Things I Learned in 2014

Whether it is the battery in your car key fob or in your car, these items should not be ignored.

Raising young children takes a specific set of parenting tools; adult children require a different set of tools that have very little to do with parenting. 

Shucking oysters is even more of a skill than shucking clams.  Both make me feel accomplished.

Human suffering has very long tentacles as does human kindness, however, I am afraid the suffering is winning.

Having your car towed is a bad experience.  Toss in the fact that you are traveling with your friend who just had chemo and her teenage daughters from whom you have to bum money to pay for the late night towing, and, well, it just takes bad to a new dimension.

Friendship's grace really shows up when you are towed.

Metallic tattoos are fun, temporary jewelry.

A three day music festival with your music savvy daughter is bliss.

I have an FM voice.

First and second graders give you a reason to smile every darn day.

I didn't hate reading a book on Kindle (but still prefer the real thing)

The front row movie seat is no longer awful thanks to reclining movie theater seats.

"No Parking" signs in any US city may as well be written in Greek.  Wait, they already are.

Apparently Instagramming one photo a day is appropriate.  I am Instagram inappropriate.

The Serial podcast has me transfixed (I am late to the listening and am currently "binge listening" - is that even a thing?)

J. Roddy Walston and The Business made me like heavy metal music.

I talk aloud to myself when home alone (also when not home alone, as pointed out by both of my daughters)

Paris + Autumn = more bliss.

My family agrees on this one thing - we are beach people.

 

Thanks so much for indulging me in this vanity project by reading this blog - you are most generous.  I hope 2015 returns your generosity in every way!

Cookie Snob

Now that the great American turkey holiday is behind us, the next item in my culinary forecast is deciding over cookies; not just any cookies. I am thinking about Christmas cookies. 

For me, eleven and a half months out of the year are meant for baking many tarts, pies and such.  But when December rolls around, it's time to brush off those special holiday cookie recipes and ponder which ones will make the cut. 

This is a serious matter.  Well, for me it's serious.  I am a cookie snob.

My Grandmom Elizabeth was the premier cookie baker.  Stacks of tins lined her sideboard in December as she churned out angeletti's, fig/raisin bars, and pizelles.  Struffoli - Italian honey balls in the shape of a wreath - sometimes made an appearance. She also made cinnamon bread as gifts and for Christmas morning.


Yellowed, worn and wonderful-
recipe cards are a comfort still. 

 The magic of what she was able to produce in her little row home kitchen reminds me that spirit and heart (along with gobs of butter) help determine cookie success.  My mom and I took on the cookie baking after Elizabeth, and then, for reasons that escape my understanding,  I began to add to the list in a very, very choosy way.  

I searched for variety and distinctiveness, and deliberately kept away from chocolate chip- I don't know why except perhaps chocolate chip cookies were the everyday cookies made for my kids January through November.   I broke that rule in 2008 when a  friend's Deep Dark Chocolate cookies caught my fancy.  They have been on the list ever since. 

The first issue I face in early December is considering if I will make all ten recipes in my select cookie corral.  Even more vexing is deciding whether or not to add  a new type to the list.   And then, which one do I replace? 

M&Ms in a cookie? Heck no. Hershey kisses sitting in the center of a cookie? I don't think so!  Any peanut butter cookie? Keep It!  Store bought cookies? Really?

See, I told you - big time snobbery. 

In 2003, the mother-in-law of another friend made Raspberry Ribbons that met the dual criteria.  They hold a solid place among the holiday sweets.   Then, in 2004 a friend's Rosemary Shortbreads stormed onto the scene with their sweet/savory blend.  They kicked Nut Balls and Stained Glass Lemon cookies to the curb.  It is rough out there is the Land of Sweets!

Making lists is part of the
annual cookie snobbery

So now I find myself sifting through cookie cookbooks and magazines, (and of course the Internet;) I pay close attention at cookie swaps, always keeping an eye out for that special something which offers a delicious difference.  It's not that I am unhappy with any of my Christmas cookies, but thinking that another special recipe could be floating out there keeps me on the hunt. http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017031-chocolate-mint-thins-with-candy-cane-crunch?em_pos=large&emc=edit_ck_20141203&nl=cooking&nlid=55357066

I often wish my Grandmother could join me in the kitchen.  I'd love to know her thoughts on the chosen recipes.  Last year, my mom spent a delicious morning with my adult daughters baking cookies here.  I'd like to think they someday will carry on with the baking, putting their own twist (and pickiness!) on it.  

So, watch out because this cookie snob continues to be on the prowl for the next worthy sweet treat.  Let's start with yours - what are your holiday favorites?

What cookies do I bake? Here's the list:

Angeletti

Fig/Raisin Bars

Ricotta

Walnut Crescents

Spritz

Jam Filled Thumbprints

Rosemary Shortbreads

Pecan Tassies

Deep Dark Chocolates

Raspberry Ribbons

2014 Cookies