C is for Cookie

These are not my cookies.

(Image by summerlovin)

The first Christmas after Mark and I got married, we decided to make cookies. I don't remember if we mixed up a sugar cookie recipe or if we went store-bought, but I distinctly remember lots of frosting, cookie cutters and sprinkles.

Yes, we definitely had sprinkles.

Actually, now that I think about it, if we took the time to mix up frosting and cut out candy cane and tree-shaped cookies, I'm pretty sure we used an actual recipe for that cookie dough.

And there was A. Lot. of cookie dough. Which made A. Lot. of cookies. I remember starting the process so excited and all newlywed-y, but by the time we got finished, we were so sick of cookies! We had cookies on every surface of that tiny one-room apartment. Lucky for all of our friends - because they all got a plate of those puppies. Or, trees and candy canes, as the case may be.

Since then, I haven't done much Christmas baking. Sure, I make all sorts of side dishes. And my Brownies From a Box never fail. But cookies? No, not so much.

So when I started reading about the fun cookie [recipe] exchanges going on this week, I was kind of bummed out. And then I was delusional thought I'd just whip something up, so I could join in.

And then I forgot.

But today I saw Jessica's First Cookie Recipe Exchange at The Mom Creative, and I remembered again. And I decided to stop by the store after work, get some cookie dough and frosting in a can, and write about how you don't have to be fancy to have Christmas fun in the kitchen.

And then I got to the store.

They were out of the frosting I wanted, and they didn't have any red and green sprinkles. So I bought almond bark and pretzels instead. And M&Ms.

You never know when you're going to need M&Ms.

Long story not short but finally to the point? I made almond bark-covered snack mix. Does it have a name? I don't know. My cousin makes it, and I call it . . . YUM. Here's a picture:

And here's the recipe, if you can call it that:

3 cubes of almond bark
Half cup of cheerios
Half cup of little marshmallows
Half cup of broken pretzels
2 packages of M&Ms

I might be wrong on the "half cup" part. Basically, I melted those three cubes and started dropping the other ingredients into the bowl. Possibly at random. And when it looked good? I put it in the fridge.

(You don't have to put it in the fridge unless you're in a hurry. To eat the YUM.) Makes 4 servings. Or two really big ones.

So, that's what I've got for you. If you have your own (real) cookie recipe or want to look at a couple or hundred, check out The Mom Creative's First Cookie Recipe Exchange and Blissfully Domestic's 12 Days of Christmas Cookies.

This post will also be linked to Mouthwatering Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

What's your favorite kind of Christmas cookie? Have you made any yet this year?

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Does anyone actually use boughs of holly?

What does your house look like in December? Is it covered, top to bottom, in red and green and holly and ivy? Or are your Christmas decorations few and far between?

If I had to guess, I'd say your answer probably has something to do with how many years you've lived on your own. Or perhaps it's related to how your family celebrated holidays - or how many boxes they sent with you when you moved out on your own!

Most of us, I think, collect our holiday decorations bit by bit over the years, building a collection that brightens our homes, reflects our values and preserves our memories.

This year, I'm excited to be adding to my collection with a few pieces from Dayspring. Have you seen their Jesus is the Gift Snowflake line? Red is my favorite color, so I might be biased, but I think these items just might work with anyone's Christmas decor. Check it out:

Aprons are all the rage right now. You can hardly pass a blog giveaway (including mine!) without seeing another cute apron. This one's on sale for $15.99, and the half apron and child's apron are both even less!

Okay, now raise your hand if you've been invited to a cookie exchange this year. I was, but it fell on my Everything Happens When I Go Out of Town weekend. But I have a feeling I'll still have the chance to display some Christmas cookies, fudge or other sweets on this cute plate. (And it's only $10.99!)

After I got these tea towels, I started thinking about my regular towels. Then I started looking at them. And thinking some more. And I am pretty sure they are more than 10 years old. Well, they still dry my hands and the dishes - but these new towels are way cuter!

Until Monday (December 14), you can get 25% off any purchase from Dayspring. Just use the code: GIFT25. And if you'd like, you can get to the Dayspring store from the banner over in my right sidebar.

I love my new Christmas decorations, and you can visit The Diaper Diaries for more loved things. But now tell me: what's your favorite Christmas decoration?

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If you hold your mouth JUST right...

Annalyn has been trying to jump this week. I don't even know what's "normal" for gross motor skill milestones anymore, but I'm finding this even more exciting than when she started walking backwards a couple weeks ago.

