Mug Rug Swap

I joined a mug rug swap and finished up my rugs this weekend. As soon as my partner recieves them, I will post pictures.

this blogging world

Recently there has been some controversy going back and forth concerning quilting. Who cares?!!!
I thought this was a friendly forum free from back stabbing and each of us was free to do and to share what makes us happy. It is a bit like the nasty online dialog between junior high kids. No face attached so anything goes. It is all some form of self-centered, mean girl nonsense. I would guess that many bloggers have been disappointed by something they have encountered thru this online community - swap flakers, swap disappointments, comments - but it is not a reason to be mean to one another.

stocking up

Coffee - check
Milk - check
Books - check
Fabric -check

Ready for that HUGE storm coming my way.

Packing it up for another year

This year I decided to minimally decorate and to use lots of fresh greens. By minimally I mean that I did not display every Santa, snowman and more that I have been accumulating for the past 39 years. I have more Christmas decor than I can use. But I can't let go of it. Some has sentimental value, some I just like and other pieces are favorites of family members. So... I have an entire closet for Christmas storage. I'm sure many of you can relate to this.

Clean up is easy this year. The few things I did put out are gathered and waiting to be wrapped in tissue for safe storage. The greens will go back out to the garden and all that is left is to vacuum up the fallen needles. And there are plenty!

A few gifts need to be returned or exchanged, a few thank you notes need to be written (ASAP kids) and that is it. Christmas 2010 was one of our best and most relaxing.

post Christmas baking - The best Chocolate Chip Cookies

With all the cookies gone it is time to make some more. The family has requested chocolate chip and I found the best recipe at America's Test Kitchen. I always use milk chocolate chips as I'm not a fan of semi-sweet. With or without nuts these are hands down the BEST.

America's Test Kitchen Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 16 cookies

Avoid using a nonstick skillet to brown the butter; the dark color of the nonstick coating makes it difficult to gauge when the butter is browned. Use fresh, moist brown sugar instead of hardened brown sugar, which will make the cookies dry. This recipe works with light brown sugar, but the cookies will be less full-flavored. For our winning brand of chocolate chips, see related tasting.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (8 3/4 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
• 3/4 cups packed dark brown sugar (5 1/4 ounces) (see note)
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chunks (see note)
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted (optional)

Instructions

• 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large (18- by 12-inch) baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.
• 2. Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and, using heatproof spatula, transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl. Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.
• 3. Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny. Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (if using), giving dough final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain.
• 4. Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons (or use #24 cookie scoop). Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 dough balls per sheet. (Smaller baking sheets can be used, but will require 3 batches.)
• 5. Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 10 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving.

A chance to relax

Today is the first opportunity in weeks to just relax. Since Thanksgiving is has been a constant whirlwind of work, Christmas shopping, wrapping, baking and decorating. As much as I love Christmas, it is exhausting! Fortunately, we do not have any returns - for that I am very thankful!

My daughter is home from college until mid January and it is so nice to have her around. This is a time for catching up with friends and each other. And finishing projects that need to be completed - including her quilt. I have fabric for 3 other quilts that need to be cut and put together. They will be sent out for quilting since I just can't seem to master that part of the project.

The snow came quickly and we have a ton! Today is sunny and the snow is still rather clean so it is a beautiful sight. Plenty of animal tracks. Perfect day to watch a few cooing programs or a good movie and sip some hot chocolate. I have a stew in the oven for dinner - the few leftovers from Christmas are gone. I think I have about a dozen cookies left and that is it.

The holidays

Now that I've had my fall/halloween dinner party, it's time to start planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Christmas is a very stressful time for me since I'm in retail. Very little free time available to entertain or even be the recipient of someone elses entertaining. In the past I have hosted a huge Christmas party that has dwindled down to a small gathering on a week night. This year my daughter wants a mother/daughter party so all the girls that are home from college can see each other. I will make time to share in such a fun time with my baby girl. After tasting the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls, a brunch sounds like a good idea.

There's baking to be done, a quilt to make, shopping for gifts, decorating the house and fitting in some of the fun holiday traditions that have evolved over the years. One that I love is an ornament exchange with the women I met when my kids were young. These are the friends that shared mini gym, play dates and the occasional "Moms' Night Out" to restore sanity. Bib and I went to the same Ob doctor and I had to wait for her to deliver Corby before I could deliver. I still tease her about making me wait. Mo and I met when out boys were a year old and we are still best friends. Raising kids together creates a bond that is deep and strong.

Today I get to share the afternoon with my two neighbor boys who are 7 and 5. They asked if we could bake - Lemon Knot Cookies was the specific request. Love, love, love interacting with them and it appears to be mutual. Better get the butter out to soften...