Holiday Fun

I have been busy this past week spending time with friends, making visits to my mall spaces and getting ready for the holidays.

Last Sunday was the Christmas Cookie Exchange Party at Laurie's house. This was my first year and let me tell you, these ladies were no amateur cookie makers.

Isabel made her yummy Palmiers with chocolate drizzle this time. Yum!























I made some Spicy Pumpkin Cookies. (Recipe at the end of the post)























Sweet Natalie made her awesome Coconut Lime Bars which won the Barn House Flea Market Cookie Competition last year, so it was no surprise that they won again as best, non-chocolate cookie.

Overall, it was a really fun time and I met some amazingly talented women including this gal. Have you checked out her blog yet? She is a fabulous photographer and such a fun person.

On Tuesday, I hooked up with some of my old friends from college. Paul, who I recently connected with through Facebook is currently "between jobs" and is housesitting at an incredible, almost 6 million dollar house directly on Lake Oswego. I was lucky enough to get the jaw dropping tour and fortunately it was still light enough to witness the fabulous view of Mt. Hood. Here is a link to the house if you are interested in checking it out. Paul assures me that if I help sell it, I will get a cut of the commission. ha ha

After the grand tour, Paul and I drove up to see Stephanie in Camas. She was recently married and it has been years since we last got together. I even got to meet her adorable 5 year old daughter, Sydney.

Here are Stephanie and Paul.

The three of us.

Sydney

It was hard to get a picture of Syndey as she got a little tired and grumpy as the evening wore on. But she did entertain us with her Hulk hands. We had a great dinner and visit and made tentative plans to have a pizza party with all of our families at "the mansion" in January.

On Wednesday I was lucky enough to be invited to the adorable Sheila's house to craft. Remember Sheila from this recent post? Isabel, Joy and another sweet lady named Jan also came to work on soldered houses.

Here's a picture of the one I made already hanging on my Christmas tree. It was fun to do both sides so I can turn it over if I want. Almost like having two ornaments in one.

I still have to finish up the tree/house decorating, but promise to share some pictures when I do. Hopefully by tomorrow, I'll be done. Until then have a great weekend and here's my recipe:

Spicy Pumpkin Cookies

1 c. shortening

1 c. flour

1 c. canned pumpkin

1 egg

2 c. all purpose flour

1 T. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 t. baking powder

1/4 t. baking soda

1 recipe cookie glaze (below)

chopped nuts (optional)

In an extra large bowl, beat together shortening and sugar with electric mixer until fluffy. Add pumpkin and egg; beat until combined. In a medium bowl, combine flour, spice, baking powder and baking soda. Beat into pumpkin mixture until combined. Spoon by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets and bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. Remove and cool on wire racks

Spread glaze over cookies and sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired. Makes 42-48 cookies.

Cookie glaze: In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 c. packed brown sugar, 3 T. butter and 1 T. milk. Heat over medium heat until butter melts. Remove from heat and stir in 1 c. sifted powdered sugar and 1 t. vanilla. (If frosting becomes too thick, stir in a few drops of hot water)