The Christmas Miracle

(Besides the part where I made it all the way up the icy mountain, that is…)

I heard from BG.

         Yeah.

I had the first...
No bets being taken on the second.

Happy New Year, All!

The Real Life Winner

That package that I was allowed to shake?

          Contained these:

Jane Austen Socks!

I'm not sure there are enough words for how happy these make me...

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - final gift (and a carol!)

Absolutely and without any debate,

THIS t-shirt wins The Most Perfect Gift Place.

This isn't just a giggle - I live this. (As can be attested to by the co-worker who once told me - after I apologized to him for cussing and losing control of my vocabulary - “That’s okay… I don’t duck until your grammar goes.”)

Now that we’ve gotten the gifts sorted out for this year, let’s kick back and enjoy a good holiday song. I usually like to find songs that are a bit off the beaten track, but this rendition is just so catchy that I am overlooking the fact that the album is smack in the middle of the iTunes homepage and posting it anyhow. I couldn’t find a pretty video version but this way, you can hit play and then go check out what Santa brought!

Merry Christmas, Everyone.

And a very happy holiday season to all.

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 11

Well, we’re almost at the end of my extended burst of consumerism and avarice.

I'd feel bad about that but I’m too busy wanting THIS to worry about having been tacky.

Nor am I the only one not worried about being tacky...

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 10

This shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s read here for a while but for those of you who are more recent readers, I’ll recap:

I have had:

a badly sprained ankle (six different times)

one broken arm

one broken hand

four different occurences of broken fingers

more broken toes than I can recall (I lost count after seven)

one skull fracture, with concussion.

Seriously, I need this keychain:

In fact, selkie is the only person I know who needs it more.

(Perhaps they are available in a 2-pack?)

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 9

This wishlist item has a very sad tale to go along with it.

I’ve wanted this ornament for years, you see, but always put off any purchasing. I figured, “Some day when I have more money…” (like, hello? When is that actually likely to be?)

So imagine my distress when I went looking for a link to give you for this - and discovered that the artist discontinued the line in 2011!!!

All of the Laini’s Ladies ornaments were fun but this one is just me, through and through.

From the nerdy glasses, to the exuberant pose, right down to the twinkly red shoes.

(AND… Louisa May Alcott, my first favorite author, to boot.)

The Perfect Jz ornament... that I will never own.

If you’ll excuse me, I must go sob into my eggnog now... 

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 8

I really have absolutely no reason for putting this on the list other than sheer adorableness.

Cute, nerdy, heart-hopeful.

I can’t think why it might appeal…

;-p

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 7

Next on the list is this pocket mirror:

Of course, you may well be thinking to yourselves, “But Jz… you don’t wear makeup. Why on earth would you need one of those?”

Pocket mirrors are not just symbols of vanity, however. They have a great many more uses than simple self-examination. For example - ever tried to get a serial number off the back of a piece of equipment that’s wedged into a corner, or mounted 3 short inches below the ceiling? 

I rest my case.

Mirrors have a place in your toolbox, my friend.

And if they make you snort with laughter as well, that’s just icing on the cake.

(Plus, it can double as a distress signal should I get lost when I go Over the River and Through the Woods for Christmas!)

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 6

Besides books, another thing a person can never have too many of is the printed t-shirt.

It's important to have one for each sentiment, don’t you know?

(Just Ask Spike)

These are all terrific, I just can't make up my mind which one I want.

This is perfect for work.

Superb treadmill-wear

This one? I'd probably need 7 of...
One for each day of the week.

Decisions, decisions...!

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 5

And while we're talking books, this please:

Just because I like it.

And it’s very me.

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 4

Of course, a gift of books for me is basically a no-brainer.

But, which books to get?

If you wanted to get me something sensible I could use, I've been eyeing this:

This one’s for Olivia. :-)

(Altho’ I will admit, I’d spotted and wanted it even before your post.)

Or there's this one. Because... well, just because.

I mean, look at it.

I could learn many useful things… and maybe even pick up some tips.

