Today was the perfect day. Two words: Bead Therapy! I hit the big Gem show with my friend Lori, and 4 hours later we were going strong. It is wonderful to go with someone who is not only patient (I can be indecisive), and knowledgeable. Every time I turned around, Lori was engaged in conversation with someone new discussing everything from bead design ideas to how to oxidize silver. People are drawn to her…..me too. 🙂 A fantastic break from they every day. When I came home, my husband said I should do that more often (ah, he didn’t see the damage yet though!).
What a busy week it has been…. with Christmas traditions and activities in full swing. I’ve enjoyed reading your holiday stories too as I begin to emerge from hiding. I’ve been avoiding my computer, while working on a deadline that I was able to meet, just in the nick of time. Meanwhile, my kids have been busy decorating Gingerbread cookies with their Aunt, and Gingerbread houses with old friends….. Then there was our Christmas card photo shoot…thank goodness for self-timers! If you look closely at our family shot, you’ll see why this one was re-shot (how do you get 4 boys to look at the camera at the same time?). The cards will be going out -again- just in the nick of time. Does anyone else feel like they could use an additional week before Christmas? This is my favorite holiday and it is approaching so fast. I wish I could slow down time so I can savor Christmas just a bit longer….
One last picture….I’m going to add these to our list of Christmas traditions. There is always room for a new one! Have you ever heard of Guittard chocolate? These are slice of heaven. And way too easy to eat right out of the bag. 🙂 I picked up a package of their mint chocolate chips recently and tried the Polka Dot Cookies….YUMMY. Just like eating a brownie in the shape of a cookie, with creamy mint mixed in. Try them if you can find the chips at Safeway,World Market, or your local grocery store!
Polka Dot Cookies
recipe from Guittard
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups Guittard Green Mint Chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In top of double boiler over low heat, melt the semi-sweet chips and butter, stirring constantly until smooth. Set aside to cool. In small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until light. Blend in melted chocolate then dry ingredients. Stir in green mint chips and chill for 10-15 minutes or until stiff. Drop by well-rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes; cookies will be soft in the centers but will firm up as they cool. Yeilds approximately 4 dozen cookies.
What are your holiday traditions? What are you baking this season? 🙂
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Lovely festive pics Cindy! Really beautiful. I especially like the ones of you and the dog and you and your second youngest, in front of your lovely new home. Beautifully decorated of course! And I have finally tracked down a UK seller that stocks Belle Armoire Jewelry and I’m so excited for it to arrive and read all about your Round Robin necklace! Best wishes for the holidays 🙂
Wonderful pics! I was just thinking how green it looks and then came the photo with the fox and the snow. It looks like it is going to be a fabulous Christmas at the Wimmer house.
I am looking forward to some Bead Therapy in January. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Baking….well, you know me, I love to bake….this year’s list includes my grandmother’s recipes for white Italian cookies, her Italian chocolate cookies, my mom’s almond press cookies, some gingerbread people, some cutout sugar cookies, some snickerdoodles, some thumbprint cookies, and my maternal grandmother’s date bars. Whew! Oh, and I am also planning on making some chocolate-covered pretzels. I need to get my hands on some Guittard chocolate, too.
I am so glad you will be celebrating Christmas in your new home! Merry Christmas!
Such precious photos, Cindy-thanks for sharing! I think I am going to make Sand Tarts this year, especially for my father who is ill with cancer. His mother originally, and later my mom, made them all the time previous years past . . . I don’t think anyone has made them for quite a long time! Dad spoke of them the other day, describing them to British friends when talking about the Holidays and it gave me the idea! They are a kind of thin sugar cookie, with an almond and cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top. Yummy!! A Pennsylvania Dutch and Andrews family tradition that I am going to resurrect! My mom gave me the recipe a while back. It is the harder kind of cookie you need to roll out . . . .