And cuter, too - because when I asked her to try to jump, she concentrated so hard, even holding her mouth crooked. You know that helps, right? Holding your mouth right?

I don't know where that phrase comes from. In my mind, I can hear my mom and my granny saying it. Is it a southern saying? Or just something my family said?

What about you? Do you have to hold your mouth just right when you're doing something difficult or new?

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I got a feeling (woo-hoo!) . . .

And you’re welcome for putting that little ditty in your head. I couldn’t help it. I do have a feeling that next week’s going to be a fun week. Just look at all the bloggy excitement taking place:

The Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash – Jerri at Simply Sweet Home has invited us to participate in the weeklong carnival she’s holding with four other bloggers. From homemade gifts and crafts to trees, recipes and traditions, they’ve got it all covered.

The Christmas Tour of Homes – Formerly hosted by BooMama, this virtual homes tour has moved to The Nester’s place! On Monday, link up a post with photos of your house, all decked out for the season. And remember, as The Nester says, “It’s not a contest! No perfect decorations allowed.”

My Favorite Things: Six Weeks of Free Stuff – Every Monday until the end of the year (including next Monday), Sarah Markley is giving away some of her favorite things.

Around the Table with Tami – Every Tuesday in December, Tami is hosting a virtual cookie exchange, and every Thursday of the month she’s hosting a gift idea exchange. She’s giving away Homemade Gourmet products during each carnival.

And don’t forget that Simple Mom is helping us create a more peaceful Christmas with her 12-week checklist of ideas, from budgeting and shopping to traditions and decorations.

Last, but most certainly not least, is my very own carnival. On my very own birthday!

Okay, so the birthday doesn’t really have anything to do with the carnival, other than sharing a date. Or maybe it does. Because though my parents worked hard to prevent the usual disappointments associated with a December birthday, it can still be a bummer to be born just one week before, you know, Jesus.

But just like we decided that we don’t really need handmade costumes and intricately carved jack o’lanterns for Halloween or fourteen elaborate side dishes and a Martha Stewart-approved centerpiece for Thanksgiving (not that there’s anything wrong with that), let’s give up on a perfect Christmas this year.

Did you forget to buy a present for someone? Break all the Christmas cookies? Break the news to your nephew that Santa Claus might not be real? Get frostbite while Christmas caroling or perform an embarrassing solo at the office party? Or accidentally electrocute the cat with Christmas lights?

Or what about the year that you just plum forgot the real meaning of Christmas and got too caught up in the busy-ness and the business of shopping and cooking and decorating and partying and hosting and mailing?

Spill the beans. Let the electrocuted cat out of the bag. Tell us all about it.

Let’s Give Up on a Perfect Christmas. Join me next Friday, December 18. We’ll laugh, we’ll cry, and we’ll give away this Lisa Leonard necklace!

In the meantime, tell me how your Christmas season is going so far. Are your Christmas cards in the mail? How much shopping do you have left to do? How many Christmas cookies have you already eaten? And most importantly (and a question I need to answer, too): Have you made time to hold on to the holy?

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Better than carrot sticks

Photo by nanaow2006

I have this aversion to plain, raw carrots. I chew and chew, but they never go away. Hey, you don't have to tell me that's gross. I live it. That's how much I dislike carrots.

Add a little dip (and calories) or cook them with a roast (again with the calories), and they're fine. But raw? And plain? No thanks.

Thankfully, our society is so overweight and diet-obsessed that I have lots of healthy eating options. And we talked about our favorite "diet" foods at my Weight Watchers meeting last week. It made me want to go shopping right away!

The meeting also reminded me of some of the tricks I'd forgotten to losing weight. Here are a few of the foods I rely on when I'm on program, as they call it at WW:

• Apple and cinnamon instant oatmeal
• Sugar-free hot chocolate
• Fiber One (or Great Value) granola bars
• Oroweat sandwich thins (These are new, and I highly recommend them!)
• 98% fat-free Mission tortillas
• 98% fat-free popcorn (I like kettle corn the best.)
• Light or lowfat cheese or other milk products. (I do not do fat-free milk products. Ick.)
• Reduced fat peanut butter
• Apples, bananas, strawberries and grapes
• Lots and lots of green beans

Edited to add: How could I have forgotten Laughing Cow cheese?! I love that stuff, especially with reduced fat Wheat Thins! Yum! Also, have you all discovered Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta yet? It comes in spaghetti, macaroni, penne and probably several other shapes, and looks, tastes and feels just like white pasta (because you will never convince me that the wheat stuff is good) - but it has extra fiber and other vitamins/minerals/good stuff. Check out Jill's post and this funny video about it!

