Not the Brightest Idea...

 When I woke up this morning, it was snowing outside. Again. I guess that's what happens when you live in the mountains above 7000ft. Yet, all of the locals agree that they can't remember ever having this much snow in December.

Even though it was snowing, it was also a mere 3 days until Christmas, and I just HAD to get to Walmart for some last minute baking supplies.

When I pulled out onto my road, I saw something in the trees.

Upon further inspection, I found a group of turkeys hanging out by my house! Did you know that the proper thing to say is that I saw a "rafter of turkeys" hanging out by my house...like a "gaggle of geese" or a "flock of pigeons"?

See? You can actually learn things by reading this blog.  Go ahead and say the word "rafter" the next time you see turkeys.

It will impress your friends.

Or, they'll think you're totally weird.

Anyway, I digress.  When I left the house, the snowflakes were teeny tiny. The weather reports said 1-2" of snow the last time I checked.

By the time I got to the highway, things were getting a bit hairy on the road. People were sliding off everywhere. Thank the Lord for 4 wheel drive.

(In the interest of full disclosure, my 10 year old son took these photos from the back seat of the truck. I was busy driving with both hands on the steering wheel...thank you very much. I'm always thinking about public safety.)

A few minutes later....White out.  This is about the time that I was thinking to myself, "Self, are Christmas baking supplies so important that you are willing to risk sliding off the road for them?"

I had no idea that the weather would turn so quickly. 

But I forged ahead in my big truck with the wipers going full speed.  I was in too deep. I had to complete my mission.  When I turned into the Walmart parking lot...low and behold.... all of north eastern Arizona, and half of western New Mexico was there too! It was like all of us were making a death defying journey to the promised land.  

The place was packed like an alleyway full of steers at the sale barn.  My husband always has the urge to start mooing like cattle whenever we're in a crowd of people.  I refrained.

I was prepared, though. 

 This ain't my first "Walmart at Christmas" Rodeo!

No sir! My six year old slid under the cart where the dog food goes, my 9 year old rode drag, and my 10 year old scouted ahead of the herd for openings.  Then I'd throw an elbow into the crowd and say,"Ho,Ho, Ho!"

Totally kidding about that last part. I try to be extra cheerful when I'm shopping in a crowd. I always wear festive pins and I tell everyone, "Merry Christmas"!

After checking out, my kids and I schlepped our purchases through the snow covered parking lot to the very back where we parked the truck.  Carts don't travel through heavy snow too well.  We made the white knuckled journey back home, and when I pulled into the driveway, I let out a sigh of relief and thanked the Lord for our safe travels.

From the time I returned from my death defying adventure, I've been inside my warm house, baking all evening.  First, I made these delicious Cherry Cheesecake cookies. They're a new recipe that I've been eyeing for 6 weeks. They have so many steps to them that they take hours and hours to make, so I had to pick a day when I had hours and hours of spare time.  Today was not the day, but I did the steps in between other activities.

I also made a batch of these peanut butter cookies for tomorrow.  I hope there are a few left by morning.  They're disappearing before my eyes!

I've got much more baking to do, so I'd better get to it!

Hope everyone is having a lovely Christmas week!

Nell