamon and then sprinkle some on each cookie. The milk will help it stick.

8. Bake at 325° for 35-40 minutes or until golden. As soon as you take them out of the oven, use a spatula to transfer each rugelach to a wire rack. Go back up and repeat steps 5 through here until all of your cookies are done.