What healthy (or healthier) foods do you rely on to maintain a healthy diet?

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Saturday Review: The Blind Side

On Thanksgiving night, Mark’s brother was kind enough to stay with Annalyn so Mark and I could go to a movie. While the impromptu date didn’t relieve us of some pretty severe grumpiness, we did get to see a really great movie.

[Seriously, we are I have been so grumpy and out of sorts the past couple of weeks. I don’t know what the deal is, but I’m ready for it to be over. I’m hoping a little holiday festiveness as we put up the decorations tonight does the trick. Stay tuned.]

Back to the movie. We really want to see Sherlock Holmes, but of course it doesn’t come out until Christmas Day. So we were left with Couples Retreat or The Blind Side. And I believe we chose wisely.

The Blind Side is based on a book that is based on a true story. Here’s the synopsis from IMDB (mild spoiler alert):

The Blind Side depicts the story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.

When we got home from the movie, I did what I often do: I looked up reviews online. I like to see if my opinion matches up with the pros’, okay? In this case, it really didn’t.

While Variety called the movie an “uplifting and entertaining feel-good, fact-based sports drama,” other reviews labeled it “middle-class pandering at its most shameless” and “a facile, feel-good fable that substitutes cliché for reality at nearly every turn.”

I guess I can see what they’re talking about. But I thought the movie was great. And so did the sold-out theater full of people who watched it with us. Throughout the movie, people spontaneously clapped several times, we all laughed hard, and most of us couldn’t help but wipe away a few tears.

The Blind Side was funny and touching, and it made at least one viewer (ahem, me) really think. It had some sports stuff for the guys, and it was clean enough for most audiences. And Sandra Bullock…or her character…or both were amazing. Overall, it was just a darned good movie.

I give this one two thumbs up. No matter what those critics say.

What’s your favorite sports movie?

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Making a list and checking it twice.

It’s the end of a year and the end of a decade. You know what that means: best-of lists, and lots of them. Before we make it to New Year’s Eve, I’ll probably break down and share a few of my favorite lists with you. But for now, I’m just going to play along with Gwen Bell’s Best of 2009 Blog Challenge. (Hat tip: George from Crocs)

Gwen has a question for each day of the month, asking about one “best” from your year. I’m going to answer a few each week. If you want to play along, too – whether every day, once a week or one time only – check out the full list of questions.

#1 What was your best trip in 2009?
I took several trips this last year, more than normal. Two blogging conferences (Blissdom and SheSpeaks), two scrapbooking weekends with my cousins, a day trip to Columbia for my anniversary with Mark, a long weekend to Branson to visit college friends, and a weeklong Florida vacation.

How can I choose just one? I mean, I could go through a list of pros and cons for each, tally them up and then announce a winner. That might take a while, though.

I think I’ll do this instead. I’m going to call each of the trips a winner. A winner in my heart.

• Blogging conferences were amazing for meeting friends and learning about some amazing opportunities God has placed in my life.
• Scrapbooking weekends were great because I accomplished a lot and got to spend time with my cousins.
• Columbia was a nice break and gave Mark and me some much-needed time together.
• And it was so much fun to catch up with our friends from college over Labor Day weekend.

But, okay, you’re going to make me do it. Fine. I’ll pick a winner. The best trip I took in 2009 was our Florida vacation.

Mark and I got four long days alone, we swam with a dolphin, we stayed in a really nice hotel (that overlooked a really cheesy souvenir shop, but I’m not picky), and we drove through a torrential downpour to see the ocean. And then Annalyn flew down with my parents, brother and sister-in-law. We hung out with family, played in the pool and at the beach, and generally had a lot of fun.

#2 What was the best restaurant experience you had this year?
I’ve got three. First would be the first time we visited Five Guys. Those greasy delicious burgers are soooo good! And the fries? I don’t even care that you can see the grease spots on the brown bag they hand you at the counter. They. Are. Good.

Second restaurant experience I loved this last year was when our favorite waitress at our favorite restaurant actually recited Mark’s “usual” back to him. She even remembered, “Substitute CCQ for the red sauce.”

Last but best is eating at Shakespeare’s Pizza with Mark. During our anniversary road trip to Columbia, we ate dinner at our old fave. We discussed and debated, but we just couldn’t decide: Is the pizza really that good, or does novelty and nostalgia just convince us it’s good? It’s hard to tell, but either way, the pizza was great and we had so much fun.

