501 to go

This is the last update before the big cookie season.  I'm promising myself that I'm not going to end up on the kitchen floor sitting in flour, powdered sugar in my hair and in tears; not that that's what happened last year. This year, I'm really going to try not to put any expectations on myself.  It's taking me the whole 9 months of Joey's life to learn that I should not try to bake when he is awake.  I made progress just today.  I baked one batch of cookies while he took his afternoon nap, and I made the pie (it is Thanksgiving after all) after Mike got home.  I may be a slow learner, but I figured it out.  Though I'm still exhausted now.
So this Christmas, I promise myself I will only bake on the weekends.  I promise myself I will not try to bake more than one batch in one day.  And if I don't get to a batch, it's okay - right?
You are all my witnesses; stay tuned to see how well I stick to these promises.

#121 Scandinavian Pecan Cookies
Last week we had international night at my school.  We had a huge potluck; families were expected to bring food to represent their culture.  Naturally, I made cookies.  There are a lot of cookies in my book that represent cultures.  Italian Christmas cookies, German chocolate cookies, Greek cookies, and many varieties of Mexican cookies.  Yeah, I'm none of those cultures.  I'm mostly Swedish and Polish.  There is just one cookie in my book that represents my heritage.  Scandinavian Pecan cookies.  And true to the Scandinavian culture; they're rather plain.
I have to share.  It was very (not sure the right word here: cool, inspiring, ...) to see the different families sharing their different cultures.  Specifically watching the Jewish student teaching the Muslim student how to play Dreidal.

#122 Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are for my mother-in law's birthday, which was actually a couple weeks ago, but she's coming to town, imagine my voice going up an octave on that last part.*
Mike picked these out; he says his mom would like them.  I kind of wonder if it's Mike that will like them?  In this cookie - milk choc. chips, semi-sweet, coconut, and dipped in white chocolate.  They look kind of gourmetish.


Happy Thanksgiving All!

*I actually enjoy her visits.  I feel like I get a little pampered.  I get a bit of a break.