Cookie Crazy

I mentioned the other night how wonderful Brett was to give me so much help in making Christmas cookies this year. We decided to make it a tradition which means he now has to help every year FOREVER! It may not look like it in this picture but he really was a big help!

I seriously make the GREATEST sugar cookies ever. I really can't take too much credit though because I think it has more to do with the recipe than the baker. I usually just use a round cookie cutter (actually, funny story, right after Brett and I got married, I didn't have any cookie cutters and so I started using one of our drinking glasses. Three and a half years later, we only have one of the glasses left because they keep breaking and I am nervous what I will do when that one breaks!) and decorate them with various colored icing. In this picture I was joking that I made this one look like Santa - I am not and never have been very artistic. Anyone who has ever tasted these cookies thinks they are the best!

And here is the final product of everything we made ( missing is the fudge that ended up in the trash and the peanut butter cup cookies that had to be chiseled out of the pan). Starting with the red/ green/ and white sugar cookies, clockwise, Hersey Kiss cookies (again, the best I have ever had; made with Bisquick and super soft!), Chocolate Toffee Cookies, and Plantations Cookies. The plantation cookies are extra special because they are my Great Grandma Pearl's recipe. She used to make them all the time and keep them in a special tin in her kitchen. She passed away a few years ago and sometimes I really miss her. She was truly a wonderful lady! Our plantation cookies came out really well, and as good as they tasted, they just weren't hers because I didn't have the right tin.

On another Christmas note, we are still a work in progress when it comes to the Christmas card. We attempted tonight to take a picture of the dogs together by the tree and not one picture contains both dogs. One has Lucy and Tucker's nose, but that is it. Lucy wanted everyone to know it is not her fault - she was posing the whole time.

Christmakuh in the City

Ummm...I apologize but it seems the Bergers are taking over our blog. Liz and Adam - you have your own blog...post on it! Just kidding! We had another amazing night in the city last night and I had to remark that we have been spending so much time with them that their pictures are all over our blog. So, I am going to have to issue them a direct challenge to post regularly on Berger World. Click on their link and leave them encouraging comments.

So, yesterday was the Menges and Molzahn Holiday party. Unfortunately spouses are not invited and it is held during the day, so I could not attend, but Brett seemed to have a great time. Everyone in the office enjoyed lunch together and exchanged Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts. Afterward they were off to the Shedd Aquarium for a lovely day of fish watching and dragon observing. Unfortunately the dolphins and beluga whales had been moved and Brett was a bit disappointed. I took the train to the city and met Liz in her office and then we met the boys at Rosebud (excellent happy hour if you're ever looking for a good place in the Loop). When we left we walked around Daley Plaza to see the tree and smell the smells of Christkindlmarkt, the Christmas market that sells yummy treats and various chatzkies from around the world. We cabbed it to La Madia, a restaurant Liz and Adam recommend that turned out to be fabulous. It is a pizza place, but nothing like Pizza Hut. The pizza is thin crust with a variety of gourmet toppings. We enjoyed triple pepperoni with truffle oil and another with stinky cheese and grapes. That's not really what ti was called but I can't remember the fancy name for the cheese or the grapes. We thought about leaving but then decided to head over to The Kerryman for one last cocktail. Adam and Brett entertained Liz and I with their not so smooth dance moves to the tunes of Christina, Brittany and the like.

Another fun evening with the Bergers that makes Brett and I yearn just a little more to live in the city.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Her and the Little Ones

I am taking a page out of Nina Knows Best's book and giving you some holiday gift recommendations. It doesn't hurt that one of my recommendations is actually on my Christmas list.


Last summer, I found Carol & Company Chicago at the Wheaten French market. L.O.V.E. them! According to the bio on their website they started in TX and have spread a bit. They have no retail location but there is a list of markets, festivals, and fairs they display their baubles at and their is always the web making them accessible to all. (Side note: if you have never been to the Wheaten French Market you need to get you little rear in gear and get there as soon as the weather is nice. It runs from about May 1 to November 1). Anyway, Carol & Co. drew me in with their vintage pendants. They also have monogrammed silver jewelry, handmade jewelry, lovely photo frames all for very reasonable prices. I am in L.O.V.E with the M initial pendant and am hoping Santa has placed his order for this pendant as well as the chain to go with.

Carol & Co. has some adorable clothes for little ones, hysterical bibs ("Ultimate Tax Deductions" is so something Brett would buy), and stuff for the kids who are a little older. You seriously need to check out her page because I just can't put a picture up of all the great stuff they have. Be sure to check out the Pee-Pee-Teepees! You just have to see them.

Unfortunately, I have no little ones to buy for but if I did...are these not the greatest?

Merry Happy Christmakuh

Saturday December 6, was our good friends, The Berger's, Annual Christmakuh party. A combination of a Christmas and Hanukkah if you couldn't figure that out. Liz and Adam live in the city so Brett and I took the train downtown and had a wonderful evening of good friends, good food, and some good drinks. Now, when I say good food, this goes beyond most party fares. Liz and Adam love to cook and they go all out for their get togethers. I wish I had a picture of everything, but only my favorite - a baked brie with maple syrup and pecans wrapped in a pastry dough (picture to left). Heaven! In addition, there were mini Capreses, Artichoke/ Crab dip, Chicken, Ham, corn casserole, Spanakopitas, Latkes, and for dessert mini Pecan Pies and a Chocolate Fruit tart (picture to right)...everything homemade of course. After trying everything there was to eat we had a gift exchange, the one where you get to steal, and Brett and I were quite happy with what we ended up with - he a Music Catch Phrase game and me 15 Scratch off tickets (I won 2 free tickets and $52!!!). Liz and Adam are the best hosts and great friends.

We wish them and everyone a very happy holiday season.

The boys enjoying their presents...

Caroline (Adam's sister), Adam, and Liz

Puppy Christmas Spoiler Alert

Do not read this post if you want to be surprised at what our puppies are getting for Christmas.

OK, now that that's out of the way...Old Navy was having a huge sale and I purchased some presents for the puppies. Coordinating hoodies and coordinating fleeces. Since puppies are hard to buy for I let them try on their new clothes tonight to make sure we had a good fit...

Tucker thinks the hoodie smells great!

Lucy looking confused by her new clothes. She needs time to adjust.

"Does this fleece make me look fat?" No, Lucy, you are fat.

Tucker is still testing out his sexuality...one shoulder or two?

Christmas Card Dilemma

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is deciding what will be the Clancy Family Christmas Card. Since Brett and I got married we have always sent a photo card and we try to be a little creative. However this year, w ear a bit at a loss....Here is what the past years have produced...

Christmas '05, Feliz Navidad

Christmas 'o6, Sitting on Santa's Lap

Christmas '07, a Clancy Family Photo

So...any thoughts for this year???