Tuesday TidBits

I hope you all are having a good week thus far.  Just think - tomorrow is HUMP day!

My week started out lovely with the sibling get together at my sisters.  All of us brothers and sisters were there, and many of the nieces and nephews.  We had tons of food (everyone pitches in), lots of laughs, and just an all around good time.
Some of the nieces and nephews I only get to see about once a year - so it's nice.
Everyone seemed to like their gifts - I know we sure did.
As usual we made a haul - got lot's of home canned goodies, gift cards, snuggly blankie, candles, etc.  It was great.
We have one or two more family occasions to host.

Some of the goodies I baked Saturday - fudge made last week.

Springerle cookies made for brothers and sis.  Old family recipe.
Mom made these our entire lives (I was probably teethed on them!).  We all love them.  It is definitely an acquired taste.  This cookie and our family dates back to before our great grandparents when they lived in Bavaria before coming to this country.  We have them once a year - which makes them special.
The German restaurant/bakeries in town make them ONLY at Christmas as well.  They charge a minimum of $7.99/lb. (about 12 cookies) for them!  They are cheap to make.
I have to do another batch when the other family members come in town.

Goody bags and kids gifts I took Sunday.  Blue containers contain fancy trail mix I made, there was banana bread, home canned goods, and toys!

If anyone is interested in the Springerle recipe, let me know and I will post it.  They have anise in them, which is why I say they are probably an acquired taste.  I love them.  It takes several hours (due to drying time) to finish the product, but they are extremely easy to make.

Yesterday did not go as I planned - but I made it through.  Today I got one ham at Aldi with the $5 off coupon.  You can only get one per day.

Well I'm off to fix homemade taco salad for dinner and get some laundry done.  Need to work on wrapping some as well.
Have a WONDERFUL week everyone!!!!