If circumstances allow, we’re hoping to join our friends for a cozy holiday dinner this weekend. I also hope to make progress on holiday preparations.
Have a great weekend.
My mother-in-law is in the hospital, recovering from a broken hip, which was misdiagnosed and left her in agony for a week. She’s now had a partial hip replacement and remains in a very fragile state. At 98 1/2 this has been a terrible ordeal for her, especially the days when she was trying to do physical therapy on a broken hip. Tom and his sister have been tag teaming hospital stays to ensure that her care goes well. Everyone is exhausted and traumatized, wondering if Barbara can get back her health and return to her comfortable apartment. It’s a day to day existence for the time being.
I hope that your ramp-up to the holidays is not too stressful and that you are enjoying time with family and friends.
Here’s what I have to share this weekend.
- The joy of being in holiday performances.
- Tales of the ‘Nutcracker’ Kids (The New York Times)
- And this little boy’s excitement is delightful:
- Where Do You Live, By Naming a Food? — This is a fun challenge. What food is associated with your home? (Cup of Jo)
- Cardamom Almonds — Serve a batch of these almonds at your next holiday party. (Sea Salt and Sailor Stripes)
- Do you have a cookie swap this holiday? Maybe some of these recipes will help.
- Snickerdoodles, Buttery Spritz Cookies, and Scottish Shortbread (Taste of Home)
- Gingerbread Cookies, Pecan Snowball Cookies, and Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing (Ahead of Thyme)
- Stained Glass Window Cookies, Chocolate and Vanilla Pinwheel Cookies, and Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies (Sally’s Baking Addiction)
- Raspberry Lemon Linzer Cookies, Gingerbread Ricciarelli (chewy Italian Almond Flour Cookies), and Chocolate Peppermint Black and Marble Cookies (Joy the Baker)
- Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies (Ahead of Thyme)
- Bake colorful kaleidoscope cookies with this adaptable marbled shortbread recipe — These cookies are so beautiful! When I am retired and have spare time, I want to make them. (The Washington Post)
- Goodness: ‘She just needed somebody to help her’—principal adopts student after she’s suspended — On making a family and giving a child a chance. (Upworthy)
About the photo: Sun catching the base of a moss-covered tree in my neighborhood.