General Merriment

Every holiday, I make batches of several kinds of cookies for friends and family. This year, I took it easy and kept it simple with only one, er, two things… a s’more and/or hot cocoa kit. This is one I put together for my nanny, who has been a lifesaver for me for the past year. I really could not do anything without her. I hope she enjoys it with her family this holiday! Here are some recipe links:

• I tried out a recipe this year for graham crackers from my go-to kid-friendly cookbook, Le Petit Appetit. I’ve tested it a few times and like it better when it’s rolled out thicker, like 1/4”-3/8”, for a softer cracker. Also, I discovered the best way to cut butter into dry ingredients.
• This was the first time I ever made marshmallows and it was frickin’ easy, but took a while. They are totally worth it.
• I made mini chocolate bars by melting milk chocolate baking chips and pouring it into a parchment-lined cookie sheet. I smoothed it out a little but wanted some texture so I just made sure it was relatively even in thickness. Then I put it in the freezer for a few minutes, took it out while it was slightly soft to score it into pieces for the graham crackers, and popped it back in for another 5 minutes or so.
• The hot cocoa is a non-hot version of this recipe (i.e. I left out the cayenne after burning my mouth during the test run). I also crushed up some candy canes for a sweet sprinkle.

I’m always so self-conscious giving homemade gifts away - will they like it? (Of course.) Does it seem cheap? (Of course.) But I love to make and craft and bake! Can you tell Tom and I have also been practicing our rhyming for a new book for Lucy? I’ll share that soon enough, my friends…

This fall term hasn’t left much time for this little ole’ blog, much less my family or myself. I finally handed over the last of my final projects yesterday and can finally get back to my life. I’m sad to not have offered you some much-needed guidance in the gift department like I did last year (see here, here, here, here, and, oh yeah, here, here, and here, too). However, I can, rather selfishly, show you what I’ll be asking from Santa this Christmas - because I’ve totally earned it. Besides, each are so super-practical that they should be considered “needs” instead of “wants.” It’s actually a pretty sad list now that I look at it… I did way better last year, but times are tough and I’ll take anything.

(Clockwise)

Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoops, $18 at Sur la Table, for my baking OCD

Yellow Pop Herringbone TOMs Shoes, $54 at TOMS, for some pep in my step

Garlic Rocker, $15 at Uncommon Goods, which is way easier to clean than a press

Undecorate, from $24 on Amazon, for some inspiring spaces

I Am Not A Paper Cup, $16 at Uncommon Goods, because it’s so easy to clean

Takeya Glass Water Bottle, $20 at Takeya, because Ashley and Olin said so

Bodum Travel Press, $30 at Bodum, for those lazy days

LLBean Flannel Sheets, $107 for a set at LLBean, for these chilly winter nights

There it is, sad to say. And I know what you’re thinking - 3 travel drinkware options? Yes, I always have something to drink with me. ALWAYS.

My husband and I were recently reminiscing about Christmas traditions. He told me how much he loved his family’s Advent calendar, where each day they would hang a new ornament on a little tree. Now I grew up in the Catholic school system, and remembered lighting a candle a week on the little wreath, but had no idea what an Advent calendar was or what the purpose of them. I did a little bit of (last minute) research and threw one together last night for my family. And because I was late to the game, I admit to cheating on the first day… “Make a wreath” was first on the list and accomplished at the DesignSponge event last night.

Want to see how to pull off your own calendar? Click below for instructions.
 

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