It’s December already!  The neighbors have already put up their Christmas lights and many of my Facebook friends have revealed that they’ve put up their Christmas trees.  Can you believe it?!  Maybe it’s because Thanksgiving was so late this year but I haven’t managed to get into the old Christmas spirit yet.  Every year, it seems that I start later and later in the season.  Hopefully, I’ll manage to do some decorating before December 25^th!   

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What about you? Have you decorated your house yet?  Is your tree up? 

If so, send me some pictures and I’ll post them on my next blogs.  (You can email them to me at Kristine@kristinecayne.com)

Another shocker is that Christmas parties and get-togethers are in full swing.  Saturday will be my first Holiday Gathering with my critique group. While reading our lasted chapters, we’ll be sharing cards, gifts and treats.  Then come the RWA chapter parties, then office parties, friend parties and the list goes on.

What's on your holiday season agenda? 

I’ve heard of cookie exchanges which I think sound really yummy but unfortunately, I’ve never had the opportunity to participate in one.  For all of us who have always wanted to participate in a cookie exchange but have not had the honor, I’m instituting the first Kristine Cayne’s Holiday Cookie (Recipe) Exchange.

Every blog, this month, I will post a Holiday cookie/treat recipe or a link to one.    If you have one you’d like to share, send it along and I’ll post it on my blog.  (You can email them to me at Kristine@kristinecayne.com)

Okay, here is the first cookie recipe, an old holiday cookie standard.  Get out your mixing bowls, rolling pins and cookie cutters and let's get baking!

Sugar Cookies (borrowed from Good Housekeeping, December 2009 Issue, page 2A

Makes about 16 cookies.  Working time 35 min.  Total Time 2hr. 45min

2 sticks softened unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

 

In a large bowl, using a mixer set on medium-high, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. 

Add eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract and salt. 

Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add flour, beating until ingredients are combined.  (Dough will be slightly sticky.)

Divide dough into 4 equal portions and cover each in plastic wrap, patting into ½-inch-thick squares.  Chill until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400F. 

On a floured surface, roll out dough, one square at a time, to 1/3 inch thick. 

Cut out cookies using ornament- or tag-shaped cutters. 

Transfer cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for 10 minutes.  Bake until lightly golden, about 12 minutes. 

Cool completely on pan or wire rack before decorating.

 

Easy Icing (in under 1 minute!)

 

2/3 cup confectioners sugar

2 teaspoons meringue powder

2 tablespoons water

 

With an electric mixer on low, beat sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth and mixture flows easily. 

To achieve vibrant designs, tint icing with gel food coloring and transfer to piping bags fitted with small round tips. 

Add colored sugars if desired.

 

One recommendation that I plan to hold true for myself as well, don’t lose sight of your goal while your baking and decorating away the month of December.  I’m going to make sure to reserve several hours of my day, each day for the sole purpose of writing.  My goal is 35K words by December 31 and no matter what, I’m going to make it!  With this additional 35K words, I’ll have a completed rough draft of Obsession (see my work in progress) and be ready to begin 2010 with revising and editing my draft, yah!

I’d love to hear from you so enter your comments below and send me your Christmas tree/decoration pictures as well as your recipes for the cookie exchange.

Happy Writing,

Kristine