Cookie Factory Part II

Well it was a big job but we got it done. All the cookies are baked, decorated and divided up into tins. It was quite fun. We're having a raging blizzard outside but at least we didn't lose power this time (at least so far). We missed the other helpers though. Here are lots of pictures.

This kind has some cardamom in the dough and chocolate and pistachios decorating. They're called black and whites.

Here are the old stand-by cookies - beautiful frosted sugar cookies. Nathan and I painted and Sarah decorated.A few close-ups:


These Christmas trees have a little peppermint extract so they taste slightly minty.

This is an old favorite from Elmira - poppy seed cookies. They're really rich and buttery.

These are Sarah's favorite - buried cherry cookies. Lots of steps but really worth the effort.
The spoon fell in.
Super-good!
A sampler platter.

What's missing? Rugalach! :(

Cookie Factory Part I

It's been a really long time between postings again, but pretty soon I can start showing all the secret projects. Here's a not-so-secret project - cookies! Every year we have cookie weekend just before Christmas. We're having a little trouble with weather this year, but Sarah and Nathan are here helping with decorating. We're hoping Susie can come tomorrow, but I don't think Katie and Raf will make it to cookie weekend this year. :( We'll have to put some in the freezer for them. Here are some previews:

The gingerbread decorators were a little wild.
This is a special pac-man cookie Sarah made for Nathan. Here's a gingerbread bear.And the annual Christmas chicken.

Katie's favorite - pinwheels. I think Grandpa Jerry likes these too. His mother used to make them. Aren't they pretty?

We'll have more to show tomorrow. It's important to keep a record of these things - right?

In case you're wondering, we'll either be having a white Christmas or a major flood. We got about a foot of snow yesterday and more coming tomorrow. Happy winter!

Office Decorating Part 2

Here's Kim's cozy office. I think it looks great.

And Kristen's area - it looks like a workshop for elves.

It's that time again!

It's the annual Business Services office decorating contest. We've been doing this in our office for a few years now and some people are really into it. Others not so much, but everyone's been a good sport about it. Everybody wins a prize. I keep winning "Zingiest" for some reason. This year I have sort of a hand-made theme. I wonder if people will think it's zingy again. Here's how my office looks so far. Kind of cozy, don't you think?

I've been working on making these stars for awhile. They've been helping me sharpen up my embroidery skills.A jar full of lights - it looks really cool with the other lights off. Sarah's letting me borrow her trees for a little while. Aren't they sweet? They smell great.

I think the bear chair is the cutest.

I'll post some of the other offices soon - wait until you see Kim's. It's amazing!

Back to the blog

I think I was on a blog vacation but now I'm back. We had a nice Thanksgiving - it was great having everyone here and we didn't even have any cooking disasters this year. Now it's the Christmas season and the house is decorated and I'm working on getting projects finished up. OK, a few aren't even started yet. I'll have lots of projects to show off soon, but for now here are some Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas photos.

Some Thanksgiving groceries

Stuffing in the mixing stage. We tried baking it in a water-bath this year and I liked it better that way - less crusty crust on the sides.Hot lulu - a mixture of grated apple, onion, sweet potato, carrots with a little kick from habanero sauce - delicious!

Cranberry and pumpkin breads

A delicious jello mold from Susie - so refreshing!Serious gamesters

The buddies
Stevie always has the biggest camera.

The couch brigade
One collapsed. (She did all the dishes first though!)

Well, one visitor had lots of energy. Emily's favorite toy is a tennis ball and her favorite game is keep-away.

The day after Thanksgiving we started getting ready for Christmas.

Bruno likes the new wreath. He keeps trying to climb up there. It must smell good.He has to share the couch though.

Waechtersbach mugs - I've been collecting these for a long time. Don't they look cute all together?
We've been drinking mulled cider in them this week.
What a cozy season!