Yaaaawwwn!

Yawn. Tired. I am beat. I've been burning the candle at both ends and I'm starting to really pay for it, especially in my moods. Despite the fact that I got a full 8 hours last night, it feels like I got about three and after working out for the first time in a few weeks yesterday (other than running) my bod is soooore as hell. So anyhoo, I'm looking forward to a four-day weekend. Not that it's going to be incredibly restful or anything …

Friday is my parents annual New Year's party. There's a lot of prep work and then we party until late. The next morning, we'll get up, grab a few groceries and head up the hill to Vail. I'm not planning to ski that day (though Matt may have other plans) so that will be pretty restful/drunken I think.

Sunday and Monday are both supposed to be ski days, although I may not ski both days. I'm perfectly happy to sit in the condo and chill out and watch the fire and play Grand Theft Auto and take little cat naps. Mmmmm … cat naps.

Christmas is Over

I can hardly believe it … Didn't it all go by in the blink of an eye?! I know there were a few moments when I really sat there and tried to let it sink all in. I just lurve Christmas.

Of course, I got many fun, pretty, useful things, but I had an even better time giving the gifts that I gave. I didn't give that many gifts that people knew they were getting and I made my mom cry (in a good way) which is always one of my Christmas directives. Kelly and I gave her and dad photo calendars from Ofoto that turned out beautifully. Another favorite gift I (we) gave was a necklace to Matt's sister, which had one of her favorite things … a shamrock with a little stone in her favorite color, green. We also got Matt's mom, a photographer, a brag-book style photo album. I put a graphic in the front with a sort-of logoey feel and then we thought she could put some of her professional photos in there and carry it with her to show off. One of my faves too was the photobook we got my sis. We got her an early xmas present and she also wanted some photos, so I had Snapfish print me up a bunch that she chose and then I put them in a little album for her. But I hated the idea that her entire gift would be expected, so I took a picture of Matt wearing jeans and a white t'shirt and I used Photoshop to impose “Sparky Loves You!” on the front of his t'shirt (Sparky is her pet-name for him) and I stuck that in the midst of all her photos. There were other good gifts too and in a lot of ways, I really would love to do nothing more than stay at home and relax and watch DVDs and read and play with some new toys. Continue reading “Christmas is Over”

Christmastime … Oh Yea

It's very nearly Christmas!!! So today we have a half day and the afternoon will be the office holiday party. I can get behind that for sure.

My Christmas shopping has been done for a while other than a couple of little stocking-stuffers that needed to be picked up later rather than earlier. But I'll get them today or tomorrow. The real question is what is for Christmas Eve dinner. I'm vascilating between Fondue Savoyard (very yummy, but annoying cleanup) and Mexican Fiesta, which would be very easy because I'd pick up tamales and burritos from Tamale Kitchen and just make up some guacamole and margaritas. It'll be good either way. Continue reading “Christmastime … Oh Yea”

Early Morning

I am finally getting the chance to post because of work. You would think it would be the opposite, but I'm doing phones from 7:30 until 8 AM this week and very little can be done while one is doing phones, so I am surfing the net and (of course) blogging. A lot of people around here seem to dislike doing phones, but for me, it's a once-in-a-while mindless sort of break and it goes by fast!

Last night we had a cookie/candy making night. It was just Kelly and Matt and me, which is always fun. It was one of those punch-drunky sort of nights too. Lots of silliness. Kelly made banana cookies, which are like oatmeal cookies with banana in them. I made chocolate peanutbutter fudge, which looks like it turned out excellently. I can't tell for sure, though because it had to set last night and I haven't tried it yet. Both of the recipes I found on the net, but darn if I can find them to pass them on now. I'll get them in the database later. I want to do more holiday baking, but I don't know if it's going to happen … Continue reading “Early Morning”

Buy Blue or Red

The election is long over, but evidently some people just can’t get it out of their system. I read an article on Fox New’s web site about buyblue.org. This site list major companies that have contributed to political campaigns and tells the consumer which side (Democrat or Republican) received the money and how much. As the sites name suggest, they encourage the consumer to perchance from Blue (Democrat supporting) companies, although the site is just as good of a resource for Conservatives wanting to purchase from Republican supporting companies. Continue reading “Buy Blue or Red”

Chicken with Head Cut Off Cliche

I think this is the first time I've been home alone for more than 10 minutes (paticularly without some specific task to do) and what makes it even better is that I don't have to go to work tomorrow. Not that I hate going to work … I really like it, work that is. But it is nice to be able to stay up late and do whatever I want (i.e. Tivo and Blog). I've had sooo little time for doing MY stuff lately. It's been all work and no play for me! On the plus side, I'm 95% done with Christmas shopping and I've attended practically every shindig I've been invited to … which has been great fun.

The upcoming week will be just as busy. We've got a dinner party on Tuesday night, Matt's mom is coming in on Wednesday and that night we're going to see Manheim Steamroller and we have our office party on Thursday and Christmas Eve on Friday. Too fun.

Irish Cream Macadamia Nut Cookies

from:

Ingredients
4 cups fat-free milk
2 cups diced peeled baking potato
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning for seafood (such as Chef Paul Prudhomme's Seafood Magic)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 (14 3/4-ounce) cans no-salt-added cream-style corn
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions
Combine the first five ingredients in a Dutch oven, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer the milk mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the corn, and bring to a boil. Add the shrimp, and cook for 2 minutes or until shrimp are done.

