Holidays are not nearly as hectic as they were when I was "in the middle generation". I'm glad that the current "middle generation" (meaning son and wife) are gentler with themselves and making common sense decisions about gifts. This year it is once again all centered around "the kid"... gifts are to or from him.
Saturday, I wrapped the one from me to the FGC. I put a performance of Handel's Messiah on the YouTube for mood and carried on!
I also made another batch of cookies, these for the FGC, especially, as he liked the "mistake cookies" I made last year. This year, they became the "almost-a-disaster" cookies. I'm almost ready to declare this recipe jinxed.
What happened? I was in the process, having sifted the flour and baking soda into a small bowl, and put the softened butter and peanut butter and sugars into the big bowl. I went to pull the hand mixer out of the cupboard, and it brought a friend along for the ride. An old glass sugar bowl was pulled out of the cupboard, and it crashed onto the counter, shattering.
Fortunately, I had anticipated Ember being a nuisance during baking, so had put her down for a puppy nap in her crate before I started.
Phew! I can so easily imagine trips to the emergency vet if a pup licked up glass!
The cookies are safe and will be distributed Sunday at my daughter in law's birthday brunch.
I released Ember from her "den" once the cookies were cooling in a different room, and we hopped in the car to go on human errands. One of those errands involved buying another small bag of flour, because I'm on tap to make the pumpkin pie for Christmas Day, and I pretty much used up the allowance with having to double up the flour for the cookies.
On Friday, my niece came over to sample the cheese puffs and meet the doggo. Ember wasn't so sure about this new human, but she warmed up as I clearly accepted my niece's presence. We shared coffee, the cheesy treats, and memories. We caught up on one another's lives. I shared the photo book of FGC, who reminds me in some ways of this niece's brother, who passed away it must be 15 years ago now. I am hoping that this spurs more regular contact with her!
Life is good. Keep on Sparking!
Oh wow, that was surely a trial in cookie making and thank goodness Ember was not at hand (although I knew you would have her out of the way when baking) Sounds like a wonderful time with your niece too. May your wish come true for the two of you. Huge hugs and have a great week of Christmas!
ReplyDeleteIt's shaping up to be a satisfying holiday season, from a personal perspective. I have the cookies packed up in "redneck tupperware" (plastic containers from whipped cream from previous holidays), and ready to go to the birthday brunch.
DeleteWhat is Christmas baking without some sort of disaster? Enjoy all the festivities.
ReplyDeleteLol! So true!
DeleteYou have many disasters in the kitchen area! mine today was the spinning beaters quickly took up ALL the butter inside them, the released it from the top. I managed to stop before total disaster, but cleaned the backsplash ;-)
ReplyDeleteFunny how things we only do once a year result in so many mishaps. But they do.
DeleteOh my goodness! I made scotch short bread on Tuesday. When I took the cookies out of the oven, the pyrex dish CRACKED . . . right in 1/2. So, your story sounds familiar. Started all over w/a different dish and that worked. Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of you and your niece. Hope it does spur more frequent contact!
hugs and blessings
barb
1cd
Scotch short bread sounds perfectly seasonal. Yikes for the dish cracking, though. Have a great Christmas.
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