Over the years, I have slowly made my way around o Over the years, I have slowly made my way around our house … decorating, renovating and reorganizing it into a soft place to land. The only part that I haven’t touched that much are our yards (except for a fire pit area that went in two years ago, thank you pandemic). I want our outside to be as much as a sanctuary as our inside is, so I plan to spend the next year digging in (no pun intended 😂). I don’t have a green thumb, so feel free to spam me with all your awesome, low maintenance ideas as we create a Japanese-style zen garden. 🤩 I also hate gardening, so there’s that, but am hoping that some #gardentherapy changes my mind as much as it changes the space.
✌🏻 ✌🏻
About last night … we spontaneously decided to m About last night … we spontaneously decided to make a @crumblcookies run at 8:30 and snagged a front seat to Mother Nature’s show. 😍
I took five books with me when we went on a little I took five books with me when we went on a little vacation in May, and got through two of them, one of which was The Magnolia Story. You are, no doubt, familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but you might not know how they became so popular or how their business exploded. This book, told by both of them, shares their journey from their dating stages to just a few years ago. It’s quite amazing how their path unfolded, with the universe seemingly guiding them every single step of the way. Every time they hit a crossroads, they received clear signs to continue to point them in the right direction. It was interesting to learn more about their story, and a great reminder that you need to trust in yourself and follow your passions, and everything really does just fall into place. Chip has his own book out too, Capital Gaines, which I added to my list after I read this one. If you’re curious about their story or just need confirmation to continue to chase your dreams, read this one. ✨ #catesbookaweek 6/52
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the w “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl ✨
We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister an We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister and her family were away. She has settled into a new routine here (ours 😂), and now doesn’t get up until after 9 am, stays up until well past midnight, eats a very late dinner, knows that the kitchen is where the magic happens and sits for a treat after her morning backyard visit. We’ve broken her in nicely but she will be returning with her continued bad habit of suffering from #fomo, playing tag with the cats, and barking every time she hears a door open or sees someone go up the street. We did our best. 😇
The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Gar The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Garlic butter and bleu cheese butter from @njgarlic (the bleu on steak! 😍), empanadas from @catalina_empanadas_2017, half sour pickles from @pickleculture and the quiche and bread were from a vendor I forgot to get the name of. This was all from the @bernardsvillefarmersmarket. Today I hit the @denvillemarket and added full sour pickles from @pickle_licious and a roasted garlic and duck fat loaf and cheese biscuit from @bobolinkdairyandbakehouse. Basically give us all the bread, cheese, butter and pickles and we’re happy campers! Did you hit up a farmers market this weekend? What’d ya get?
Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it is with the gnocchi from Trader Joe’s. Skip what their directions tell you and pan fry them in olive oil, add some of their 4-green bag of vegetables, salt, pepper, drizzles of pesto and a sprinkle of parm. So freaking good and dinner on the table faster than you can order take out. 🤤
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Santa Visit 2006

December 14, 2006 · Narrative

I am totally on target with Christmas shopping. How many people left to buy for on my list? What’s that? Nobody? ::insert maniacal laughter here:: Oh yes, that’s right. I’m DONE with my Christmas shopping!

Unfortunately, that’s the only thing I’m done with. I just picked up the pictures of Nicholas to go out in the Christmas cards that have yet to be addressed. I haven’t planned our Christmas Eve Feast of Seven Fishes menu yet, and most importantly, I haven’t started baking for the Cookie Care Packages that I send out. So while I may be totally and completely organized in one respect, all the rest of the aspects of the holidays are lagging far behind, far far behind.

I’ve designated this weekend as Operation Bake Up a Storm, so that means I need to figure out exactly WHAT I’m going to be making. I should also probably make a list of who I need to send the packages to, but I’m more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda gal.

One of my biggest problems is whittling down my list of what to include in the packages. So many recipes, so little time. I know I’m definitely making batches of both Chocolate and Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies, but beyond that, it’s anybody’s guess. So I’m turning to you guys… Whatcha baking for your holiday treats? C’mon, inspire me!

Until tomorrow…

A year ago today… mmmm, delicious soup.

