Fleur de Aleta

I haven't baked much for Gregory's school this year.  But the school asked parents to make small cakes for the Pumpkin Palooza this Saturday for the "cake walk."  While making the cakes, I had to also make cupcakes for Gregory's school.... how can I bring cakes to his school if he doesn't have treats in his class.  So, it's not my best work... I baked everything and made the icing and decorated all in one evening.  By the time decorations were done, I was ready to call it a day.

Did the title get your attention?  I could help but tease him.  It's something he wanted for Christmas.  Balls.  But honestly, they are pretty cool.  Magnetic balls.  I forget what they are called.  I had to order them outside of the US.  Greg showed me a YouTube video on making the balls into a sphere shape, so we tried it out. First we had created triangles with the balls, then what I called "petals" - then put the petals together: Once you turn these pattern together, it forms a hollow sphere.. pretty neat :) We went to Greg's parents' home for Christmas, here are just a few pictures :) Christmas Eve night, Greg and I made Oreo Truffles, for the recipe, click here. Proof!  Someone liked the truffles :) To see more pictures, click here and scroll to the bottom .

For Christmas Eve Day, Greg and I decided to brave the malls, knowing we already had our gifts bought and some of them already delivered.  We were fortunate to find a close parking place in the mall garage, though the lady behind us was obviously lacking Good Cheer as she swung her arms and yelled with impatience.... One restaurant we enjoy going to, but don't frequent, is P.F. Chang's.  Again, fortunately, even though it was noon, there wasn't a wait at all at P.F. Chang's.  It was nice and quiet and a delightful meal.  Greg and I took the calm moment to do a bit of people watching. Across from us, a couple was sitting at a table.  Based on the woman's unnatural tone to her laughter and the space between them, I asked Greg, "Do you think they are married or dating?"  Greg replied, "Most likely a second or third date.  They aren't comfortable with one another, but they are interested, based on their body language turning towards each other....