Molasses Cookies and The Shining Girls

Cooking:

Before the holidays this year, I made several different treats for the people in my life whom I really like.  The people who I REALLY like got some of these Chewy Ginger Cookies.

I say that partially, but not wholly, in jest, because it turns out cardamom is expensive.  And I used fresh ginger.  And so I thought these cookies, which took longer than usual to make and cost about $15 per cookie, should only go to really high quality peeps.

And I'm not going to lie to you, these expensive little gems not only looked better than your average cookie, but they tasted better, too.  Cardamom and ginger for the win?

Reading:

Remember many moons ago when I told you I would update you on The Shining Girls?   Well it took me longer than expected to get to starting this book because of a variety of reasons (the least of which being that I went to get my hair done sans book and had to go buy another book [more on that later] which I then had to finish before I got back to this one.  Whew.)   But, y'all, this book is GOOD.  Totally bizarre and twisty turny in an Inception sort of way but SO, SO GOOD.  If you like serial killers and kickass female characters and time travel (I realize that sounds wrong, but it's not) then pick this up yesterday.

Wearing:

I am on a self-imposed "fun spending ban" for at least two months (food doesn't count), which means I haven't been wearing anything all that special lately.  I have decided, however, that I need a perfectly vaguely oversized men's white t-shirt to wear to work so that I can look like a librarian/cater-waiter crossover.

And because I have the body of a twelve-year old boy I am lucky enough to be able to buy these "men's" shirts in the little boys department.  This one is from Land's End and will join my wardrobe as soon as this spending ban is over (and maybe I'll even make the H take pics - unless I hear violent protests from the masses, in which case I will continue to keep this blog from becoming a personal style blog).

Cookie Swap Time! Coconut Oatmeal Crisps

Cooking:

 As I announced previously, this year I decided to join the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap.  It was with some trepidation that I made this decision, as I normally only try out new recipes on people that HAVE to like what I make (ie the H or other immediate family members).  But I went out on a limb nonetheless and made some Coconut Oatmeal Crisps

Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Oatmeal Crisps (adapted from BHG):

• 1 3/4  cups  quick-cooking rolled oats
• 3/4  cup  sugar
• 3/4  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes, plus more for sprinkling 
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking powder
• 3/4  cup  butter, melted
• 1/4  cup  light-colored corn syrup
• 1/4  cup  whipping cream
• 1 1/2  cups  bittersweet chocolate pieces
• 3  tablespoons  shortening

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and get out a big cookie sheet to line with foil.  (I am normally hard core about using my baking stones for cookies, but they didn't work well with this recipe.)  Then combine your dry ingredients, including the coconut flakes.

In another bowl combine your butter, corn syrup, and whipping cream, and stir that into your dry mixture.  Drop the dough onto your foil by rounded teaspoons and bake for about 11 minutes.  The cookies will start to brown around the edges.  Remove the foil from the cookie sheet, replace with a new sheet, and start it all over again, allowing your cookies to cool completely on the foil (I had about 4 sheets of foil going during the process).

After all of your cookies are completely cooled, heat the chocolate and shortening in a double boiler, stirring occasionally, and then dip your cookies in the chocolate.  I then laid my cookies on a cooling rack with foil below, and sprinkled them with coconut before placing them in the fridge to harden a bit.  

I sent my cookies to three bloggers in totally different parts of the country (Shanna, Annakate, and Chrystal), and I hope that they enjoyed them!  I received cookies from two other bloggers, Erica and Lisa and dang, these people know how to make cookies.  They put me to shame! 

Reading:

 

I bought The Shining Girls months ago (in April, I believe?) and it just arrived.  I haven't had a chance to crack it yet (it's on my agenda for the weekend) but I can't WAIT.  Word is it was slated for a movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio before it was even released to the public.  I hope it lives up to the hype!

Wearing: 

 Scuba Leggings via Express

I purchased these leggings (at the recommendation of a friend) for Thanksgiving and they didn't disappoint.  They wipe clean and they stretch, and they kept me warm in the below-freezing Minnesota temps.  I require nothing more of holiday eating attire.