God Jul!

I've had fun trying some new cookie recipes this year. I made so many cookies, I have to distribute. We put together some gift boxes for our nearest neighbors. Our street is pretty "keep to yourself," so it's nice to make people smile and get rid of tempting cookies as well.

My favorite recipe is so simple, you'll scoff at the ingredients.

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

1 (16 ounce) package Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe Joes (Peppermint Oreo like Sandwich Cookies), divided
1 (8 ounce) package Cream Cheese, softened
2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

1. Crush about 1 package (36 cookies) to crumbs; place in mixer bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Spoon cookie mixture into balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
2. Refrigerate the balls for about an hour.
3. Crush one peppermint candy cane and reserve in small bowl.
4. Melt chocolate in double-boiler. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Best to use a toothpick to dip, and then cover the hole with chocolate and crumbs) Sprinkle with reserved candy cane crumbs.
5. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Keep stored in refrigerator.

I helped Jesper work on the foundation of our future outdoor sauna hut. This project took at turn today. We're switching the direction of the roofline and are adding a dressing room to the plan.

I just made the most delicious cookies. To describe them, they're like Snickerdoodles with spices. I printed this recipe out over two years ago and just made them today. I accidentlly put it 4 times as much molasses as I was supposed to and eneded up making a 4X batch which is great, because it's the perfect time of year to share cookies. I altered the recipe to use 3 teaspoons of Trader Joe's pumpkin pie spices and the molasses I used was mild.

I'm back to Jazzercise, it's been two long years without it since I hurt my knee and the gym the class was at shutting down. I am so excited to be back at it and to have found a class close to home again. I think I am going to cancel my gym membership. It's just too boring going to the gym.

I am on a finishing streak! I finished the partner mittens, saving for a future valentine's gift.

I am loving this new pattern by Kate Gilbert, but just added it to my Ravelry queue so I can buy it when I intend to make it.

I'm finishing my Anemoi mitten #2. About time! Then, it will be finishing a X-mas gift, hopefully in time.

I ordered these non-permanent wall decorations called 7.00
from Blik and put them up this weekend. They really make our bland flat white closet doors fun. I also picked up new bedside lamps from Pier1 and now we have a pretty consistent branch theme going on.

Jesper has started another project...a backyard woodfire sauna. He's setting up the foundation as a type. It's going to be pretty fun, since we've been able to get an architect friend to help with the drawings and details. The sauna stove has already been delivered, and we're hoping it's ready to enjoy by March. Thae hard part is that it's so dark outside after work, so the daylight weekends are key.

Kitchen curtain done!

The fabric is "montana bandana" by alexander henry. I couldn't find it online, I picked it up many months ago at a local quilt shop on clearance. I am have a lot left and am going to use some scraps to decorate white dish towels.

It snowed this weekend! How fun. I swore I would get our icicle house lights hung and I did.
I baked carrot quick bread in my new tree pan. Hey, it even snowed in the kitchen.
This recipe is on my top favorite list. This time I added cinnamon chips and dried cranberries.
It's been raining here non-stop today. We have a rain gauge and it's rained almost 2 inches today.
I've been knitting on the partner mittens this weekend enjoying the fireplace as well.

I just heard this song on the radio, probably not for the first time, but I am tempted to make it our first dance song at our wedding, the lyrics are so sweet it made me a little teary. Hmmm, maybe that means I might cry at the wedding. I guess that's typical!



Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am