Christmas Eve eve

Well after a bit of a hiatus due to the hectic schedule of projects to get accomplished before the family festivities and arrivals, I wanted to take a moment to post. It's been busy and I'm not even sure where to begin on the last few weeks. Two weekends ago we attended 2 of Michael's coworker's wedding at a local hotel on the beach. Being from Europe, the wedding was attended strictly by close friends and coworkers, so it was a nice small ceremony and luncheon. Although it was a bit breezy, the wedding was beautiful and lunch was great. That same night, we had a holiday party at another of Michael's coworker's homes. Where else (other than Florida) can you stand around a fire pit roasting marshmallows in short sleeves this time of year? The next morning was my birthday. It was a normal Sunday for us with catching up on stuff around the house and errands. I baked about 9 dozen cookies between cookies for Michael's work, my job's cookie exchange and extra cookies for the house for the holidays as well that day. We attended another holiday party and then this weekend had a party at bowling. We ended up in 3rd place for the first half of the season (good enough considering we only had 3 bowlers most of the season and only had 3 this final week). Hopefully we will regroup and do even better next half. I finally got the house cleaned and straightened and all the gifts wrapped this weekend and later today my mom comes in for a few days. Hopefully this nice weather stays (they are calling for 80's on Christmas) and on Saturday we will be able to paint the house (or at least get the primer coat done).
Not too much else going on. I have been having roller coaster days with being sick and it's starting to wear thin on me. I have no idea what is causing it (if it's food related, food-medicine interaction, just the illness, etc.) but go back to the doctor in 3 weeks. I need to get it under control since I am teaching a full schedule next semester (5 classes).

Hope everyone has a safe and merry holiday.

New Cookie Recipes

Spice Sugar Cookies

2 cups sifted flour, less if possible
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cream
extra granulated sugar, for decorating

Blend 1 cup flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Cream butter, beat in sugar. Beat in egg, vanilla, and cream. Stir in flour, then add enough of the remaining 1 cup flour to make the dough stiff enough to roll. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill several hours. Preheat oven to 375F. Place on a lightly floured cutting board and roll to 1/8" thickness. Use floured cookie cutters to cut into shapes. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake 8 minutes.

Snickerdoodles

1 cup butter or shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoons baking soda
cinnamon and sugar mixed to taste

Preheat oven to 400F. Mix together butter and sugar until smooth, then add eggs, cream of tartar, and baking soda. Stir in flour until well mixed. Roll into balls about 1" in diameter and roll in cinnamon and sugar to coat. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake 8-10 minutes. Cookies are done when they are just barely browning.

SWD #3

Read other daybooks at The Simple Woman.

For Today... Tuesday December 2nd , 2008

Outside my window...cold, white clouded day

I am thinking...of the hectic week we have this week and weekend.

I am thankful for...our water heater not catching our home on fire while we were away.

From the kitchen...probably a lot of meals on the fly since I have so many evening commitments right after work until 8 or 9 each night.

I am wearing...jeans, long sleeve white shirt with my black cardigan over it.

I am reading...the next Patterson book (Daniel...)

I am hoping...for a smooth review session tonight and that it ends at a decent time.

I am creating...a felt applique Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tree skirt and then on to the advent calendar, ornaments, stocking and other tree skirt

I am hearing...music from the online radio playing in the background.

Around the house... it is still semi-disaster from yesterday's work with the new water heater, so lots of cleaning and reorganizing. I also need to get the tree up and decorated but that will need to wait until Saturday.

One of my favorite things...seeing the leaves change due to autumn (we saw it in Georgia on our way back this weekend).

A few plans for the rest of the week...review session for my students tonight, bridal shower gift shopping, bowling, maybe some more progress on the tree skirt on wednesday, class' final exam thursday, exam grading and decorating friday, Gators vs Alabama Saturday...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... no picture this week.