Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Preparing



I am so enjoying this Advent season. As I focus on anticipation and preparation, I find joy in the process. Last night I baked. Cranberry Orange Shortbread and Ginger Sparklers. There are two definite camps in our family regarding Ginger cookies. Some, like me, like them snappy and crisp and they are called Ginger Snaps. Others, like everyone else (except maybe our youngest, I'm not sure which camp she's in), like them soft. Since I'm the cookie baker, I alternate between soft and snappy.
 

Larch cones, holly and fir cones in a tea cup - a little bit of seasonal decor in the china hutch.  I'm not really a fan of red, but I'm liking it this year, with lots of white and a very little bit of fresh greenery.
 

Most of my sewing can't be shown in public yet. But yesterday I began a project for myself. It won't take too long to finish. But last night, I ran out of both butter and white thread. Two basics. So I quit baking and quit sewing and read. 

Tell me, do you prefer Ginger cookies snappy or soft? What are you preparing?

27 comments:

  1. I smiled when I read that you ran out of those 2 basics! It often happens. Your project looks nice...

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  2. Now that's a hard question. In general I enjoy soft cookies over hard and snappy. I've been known to under bake...don't tell! I'm due to bake today...I hope I have everything I need.
    blessings...

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  3. Interesting... you mention that you're not normally a fan of red but this year you are drawn to it. Me too! How's that for interesting! Do you ever wonder if there's 'something' in the air when stuff like that happens. I'm never surprised at learning the Lord leading different people in similar ways...after all, it's the same Spirit... mmmmm... maybe he likes red this year?

    Enjoyed your post... cookies look heavenly and I liked your teacup full of seasonal sprigs.

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  4. PS... Yes we like them snappy. Soft. Snappy. Soft... Yes!

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  5. Anxious to see your project! Maybe all the red liking is that more traditional Christmas stuff seems (to me) to be around this year.

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  6. I over baked two pans of gingerbread men and they were hard, but I'm telling you if we would have called them gingerbread men biscotti they would have been perfect, ha! Dipped in coffee they were delicious! As a whole though we go for soft around here. As in barely baked for the kids. I bet you are making wonderful gifts with your sewing machine!

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  7. Butter and thread - nice combination. I like my ginger cookies snappy - Don likes them snappy too so we get along that way (oh and many other ways too LOL) I'm getting ready for some holiday baking - Russian teacakes, thumbprint cookies with homemade jam, German Stollen (yeast bread with candied fruit and nuts), Spritz cookies, cutout cookies and maybe some toffee cookies - we'll see how it goes. I got the cutest little foil pans with cut christmas covers for our cookies that go to friends this year. Oh I love the happy season.

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  8. I'm in the soft ginger cookie camp, but you already know that. At our house we still call them "ginger snaps" though. I've noticed the bit of red at your place this year. I like it, but you know that too.

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  9. I like my ginger cookies soft...but it's your cranberry orange shortbread that is calling my name! I'm off to follow the link to your recipe... :)

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  10. I believe cranberry and orange are a match made in heaven. Now adding shortbread into the mix... even more heavenly. I will be copying that recipe. Thanks for sharing.
    As for ginger cookies, I fall into the soft camp. However, I'm the only one in my family that likes them in any form so they are rarely made.
    Your red touches are very pretty and festive. I'm glad to hear that you are making something for yourself. Do hope you'll share the finished project.

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  11. Snappy! But I would actually prefer one of those cranberry orange shortbread cookies!

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  12. The cranberry orange shortbread looks wonderful. I rustled up a batch of Scottish shortbread today and the pastry for your wonderful rugelach recipe, which I'll bake tomorrow.

    As for other cookies, family lore has it that when my older brother was little that he liked to stuff my mother's ginger snaps in his pockets and that they could stay in one piece when he played ball with his friends.

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  13. I prefer ginger ccokies crisp and molasses cookies soft. I have done no baking.

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  14. Soft Gingersnaps for this girl! Mmmm I love the touch of red with your tea cup. I don't have alot of red either, but this year I did the rangehood in red, silver and white. :) Have a great evening!

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  15. Your cranberry orange shortbread cookies look like mine which I make minus the orange. I think I'd like the orange in them too. I prefer my molasses cookies soft, thank you. :) I'm wondering what you're making with JOY and hoping you will share it with us soon. Pam

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  16. Soft! Great post! I haven't baked anything yet. But I will make some Yankee Doodle Dandies Friday or Saturday. They are my son's favorite Christmas candy and I'm going to see him on Sunday..... I'll give him a small amount to get him through til Christmas! It's chocolate and salted peanuts on chow mein noodles!

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  17. Love snappy ginger cookies.
    This week I am preparing for two tea parties this coming weekend.
    After they are over I will make for family some mince tarts, a stollen for Christmas day,
    and a cookie or two. Little gingerbread men have already been made.

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  18. Running out of white thread is a DISASTER!

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  19. Les témoins semblent délicieux! Merci pour vos prières.

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  20. The shortbread cookies look delicious. But nowadays, I just skip the sewing and the baking and go straight to the reading. We used to bake a lot when I was younger and had kids and even when the grandkids were little. We have to cut back on sugar and carbs now plus it's hot here in Florida. We find other pleasures in life!

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  21. I made ginger snaps yesterday and they are definitely on the crunchy side. I had trouble with the recipe which is surprising as I've been making them for years. Your shortbread looks mouthwatering. good luck finishing up your sewing projects!

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  22. Hello Lorrie! Glad you commented, as I had somehow lost your blog link...
    Lovely to see you're busy and joyful :) yes, I always have several big spools of white and cream thread, not to run short of it!!
    Soft cookies for me, please :)
    Monica xo

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  23. I have not figure out my ginger snaps yet! Sometimes the same recipe can be chewy and sometimes snappy. Does one minute of baking make the difference? I think I prefer them on the chewy side.

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  24. Ooooo, that sewing project looks really PRETTY, Lorrie!! I ADORE red & would do the whole house in it if DH would agree. LOL
    I haven't even started my baking yet. I'll just eat them if I make them too early. Your cookies look yummo!

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  25. Those shortbreads look so good!
    I like my ginger cookies a bit crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside - never ever soft!

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  26. Commenting again. I hope the reply works this time.

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  27. Soft cookies for me, please!

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