Good weekend! Taking time off is a strange feeling. I’m never “completely” off, but it’s odd not thinking about my work in progress every second. Saturday, I mostly sat around a read a book. While I’m feeling better, the end of the cold was bugging me, so I kicked back. Sunday we did more shopping etc.
I’m not baking until later this week. I’m going to give some cookie-gifts at a Saturday party, and I want them to be fresh as possible. I realize now that I’m going to be pushing a bit do make that many different types of cookies in a couple days–poor planning on my part. But I’ll figure it out, and enjoy doing it.
After the horrible tragedy in Connecticut last week, all this other stuff just isn’t very important. My thoughts are with all the families and friends devastated by the violence that I simply can’t, and won’t ever be able to, comprehend. If I truly had any magic, I would focus it all on giving each and every heart suffering from that tragedy comfort and peace. I’ll leave my comments at that.
Back to baking, every day Wizard asks me, “Are you starting yet?” He cracks me up. I had six recipes I found online, and I only needed a couple. He was going through them with me, saying, “Ohhh, do that one! No that one! Can you make them all?” I think we settled on orange dipped cookie and a mocha cookies to add to what I already had. He always inspires me 
How was your weekend?
December 17th, 2012 at 3:49 am · Link
I can hear the conversation in your house trying to pick out which cookies to make ;). Putting the baking off until later in the week is a good idea for freshness but space it out so you don’t get too stressed out. I have that problem when making all the fudge.
Speaking of fudge I started yesterday. Only made two batches but it’s a start. I’ve decided to cut back this year. We all could do with a little less ;).
Finally finished the Christmas cards. Now the trip to the post office
.
Have a wonderful week.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:17 am · Link
I had an unexpected friend drop by and stay for the weekend. That was a blast. It was great for her and for my whole family to see and spend time with her. Although it is hard to share my best friend with my kids- I did not get as much of her time as I would have liked.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:21 am · Link
We cut back on the cookies this year (even if I did make one extra batch of fudge).
I’m so glad you had a nice weekend off. Kicking back and reading sounds perfect and like the best way to kill the rest of those germs. If Wizard isn’t careful, he’s going to lose his ‘wizard’ status become the Cookie Monster instead. ;o) Orange-dipped cookies sound interesting. You’ll have to let us know how they turn out. And if they’re awesome, post the recipe.
I spent the weekend watching football and reading for the most part (and avoiding the news). I also got a good chunk of pages written in my handy-dandy notebook. Now I have to transfer those to the computer and see if I really got as much accomplished as I thought. ;o)
December 17th, 2012 at 9:44 am · Link
The incident in Connecticut is so terribly sad. My heart grieves for those families and I add my thoughts and prayers to all the others hoping they find some measure of peace.
I have to start making cookies for Lawyer Guy’s office this week and homemade yeast rolls for the neighborhood. Christmas is as our house this year. Even so, that means laid-back rather than the full meal. The in-laws are bringing old family recipes for a potato casserole to go with the turkey sandwiches along with an applesauce cake. We’ll have veggie munchies (olives, carrots, pickles, etc) and a pie. I’ll make the morning cinnamon rolls and mimosas.
Still have some shopping to do and then wrapping of everything. ARGH! How many days do I have left?!? Writing is on the back burner until after the holidays, I’m afraid.
Hang in there, witches!
December 17th, 2012 at 12:16 pm · Link
Wizard truly sounds like my father when it comes to Christmas cookies. “So, where are my cookies?” I told him this year “You know, the new rule should be: You don’t bake them, you don’t eat them!” But, of course, it was a joke. My father would only take all the cookies and eat them in one sitting once we left to run errands. Glad you had a good weekend!!!
December 17th, 2012 at 2:49 pm · Link
I spent my weekend shopping to bake and then baking. I burned my hand on the oven and then I kicked it for burning me.
I can’t even begin to describe the grief I feel for all who are suffering through the Connecticut tragedy. I have cried more than once even though I know my tears don’t help.
Have fun baking your gifts. Don’t burn yourself, it hurts.
