Today I started writing in my new 2010 planner. I’ve been putting all my notes, future dates to remember, and appointments on a page at the end of my old organizer, not willing to acknowledge that 2009 is nearly over, and hoping not to let the last few days of the year slip by. However, it’s reached a point where I can’t ignore it anymore, and I think I should welcome the new year in with a good celebration! I’m spontaneously flying to New York to visit dear dear friends, and am so excited to do this. It’s pretty uncharacteristic of me, booking a ticket only a day and a half in advance, but with some wonderful and powerful convincing on their part, my friends got me to buy the tickets and brave the cold weather in New York so that I can snuggle up with them and celebrate! How did they do this? They sent me roses. Seriously, I arrived home at midnight last night and had roses on my doorstep! What sweeties! I can’t wait to step off the plane tomorrow and see them.
Another way to positively bring in the new year, of course (and very typical for me), is to bake! These are the same Ginger Cookies that I made previously, and I told you that we had made them many many times! I just wanted to show you one of the other forms they can take, this time in a sparkly and crunchier form. Well, the middles of the cookies are still chewy, but the coarse sugar coating gives them a super crunchy and sweet outer layer. They are also smaller, nearly bite-sized, so you can justify eating more of them! My mom made these ones, and she used the same recipe as I did before, but she made the balls smaller (about 1/2 – 3/4 inch sized), rolled them in coarse sugar (actually, large clear sugar sprinkles) and stuck a piece of candied ginger on top. Because they are smaller, you can bake them for a minute or two less than described previously (so, only about 8 minutes). These cookies looked really lovely on our holiday platters!
I hope that wherever you are, whatever you are doing, that everyone has a joyful New Years. Be safe, happy, and resolve to be thoughtful to yourself and others this year. Above all else, be celebratory, because why not?
Cookies and Candids 
We will miss you here at new years! Maybe you should leave some cookies with us so we don’t forget you 🙂
Bite sized cookies are always a good idea. I agree, it justifies eating more!
Happy New Year!
I’m jealous of the New York crew. Enjoy it!
Sari and I made these yesterday, and they were delicious (even the pan I burned tasted okay…)! We rolled some of them in sugar (evaporated cane juice) mixed w/ chopped pecans, and those were great. Thanks for the recipes!
Oooh I’m so glad you liked them! Yum. I wish I had more 🙂
weird!! i just made these and they were FANTASTIC!!!
(although i made mine into huge cookies)
did you use the recipe from vwav?
hey tara! nope, they’re not from vwav, although those cookies are really good too! i posted the recipe for these cookies in a previous post (linked above).