"Last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice."


[t.s. eliot]

Christmas Cookies: Nights 2-5

Sugar Cookies using my Grandma's recipe are THE Christmas tradition in my family.  I have years and years of memories making them.  They are so much work that they are, essentially, a group project.  Last year when my grandpa was sick, I took on the task myself because I wanted that Christmas to include all of my family's traditions even though it was such a difficult year for all of us.  This year, I had my hubby to help with the process, so it went a little more smoothly.  Either way, the entire baking process for only about 4 dozen cookies ended up spanning 3 days.  Good thing that they are oh SO worth it.  Take a look:

crisco (!) sugar, vanilla, salt, and baking powder

Christmas Cookies: Night 1

I began baking my Christmas Cookies last night.  I am a bit behind schedule this year due to the fact... well, I have no idea why.  I'm not a last minute kind of person when it comes to holidays.  Everything else, sure.  Holidays- no way.  I usually have a decent amount of shopping done by the second week of December, and I spend the two weeks leading up to Christmas decorating, crafting and baking.  This year, we decorated in approx. 2 days, pretty sure I only used about half of the decorations, AND I made my first batch of cookies last night. Way behind schedule.

Either way, I am happy that I found the time to make cookies at all.  Baking is a stress reliever for me.  I spend so much time during the day creating things that don't tangibly exist (websites, emails, etc...) that it always feels good to actually create something that I can hold in my hands.  Speaking of which- I found myself very inspired by the colorful illustrations of this artist, so I hope to have some new art to share within the coming week... along with more cookies!

In the meantime, here's a glimpse into the process of my latest creation:  Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients that will not be leaving my counter top until December 25th December 28th!

I'm Dreaming Of...

Now, I'm not trying to jinx anything here: but I just happened to check out the 5 day forecast.  Could it be true?!  I don't know about you, but I would absolutely LOVE a white Christmas.

new photo, spelled Santa wrong yesterday- WHOMP. 

Pink-Soled Heels

I LOVE pink.  When J and I got married, my shoes had pink bottoms(!).  I designed them myself, and they were, in fact, one of my favorite parts of the entire day.  Our photog forgot to take a picture of our rings that day, so this is a little number that I put together to make up for that fact. The next time I have white roses, I'll take another "should have been taken" ring picture. Thank you Nina and Diamond Design Jewelers for giving us the freedom to create and choose such beautiful things. This picture means a lot to me because- in a very personal way- it embodies many of the challenges we met while planning our big day. Sigh.  More on that another time perhaps?

p.s. 4.25 inch heel for NINE HOURS straight!

Christmastime Is Here

Confession: I begin listening to Christmas music once the months start ending in ‘-ber.’ I don’t even try to justify it. One of my favorite Christmas songs ever is “Christmastime Is Here” from the beloved classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. What could be better than that little, dinky-looking tree to get you into the holiday spirit? Christmastime is here, we’ll be drawing near. Oh that we, could always see, such spirit through the year…

Charlie. (source)

All that being said, I thought I would share a few pieces of Christmas from my house, as well as my not-so-top-secret-to-die-for Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that J says that I’m not allowed to share with the world because someone other than me would be able to make the best chocolate chip cookies that ever existed. Toot! Toot! ( <- that was my own horn) You’re welcome.