So. We are 10 days out from Christmas and I have done zero shopping. I haven’t even considered a list of possible ideas. Holiday cards were a no go this year. Call me Scrooge but I’m kind of just ready to put 2011 in the books and move on to January.
Sigh. I should probably work on that whole shopping thing this weekend, huh? Please don’t tell me you already have all your shopping done. It will make me sad. Maybe I need to go the online shopping route this year. I don’t know if I can face the mall. Perhaps homemade gifts? But I’m not crafty…fail.
I did do two things that were slightly holiday-esque today. First, I made cranberry-orange sauce to use as a spread on sandwiches and to put in my oatmeal and yogurt.
I used the cranberry sauce to make turkey, cheese and spinach paninis for lunch today. I really love using a sweet spread like cranberry sauce or apricot preserves on grilled sandwiches. Grapes, crackers and cottage cheese on the side.
I had some appointments this afternoon and then hung out at Starbucks for a few minutes to caffeinate and snack before BodyPump and catch up (kinda…is catching up ever possible?) on email.
I had a Joy tea with a splash of soy milk and a package of nuts and fruit.
BodyPump was a bit of a challenge tonight although I loved teaching, as always. Not going to lie…I’m petty sore from my run yesterday but in a good way!
Brandon was out tonight so dinner was on my own. Solo dinner usually means meatless. I loved my creation tonight. Leftover pine nut couscous, sautéed spinach and baked tofu. Topped with pine nut hummus and chopped olives.
I wrapped up my evening with my second holiday activity of the day…I baked chewy ginger cookies.
I’ve actually never baked ginger cookies before but I had a huge craving for them. The recipe turned out perfectly and I’m in love with these cookies. They are the perfect texture and just the right amount of spice. I mixed white chocolate chips into half the batter and semisweet into the remainder.
What’s your favorite type of holiday/Christmas cookie?
i just love your blog!! so inspriring! random question what kind of camera do you and use and what lense? your pictures are so pretty!
addie – thanks so much for the comment and for reading my blog! 🙂
i used a nikon D3100 and right now i just have the stock lens on it!
Those cookies look yummy! Could you share the recipe? 😉
of course! will post hopefully tomorrow!
Very pleased to know I’m not the only one that can’t quite get in the spirit for Christmas ’11. I’m about 30% done with my shopping. Pretty sure I’ll be taking the online route to wrap it up!
you are so not alone. i need to take advantage of online shopping before it’s too late. don’t know if i can face the mall! 😯
I don’t think I can choose which Christmas cookie I like the best…it honestly would be an impossible decision for me. I love gingersnaps, sugar cookies with icing, peppermint chocolate chip, etc the list goes on and on!
PS I used a picture of you in my FITspiration Friday post today… Hope you don’t mind 🙂
thanks again for featuring me! love my headstand in the midst of all the intense action shots! 😀
Happy Friday! I have been a Bah Humbug this season so my Christmas list doesn’t have many things crossed off and I didn’t even entertain the thought of holiday cards. I have seen so many really cute ideas for jarring the ingredients for cookies, brownies, and drink mix. I love getting a new recipe to try so I’m hoping these will make great gifts for friends! Coconut macaroons are my favorite cookie!
i think those jar things are cute too. i blew the holiday cards off too.
love coconut macaroons. mmm!
I read pbr daily but have never commented…Just wanted to say your ginger cookies look delicious, I think I will bake them for my mom who will love them. Also, you could bake these and make festive cookie bundles with decorated recipe cards attached and give them as your gifts!
gianna – thank you so much for commenting and for reading every day! i will post the recipe for the cookies tomorrow.
i love the cookie gift idea. thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
Ha! We both talked about cookies on our blogs today 🙂 Any cookie with white chocolate chips is a win in my book!
I do most of my shopping online. Going to the mall sucks the holiday cheer right out of me!
I am a bit of a scrooge this year as well. The only holiday decoration I have up is a wreath on our front door. I’m planning on a second holiday baking extravaganza this weekend (I already made six batches of baked goods for my fiance’s family – marrying a man with four siblings and divorced and remarried parents makes holiday gift giving expensive and time consuming no matter what route you take!). I’m definitely not ready for January but I’m not prepared for the holidays either.
i’m kind of glad to hear i’m not the only one. i can’t believe you already made SIX batches of baked goods and are embarking on more! 2012 is going to be a big year for you! 🙂
I love Paula Deen’s White Chocolate Cherry Chunkies… so delicious 🙂
i shall have to look that recipe up! yum!
you’re really good at baking! why don’t you just bake cookies for everyone as gifts? that’s what i’ll be doing this weekend!
good idea and sounds very budget friendly too…which is a plus this year! 😉
Don’t worry about it! I haven’t done ANY christmas shopping yet, and decided I’m not sending out cards this year either. My friend just texted me this morning and called me a grinch 😉
Maybe I’ll see you out in the mall this weekend!
we’re not grinches! i am not braving the mall until i have a very detailed list ready and a plan of attack! 😉
that panini is to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite are the peanut butter cookies with the Hershey kiss in the middle…I’m not sure if they have a name??
aren’t they called peanut butter blossoms or something? i LOVE those things too. they’re also goods with a reese’s miniature in the middle. mmm!!!!
i hear ya on the shopping…i have purchased exactly two gifts so far and have wrapped neither. although i do plan to finish up shopping and wrapping this weekend. and then, i will be excited about the holiday because we are coming to charlotte to see my family and i can’t wait to do all the holiday traditions we do every year!! yay!!! i missed them so much last year. so i am excited. maybe once you are done w/ your “obligatory” stuff you will be more enthused about the actual family time and traditions that are the great part of this season. 🙂
you’re two ahead of me! good luck finishing up this weekend. we’ll be in charlotte for christmas so maybe we can get together for lunch or a drink. xoxo
I’m kind of with you on the moving on from 2012 and ready for January, which is unusual for me. I’m typically very excited about xmas, but this year I’ve been dragging my feet and just not overly joyed this season. I am excited for what 2012 has to offer!
me too! 2011 has been amazing but i’m ready for a new year.
Hi! maybe an odd question, but what kind of peanut butter(s) do you eat/like?! .. Just curious!