Have a beautiful, wonderful Holiday and thanks so much for writing. xoxoxo
: ) lenna
Around here it is snowing like crazy. All the poor people are stuck at the airport, they warned about taking the trains and the highways are closed for big cars. Europe is under siege:-) So everything really slows down. That is truly amazing. I wish you and your wonderful family a merry and blessed x-mas!
how very wonderful – each and every thing… glad you got to share some time with lori… we all need mental health breaks… and your traditions in your new home are so fun…
I love reading about everyones christmas traditions, sadley i dont have any of these to my shame, i’m thinking perhaps when i have children the traditions will come. I did a bit of baking earlier in the year (just simple things like muffins and cookies), but they went down very well and i would love to do some more, unfortunatly it’s finding time for these things, currently the house i live in is in a state of prolonged renovation so i didn’t think there was any point putting up a christmas tree and decorations. But next year i want to start making a range of beaded decorations to sell (and to keep of course) and hopefully have my own tree to put them on.
Your pictures are just lovely Cindy, we’ve just had our first snow too, unfortunatly snow in the U.K. tends to cause havok but still it’s pretty
I can smell the gingerbread from here! That is one of my favorites for sure! It always seems the holidays come so fast and there is so many fun things to fit in…it is all about enjoying our family and friends and giving thanks.
I love the family picture, I think that one is a keeper…the face on your son is priceless!
Such a wonderful family picture
AHHH! stupid computer…I didn’t finish yet…wonderful picture on the front step of your new home. Christmas is such a busy time of year but we have to take time to enjoy family traditions and the reason for the season. We’ve been busy doing cookies and gingerbreads houses this weekend. Merry Christmas
Aw, what a sweet thing you said about me. We get along so well when we’re together because I think we’re long-lost sisters from another life, you know?
I adored the gingerbread houses, too. And the fox!
Howdy Lit’l Mama!!
Ohhhh bead therapy it will cure anything!!!! Great pictures!! Oh how I remember those days and all the “redos”!! If you only had one you are doing awesome!!
Slowly making the rounds after surgery (which went great!!) , sooooo if I don’t get back here in time I wish you and the whole Famdamily a wonderful holiday full of awesome memories!!!
Pattie 😉
Mazatlan Mx.
Those gingerbread cookies are sweet. You HAVE been busy!!! Yes, I would love a extra week before the holidays. For some reason I got a lot more done when I had three little ones at home, but now that they are older I seem to have less energy. Back then I didn’t have all the volunteer work and obligations that I do now.
Your family photo is a hoot–I would have used the first one!
Have a blessed Christmas!
Your kids are so cute. I always love that you take so many pictures of them. I hardly ever take pics of anything but jewelry!
Yummy recipe! Thanks for sharing. We are trying a different mint chip cookie this week. The boy wants them and he is going to make them!
I don’t send any Christmas cards. I send New Years greetings. The year I decided to do that my life just opened up and I felt so much more peaceful about Christmas. Plus Christmas STARTS on December 25th, not ends! And people like getting a special something in the mail after the holiday rush is over!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Great pictures – your family is so good looking? Curious – what bead show was in our area ( I am in Richmond)? Can’t believe I missed hearing about one. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
Sorry about the question mark after saying how good looking your family was – finger hit the wrong key – really, it wasn’t a question!!
Wonderful family/puppy/cookie pictures. Happy New Home!
I was in Dulles yesterday. . .way too much bling! But I had fun and got some excercise (weight lifting).
Merry Christmas!
Nothing like a good bead show to get the adrenaline going!!
Love your pictures as always Cindy, and I thank you for your friendship and kindness this year.
Wishing you and your family a beautiful holiday!
BTW, the goodies look fantastic!
totally not ready for Christmas here. An extra week or TWO would be great! lol!
Thanks for the recipe those look sooooo yummy!!!
Happy Holidays!
Cindy,I am baking marshmello this and marshmello that…I’m afraid I may have marshmello overload,and the kids are hyper as ever..Oh dear.
Big Hugs to you and yours and yes I love your family picture!! ( :
Cat
Where in the world did my “W” go in marshmellow…Merry Christmas Cindy!!