Nutritional Info (2 cups(
CALORIES 394 (6% from fat); FAT 2.8g (sat 0.7g, mono 0.6g, poly 1.1g); PROTEIN 30.5g; CARB 64.5g; FIBER 2.8g; CHOL 134mg; IRON 3.2mg; SODIUM 525mg; CALC 359mg;

from: MarthaStweart.com

Ingredients
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (each 1 scant tablespoon)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Vegetable-oil cooking spray

Directions
1. Coat a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; line with parchment paper. Spray parchment; set aside. Pour 1/3 cup cold water into the bowl of an electric mixer. Sprinkle with gelatin; let mixture soften, about 5 minutes.

2. Place sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Cover; bring to a boil. Remove lid; cook, swirling pan occasionally, until syrup reaches 238° (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.

3. With mixer on low speed, whisk gelatin mixture, and slowly pour the syrup in a steady stream down the side of the bowl (to avoid splattering). Gradually raise speed to high; beat until mixture is thick, white, and has almost tripled in volume, about 12 minutes. Add vanilla, and beat 30 seconds to combine.

4. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet; smooth with an offset spatula. Let stand at room temperature, uncovered, until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.

5. Coat a 1- or 2-inch snowflake-shaped cookie cutter with cooking spray to prevent it from sticking. Cut out as many individual marshmallows as possible; coat cutter with more spray as needed. Use marshmallows immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

from: MarthaStewart.com

Ingredients
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 large egg yolks, room temperature Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Grated zest of 1 to 1 1/2 lemons
2 cups all-purpose flour Approximately 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for coating

Directions
Place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth and silky. Beat in 1 egg yolk, then the salt, vanilla, and lemon zest. Reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour, beating just until incorporated. Do not overbeat. Turn the dough out onto a work surface. Divide dough in two and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Working on a smooth surface, form each piece of dough into a log 1 to 1 1 /4 inches in diameter. Wrap logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. Can be prepared up to this point and kept, well wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

Place one rack in the upper third and one in the lower third of the oven. Preheat oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

Whisk the remaining egg yolk in a small bowl until smooth. Spread sugar out on a piece of wax paper. Remove the logs from refrigerator, unwrap, and brush lightly with the egg yolk. Roll logs in the sugar, pressing to adhere. Slice crosswise 1/4-inch-thick using a sharp knife. Place on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1/2-inch between cookies.

Bake until set but not brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer cookies to cooling rack until room temperature. Will keep stored in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to 5 days.

from: HomeMadeCookiesAndMore.com

Ingredients
Cookies:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur
1/4 teaspoon rum extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 (3.25 ounce) jar macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped

Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons Irish cream liqueur

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine brown sugar and butter in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (1 to 2 minutes). Reduce speed to low. Ad half-and-half, 1/4 cup liqueur and rum extract; beat until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). Add flour, baking soda and salt; continue beating until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). Stir in nuts by hand.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove and cool completely on wire racks.

Stir together powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons liqueur in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Let stand until glaze is completely set.

Lemon Butter Cookies

from:

Ingredients
4 cups fat-free milk
2 cups diced peeled baking potato
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning for seafood (such as Chef Paul Prudhomme's Seafood Magic)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 (14 3/4-ounce) cans no-salt-added cream-style corn
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions
Combine the first five ingredients in a Dutch oven, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer the milk mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the corn, and bring to a boil. Add the shrimp, and cook for 2 minutes or until shrimp are done.

Nutritional Info (2 cups(
CALORIES 394 (6% from fat); FAT 2.8g (sat 0.7g, mono 0.6g, poly 1.1g); PROTEIN 30.5g; CARB 64.5g; FIBER 2.8g; CHOL 134mg; IRON 3.2mg; SODIUM 525mg; CALC 359mg;

from: MarthaStweart.com

Ingredients
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (each 1 scant tablespoon)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Vegetable-oil cooking spray

Directions
1. Coat a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; line with parchment paper. Spray parchment; set aside. Pour 1/3 cup cold water into the bowl of an electric mixer. Sprinkle with gelatin; let mixture soften, about 5 minutes.

2. Place sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Cover; bring to a boil. Remove lid; cook, swirling pan occasionally, until syrup reaches 238° (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.

3. With mixer on low speed, whisk gelatin mixture, and slowly pour the syrup in a steady stream down the side of the bowl (to avoid splattering). Gradually raise speed to high; beat until mixture is thick, white, and has almost tripled in volume, about 12 minutes. Add vanilla, and beat 30 seconds to combine.

4. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet; smooth with an offset spatula. Let stand at room temperature, uncovered, until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.

5. Coat a 1- or 2-inch snowflake-shaped cookie cutter with cooking spray to prevent it from sticking. Cut out as many individual marshmallows as possible; coat cutter with more spray as needed. Use marshmallows immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

from: MarthaStewart.com

Ingredients
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 large egg yolks, room temperature Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Grated zest of 1 to 1 1/2 lemons
2 cups all-purpose flour Approximately 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for coating

Directions
Place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth and silky. Beat in 1 egg yolk, then the salt, vanilla, and lemon zest. Reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour, beating just until incorporated. Do not overbeat. Turn the dough out onto a work surface. Divide dough in two and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Working on a smooth surface, form each piece of dough into a log 1 to 1 1 /4 inches in diameter. Wrap logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. Can be prepared up to this point and kept, well wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

Place one rack in the upper third and one in the lower third of the oven. Preheat oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

Whisk the remaining egg yolk in a small bowl until smooth. Spread sugar out on a piece of wax paper. Remove the logs from refrigerator, unwrap, and brush lightly with the egg yolk. Roll logs in the sugar, pressing to adhere. Slice crosswise 1/4-inch-thick using a sharp knife. Place on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1/2-inch between cookies.

Bake until set but not brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer cookies to cooling rack until room temperature. Will keep stored in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to 5 days.