My Oyster

My Top 5 Favorite Christmas Cookies...

Last year I did a post of my favorite Christmas tv specials.  The year before I listed my 5 favorite Christmas songs. This year I seem to have been baking a lot, relatively speaking - so I thought it would be good to list my favorite Christmas cookies.  These really bring a rush of that Christmas feeling.

Those top 5 cookies for me are...

#5  Pecan Squares

Ok, so not really a cookie - but still very much of the holiday for me.  I am not a huge pecan pie fan, but I like these...

Pecan Squares, originally uploaded by the boastful baker.

 

#4  Norwegian Butter (Spritz) Cookies

I actually made several batches of these for my holiday party.  I really like them and the tie to Norway - where I was an exchange student in high school.  I am sure I had tons of these when I was there for Christmas.  They are easy to make and really tasty.

Spritz 01, originally uploaded by SapphiraFey.

 

#3  Peanut Butter Blossoms

I love peanut butter.  I love chocolate.  I love these. 

Festive Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe, originally uploaded by Betty Crocker Recipes.

 

#2  Chocolate Crinkles

My Grandmother used to make these.  They aren't very sweet.  They are very chocolatey and I can eat a whole batch of them.

Chocolate Crinkles, Revised, originally uploaded by jamieanne.

and #1...

Gingerbread Man

The old standby.  I seriously can and do eat entire batches of these.   With frosting.  Without frosting.  Soft is my preference, but sure, I'll eat 'em hard too.  These really are a Christmas feast for the senses.  They smell of Christmas.  The look like Christmas.  They taste like Christmas.  Yum.

GingerBread Man Shortbread, originally uploaded by The Chocolate Box.

And if you are feeling the urge for more Christmas cookies - Gourmet has a list of Christmas cookies - year by year - from 1941 to 2008.  Very fun.  Here it is.

Serenity of the Snow...

There really is something magical about snow in the city. Big snow.

It softens the city.  Makes it incredibly quiet.  Peaceful.  Much less frenetic.  Even a bit more neighborly. 

Snow in the city forces people to slow down and focus on some pretty basic things - like food, warmth, and mobility.  That simplicity really is a luxury and a blessing.  

I think the thing I like the most about these snow storms is the shared experience.  The shared excitement.  The shared challenges.  It really does remind us that we are a community here in the neighborhoods of the city. 

Washington got somewhere between 16-22 inches on Saturday and we have enjoyed a weekend of serenity and community.  I know it won't last forever, but I also know we will get another big snow here in the city. 

Another Moment of Christmas in Washington...

Christmas cards at the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American Art. 

I had to see this one.  I have been enjoying sending out my own cards this Christmas for the first time in many, many years.  Ok, I admit that it has been a bit of a struggle trying to figure out the postage - but after several failed attempts I think I got it right this week.

I am not sure where these cards came from or why they are special enough to be on display in a museum.

Who cares.  It was a great way to spend my lunch hour. 

Here are a few of my favorites... 

A Moment of Christmas in Washington...

Washingtonians are so lucky.  Especially at Christmastime. 

There are soooo many ways to find and celebrate the Season here.

Today I scooted down to the National Gallery of Art (just 7 minutes on the green line!).  There was a lunchtime tour focusing on some of their paintings that depict the Christmas story and nativity. 

I loved it.

I probably never would have spent time on my own to search out these particular paintings and look at them - but the tour was reeeallly good.  I actually learned a lot that made ejoying the paintings even more enjoyable.

For example...

This one has a pregnant Mary with her pregnant sister and Saint Nick in the corner in red.  Mary was always portrayed in red & blue - representing  divine love (blue) and...something else.  I didn't take notes... 

This one has the Magi and was one of the first times that the three kings represented different races and the three known (at the time) continents - Europe, Asia, Africa.  Apparently the kneeling king was painted to be staring at the baby Jesus' kibble & bits.  They wanted to be sure it was the boy king.  Seriously.

In this one, the tour guide (excellent!) is pointing out that in the older painting, Joseph is portrayed as old and so completely not likely to have actually impregnated Mary - rather than God.  In those times Joseph was portrayed as a fatherly guardian to Mary.  By the Middle Ages he is younger and better looking.

And some more...

And of course, the Nationally Gallery itself was beautiful. The guide even explained the significance of evergreen trees and lights to the Christmas tradition...

A great 60 minute injection of Holiday Spirit.

I have a Creche on you...

I have always liked nativity scenes.  Not sure why. 

When I travel I really like to check out Christmas decorations and traditions of other countries (got that from my mother) and especially locally-made creches.  There are some really unique and beautiful folk art creches around the world - especially in Europe but also other countries and regions.

Today I finally got one.  In Rockville, Maryland of all places!

Mine was made in Haiti.  It is special because that is where Jean and his family are from.  It was made by artisans in Croix des Bouqets.  They hammer 50 gallon metal drums flat using just a hammer and chisel and then cut out the scene.  I think the result is really beautiful - somehow the harsh metal is softened and made spiritual.

 

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."

Very True.  There was lots of the season and the conspiracy of love at my place yesterday. 

There was also a lot of the world too.  In the form of my friends...

and in the form of the very international set of desserts we had to enjoy.

Mikey made the amazing globe cake above.  He is truly an artist...

We were blessed with a beautiful snowfall all day long which made the holiday open house even more special.  It was a very festive day and a great start to the season.

The quote above is by Hamilton Wright Mabie and there are more pics at my flickr account.