Christmas Cookies II

I don't want to see another cookie for a very long time, BUT I thought I would show you what I made this year.  I made eight different kinds, and that was kind of insane!  Next year I would only make the peanut butter buckeyes, cocoa balls (maybe), peanut butter chocolate chip, and shortbread.  I gave a lot away though, and the majority went to my husbands work where they all loved them.

Peanut Butter Buckeyes - An Ohio Tradition

Peanut Butter Buckeyes - An Ohio Tradition

Peanut Butter Buckeyes - An Ohio Tradition

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies - Magnolia Bakery Recipe

Oatmeal Health Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies - Giada De Laurentis Recipe

Cocoa Balls

Coconut Macaroons 

Christmas Lights & Traditions

I am big on traditions, especially around the holidays.
For one my husband and I drive around every year for a couple hours looking at all the lights (see video below).  We grab some coffee and take our time.  Just a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit.  Something that my parents did when we were kids, that now Tom and I do.  The street we used to go to as kids is still somewhat decorated, but not nearly as fantastic as when we were kids and the line of cars would wrap around the streets waiting to go down this one specific cul-de-sac.  


Another tradition was to walk two doors over to my Aunt's house on Christmas morning for breakfast and to see what toys her kids got.  As we grow older though, traditions can change.  So last year my parents, husband and I went to my brother's house instead for breakfast and to see my niece open her presents.  Not the same, but just as good in a new way!


I also have to watch certain movies at Christmas time:  Home Alone, The Holiday and an old black and white one, A Holiday Affair.  


My family also does a "round robin".  We basically start at one house, spend about 45 minutes there admiring the tree and eating an appetizer and having one drink.  Then we go on to the next house, about 5-6 houses that night.  We are doing that next Saturday and I will be sure to do a post on the food served and everyone's tree!


What traditions do you try to keep during this time of year?

Christmas Decorating

I love Christmas, and I love decorations.  What's your decorating style?  Over the top like my Mom's, or sparce, or somewhere in between?  I think I'm in between.


We have a fake tree, which really made me sad when my family first got one as a teen, BUT we get to put it up before Thanksgiving and keep it up through Jan 8th, which is something you can't do with a real tree.  There's also something really sad about using a real tree for a month and then it gets tossed out. :(  Our tree is pre-lit which is awesome, and it has a remote which can change the tree to all multi colored lights, or all white/clear lights, or both.  We usually keep it on both.

With all lights on.

With only the white/clear lights on, totally changes it.

I would love to have a table full of nutcrackers one day.
So far I have two.  Santa with the bagpipes is also hanging out
on the mantle.

Russian Nesting Dolls and a Bagpipe Playing Snowman

I have an album of just Christmas photos from over the
years that I put out at this time of year.

My red dining room is perfect at this time of year!

I've wanted snowflake curtain lights for a long time.
Only Ikea seems to have them, and I am 2 hours from an Ikea.
Found them on ebay for $10.  LOVE.

Christmas Shopping Countdown: 3 Weeks

Mustache Fleece Warmer - Etsy ($23)

Cupcake Scarf - ($43)

Stacked Cups - ($14)

Flake Lamp - ($50)

Peanut Butter & Jelly Necklaces - ($15)

Bacon Wallet - ($18)

Pancake Pen - ($10)

Salt and Pepper Shaker - ($40)

Bones Socks - ($15)

Donut Lipgloss - ($10)

Night Light - ($46)

iPhone Stand - ($10)

Christmas Cookies

It's cookie week on the Pioneer Woman's blog.  It got me thinking about what kinds of Christmas cookies to make this year.  Here are some I've made in the past:

Magnolia Bakery Peanut Butter Cookies & Melt in Your Mouth Shortbread
Both of these cookies are amazing.
The Peanut butter cookie recipe comes from here:  
http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/12/peanut-butter-cookies/


And here is the Melt in Your Mouth Shortbread recipe:
They are always a big hit, these are the only ones I definitely make every year.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch
1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Whip butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in the confectioners' sugar, cornstarch, and flour. Beat on low for one minute, then on high for 3 to 4 minutes. Drop cookies by spoonfuls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Watch that the edges don't brown too much. Cool on wire racks.

Original Recipe Yield 3 dozen

Smitten Kitchen:  Crispy Salted White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I also like these for something a little different.  The salt is nice.  I'm trying to think what other cookies I have made for the holidays.  Giadia De Laurentiis has a really good recipe for Oatmeal English Toffee Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies that I love.  Snickerdoodles are also good, and my Mom makes cocoa balls and butter balls too.

And just for fun, a few weeks ago about 8 of us (my cousins and aunt's) got together to make the family recipe for Italian Cookies.  Here they are getting sprinkled and drying.  They were good! 

Christmas Shopping Countdown: 5 Weeks

Keychain Speaker ($25)

Anthropologie Gloves ($28)

Filigree Ball Long Necklace ($10)

Etsy Coffee Cup Ring ($8)

Etsy Pearl Earrings ($9)

NY& CO. Wallet ($17)

Etsy Peppermint Creme Sugar Scrub ($12)

Etsy Pancake Ring ($14)

Anthropologie Hat ($54)

Scrabble Necklace ($15)

NY&CO Peacoat ($90)