I Found the Cure

Last week's lack of energy has turned into an over abundance of drive that is pushing me to get more done than the hours in the day will allow. Of course, the fact that my days until Christmas are shortened due to the fact that we leave town on December 21st might have something to do with that!

I have three chapters due before I go - a new book. I want to call it The Pen Pal, but I don't know if they'll go for that. It's a bed & breakfast story and I'm looking forward to writing it. Of course, it's TTQ so it won't be just all homey an bed and breakfast. There's darkness. And light at the end of the tunnel. Or the breakfast table as the case may be.

And I have tons to do to make Christmas happen as well. I'm a Christmas freak. I believe in Christmas. In the spirit. In Santa Clause. I believe that magic happens and that Christmas time is a time out of time set aside for us all to be able to reach beyond ourselves, to ask more of ourselves, to give more joy than sorrow, to think of others more than we think of ourselves, to create moments of pure happiness for someone else. That's what Santa Clause is all about right? And what the deeper meaning of Christmas is about?

Anyway, I have three daughters to buy and wrap for this year. Or, rather, we do. My new husband shares every step of the way with me. We shop together, decide together, we're going to wrap together and it's been pure joy. We also have his brother and family and my brother and family and...you get the picture. I've never been able to buy just one gift, and this year is no exception. Christmas had to come full on, whether I'd just moved across the country or not! And that means...there are stacks of presents to wrap. And to distribute.

A lack of energy, lying on the couch wasn't going to get this all done.

So...in the Christmas tradition, my man and I spent a day making cookies. (He's an excellent cook.) Over a hundred dozen of them. We did this over a week ago and it's those cookies that I am crediting (blaming) on my new burst of energy. (Of course it could be those other things, like knowing that I am loved, loving, or the fact that I was able to pay a huge tax bill when it unexpectedly came due!) Once a year I eat cookies. Lots of them. Tons of them. There is no limit. No boundary. Sometimes I get sick and I just keep on eating them. They are that good. They replace breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. And that is why I only make them once a year!

Today I wanted to share with you some of the recipes. They come with a warning, though. These are not healthy for long term consumption. They are not good for longevity of life. But they are fine for a once a year gluttony. And they are better for you than cigarettes! And boy do they bring pleasure and energy!

So, from my house to yours, or my kitchen to yours, or however those recipe cards go:

Chocolate Pixies:
Oven: 300
Bake 15-20 minutes
Melt: 1/4 C butter or margarine; 4 1 oz. squares unsweetened chocolate. Remove from heat - cool slightly.
Blend in: 2 C sugar; 4 eggs - one at a time. Beat one minute.
Add: 2 C flour; 2 t baking powder;1/2 t salt. Mix well.
Chill at least 15 minutes. Shape into balls/ 1 T dough each. Roll in confectioners sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake.

Candy Cookies:
2 C sugar; 1/2 C cocoa; 1/2 C milk; 14/ lb. butter; 1/4 t salt; 1 t vanilla; 3 C oatmeal; coconut; nuts; 1/2 C peanut butter.
Mix sugar, cocoa, milk, butter, salt. Bring to boil. Stir in peanut butter until melted. Add oatmeal, vanilla, coconut (I omit this) & nuts. Drop by teaspoon on cookie sheet to harden and cool.

Sugar Cookies:
Oven: 375
Bake: 7-8 minutes
1 1/2 C powdered sugar; 1 C softened butter; 1 egg; 1 t vanilla; 2 1/2 C flour; 1 t soda. Mix first four, add dry. Form into two large balls, wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate at least two hours. Roll onto floured surface, cut with favorite cookie cutters and bake. When completely cool, frost with confectioners decorators icing and decorate.

Accordion Treats:
Oven: 325
Bake: 25-30 minutes
3/4 C butter; 3/4 C sugar; 2 eggs; 1 t vanilla; 1/4 T salt; 1 1/4 C flour; walnuts; sprinkles/sugars
Cream butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients & nuts. Drop by tablespoon into accordion pleated heavy duty foil. Sprinkle with decorations and bake. Cool ten minutes before removing from the foil.

And...one last caveat - when one gloms on a diet of cookies, one must exercise. It's the law.

Anyone else have any recipes they're willing to share???