#3 What article did you read this last year that blew you away?
Just one? Seriously? Okay, I cannot possibly list every article that taught me something, touched my heart, influenced my behavior or just plain cracked me up. But the most life-changing articles I read were, by far, the posts written by the Compassion bloggers who traveled to India.

#4 What book – fiction or non – touched you most in 2009?
I've read so many!! Here’s what I really need: a list of books I’ve read. I signed up for GoodReads, but darned if I remember to log back in and update my list! The library won’t tell me what books I’ve checked out. Something about privacy laws or something. Thankfully, I know what book rocked me this year. And that is Mark Batterson’s In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. If you missed my review, you can read about it here.

All right. Now it’s your turn. Tell me about your best trip, restaurant, article or book!

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Happy Christmas: I wrapped it up and sent it.

I used to work at an ad agency. It was very glamorous. We promoted dog food.

Okay, so it wasn’t that glamorous. But we did have a ping pong table. And shiny concrete floors. And a movie theater downstairs with a lobby full of couches and the lingering aroma of buttery popcorn.

I also learned a whole heck of a lot while I worked there. And had the privilege of working with some amazingly talented folks. But you know what I remember most?

The parties.

While you shouldn’t believe everything you hear/read/see about advertising being a glamorous career, the stories about the cavorting and carousing aren’t quite as exaggerated. At least in my experience.

I’m not saying I remember fondly the time my co-worker puked in a champagne bucket as we celebrated finishing a long campaign. Or that I cherish the memory of standing beside a co-worker’s desk to ensure he stayed on task and met our deadline instead of falling back into his drunken rant about holiday movies. And I certainly don’t long for happy hours that go well into the night, leaving a sober me to face down a drunk VP who did not care for the fact that I did not care for his sacrilegious jokes.

But the part that came before that mess? The hanging out with the people on my team, the getting to know them on a personal level, the having fun with those I spent most of my time with? That was a good time.

I don’t really hang out with my current co-workers. Really, I haven’t spent much out-of-the-office time with any co-workers since the ad agency. I meet my agency friends for lunch now and then, and I catch up with my friends and former co-workers at the non-profit whenever I can. But these days, work stays at work.

And that’s okay. But this time of year, when Bing Crosby and Harry Connick, Jr. are blaring from every speaker in the world, I can’t help but reminisce a bit . . .

[Insert blurry vision and twinkling music here, as we flash back to 2005.]

My favorite ad agency party memory – and seriously, there are more than a few – is my friend Brent’s rendition of Wham’s Last Christmas, courtesy of a karaoke machine and more than a few bottles of something. Brent sang his heart out to that silly song, and every time I hear it, I can’t help cracking up.

Even now, four years later. Even if I’m at Target. Doesn't matter. I still laugh. Every single time.

It turns out my friend Brent isn’t the only big fan of Wham’s biggest hit. (Really? You thought it would be Careless Whisper or Wake Me Up Before You Go Go?)

According to Pop Candy, USA Today’s pop culture blog, 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the song. I don’t know that this calls for any real celebration, but there is a site dedicated to the almost 400 covers of Last Christmas. You really should go there and, at the least, check out the header image. In the words of Napoleon, it’s pretty sweet.

I usually prefer the original myself (No offense, Taylor.), but the GLEE version might just be my new favorite. Even better? If you buy it on iTunes, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Grammy Foundation’s music education programs.

As for me, I just don’t know that I’ll ever hear, “Once bitten and twice shy, I keep my distance but you still catch my eye. Tell me, baby, do you recognize me? Well, it's been a year; it doesn't surprise me.” without snickering and thinking back to those crazy days of ad agency life yore.

Have you ever mixed karaoke and Christmas carols? Do you hang out with co-workers outside the office? What would happen if you added Christmas karaoke to your office holiday party?

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While you're up . . .

When my brother and I were growing up, we played a little game in our family. If we needed a drink refill or a box of Kleenex or the remote or anything, really, out of reach, we wouldn't get up and get it ourselves. We'd wait until someone else took the initiative to get up to do something productive and then we'd say, "While you're up . . . " and make our request!

Sadly, Mark and I have been known to play the same game. But I've heard about some cool "while you're up" ways to give this Christmas, and I think you're going to like them.

Hey, at least I'm not asking you to refill my iced tea while you're up.

