Tag: Christmas Caroling

Cookie Monster Heaven

On By Tim ValentinoIn GeneralLeave a comment

Apparently, I can “stand the heat” because I spent all day in the kitchen yesterday making 35 dozen Christmas cookies! If my math is correct, that’s 420 total. The Cookie Monster would love it here! The house smelled great, and now we’re ready to take some goodies around the neighborhood for Christmas caroling.

First were the peanut butter blossoms. (They had to be first.) Each is topped with either a milk chocolate or a dark chocolate Wilbur Bud. They turned out great, and they’re quite slammable. 🙂

Next were the sugar cookies. Each one features red, green, or red and green sugar on top. For the most part, they turned out o.k., but I had too much variation in temperature and/or bake time to get the consistent look and texture I was aiming for. They’re still tasty, though. Next year I hope to have more time to do cutouts and icing.

Finally, I did the chocolate chips. They’re the old standards, and they’re delicious, too. Fortunately, I didn’t repeat last year’s blunder (something involving baking powder as I recall). Nom! Nom! Nom! Nom! Nom! 

I was fighting a head cold the whole time, but I’m feeling slightly better today. I’m ready to get horizontal and listen to some soft, dreamy music. After that, It’s time to go caroling and work off some of the cookie dough I may have snuck yesterday. 🙂

Working now on a Christmas devotional post for next week. Sorry it’s only one this year. Hopefully it will still be informative and encouraging for you.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

The Most Expensive Christmas Caroling Trip Ever

On By Tim ValentinoIn General1 Comment

I got my Edge back today. No, I’m not talking about a resurgence of my personal mojo; I’m talking about my Ford Edge. They had it in the shop all week. Here’s why. Every year our extended family strolls around the neighborhood singing Christmas carols and delivering cookies. We try to pay particular attention to those who are sick, newly widowed, or facing some kind of challenge.

Last December there was snow on the ground at the time, so we took my car to certain locations, knowing my mother-in-law wouldn’t be able to navigate the treacherous footing at night. Well, she probably would have navigated the footing a lot better than I navigated the driveway. 

Unbeknownst to me, my son-in-law had parked his black jeep in the driveway, and I backed my SUV out of the garage, right into his. 

Fa la la la la. 

It was totally my fault, and I felt terrible about it. 

I was finally able to get it repaired today, to the tune of $1,433.97, so I feel crummy about it all over again. But, hey, they washed it—both the inside and outside—and it looks a lot better than it has all winter.

Next time, though, I’ll wash it myself and save a pile of money.

Image Credit: newsweek.com.