Jennifer Lyon


Monday, December 19th, 2011
Weekend Roundup

This weekend we went to the holiday party for Wizard’s side of the family.  We had a great time, even though I had to endure some teasing over being “famous.”  Of course, I’m not even remotely famous, but using that work makes me squirm and then they all grin like lunatics.

Gotta love family.  Wizard’s family has all known me since I was eighteen and long before I considered writing professionally. But family keeps us humble, yes?

Aside from the teasing, it was so much fun and great food! Including my lemon tarts,  which is my new thing this year.  So I might not be famous, but I can make mini lemon tarts :-)

Yesterday afternoon was the first time in forever that I sat down for a couple hours and read.  I could get used to being lazy like that!

So how was your weekend?

12 comments to “Weekend Roundup”

  1. Viki S.
    December 19th, 2011 at 3:41 am · Link

    Sounds like you had a great time at the party. It must be kind of cool being “famous” and all. Your lemon tarts sound yummy. I love lemon. Do you have a link to the recipe?

    We had my hubs family party on Saturday too. Because of ice and SO many accidents the 2 hr drive took 2 3/4 hrs to get there and 3 hrs 50 mins to get home. I got a little reading done on the drive, that is when I wasn’t holding my breath.

    The party was tons of fun, the little ones are so cute and Johns 90 yrs old mom was the star. She was so funny with the fudge. I would look over and she was popping one piece after another into her mouth :). When we were leaving she was so concerned that she had her fudge to take home. She had us going through all of bags to make sure it was packed. While we were doing that she look a napkin and filled it with more fudge and put it in her purse. Someone started to chastise her and I told them to leave her alone. She’s 90 and can do whatever she wants. I got a great big grin from her :).



  2. Shiloh
    December 19th, 2011 at 8:35 am · Link

    Gotta love older people Viki! :wink: My grandma is in her mid 70’s and she makes fudge every year for Christmas! Its great! My parents have been divorced for 20+ years and every year she sends some home with me for my dad because he would always pretend to like it. The funny thing is he doesn’t really care for fudge!

    Our weekend was great! Finally, finally decorated the tree! Its been so pathetic looking. We made homemade ornaments on Wednesday and the boys hung them on but that was it! I got Santa’s shopping done this weekend, yes I braved the “weekend before Christmas” craziness! Both of my kids are on Christmas break already so the next two weeks we are going to spend lots of quality time together!



  3. B.E Sanderson
    December 19th, 2011 at 8:47 am · Link

    I’m so glad you had a nice time at the party – even if they did tease you a little. You may not think you’re famous, but you’re closer than most people. I know I’d squee like a fangirl if we ever met. And then we’d go get a drink.

    My kid’s home for semester break! So, what’s the first thing we do? Make fudge and cookies – 2 batches each. So much for the diets. LOL The chocolate fudge was only so-so, but the peanut butter fudge is to die for. If I could, I’d squeeze some through the internet for all of you.



  4. Jen Lyon
    December 19th, 2011 at 12:21 pm · Link

    Viki, they were just harassing, none of them think I’m famous :-) I don’t even think about it at all until someone starts razzing me, then I squirm and if Wizard’s around, he eggs them on and laughs at me. Then I eat chocolate! Chocolate makes everything better.

    Here’s the link to the lemon curd I use to put in the tarts. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/lemon-curd/detail.aspx Then I make a sweet tart dough (essentially pie crust with some sugar added.) After chilling the dough, I roll it out, cut it, form it into a mini muffin tin, then brush that with egg whites and sprinkle with some sugar. I bake and cool, then fill with the curd. Sometimes I dust the top with powered sugar. They are a “Project” to make but it’s fun and nice to have an alternative to all the chocolate.

    That was YOUR fudge your grandmother was taking, right? That is such a compliment! She sounds like a treasure and should be allowed as much fudge as she wants!



  5. Jen Lyon
    December 19th, 2011 at 12:24 pm · Link

    Shiloh, awww on your grandmother! She thought she was giving your dad a special treat, and he’s too sweet to tell her otherwise. I love it.

    I bet your tree is beautiful with the home made decorations! I love that. And now that you got most the shopping done, you’ll have fun with the kids. That’s my favorite time–when all the shopping is done and it’s just time to enjoy.



  6. Jen Lyon
    December 19th, 2011 at 12:26 pm · Link

    B.E., no squeeing, LOL! Okay I’d probably squee if I met you in person too :-)

    Diets at the holidays are just wrong. I know this because Wizard told me so last night! So you and your daughter should just enjoy. Now that she’s at college, this is a special time for you guys to be together.

    The peanut butter fudge sounds yummy!



  7. Silver James
    December 19th, 2011 at 1:05 pm · Link

    But…but…you ARE famous! Saturday was my RWA chapter party. We always do a “Dirty Santa” with books. Everyone brings a book that really means something to them. I took BLOOD MAGIC. It got “dirty Santa’d” three times until it was declared “safe.”

    Then Saturday night, The Only went through the “hooding” ceremony for her Master’s Degree. The whole family was there. One of her favorite professors hooded her and he managed not to strangle her in the process. They fist bumped and made faces at each other before she walked to shake hands with the president and get her “diploma”. It’s just the cover. They mail out diplomas later. She graduated with honors–a 4.0 GPA.

    Yesterday was catch up on housework and make roll dough day. Half the rolls have been delivered to the neighbors and I’m ready to flop now! :wink:



  8. Viki S.
    December 19th, 2011 at 3:58 pm · Link

    Shiloh – That is so funny about your dad. It’s nice that he makes Grandma feel good.
    I love the idea of you making the ornaments with your boys. Such a nice way to connect. My Gram and I used to do that when I was a kid. My tree is basically all stuff the two of us made. She passed in August so it’s more special this year.

    Thanks Jen. That looks like a nice and easy treat to make. I think it will be on my New Year’s menu.
    I knew they were teasing you but you have to love how family can do that to you ;).



  9. Jen Lyon
    December 19th, 2011 at 5:41 pm · Link

    Silver congrats to your daughter! And her 4.0 is awesome! You must be bursting with pride!

    I love your chapters “dirty Santa” game! And I’m touched Blood Magic got passed around in the game until safe :-) Thanks for telling me!

    You know you’re torturing me with those rolls! My kids will get canned rolls Christmas morning. But hey, at least I’ll bake them before I serve them :-)

    We’ve all been crazy-busy!



  10. Jen Lyon
    December 19th, 2011 at 5:44 pm · Link

    Viki, they are pretty easy, just time consuming. Of course, if you made on big tart and filled it, it would be much easier. I’m thinking about doing it with a cheesecake layer next year. Or if I do a bigger tart, maybe swirl the lemon curd through some cheesecake and let it all set. I wonder if that would work? Okay, never mind, not tackling that this year!

    Your Gram sounds special. She knew how to create memories you’ll have forever.



  11. Dawn
    December 19th, 2011 at 5:55 pm · Link

    I spent all weekend helping my mom with her Xmas baking. 4 days of baking about 2 dozen types of cookies/bars. Then I helped her wrap and box some of them for her bosses. I’m beat! I also made up a plate to take in to work. Now I’m ready for another weekend. One where I don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen!



  12. Jen Lyon
    December 19th, 2011 at 9:18 pm · Link

    Dawn, you must be exhausted! But I’m sure all the lucky recipients are grateful! Hope you get some rest soon.



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