Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
31 October 2012
06 December 2011
Regarding a current cookie obsession
Happy December everyone! Like many of you, I can hardly believe that we are already trucking our way through December and knee deep in the holidays. I will not lie- I'm rather excited this year, for many reasons. One of those reasons just happens to be due to all of my baking plans! Now that Dan and I have moved and are for the most part settled in to our new place, I finally have a space to dedicate to cooking and baking. Our last kitchen was a tiny 6'x4' (I'm being generous here) space with next to no counter space. It was a depressing site for any one with a desire to get serious in the kitchen. By the end of our 5 years in that apartment I rarely desired to bake as it would only end up in massive bouts of frustration as I strategically created counter space where counter space should not belong and wedged cookie sheets into our tiny little oven. But, one must do what must be done if one wants to enjoy homemade sweet confections.
Thankfully, this year will be different. We now have a kitchen that is nearly the size of our old apartment's living room and kitchen combined! AND I acquired a dining room table off of craigslist a few weeks ago (a vintage teak Danish Modern piece, I might add!) that will allow me to really spread out and get down and dirty as I bake my way through the month. I've been thinking a lot about cookies- sugar cookies in particular. The ones made of rolled buttery dough, formed by quirky holiday themed cookie cutters, and adorned in jewel-toned sanding sugars and sprinkles. The ones I never would have dared to even consider baking in our old apartment. THOSE. Sugar cookies and I have got big plans this holiday season and it all begins with a recipe for Cardamom Sugar Cookies I saw on Etsy a few days ago that I just can't get out of my mind. I picked up a handful of woodland and elf themed cookie cutters from Ikea last night that I can't wait to use with the recipe. I also hope to make these Salted Caramel Cups, package them up nicely with the delicious sugar cookies, and take them along to a holiday party later that night. I will then repeat the process over and over again until I can hardly take it any longer.
In honor of my recent cookie fixation, I've created an Etsy treasury dedicated purely to delicious and beautiful holiday confections. Warning: I highly advise having a cookie within arms reach while perusing the list!
What about you? Do you have any recipes you have been gravitating toward? What is on your holiday dessert menu? Do share!
'Sweets for the Holidays' by helenethelstudio
...mostly sugar cookies. I just can't seem to get them out of my mind!
 Santa Cookies - Hol... $30.00 |  Jam Rings Vanilla S... $10.50 |  Candy Cane Peppermi... $14.00 |  Christmas Tree Snow... $15.95 |
 Christmas Cookies -... $42.00 |  Gingerbread Men Min... $17.95 |  FAVORS Decorated Co... $32.50 |  Assorted Christmas ... $28.00 |
 Christmas Cookies G... $20.00 |  FAVORS Decorated Co... $34.50 |  Snowy Pine Tree Sug... $33.20 |  Coffee Pecan Sablé... $7.99 |
 Snowman in Hat Ging... $28.00 |  Cookies Cranberry D... $13.50 |  ELF Cookies - GNOME... $34.99 |  Candy Cane Cookie P... $13.00 |
09 December 2010
Handmade for the Holidays
With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season quickly consuming us, I wanted to dedicate a few posts to buying handmade and showcase a few artists and crafters I've purchased from in the past.
Now that buying handmade is so much more accessible, thanks to online sites like Etsy and Artfire and independent brick and mortar stores, I've found myself shopping for handmade whenever I can. Grace Dobush, in the first chapter of her book Crafty Superstar: Make Crafts on the Side, Earn Extra Cash and Basically Have It All, discusses the reasons for the handmade revolution. She explains that it stems from an appreciation that people have with the makers. She quotes Lauren Bacon, co-author of The Boss of You- "Artistry is so incredibly valuable now because it keeps us in touch with human relationships." This idea of human connection is exactly why I try to shop handmade. It is such a great feeling when you know the story behind the object that you are purchasing. It is an even greater feeling when you can pass that story onto the recipient of said object. But perhaps the best feeling of all, for me anyhow, is knowing that I am supporting an independent artist/crafter/maker/designer in something that they are passionate about so they can continue doing what they love to do. It is, as Dobush reminds us, an alternative to sweatshops and the mass produced goods of the big box stores.
03 November 2010
Howl-o-ween Scarf
A festive scarf for our little beagle, Heidi. I had no desire to dress my little one up in an uncomfortable costume for her first Halloween with us, but I did think she needed something to show the spirit of the holiday.
This scarf/bandana was a snap to make, and best of all, I was able to utilize my stash. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out but I do wish I had made it to fit over her collar. She didn't seem to mind this new accessory, but I do think she wore it to humor me. (According to Dan, at one point when I wasn't looking she attempted to eat it.)
I'm thinking a turkey-themed scarf is in store in the coming weeks. However, it will be a fit over the collar scarf which should allow it to sit peacefully and comfortably at her back, without falling forward like this candy corn scarf. Also, this should prevent her from being tempted to eat it for lunch.... or dinner.... or breakfast :)
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