Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies (Day One)

I'm going to attempt to make a new and different cookie for the Twelve Day Countdown to Christmas.  I'm actually cheating just a little here because the first three I tried last week.  Anyway, I will give you the recipe along with my honest opinion/review of each cookie/sweet that I make.  Enjoy!

Lemon Drop Cookies

I love all things lemon, so I couldn't wait to try these cookies!  I found the recipe on Pinterest and if you click on the name of the cookie (above) it will take you to the blog, 'See Jane Cook' which has the recipe posted.  I loved these cookies so much that I baked them for my fourteenth annual cookie exchange!  I hate to say this, but I knew they wouldn't be the winning cookie, but I loved them and that's all that mattered!  :)  These cookies actually have a bag of those candy lemon drops (ground up, of course) in them which I thought was quite unique!  You should have heard the noise when I turned on the Quisinart... yikes, it was crazy loud!  The lemon taste is very subtle and I love how they were a bit crispy and a tiny bit chewy at the same time.  I think the only thing that I changed is instead of adding just lemon juice to the icing, I cut the tartness with a bit of milk and a little lemon zest.  I would definitely make these again.  This is a perfect cookie to enjoy with a hot cup of tea!  



Wes' Birthday Party

Wes turned 49 today and I didn't just want to do the usual family dinner at our house.  Sooooo, I thought if a kid could have a birthday party at the roller rink then why not a 49 year old?  It was a brilliant idea if I do say so myself!  I also knew that if Wes had his choice, he would not choose to celebrate in a roller rink.... that's why it was a surprise!  tee hee.  Anyway, it ended up being a really fun way to celebrate with family.  I think it will be a tradition to do something fun and interactive for family celebrations!  Hmmmmm, maybe next year the rock climbing gym?!!

It looks like Wes is helping little Lauren to skate, but in actuality, I think Lauren was helping to hold up Uncle Wes!

Luke and cousin Ashlie

Most of the fam

Couples dance... I think I'm actually skating backwards!

Nicole, Ryan, Cody and Dylan

Happy Birthday Wesley Dean!  I love you!

  

Zoo Lights

We took a quick trip down to the Tacoma Zoo on Monday night to see the lights. It was a nice, mellow evening and the lights were amazing!  Even better... no rain!

I thought this photo was hilarious.  Hayley was trying to get a somewhat decent picture of me and Wes and Luke kept running in front of the camera!  Craaaaaazy boy!

Hayley was experimenting with her camera on this night.  She was putting a set of these paper glasses over the lens that distorted the lights.  She loved the effect!

14th Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

Well, it was another fun Cookie and Ornament Exchange!  I look forward to each year and I can't believe I've been doing this for fourteen years!  And, I would say that at least half of the ladies have been coming since the very first one... so cool!  Anyway, good friends, yummy cookies, lots to eat and supercute ornaments helped make it another fun event.  

Joleen, Ellen, and Gina

Tammy & Darlene

Lisa and Staci

Sherry, Jane, and Carmen

Kathy, Tammy, and Stephanie

Stacey, Shannon, & Megan

Krista opening up her own ornament exchange!

Gina won Favorite Cookie for the second year in a row with her Salted Caramel Butter Bars!

The fun part... collecting all those beautiful and delicious cookies!

Ellen's Coconut Meringues

Staci's darling Peppermint Meringues with Chocolate Ganache

Shannon and Megan's Butterfinger Candies... the ingredients for these yummies is melted Candy Corn mixed with Peanut Butter!  They were outstanding and totally tasted like a butterfinger!

The lovely baking ladies of 2011!

The crazy, goofy baking ladies of 2011!