P.S. I’ve been trying to track down a lit-up wreath for the outside of the house. I saw it on a house a few blocks away, and yes, I’ve thought of asking them where they got it, but they’re never home when I stop by. When it’s not lit, it’s all white. Lit, it’s very twinkly and perfect for some unadorned spot on our house. If you’re familiar with the big snowman that Costco sold last year, it twinkles like that. Know who sells it? Clue me in. I’ve been everywhere and can’t find it!

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    December 14, 2006 at 3:32 am

    I’m trying to decide exactly what I’m going to make as well. But I think for my goodie tins I’m going to do peanut butter balls, Ginger/Molasses cookies, my mom’s toffee, and biscotti. Of course when I get home I’ll make the typical Christmas sugar cookies for my brother and some chex mix for my dad! I’m also going to be trying the coconut cookies from all-recipes. Oh, I can’t wait to be done with my tests so that I can start baking!

    Reply
  2. PatL says

    December 14, 2006 at 4:16 am

    I’m making treat packages for the stockings this year. They’ll contain espresso coffee beans, honeyed walnuts, spicy pecans, and cream cheese mints (pink wintergreen and green peppermint). I just did a post about the mints. They were really easy and fun to make, and yummm!

    Reply
  3. Elle says

    December 14, 2006 at 4:33 am

    This year sending out 8 tins of cookies to 8 families – my siblings and my Mom. Just finished boxing them up. From my blog there are the Santas without the whiskers, the Linzer bars, Applesauce drops and Persimmon drops as well as Chocolate Shortbread Hearts. Never got a chance to blog the Double Chocolate Gems (like little brownies in mini muffin cups) and Salted Nut Bars. Both those recipes are on the Land O Lakes Butter website. Of all of these the Chocolate Shortbreads and Linzers are the favorites. I’m sure you will have a great time baking your family favorites. It’s always fun to read your posts.

    Reply
  4. Alisha says

    December 14, 2006 at 4:34 am

    You know, I’m done with my shopping too (and have all my cards out) but am completely CLUELESS about my goodie baskets. This weekend will be my bake-a-thon too and will (probably) include fudge, sugar cookies, peanut brittle, biscotti and rugelach.

    Reply
  5. Scott at Real Epicurean says

    December 14, 2006 at 12:35 pm

    Lot’s of sweet stuff for me – but it doesn’t really count as baking.

    Fudge, sesame brittle, etc etc. Oh, and cookies. I guess those do count.

    Reply
  6. Cate says

    December 14, 2006 at 1:17 pm

    Claire – do you have a good tried-and-true recipe for the Peanut Butter Balls you can share?

    PatL – I want to get on YOUR list; everything sounds divine!

    Elle – I made the Salted Nut Bars last year, and they’re definitely delicious.

    Alisha – Fudge. I definitely have two kinds of my list. Finally started planning a bit last night.

    Scott – yup, I’m pretty sure cookies count. ;)

    Reply
  7. patsy says

    December 14, 2006 at 1:47 pm

    I only have 4 cookies done so far: Chocolate Earthquake Cookies (similar to chocolate crackles), Sand Tarts, Snickerdoodles and Jam Thumbprints (a Martha Stewart recipe that is very hard to resist)… may take a stab at making my moms peanut butter fudge. I am also hoping to make up a large batch of cocoa that I can package up and give in cute mugs to my boys’ teachers this year. There may be more, but I am still working on the list!

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    December 14, 2006 at 2:25 pm

    It’s crazy. Everytime I see pictures of Nicholas he looks bigger. I was looking at trip pictures from Oct. and he looks bigger now.

    The husband (neighbor)

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    December 14, 2006 at 4:00 pm

    Hi, I’m a new food blogger and have been reading your site for awhile. Thought I’d mention this great recipe from Bon Appetit for white chocolate and cranberry cookies.

    http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/236823

    I made them for a party last weekend, and they were such a hit, I made another batch to give as gifts this week! I omitted the nuts and just used the whole bag of chips and cranberries.

