The Lazy Mom's Christmas Eve

I feel like I've missed something this year. All of you are busy today, aren't you? I'm not. I'm seriously wearing pajama pants right now (it's 2:00 in the afternoon). The kids are playing video games in the basement and the baby is taking a nap. Hubby is working till 3 or so. My house could use some cleaning.  I seriously have no idea what is for dinner tonight. This is becoming a holiday trend this year...I think not having guests is sucking the motivation from my holiday preparation.

Now, I DID buy presents and I'm 50% done the wrapping of said gifts. Post holiday I will detail my purchases and wrapping strategies, but my children read this blog so I won't ruin any surprises now (there is a chorus of groans behind me).  And I do have a ham for tomorrow's dinner, and I'm making my my mom's cream puffs (AMAZING!) for dessert. I will include the recipe here, never fear.

Christmas Eve, however, is just extremely quiet around here.  I only feel (mildly) guilty because I've talked to several people about their busy, busy plans today and I'm wondering what I forgot.....

I will share a couple random occurrences this week:

1. A lady at church asked me if I still lived in the same house. When I replied "yes" she shook her head and asked me if I kept the children in drawers.    Yup.

2. My children were overheard gloating (about taking time off from school), "Mom said we could have the day off AFTER Christmas too!!"    Ha ha. You innocent, innocent home-schooled children.

3.  My husband is a last minute Christmas shopper. Here is our texting from today:

4. Simona came down with a cough and cold that is keeping her up at night. Ergo, I had a little helper while I wrapped stocking stuffers last night.  The other children will all be thrilled to receive pre-gnawed gifts, I'm sure. She had a grand time.

5. Gabriel (my 2 year old) is finally starting to get a little naughty. He has been a pretty easy child overall, but now he has taken to calling me a "Bad Boy" if I say no to him and to declare that he won't play with me anymore, "only Daddy."  It's hilarious. I'm trying to stay strong and not laugh in his chubby face.

6.  I've mentioned before how we attend church on Christmas morning. Another perk of that Mass time is the fact that it is very low attendance, with few families (see, I'm anti-social). No, really just because I don't have to deck out the kids and myself to the nines in fancy Christmas garb. We still look "church nice" and try to wear some red, but there is really no pressure for the children to be the cutest in church since they win by forfeit! Just another Lazy Mom tip.

 Mom's Cream Puffs

1/2 cup butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sifted flour

4 large eggs

Preheat oven to 400.  In medium saucepan slowly bring 1 cup water with butter and salt to boiling. Remove from heat. With wooden spoon, beat in flour all at once. Return to low heat; continue beating until mixture forms ball and leaves side of pan,.

Remove from heat. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating hard after each addition until mixture is smooth.(I think we now can use our mixer). Continue beating until mixture is shiny and satiny and breaks in strands.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake until puffed and golden brown--20-40 minutes.

Let cool completely on wire rack.

Cut off tops crosswise.  Fill with custard, cream or ice cream.

CUSTARD FILLING

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/'2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In small saucepan slowly heat milk just until bubbles form around edge of pan.

In a small bowl combine sugar and cornstarch, stir to mix will. Stir into hot milk all at once.

Beat a small amount of hot mixture into egg yoks.  Pour back into saucepan, cook stilling over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens and then stir in vanilla.

Place waxed or saran wrap directly on surface of filling to prevent film from forming.  Refrigerate.

CHOCOLATE GLAZE

1 pkg (6oz) choc chips

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

3 tablespoons milk

I usually double this recipe

Melt choc, butter, and corn syrup over low heat and then add milk to right consistency.

As close to serving the puffs as possible--fill them and then pour the warm choc on top...

Hope you all are having a peaceful Christmas Eve despite the preparations!


Rule #3410: If it is TOO peaceful, you are probably being a Lazy Mom. And give yourself permission to do that occasionally, for the sanity of all!