Sunday, December 14, 2014

Sunday Blatherings

 I thought I'd share a cookie recipe that I tried this week. They are not too sweet and the texture is more like a scone). So good with a cup of coffee or tea.
CRANBERRY DROP COOKIES
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 c. milk
1 egg
2 tbsp. orange juice
3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. soda
1 c. chopped nuts
2 1/2 c. coarsely chopped cranberries

Cream the butter and sugar then add milk, orange juice and egg. Sift dry ingredients. Blend with creamed mixture. Stir in chopped nuts and berries. Drop by spoon on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-15 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 8-10 dozen.
 
(to me)

Today we are celebrating my birthday with the family at a wonderful restaurant brunch ---Mr & Mrs Santa Claus will be there as well for the little ones. Should be fun, and although this birthday has made me a bit weepy, it's good to know I can finally retire early if I want.  It's a tough decision sometimes as my job is easy and we get lots of time off. 
 
My last day of work is Friday, 12/19 and I'm off with pay until January 5th. Not as good as Congress but hey, I'm not complaining.  Looking forward to seeing Unbroken, which releases Christmas Day -- the book was awesome, and relaxing with a few good books.
 
It's such a busy time of year for everyone it seems.  I have all of my shopping done, even though I may pick up a few small things (if I don't that's okay too though). I did manage to send out the holiday cards and put up our small tree and menorah yesterday. I'm one of those people who hates wrapping presents, whereas my SIL loves it, so she has once again volunteered to do my package wrapping....lucky me.

Last week we had a staff holiday party, a college-wide party and a departmental celebration -- all kinds of food as well.  (not getting on the scale until Jan 1st, but trying to make wise selections).  We also brought in therapy dogs to help de-stress the students preparing for finals -- huge success.

Books ---Finished a few books, but haven't had a chance to review them. (2) were outside of my normal genres, but they were light and fun and good of this time of year where I'm finding it tougher to focus. 
New Books
 
 
 Have a great week everyone!

43 comments:

  1. Great post Diane, a very enjoyable read. Happy Birthday, may your day be full of joy :)

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  2. Those cookies look lovely. Happy Birthday. Emma

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    1. Thank you Emma. Yes, those cookies are great -- even for breakfast.

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  3. The cookies look great! If I made them they would fail however. I usually end up throwing out whatever I made and going to the store and buying those kind you slice and bake.... But the idea of cranberries and orange, well, I may have to add to my trashcan collection! :--)

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    1. Get out of town Jill!! I bet you are a great cookie maker...LOL

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  4. Happy Birthday, Diane! I wish I had one of those cookies to go with my coffee right now. My shopping is nearly done, but I'll need to have a designated wrapping day this week. I don't love that either, but listening to an audiobook helps :)

    Enjoy your long break. My daughter in NYC comes home Saturday for eight days and Twin A will be home Friday for over a month. Looking forward to time with my girls!

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    1. Thanks JoAnn. It sounds like your holiday season will be special as well. Yesterday was so much fun for me (and all).

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  5. Happy Birthday to you from all of us! Have fun and tell the Claus crew we send a howdy!

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  6. Enjoy your birthday and your break!!

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  7. Happy birthday, and your plans sound wonderful!

    Love your Christmassy blog header, too. And your book haul is making me jealous! I can't wait to get my hands on Night Night, Sleep Tight.

    Enjoy!

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. Laurel, thank you.

      I thought it was time to take down the summer kyacks...LOL

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  8. Happy Birthday! For Christmas I told my husband that all I want is an entire day to sit in a chair and read an entire book, LOL!

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  9. Happy Birthday!!

    Those cookies look so good and sound easy enough to make. I used to bake all the time but haven't in years.

    Enjoy your new books!

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    1. They are easy Vicki, although the batter looks really thick prior to cooking.

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  10. Happy birthday, Diane! I hope you enjoy every moment of your special day, and a glorious year ahead.

    Those cookies look very yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Enjoy your reading this week.

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  11. Diane, Happy Birthday to you!! Glad you shared it with family (and Santa). Enjoy that nice vacation that you are getting and remember age is only a number, so don't fret that. I'm guessing we are of the same generation :) and you are lucky to have a job that you love, but also the alternative if someday you change your mind. I'm going to check out your books now, have only heard of The Collector, and not read any of your choices yet. Hallie Ephron, yay, will be hoping to pick her new one up soon. Have a great week!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by...and what you said is true. My husband always tells me to consider the alternative to not having another birthday:)

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  12. Happy Birthday and congrats on retirement! Hope you enjoy this new phase in your life - think of all the reading time! Ha!

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  13. Happy Birthday to you! I am looking forward to Unbroken too. Will your SIL wrap my presents? Not my favorite thing to do either.

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  14. Happy birthday and I like that idea of therapy dogs so much.

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  15. Happy Birthday! Those cookies look amazing. :)

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  16. Hope you had a wonderful birthday celebration, Diane. This is the first I've heard of a new Lansens book. 'll watch for your review. Enjoy the holiday break :)

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  17. Happy birthday! Sounds like you had a fun day! My husband has a break as well and it's always nice though we don't get quite as much done as we expect. You got some interesting looking books. I'm intrigued by The Girl in the Photograph so I look forward to seeing what you think of it. Have a great wek!

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    1. Thank you Katherine. I am looking forward to The Girl in the Photograph.

      Enjoy your holiday time with loved ones.

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  18. I am off with pay starting on 12/19 Friday!! I am excited but work is dumping on me right now. I hate when they do that.

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    1. I do appreciate the long winter break with pay working in an academic environment. enjoy your time Ti.

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  19. Happy birthday! And such lovely new books!

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  20. Happy Birthday. I love your top Christmas banner. Very pretty.

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  21. Hope you had a really fantastic birthday celebration--and a nice long paid vacation. ;) Sounds marvelous. May it be filled with good company, good food, good movies, good books, and good sleep.

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  22. Happy Belated Birthday!!
    I love the idea of bringing in therapy dogs to help students destress. :)
    My friend also makes a similar cookie but with white chocolate chips thrown in. Once she made them for us as I visited over tea and I ate them all!
    beth

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  23. Those cookies look delicious! I love scones, so I might have to give them a try. Happy belated birthday too! Mine is on Friday. :-)

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