Snow Day

It's snowing here today. In fact, we're barely outside the blizzard zone. Usually I'm pretty stoked, but it caught me off guard. How that happened, I don't know, I guess they've been talking about it all week. My stupid smart phone even started blaring some obnoxious warning about a blizzard. But I just banged it on the dashboard until it stopped honking at me.

Serendipitously, I have enough activities to keep us busy. Presents to wrap, cards to mail, a house to clean. And a list of goodies to bake. Thankfully, we ran out last night for more butter and tylenol. No, the tylenol isn't for any special cookies. The oldest has been sick all week. Thankfully she's turned a corner this morning (as I feel congestion building in my head). She'll barely make her holiday party at school tomorrow.

Back to baking. You know, my plan is to lose 30 lbs this next year, by doing absolutely nothing. Smells like success. So, I thought I'd start out by baking a ridiculous amount of Christmas goodies to bring to our parents' houses for the upcoming festivities. As much as I swear I won't eat them, one or three always jump into my mouth and dive into my stomach, all without my permission, I swear.

Wanna know what made the list this year?

First up, the candy category.

I made these for the first time: cake batter truffles



Aren't they cute? I'm not a huge cake batter person, but if you are, I bet you'll love these.

I'd much rather grab a handful of buckeyes. I'd post a picture but I don't want you slobbering on your screen or eating your phone. I'm sure you all know what they look like. My aunt on my dad's side is famous for hers, so I'm continuing the tradition many states away.

Also in the freezer is Peppermint Bark. Simple recipe I found on the bag of those melting chocolates. Why not?

Today, I'm making peanut brittle. My husband is allergic to chocolate (before you shout "oh no!", don't worry, we manage to get by by eating all the chocolate for him). So, I have to keep him and his "sensitivities" in mind. I'm a good wife like that. (True story: I tried making him peanut brittle when we were dating. I learned that burned sugar tastes terrible and that this guy must have really loved me.)

If I have enough butter, I'd like to make toffee. One year I brought it and my father in law never let the bag o'toffee out of his sight. Makes a daughter in law's heart warm.

On to the cookies...

My favorite cookie this year might be this soft gingerbread cookie. I made a batch a few weeks ago and they disappeared into my stomach too quickly, so I made a double batch in hopes that they'll survive until Christmas.

Somehow I messed up my tried-and-true, almost-memorized-the-recipe light chocolate chip cookies. What  a shame. Moving on...

Chocolate Crinkles. These cookies are great. Definitely making these.

Joining the party, snickerdoodles from a cookie dough fundraiser. For my husband. Remember, good wife?

And finally, my favorite holiday cookie -- peppermint ....shortbread cookies? Again, my aunt makes these, I don't know what she calls them and they are wonderful. I have yet to find a recipe that compares to it. Maybe one day I'll share.

A skinnier version of myself is whispering that I should make some friendlier options like these fudge babies and this fudge and these no-bake cookies. But she needs to speak up.