Baking is done

All of my Christmas cookies are baked. I save these for last because they take the most time.

My new addition this year is a mitten, representing either U of I or OPRF. The eater can decide. Last year's addition was the lightbulb.

Christmas cat

Andy's stylin'

Andy is ready for the office Christmas party in his new "Christmas Story" sweater.

And, he sent me photos of the luncheon:

A printed menu. Very fancy. Andy had the rigatoni. He said it was good but not picture-worthy.

Glad to see he's not the only one in a goofy sweater. This is one of his fellow lead attorneys. Of course, they planned their outfits which is why we were out shopping for Andy's sweater last night.

And dessert - mint chocolate chip cheesecake.

Cookie tree

After getting the run-around at Michael's (online it says the Christmas tree cookie cutters are in stock, the employee's handheld inventory device says there are 24 in the store, they're not on the shelves anywhere and manager said there are none. Hmmm.) we purchased the cutters across the street at Party City. This was L's first attempt with her cookie tree. (If you think the paper is messy you should see my kitchen).

Christmasy Sunday

Andy and I called the U of I Dial-a-Carol line this morning. The first time we didn't get B, but two girls sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" to us. They told us B was just down there and that he'd be back soon. We called back a few minutes later, got to talk to B and he sang "Jingle Bells" for us.

At church we watched the children's Christmas pageant. L didn't participate since she was working on rehearsal day. While we were at church, she was at Starbuck's working on her Chinatown project for her History of Chicago class.

Driving home from church we saw Santa in front of a neighborhood grocery store ...

... and it looks like I found some elves when I took L and her friend, A, shopping in the afternoon.

Chinatown

We took L to Chinatown this afternoon for a project she's doing for her History of Chicago class. She had to take pictures to prove she visited the neighborhood. Here she is taking a selfie at the gateway to Chinatown.

We saw lots of Asian-influenced architecture. I've driven through the neighborhood several times but this was the first time we stopped and walked around.

She shops are very touristy and every shop sells the same items. L bought some bamboo and I got some candied ginger for my Christmas carrot recipe.

Lots of chopstick holders, chopsticks and tea sets.

Part of the project, L had to get something from Chinatown for her classmates to eat. She bought a huge bag of chocolate fortune cookies at a bakery.

Cats and crack

It's a Christmas miracle! I got a picture of both cats looking at me at the same time. What?!? That rarely happens. Might have to frame this one.

And, if that wasn't enough of a Christmas miracle, I made Christmas crack for the first time and it turned out really good. I read lots of reviews where people had a problem with the toffee layer staying sticky but I think I nailed it. There are lots of recipes on the internet, but I used this one, making just a half recipe for my first time.

Christmas Crack
1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
40 saltine crackers

Heat oven to 400. Line 12x17 cookie sheet with foil and spray well with cooking spray. Lay crackers on top of the foil.
Heat butter and sugar on stovetop and heat until gently boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low boiling and cook, uncovered, about 5 minutes, until the mixture is thickened and sugar is dissolved. Pour mixture over crackers and spread evenly. Bake 5-6 minutes.
Remove pan from oven and let cool 3 minutes, then sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over brown sugar mixture. As chocolate chips melt, carefully spread into an even layer over the toffee layer using a knife. Refrigerate for one hour. Break into bite-sized pieces and serve. Store covered in refrigerator.

Chillin'

August's zoned-out look is courtesy of catnnip.

One more ornament

Couldn't resist buying this at the Christkindlmarket last Friday. The carving is so intricate.

Cookies for friends

L's teachers talked yesterday about how to de-stress during finals and three of them mentioned baking. L decided to take their advice and whip up a batch of sugar cookies last night. She has a few new cookie-decorating tools she was trying out. I went to bed before she finished.

This is what I woke up to this morning. She has some lucky friends.