(You know, so I can explain computer malfunctions to the deer-in-a-headlight-eyed people looking to me for answers, in a way that will send them away satisfied.)

On the topic of people who can (and will) explain anything… (even if not always simply,)

It's Spock Sunday again - and today we feature a very rare holiday card from Spock’s youth:

"Would you smile, Spock?!
This is going to Grandma and Grandpa Grayson."

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 3

Now that we’ve gotten the beverage presentation sorted out, I could also use some new refrigerator magnets.

I already have this one, but it needs company - and I think these would be ideal complements.

The first one is purely for amusement - my only personal dressing requirements are “does it fit?" and "is it comfortable?”… but I do like her crown.  ;-p

The other three are me through and through, however. (Not to mention the fact that they coordinate beautifully with my kitchen!) Well, maybe not so much the part where I wish I was a unicorn… but I’ve certainly expressed the desire to stab stupid people on more than one occasion, so I'm going with the ends justifying the means.

The third basically explains my behavior, in a nutshell. (*ahem*)

As for the expiration date philosophy… I’m afraid I subscribe.

          “This yogurt has yesterday’s date on it!”

          “Does it have smudgy pink smears or any black spots on it?”

          “Well, no…”

          “Then it’s fine. Give it here if you don’t want it.”

Lest you all think I’m being too self-centered, however,
          let me assure you these magnets aren’t All About Me…

I’m getting this one for Thelma.

  :-D

The 12 Gifts of Christmas - 2

OK, now that I have those great coasters, I need something to put on them.
Like maybe a Christmas mug.

Now, as long-time readers know, I find the concept of being “kind” or “nice” to be a somewhat vexing issue… and never is that more true than at Christmas.

So I think that to balance the frank honesty of those coasters, I need a mug that isn’t afraid to ask the tough question:

(And perhaps one of these, just to cover all bases…)

The 12 Gifts of Christmas

Gifts I Want, that is.
     As in, presents for me.

          (You weren't expecting anything noble, were you?)

First up is this little gem:

(found here)

Because everyone needs a good coaster set.

(And you might as well let your guests know what they’re in for!)

(same set, equally accurate sentiment)

In Which I Add to My Shopping List

An email arrived: “I've sent two packages to you, one will arrive on in a couple of days, the other is due next week. These are your Christmas presents - - No Peeking!!”

Teasingly, I replied, “How about shaking, then?”

“The one that arrives next week, sure. Go to town shaking that one - but not so much the first.”

A couple of days later, I arrived home in the gloom of a unlit December evening. I stepped up onto the porch riser… and promptly tripped over an unexpected foreign object, falling headfirst through the screen door onto the porch -- while said foreign object clattered from between my feet to bounce off the step and roll down onto the sidewalk.

“Ah… That would be the present I’m not supposed to shake.”

I’ll be stocking up on glue between now and Christmas, I think…

Captain's Orders

I love this week’s image but I’d been reluctant to post it… altho’ I enjoy snow, it’s very likely to disrupt holiday plans and I didn’t want anyone to feel I’d jinxed them. So I set it aside.

On Monday, however, the meteorologist assured us that after weeks and weeks of an unusually warm autumn, we’d finally get seasonal weather by the end of the week. Sure enough, altho’ Thursday was still fairly pleasant, Friday was toe-numbingly chilly, and with Saturday came the first snow of the season. (Which, by the way, disrupted holiday plans.)

This made the words, “unseemly haste” go running through my mind. Still, it was awfully nice to see snow coming down outside the windows as I put up the Christmas decorations.

Even better, now I don’t have to feel any compunction about posting this!

As the Crumbs Settle...

As always, it was fun… and you guys rock! 

I love that so many of you keep coming back, year after year,

I love that we cut across several blogging neighborhoods,

I love that you are all so wonderful about supporting each other,

and I REALLY love all your recipes!

Thank you for making this my happy place, by being here with me.

Cookie Day At Last...

Welcome to the (astonishingly) eighth annual

Great Online Cookie Exchange Extravaganza!