    Reply
  10. Merry says

    December 14, 2006 at 4:21 pm

    I haven’t finalized everything yet but here’s what I know:

    Definitely Making
    Cherry Icebox Cookies (for my cookie exchange)
    Candied Pecans with dried cranberries
    Peanut Brittle

    Maybe Making
    Magic Cookie Bars
    Peanut Butter Crunchies (a no-bake bar with p’nut butter & corn flakes)
    Fudge

    Reply
  11. Cate says

    December 14, 2006 at 5:08 pm

    Merry – how ’bout the recipe for Peanut Butter Crunchies? They sound delish!

    Patsy – you’re way ahead of me. I haven’t made Martha’s version of the Jam Thumbprints, but Barefoot Contessa’s is totally sinful.

    Charise – thanks for the recipe link (and visiting!).

    The Neighbor Husband – it’s so hard to tell when we see them every day, but he has definitely lost a bit of his “babiness” in his face.

    Reply
  12. lisa ny says

    December 14, 2006 at 7:44 pm

    everybody’s treats sound so good:)i have to try & stick to my original plan after hearing all the good ideas!

    i am making:
    pb cup cookies (pb dough in mini-muffin tins w a mini pb cup pushed in center)so easy & you can use store bought dough as well!
    peanut & cashew brittle (my first time-wish me luck!)
    pignoli (pine nut) cookies
    oatmeal chocolate chip
    pecan tassies (most requested!)
    almond raspberry thumbprints
    red & green press cookies

    it all seems a little ambitious but that is what i give to my co-workers, friends & neighbors as gifts so at least i avoid shopping! plus my surrogate italian mama makes about 177 dozen cookies so mine should be a breeze, right? :)

    happy holidays to all!!

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    December 14, 2006 at 8:15 pm

    It’s so interesting to see what everyone else makes at this time of year!
    I’ll definitely be making our favorite Cheddar Shortbread which we eat topped with jalapeno jelly (so, so good!). Other must-makes include Chocolate Gingersnaps, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark, Spiced Pecans, and a cheeseball. I guess I better get to work!

    Reply
  14. Merry says

    December 14, 2006 at 9:03 pm

    Here’s the recipe for Peanut Butter Crunchies

    Peanut Butter Crunchies

    1 cup corn syrup (I use green label Karo)
    3/4 cup sugar
    1 cup smooth peanut butter
    4 – 6 cups cornflakes

    Heat the corn syrup and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar is desolved. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Add cornflakes until you have the consistency you want (more cornflakes make them crunchier while less make them chewier). Drop on waxed paper or press into a buttered 11X14″ pan.

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    December 15, 2006 at 12:19 am

    I have actually never made the PB balls, but I have seen several other sites with recipes (My Sister’s Kitchen, Tummy Treasure). I may, however, end up using a recipe from my college’s cookbook. We’ll see. I’ll definitely post about them, so we can all see how they turn out!

    Reply
  16. Anonymous says

    December 15, 2006 at 9:18 pm

    Hi,
    Living in Australia the last thing you want to be doing is cooking a huge European or American Christmas dinner in the middle of summer, yet other people always do!
    There nothing more ridiculous in summer than roast turkey, baked ham, chestnuts & brussle sprouts, followed by steaming plum pudding when you are already melting from the heat outside.
    I try to create a festive menu based around seasonal summer produce. This year I’m serving roast squab pigeons with roasted baby beetroot, carrot & cherry tomatos. Dessert will be pannacotta with fresh cherries. Happy Holidays & keep cooking your beautiful foods.

    Reply
  17. Cate says

    December 23, 2006 at 2:26 am

    LisainNY – 177 dozen cookies? Wow!

    Anonymous – can you share the recipe for the Cheddar Shortbread? I love the savory ones.

