Christmas is right around the corner. Like everyone else, I’m equally swamped with preparations for Christmas day and multiple family celebrations. 
Add to that, fielding numerous daily questions like, “What’s abortion?” from my 11-year-old (long discussion ensued), and ensuring my 14-year-old still has a pulse due to her massive amount of sleeping. Beau continues to run around and get his last-minute gifts, persistently refuses to use the “GUIDE” button on the remote, and is repeatedly watching YouTube videos by Dirty Loops (It’s constant, ya’ll. Same songs, over and over again. He’s listening to one right now. Dirty Loops, can you please re-make another song for my sanity). I’ve just been trying to avoid getting out at all and wishing there would be at least one good thing to watch on TV besides those terribly crummy Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies. But on a good note, I actually have had a clean house for about a week now. Best accomplishment of the week! (which reminds me I have to put the clothes in the dryer … be back in a minute)
I was thinking about how nice it would be to have ALL family members from every side at one place at one time. Wow. That would be so much easier. I mean, can’t everyone just make things convenient for me? Geez.
When you get together for these things, each time food is involved and usually, you have to bring something. Last night, I pulled out this recipe from Picky Palate for a small get-together at my house.

Um … they were devoured despite the accidental overdose of condensed milk. Oops.

So easy. Mine didn’t turn out as pretty as this picture, so I stole it from their site. Very rich and delicious!

White Chocolate S’mores Gooey Cake Bars
1 large egg
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
4 1/2 full graham crackers
10 ounce bag white chocolate chips
2 cups mini marshmallows
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 box yellow cake mix
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with tin foil that’s been generously sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure foil goes all the way up and over the edges for this one. It will be a full pan.
Place cake mix, egg, and butter into a large mixing bowl. Mix with hands (THIS IS MESSY & I think a spoon would be OK.) until a nice dough forms similar to a cookie dough. Press half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer with graham crackers, white chips then marshmallows. Top with remaining half of dough pressing evenly. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over top then bake for 28-33 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown on top. Remove from oven. Let cool for 5 minutes then take a plastic knife and run along edges to loosen marshmallow (this will make your life easier when pulling foil out of pan to remove bars. Let cool completely (IMPORTANT if you want them to look decent) then remove bars from pan with foil edges. Cut off all edges if desired, about 1/2 inch each side. I save the edges to snack on too. Cut bars into squares and serve. They are delicious room temperature or chilled.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! 
Take time to enjoy your family and remember to thank God for the precious gift of His Son!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
   from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Now on a totally different note and to make sure you’re in the-know…

Dirty Loops – Re-make of Justin Bieber’s “Baby”. 
(Go here to be even more pleased when you hear what they’ve done to Brittany Spears’ “Circus”.)