This one is especially significant to me because it was during cookie time last year that my relationship with BG took a nosedive - and I really wasn’t sure how much longer I was going to maintain a presence in blogland. I honestly thought this was going to be “it”… but decided to take it one day at a time and see what happened.

Three-hundred-sixty-four “one day”s later, I’m feeling pretty good about still being here - and ready to celebrate. So, let’s not wait any longer!

Bring on the Cookies!!!

I say that, but actually, I had every intention of bustin’ out this year and doing something other than cookies. (I know!) I’d found this amazing-sounding recipe for little tea tarts, you see… altho’ I had to test drive the recipe first, of course. 

But I was excited (and confident) about these tarts. Simple, easy, and I’d finally get to try my hand at frangipane! It was going to be good, I just knew it. I had even started composing my little tart post in my head already.

While I was at it though, since it was crappy weather outside and I was messing up my kitchen anyhow (not to mention that the oven would already be at the correct temperature,) I decided I’d go ahead and try this other cookie recipe that I’ve had my eye on for a while.

So I made my little tarts... and they were quite tasty. Pleased, I hummed carols and arranged the pretty goodies on a plate, to snap pictures while the cookies baked.

Then… I tried one of said new cookies.

       Holy Mother Of God!!

I took another bite to make sure I hadn’t misunderstood my tastebuds…, 

        and nearly wept tears of joy.

And just like that, plans changed. The tarts were quickly whisked away to make room for the clear winner. So, without further ado, the Jz Holiday Goodie for 2017:

Tahini Shortbread

       It’s like halvah in a cookie… 

       (Did I mention tears of joy?)

Ingredients:

2 sticks (1 C) softened butter (I used salted)

1/2 C tahini

1 C granulated sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

3 C unbleached all-purpose flour

3 tbsp half and half

Directions:

Beat the butter and tahini together until light and creamy.

Next add in the sugar, salt and vanilla, blending until smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl.

Add in 1 cup of flour, mix until just combined before adding in 1 tablespoon of half and half, then repeat until all of the flour and cream are incorporated.

Tip the cookie dough onto a clean surface and divide in half. Form each portion of dough into roughly a 2x6 log, wrap and refrigerate 45-60 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 350° and line a metal, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Working with one log at a time, remove the dough from the fridge. Slice cookies 1/2-inch thick (12 cookies) and bake 1-inch apart for 18 to 20 minutes•• or until the tops of your shortbread are slightly golden. Leave cookies on the cookie sheet for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Once cool, store in an air-tight container for up to 1 week.

Yield: 24 cookies

••(The recipe says to bake for 18-20 minutes but I’d start checking at a lot earlier. Of course, my oven was well-preheated and I probably sliced these somewhat thinner than I should have, but mine only took 8-9 minutes to bake. I did the first batch for 15 minutes and scorched the beejeepers out of them. 

       Those tears were decidedly not ones of joy…

(recipe adapted slightly from simplyscratch.com)

***************************************************************

The other thing I’m celebrating in this Cookie Exchange is the return of my friend selkie!

No, she’s not back to actual blogging quite yet… but she did toss in a cookie recipe!

“These are a HUGE hit - all FOUR adult kids requested these for Christmas.

I double the recipe.”

Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

1/2 cup butter

2/3 cup sugar

3 oz Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1 egg - separated

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup flour

1 cup finely chopped pecans (or walnuts)

15 Kraft caramels

2 tbs milk

Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Blend in chocolate, egg yolk and vanilla. Add flour; mix well. Shape dough into ball; cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 20 minutes or until slightly firm.

Roll dough into 24 balls, each about 1 inch in diameter. Dip each ball in lightly beaten egg white, then in pecans, turning to evenly coat each ball. Place, 2 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets. Use your thumb or the end of a wooden spoon to make a deep indentation in the centre of each ball.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool. 

Meanwhile, melt caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on MEDIUM 1 minute or until caramels are completely melted when stirred. Fill centres of cookies evenly with the caramel mixture. Refrigerate until firm.

