Casual Friday Virtual Cookie Swap

December 7, 2007· Filed under Casual Friday

The closer we get to the holidays the less I feel like working and the more I want to just take in all the traditions that make the holidays so special. Wouldn’t it be fun to get all the Casual Friday crew together for a holiday cookie swap party? I think it would be so much fun and I’m sure everyone would have the most delicious baked goods to share.

Since distance, time and money keeps us from having a big holiday party in my office, I think we should have a virtual one instead today!!  Leave us a comment with the name of the baked good you are bringing to the party – you can post the recipe on your site and I’ll link to it, or just put the recipe in your comment. Also if you have any tips for making holiday baking more fun, successful or a tale of holiday baking gone wrong, you just have to share. Just like a real holiday party, fill us in on your week, your weekend plans, brag on your kids, or give us some juicy gossip – what ever works!!

I’ll get us started! After many years of burning cookies, getting them stuck on cookie sheets, and other disasters, I have figured out that lining my cookie trays with parchment paper is the way to go. Reynolds Parchment Paper has a free offer right now – you can get a free sample pack of parchment paper when you visit their web site. They also have great cookie exchange tips and recipes.

My favorite holiday cookies are the peanut butter cookies with Hershey’s kisses on top.

HERSHEY KISS COOKIES   

1 3/4 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter
1/3 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar

Sift soda, flour, and salt together. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars in another bowl. Add egg and vanilla. Beat well. Blend in dry ingredients. Then shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll in granulated sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Take from oven; place a Hershey Kiss in center of cookie. Return to oven for 2-5 minutes.

The coffee is hot, the holiday music is on, and it smells a lot like Christmas!  The best part is that virtual cookies are calorie free. Come join the party!!

Comments (22)

Links You Don’t Want To Miss

December 6, 2007· Filed under Blogging

Just a few quick notes and links today:

We got our first snow of the season yesterday. It was fun to watch it come down and luckily it didn’t really stick or cause the kids to have a snow day today. It wasn’t even enough to build a snowman, but the kids had fun making their own Virtual Snowman on the Ben & Jerry’s website.

I have some posts on my other blogs you might be interested in:

• At Essential Keystrokes I posted my latest tutorial – how to add a background to your WordPress theme.
• There are two fun giveaways going on at Doll Diaries – we are giving away a red velour ice skating dress for dolls and you can submit your own doll display photos for entry into a giveaway for some cute doll shoes.
• Printables4Kids has new Christmas and Hanukkah printable activities for kids and I’ll be adding even more in the next few weeks.
• b5Media’s Lifestyles Channel is having a Holiday Blogging Awards contest – with holiday cash as a reward – check out the details at my post at Weary Parent.

Meanwhile – don’t forget to stop back in tomorrow for Casual Friday. We have something different planned and it will be fun!

Comments (4)

Wordless Wednesday – Ooh, Pretty Lights

December 5, 2007· Filed under Wordless Wednesdays

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is decorating the tree – I just love the ornaments – but this year I relinquished some control and boy, was it hard to do!

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, visit the official Wordless Wednesday hub.

Comments (17)

Monday Motivation – Work Now Play Later

December 3, 2007· Filed under Monday Motivation

Typically December is a month where I do not take on new projects, rather I use the month to wrap up all loose ends, get my books in order and prepare to hit the ground running in January after enjoying the holiday season with my family. Knowing that I plan on taking about a week off between Christmas and New Year’s means I have to plan for it now. After all, with all the perks of being your own boss comes the harsh reality of when you don’t work, you don’t get paid.

My list for the week is prepared and ready to go:

• Invoice clients for November work
• Do four sets of client updates
• Continue work on two new sites for clients
• Put the search bar back in at Essential Keystrokes
• Write a handful of posts to use as back ups on busy days
• Analyze my traffic reports from November and identify trends and areas of improvement

There is a lot to get accomplished, but unlike last week, I will be in the office everyday. The more I knock out now, the more I can play at the end of the month.

What are your goals this week? What motivates you to get it all done?  Join Wendy at eMoms at Home, WAH(web)Mommy and me by posting your own Monday Motivation post.

Comments (1)

Another New Header

December 1, 2007· Filed under General

You didn’t honestly think that my fall leaves header was going to stick around long did you? The leaves on the trees in my yard are pretty much gone, so it was time for a new header here to reflect the season.

All together now… “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…”

Comments (8)