    Anonymous – your Christmas dinner menu sounds very exotic – roast pigeon? :)

    Reply

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Over the years, I have slowly made my way around o Over the years, I have slowly made my way around our house … decorating, renovating and reorganizing it into a soft place to land. The only part that I haven’t touched that much are our yards (except for a fire pit area that went in two years ago, thank you pandemic). I want our outside to be as much as a sanctuary as our inside is, so I plan to spend the next year digging in (no pun intended 😂). I don’t have a green thumb, so feel free to spam me with all your awesome, low maintenance ideas as we create a Japanese-style zen garden. 🤩 I also hate gardening, so there’s that, but am hoping that some #gardentherapy changes my mind as much as it changes the space.
✌🏻 ✌🏻
About last night … we spontaneously decided to m About last night … we spontaneously decided to make a @crumblcookies run at 8:30 and snagged a front seat to Mother Nature’s show. 😍
I took five books with me when we went on a little I took five books with me when we went on a little vacation in May, and got through two of them, one of which was The Magnolia Story. You are, no doubt, familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but you might not know how they became so popular or how their business exploded. This book, told by both of them, shares their journey from their dating stages to just a few years ago. It’s quite amazing how their path unfolded, with the universe seemingly guiding them every single step of the way. Every time they hit a crossroads, they received clear signs to continue to point them in the right direction. It was interesting to learn more about their story, and a great reminder that you need to trust in yourself and follow your passions, and everything really does just fall into place. Chip has his own book out too, Capital Gaines, which I added to my list after I read this one. If you’re curious about their story or just need confirmation to continue to chase your dreams, read this one. ✨ #catesbookaweek 6/52

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Over the years, I have slowly made my way around o Over the years, I have slowly made my way around our house … decorating, renovating and reorganizing it into a soft place to land. The only part that I haven’t touched that much are our yards (except for a fire pit area that went in two years ago, thank you pandemic). I want our outside to be as much as a sanctuary as our inside is, so I plan to spend the next year digging in (no pun intended 😂). I don’t have a green thumb, so feel free to spam me with all your awesome, low maintenance ideas as we create a Japanese-style zen garden. 🤩 I also hate gardening, so there’s that, but am hoping that some #gardentherapy changes my mind as much as it changes the space.
✌🏻 ✌🏻
About last night … we spontaneously decided to m About last night … we spontaneously decided to make a @crumblcookies run at 8:30 and snagged a front seat to Mother Nature’s show. 😍
I took five books with me when we went on a little I took five books with me when we went on a little vacation in May, and got through two of them, one of which was The Magnolia Story. You are, no doubt, familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but you might not know how they became so popular or how their business exploded. This book, told by both of them, shares their journey from their dating stages to just a few years ago. It’s quite amazing how their path unfolded, with the universe seemingly guiding them every single step of the way. Every time they hit a crossroads, they received clear signs to continue to point them in the right direction. It was interesting to learn more about their story, and a great reminder that you need to trust in yourself and follow your passions, and everything really does just fall into place. Chip has his own book out too, Capital Gaines, which I added to my list after I read this one. If you’re curious about their story or just need confirmation to continue to chase your dreams, read this one. ✨ #catesbookaweek 6/52
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the w “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl ✨
We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister an We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister and her family were away. She has settled into a new routine here (ours 😂), and now doesn’t get up until after 9 am, stays up until well past midnight, eats a very late dinner, knows that the kitchen is where the magic happens and sits for a treat after her morning backyard visit. We’ve broken her in nicely but she will be returning with her continued bad habit of suffering from #fomo, playing tag with the cats, and barking every time she hears a door open or sees someone go up the street. We did our best. 😇
The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Gar The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Garlic butter and bleu cheese butter from @njgarlic (the bleu on steak! 😍), empanadas from @catalina_empanadas_2017, half sour pickles from @pickleculture and the quiche and bread were from a vendor I forgot to get the name of. This was all from the @bernardsvillefarmersmarket. Today I hit the @denvillemarket and added full sour pickles from @pickle_licious and a roasted garlic and duck fat loaf and cheese biscuit from @bobolinkdairyandbakehouse. Basically give us all the bread, cheese, butter and pickles and we’re happy campers! Did you hit up a farmers market this weekend? What’d ya get?
Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it is with the gnocchi from Trader Joe’s. Skip what their directions tell you and pan fry them in olive oil, add some of their 4-green bag of vegetables, salt, pepper, drizzles of pesto and a sprinkle of parm. So freaking good and dinner on the table faster than you can order take out. 🤤

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