***************************************************************

OK, once you finish salivating over these, please go visit the rest of the baking crew 

(and really complicate your goodie-making decisions!)

Just remember that there can be significant time differences around the world. 

If someone hasn’t posted yet, be patient and check back later.

Baker

Bleue

blossom

Bogey and Bacall

Cat

collaredmom

DelFonte

Ella

Greengirl

Katie

Kelly

Lindy

Mrs. Fever

Ms Dixie Wrecked

nilla

Olivia

ronnie

Ryan

Sassy 

~~~
and special, post-deadline, linked here and only here...
Fondles' Last Minute Fruitcake Recipe

Not Officially TMI Tuesday

Still, it's a meme - which is sort of a TMI...
And it's a thing I told Olivia I'd do - and I'm finally getting around to it - on a Tuesday.
So, TMITuesday-Kinda
******************************************************

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? 

Far too many cookies (gotta taste-test, don’cha know?) 

2. Worst physical pain you’ve experienced?

Despite all my breaks, sprains, and crashes, I think I have to go with my first bout of TMJ disorder. It hit fast and hard and I spent two months living on ice cream and mashed potatoes because chewing anything was absolute agony - not to mention the shooting pains of just holding still…, or the unrelenting eight-week ice-pick headache.

Note to self: try not to do that again. EVER

3. Favorite place you have been?

Northern Arizona

No, wait - San Juan Islands

Hold on… Cambridge

Maybe Leningrad?

But Montreal’s cool

And Glasgow

Then there’s…

Nope. Can’t answer this.

4. How late did you stay up last night?

1:00 am

A vast change from my usual 8:45, but true.

5. If you could move somewhere else, where would it be?

Into a smaller house that required less upkeep in a town/state /country with less onerous taxes.

Oh wait, did you mean an actual location???

6. Which of your Facebook friends lives the closest to you?

I Face Not

7. When was the last time you cried? 

Actual tears - months.

A sniffly mope - last week.

8. Who took your profile picture?

Who uses a real picture?

9. What’s your favorite season?

I like them all but, if pressed, probably winter. (As long as it snows.)

10. If you could have any career, what would it be?

Well, if I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, I wouldn’t be in the retirement pickle that I currently am... but, pulling a possiblity out of a hat - probably a technical writer.

11. What was the last book you read?

The Chilbury Ladies Choir  (Read This!!!)

12. If you could talk to ANYONE right now who would it be?

Mom

13. Are you a good influence?

Surprisingly, I’m both good and bad.

I calm the wild and get the staid into mischief.

(This may be my super power…)

14. Does pineapple belong on pizza?

Sure, if I’m getting a Hawaiian pizza.

If I’m ordering a moussaka pizza, then I’d have to say no.

(You didn’t expect me to be one of those people who always get the same thing, did you?)

15. You have the remote, what channel would you watch?

If I watched TV, you mean?

Probably the BBC channel.

16. Last concert you attended? 

Robert Plant (*swoon*)

17. Favorite sports team?

Sumo is not a team sport.

(just sayin’…)

With Advent Comes Festivity

and Spock is just not a happy elf...

Ah, Holiday Memories

Dinners at Grandma’s house…

Playing with Lincoln Logs while the adults finished cooking,

The Big Football game,

Smells of gravy and coffee and Grampa’s pipe tobacco.

Thanksgiving sliding into Christmas through weeks sparkling with candles and carols.

The smell of a freshly-cut pine,

Gingerbread men and secret santas,

Shaking packages and hours spent watching the lights twinkle off the ornaments,

Cookies and cinnamon and pies.

That magical Christmas Eve spent skating on the river, with a bonfire and hot chocolate...

Oh, and then there was that time just last night…! 

You know, when I discovered that a container of freshly-made carcass broth had sprung a leak which resulted in a solid 3/4-inch deep pool of golden turkey ice on the bottom of the freezer - and all the items on that side couldn’t be pulled from the ice without ripping the wrappings, so the entire contents had to be removed in one large, slicky, frozen 2-foot square mass that was too large for any sink or bucket I had available?

Special times, indeed…