All Wrapped Up

Did anyone else see the totally awful show about selling Spelling Manor?  I'm embarrassed to admit I watched it.  But it comes to mind now, as I post about wrapping, because there were 3 "Wrapping Rooms" in that house.  Yes, THREE!  Mrs. Spelling claimed she wrapped over 900 gifts each Christmas.  Totally outrageous! 

Well, I am no professional like she is.  I don't even claim to be good at it.  I seem to lack some of the patience and attention to detail to really do it right, but I did decide to have a little fun with my husband's gift wrapping this year.  I figure even if I'm no good, maybe I can distract him with bright colors and shiny things.  So I played.  Lots of mis-matching ribbon, paper, patterns and ideas.  And it turned out a little crazy and a little good.  Hope you like!

And my "big gift" for my husband this year I actually made!  I can't wait to share it with you once he opens it of course.

One Last Monday Holiday Tip...

...is actually not a tip at all.  Christmas is in 6 days.  If you don't have your decorating done by now I think it is safe to wait until next year.  So instead I thought I would share one of my favorite holiday cookie recipes with you.  Triple Chocolate Cookies from my favorite 500 Cookies  by Philippa Vanstone. 

You will need:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking soda

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) sweet butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup mint chocolate chips**

**The recipe actually calls for white chocolate chips here but I don't like white chocolate and for the holidays the mint is so yummy.  Or you could use peanut butter chips!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.  Beat the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy, and beat in the egg and vanilla extract.  Add the flour mixture and mix until almost blended.  Add the chips and mix.

Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet 2 inch apart.  Bake for 12 to 14 minutes.  THEN EAT!

I hope you enjoy this week.  Christmas is my favorite day of the year.  It turns me right back into a 7 year old.  Now I just have to remember to let me daughter have some of the fun ;)