First order of business is this: How do you feel about gift cards? Let's just get it out on the table. Do you think they're tacky? Practical? Fun? Boring? What do you think?

A certain mother I know has often said that it’s a tacky gift. Then again, this is the same mother who gave her daughter a Victoria’s Secret gift card.

That’s what I get for mentioning my need for new underwear.

Ahem. Anyway. Here’s my take on gift cards (because, yes, I know you were wondering): I think they’re great.

Now, does that mean I want a gift card in place of every gift I ever receive? No. It just means that if someone can’t think of what to get me or lives far away and doesn’t want to spend part of the gift budget on postage, it’s not going to hurt my feelings if I open up the envelope and find a gift card to Kohl’s. Or Target. Or Walmart, really. I’m not picky.

[Unless your name is Mark. And then you’d better be digging deep, reading and interpreting my innermost thoughts and feelings, so you can buy the 12 perfect gifts that show just how well you know me and how deeply you care for me.]

But everyone else can totally get away with a gift card.

There's no easier gift to give than a gift card. Unless it’s a donation to charity. Have you ever gotten that one before? (Why do I feel like a stand-up comic right about now? No, not because I think I’m so funny. I think it’s how I phrased that or something.)

Anyway. Have you? Or have you donated to a charity in someone’s name as a gift? Did they like it? I’m not sure I’d love that gift. I mean, the thought is nice. And I suppose if the day comes that I never need new underwear (I’m kidding, Mom.), the thought would be enough for me.

But I’m not sure.

How about this, though? What if we combine the gift card that I get to spend with the donation to charity that you get to deduct and we both get to feel good about? What about that?

Well, friends, I’m happy to tell you that that is exactly what Clayton Nicholas and Jeff Jacobs had in mind when they created GiveCard in 2007.

The GiveCard is a prepaid gift card that shares a set value (determined by the giver and starting at $5) with the charity of the recipient’s choice. The balance of the card spends just like a Visa debit card. Because, I think, it is a Visa debit card. It’s just a charitable one.

It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Or . . . it’s two gifts in one! Um . . . it really is the thought that counts?

Well, whatever cliché we decide to use here, this is a great idea! GiveCard can be used to contribute to more than 5,000 charities – and in an age when charitable giving is down around the globe, every dollar (or five dollars) counts.

So, what do you think? Are gift cards in or out this year?

If you’re looking for more ways to help others while doing your own holiday shopping this year, here are a few ideas:

• If you like to shop on Amazon as much as I do (and let's put it this way: I got four packages from them just yesterday), you can donate without actually donating by clicking on this Amazon.com link before making purchases. Thrive Africa gets a small referral fee when you buy anything from Amazon after you follow the link. Thrive is an amazing ministry founded by my sweet bloggy friend, Alece.
• Kraft Foods and American Greetings have teamed up to feed the hungry this holiday season. For every e-greeting you send through Recipe for Joy, Kraft will donate 10 meals to Feeding America.
• And last but not least, Dayspring is offering a 15% discount off their Christmas photo cards. Just design your card and use the code CHILDREN15 when you check out. You’ll get 15% off – and here’s the best part – 6% of the sale goes directly to Compassion International!

What are you waiting for? While you're up, double the giving, double the fun. What, you thought I was finished with the lame clichés? Fine. I'll stop. But giving while I'm up works for me!

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And so it begins.

How does that song go again? It's the most stressful time of the year?

What? That's not it? You mean we're not supposed to stuff our faces and our calendars so full that we are filled with discomfort and can barely move?

Ahhhhh.

I don't know about you, but my December tends to fill up and fast. One weekend this month, we're going out of town to visit friends and family, and I am not even kidding, I've had three invitations for that very weekend already.

People, I am not that popular. This month is just that busy!

How about you? Is your planner overflowing? Is your calendar crammed full?

I know. It's hard not to get sucked into the madness. You want to fit in all your friends and family and traditions and adventures and events and excitement. You don't want to miss anything. You don't want to let anyone down.

At least, that's how I am.

I'm going to try to keep my grip on sanity this year, though. I'm going to hold on to a piece of calm. I'm going to preserve some quiet and stillness. Maybe not much. After all, just because I have high hopes for a holy holiday season doesn't mean the world of shopping and choir practice and family obligations and cookie exchanges just fade away.

But what if I just commit to a quiet time each week, or each weekend, or even - hold on, I'm about to get crazy - each day between now and Christmas? Could I do that? Could you do that?

What do you think? How can we hold on to the holy and let go of the hectic?

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