CHRiSTMAS FUN : 1

"In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play."
~Friedrich Nietzsche

1: Snuggle, Watch a Christmas movie, and drink hot cocoa.

Kalin stayed home this morning. The three of us snuggled and watched Shrek the Halls while sipping cocoa. It is really cold here and snowed on and off all day yesterday. Winter is definitely around the corner.


We are also getting ready for castle. What is castle you say? Well it is sort of like the Hollow Earth Swordworks' company picnic...but on a much grander scale. Friends and family come in from all over to attend.
It begins on Friday and ends Sunday evening. We usually have an attendance of at least 100 people on Saturday. There is much sword fighting, feasting, and merriment. I have a little faery hut set up for the wee ones where we craft, read and play games. It should be a lot of fun.

We have a lot to prepare for this event. Today I baked 2doz banana muffins, 2 doz cranberry orange muffins, a six batch of baked oatmeal, which by the way is a great quick and easy breakfast dish. You can bake it plain and sprinkle with dried fruit, nuts, or granola, and/or you can chop fruit and add to it before you bake it.

Baked Oatmeal

3 cups oats (I substitute 1/3 c corn meal, or any whole grain flour, or wheat germ whatever you want)
1/2 c sugar (you can use white, turbinado, or brown)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 c butter or oil
2 eggs
2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp spices (any combination of cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cloves)
2 c chopped apples or any fruit (optional)
3/4 c nuts (optional, you can add coconut)

Mix all ingredients together in a big bowl. Pour in a 13 x 9 pan. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.