December 17th, 2012 at 2:56 pm · Link
Viki, fudge sounds good! I’m making two fudges today. One is super easy. Cutting back on baking is good, this year, I’m doing it more as a fun project. Trying to rope Biker Witch into helping
Ugh on the post office, but yay for getting your cards done! I’ve cut way bad. My hand cramps horribly, and they are a painful chore.
December 17th, 2012 at 2:57 pm · Link
Kat, that’s so cool! Sounds like a perfect weekend, even if you did have to share your best friend
Although I can see why she’s your best friend if she enjoys your kids so much!
December 17th, 2012 at 3:00 pm · Link
B.E., you were smart to avoid the news. I only watched as much as I could bear then turned it off.
By the way, I’m trying your peanut butter fudge recipe today!
You hand write in a notebook? Handwriting for any serious length of time is painful for me so I usually just do freewriting or plotting that way. But ti’s interesting the way different writers do it!
Wizard didn’t used to have such a sweet tooth, but I totally corrupted him
December 17th, 2012 at 3:02 pm · Link
Silver, I get hungry every year when you talk about your yeast rolls! I love bread. Making cookies for the LG’s office is nice–bet they wait for it every year!
Great Christmas Menu!
So with you on the shopping, I feel like I’ll never be done. And wrapping…ugh!
December 17th, 2012 at 3:04 pm · Link
Stephanie, LOL on your father! Men love their cookies
Wizard would help me make them if I asked, but he’d try to tell me how to do it. That would NOT go well! So he wisely stays out of the way.
Hope your dad gets all the Christmas cookies he wants this year!
December 17th, 2012 at 3:05 pm · Link
Yay for the PB fudge. I hope it turns out as awesome for you as it does for me. Yeah, I switch to a notebook sometimes when the words won’t come for me on the computer. I can only write about a page before my hand cramps, so it’s not the most efficient way, but it works for me sometimes (like with this WIP :shrug:)
December 17th, 2012 at 3:07 pm · Link
Oh Erika! Your poor hand! I burned my a couple years back, and I still remember how bad it hurt. I’m so sorry. Hope you’re babying your hand and letting it heal. You don’t want the burn to get infected.
I know, I rarely cry simply because it doesn’t help, but how can we not cry in empathy for all those families? And then I think of the first responders and what they saw…I just hurt for them all. I think we all do.
December 17th, 2012 at 3:09 pm · Link
Cookies as gifts? That’s what my mom does! She’s retiring next year so this is the last year she’s doing the marathon baking. I usually try to help out, as long as I’m not working when she bakes. We make around 2 dz different kinds of cookies and bars, plus candies, in 4 days. I worked about 6 hrs Saturday, then came home and helped bake for about 5. Then we baked some more on Sunday, before going to my aunt’s house for a holiday open house. After 9 1/2 hrs @ work today, I’m helping bake some more.
I’m w/ you on using magic for the families in Connecticut if I had it. I will never understand people who can do things like that!
Good luck convincing Biker Witch to help w the baking. Tell her that if she helps, she gets to sample as they come out of the oven
It’s good incentive!
December 17th, 2012 at 3:09 pm · Link
BE, I’m trying it this afternoon (West Coast time) and I’m sure it’ll be great!
I’m glad the notebooks works for you. I find white notebook paper helps me works because I think of it as “scratch” paper that somehow frees up my thinking. It’s interesting how we all find ways to get around the little blocks in our brains.
December 17th, 2012 at 3:13 pm · Link
Dawn, your mother is the queen! Wow! You guys are amazing!
You must never sleep
I used to do this with the kids, then we would pack it up and take it to all the neighbors. The kids loved it. This year I’m doing it for fun.
I just talked to Biker Witch, she’s willing but has an appointment on one of my baking days. She’s going to try to come over on the second day if she gets everything done.
December 17th, 2012 at 3:24 pm · Link
Oh I found a cook book for cookies, soup and drinks in a jar. You put in all the dry ingredients in the jar Seal it up and give as a girt. It looks great too all layered neatly in the jar. you attach a recipe card for what they need to finish the cookies etc. It looks so cool.
I may have found my office gifts this year.
December 17th, 2012 at 9:40 pm · Link
Kat, I heard of that! It’s a great idea!