Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I will be traveling for the holidays. I am going with three girls from my school to meet two friends in Italy who need to make a Visa trip. Please pray for our safety as we travel. We are leaving at about 7 am EST tomorrow and will return 3 am EST January 2nd. I promise to have many pictures and videos to share with you! I hope you and yours have a wonderful time as you celebrate the birth of our Savior. May the true meaning of Christmas bring you peace, love, and joy this season! (And while you're at it, go see The Nativity Story for me!)

The Recess Queen

There was only one reason why I decided not to become an elementary school teacher. Recess duty. (OK, not really. But it makes a better story.)

Honestly, I never really thought that, as a middle school teacher, I'd have recess duty. Lunch duty and morning/afternoon duty maybe. But not recess.

Recess duty at our school takes place in the gravel parking lots. Not exactly the most ideal place for a bunch of raging hormonal, wild hooligan, angel-in-your-class-but-devil-at-recess boys to play.

Here are some thoughts that went through my head and phrases that came out of my mouth today while I served my recess duty:

Oh great, there are cars parked in the parking lot. They're gonna play soccer anyway. There goes the car alarm. They hit the car with the ball.

"Guys! Move AWAY from the car! AWAY!"

What are they doing over there? I think Haitem is practicing his kung-fu on Othmane! There went the ball again. I'm going to have to get it!

"Guys! Yassine! Give me the ball. Yes, I know you didn't mean to, but I've warned you already NOT to 'accidentally' kick the ball over near the third graders."

Why am I out here? I think I'm getting gray hairs from this. And there's the car alarm. Again.

"Guys! Move it! Over to this lot. Let's go!"

(A student) "Miss! Sam got hurt! He hurt his knee on the curb!"

"Sam, are you going to live? Let's take a look at it. Yep. You'll live. Do you need to see the nurse?"

"Walid, if the ball goes over the fence again, you've lost your recess rights for the next week, understand?"

Why do these guys get so emotional and loud when they play soccer? They always look like they're about to fight. Wait...are they?

"Go get both water bottles you kicked and bring them to me. If your temper doesn't cool down, I can't afford to have you out here with the others."

"No, Amine, I do not have a brother. Yes, I do have a sister. Yes, she is married. No, she doesn't have children. Yes, I'd like to be married one day. No, I won't marry you."

Sigh.

One more day.

This is the blog...

...where I tell you one of my favorite new recipes. I've made it three times in the past two weeks. For Christmas parties, of course! They're called Toffee Bars, and if you know anything about me, you know I LOVE toffee! Anyway, I'm including the recipe. (It's easy -- promise!) I thought it might be fun to exchange some of our favorite holiday recipes...or favorite recipes in general. Feel free to post them on your blog (pictures not required) or in the comment section below.

What you need: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup butter (divided), 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 2 tbsp. corn syrup, 1 milk chocolate bar (100 grams) melted

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and granulated sugar. Cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into ungreased 9-inch square baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until beginning to brown.

3. In a heavy saucepan, combine remaining 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, milk and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring continuously, for 3 minutes more. Pour hot mixture over cooked base. Cool slightly, then refrigerate for 15 minutes or until set. Spread melted chocolate over caramel. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set.

Makes about 2 dozen.

For Becky (and Allie)

Because I couldn't find a picture online that was sufficient enough, I took a picture of my calendar. This is for Becky because she heard about it on Iron Chef, and for Allie because it makes her laugh every time she hears about it or sees it. Yes, these goats are in trees. The tree has leaves and a fruit that the goats like to feed on when the surrounding land becomes too dry to produce vegetation. The seeds from this tree are harvested and pressed to produce a very fine oil that is rather expensive.

Christmas surprise

Wow! These are all the goodies I got from the Holcombes and Bennetts. Thanks so much! Stickers, stationery, antibacterial hand wash, sauces and seasonings, brownies, mac and cheese, plastic baggies and no-bake desserts. I can't wait to start baking! The best part is that they delivered the box to the school (though it was beat up a little, the inside contents hadn't been hurt). I love you and miss you so much during this Christmas season!