project progress...a 50x50 update

Not a lot, but every little bit helps.

#9. Give away 50 books.

Item 4: In a box of miscellaneous goodies I *finally* got in the mail to my much-loved friend Ana, I stuck a book I read a little while back called Pixerina Witcherina. Much of the book featured the artwork from a show about female roles in fairy tales. And it also contained three essays, one of which was written by Maria Tatar. It very much made me think of Ana. :)


#16. Bake 50 different kinds of cookies.

Well, with Christmas season here, lots and lots of cookie baking is going on. And I've been busy trying out some new additions to the repertoire this year.

Item 21: Cinnamon Crackle Cookies (Not my new favorite cookie or anything, but different enough that I will definitely be making them again. They're reminiscent of ginger cookies, but these have nutmeg as the predominant spice.)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsps. baking soda
2 tsps. cream of tartar
2 tsps. nutmeg
2 tsps. grated orange peel
1 tsp. grated lemon peel

Cream butter, shortening, and sugars. Add egg and extracts; mix well.

In a separate bowl, combine the next eight ingredients. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Shape into 1" balls; roll in sugar. Place 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (or until lightly browned).

Item 22: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (Good, but nothing amazing.)

Item 23: Double-Chip Cookies (Again, nothing fancy. But seriously yummy.)

Item 24: Nutty Orange Snowballs (Seriously good. Not too sweet with a subtle citrus flavor.)

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, divided
1 tsp. grated orange peel
1/2 tsp. orange extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup finely chopped hazelnuts

Cream butter and 3/4 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in orange peel and extracts.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in nuts.

Shape into 3/4" balls. Place one inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Removed to wire racks to cool completely.

Place remaining powdered sugar in a bag. Add cookies to the bags, a few at a time, and shake to coat.

Item 25: Chocolate Espresso Oatmeal Cookies (Oh. My. God. Amazing. The recipe came from the latest issue of Vegetarian Times.)


#20. Buy 50 fair trade gifts.

Again, this one's pretty easy, being the Christmas season and all.

Item 7: A handful of ornaments for various people.

Item 8: Java drops for Tony.

Item 9: Coffee beans for a few coffee lovers on our Christmas list.


#23. Give 50 "happy something unexpected" gifts.

Sent my dear friend Ana a box of assorted goodies...but I can't say just what because it hasn't made it across the pond yet. :)


#43. Read 50 award-winning books.

Item 5: I reread Ender's Game. I "reviewed" it when I first read it. Absolutely loved it when I first read it. And you know, I can honestly say I still loved it. (I worried that I would let my very strong differences of opinion with its author affect my reading--differences I knew nothing about during my first reading--but luckily that didn't happen.)


#47. Watch 50 different seasons TV on DVD or Netflix.

Item 9: All the crocheting I've been doing for Christmas gifts has allowed me to zoom right through season 6 of Criminal Minds.


And that's it for now...hopefully I shall be checking off many more an item as the Christmas season progresses.