December has been one helluva month. It went so fast. I got to play set designer for Santa Dee. I was able to decorate his set where families would come to take their Christmas pictures. Me, the lady who has a board specifically labelled “If I could D.I.Y.” on Pinterest. I did everything from create a fireplace, a snowman and tons of gifts all from empty cardboard boxes. I guess I can D.I.Y.
I eventually ended up being his hostess/cookie maker for his event Cookies and Cocoa with Santa where I made what has come to be known as my Signature Gingerbread Cookies. These cookies landed me selling them to the public and they were well received. You could have ordered them dipped in chocolate, plain or dipped with chopped crystallized ginger. They won’t be back until next holiday season.
In keeping with the whole cookie theme I participated in a cookie swap, The Great Food Bloggers Cookie Swap. It was a fundraiser designed to bring awareness to childhood cancer and raise money for research. I was more than happy to do my part. It gave me a chance to meet other bloggers and work on cookies. I made chocolate chip rugelachs because they reminded me of home, NYC. You can read all about it here.
I still had to do Christmas in my own home. My oldest came to visit with his wife and we had a lot of family fun. I made Pulled BBQ, two ways turkey and King Oyster Mushrooms) served on top of a cornbread waffle with a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions. Everyone agreed it was yummy. I was able to get my Christmas tree up. I did a Cranberry Wild Rice stuffed Turkey Reloude with a Brown Sugar Orange Glaze another thumbs up. I finally got to meet my grand-niece in person. I was super excited because she’s even cuter in person. I made a wonderful Christmas dinner but forgot to take pictures. I did however get pics of the cinnamon-sugar buns I made during the day. I say better than nothing.
Anyway I am currently preparing for the rolling in of the New Year. As usual I will spend it with my kids. We will be dining on shrimp and grits with some bubbly( theirs non-alcoholic mine very alcoholic). Anyway, I hope you ring in the New Year safe and in the best frame of mind. Until next year go forward and make new memories.
~The Chef In Pearls
