These are a few of my favorite things....

What's better than cookies and bread?

Here, I made my own.

My mom has an annual Cookie Exchange, and I think this year we realized she had been doing it for 23 or 24 years. How cool is that?! We're thinking of what we'll have to do for the big 2-5. I've been on a baking kick recently (whether that's a good or bad thing, you can decide), so I wanted to try something different. I saw these yummy Turtle Cookies and decided to give them a shot. I honestly thought it was going to be a lot harder than it actually was, so I ended up making them twice this Christmas for two different parties. Definitely give them a try!

As for the recipe, I can't take credit for any of it because I didn't change anything, but here it is:

Cookie:

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/3 c. cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. salt

8 T. (1 stick) butter, softened

2/3 c. sugar

1 large egg, separated, plus 1 additional egg white

2 T. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. pecans, finely chopped

Caramel Filling:

14 soft caramel candies

3 T. heavy cream

Prepare the Cookies:  
1.  Combine flour, cocoa, and salt; set aside.

2.  With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla; mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture until just combined.

3.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.

4.  Whisk egg whites in a bowl until frothy.  Place chopped pecans in another bowl.  Roll chilled dough into 1-inch balls, dip in egg whites, and then roll in pecans.  Place balls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Using a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon, make an indentation in the center of each dough ball.

5.  Bake at 350 degrees until set, about 12 minutes.

Prepare the Caramel Filling:  
6.  Microwave caramels and cream together in a small bowl, stirring occasionally, until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes.

7.  Once cookies are removed from the oven, gently re-press the indentations.  Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of the caramel mixture. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Home for the Holidays

This was our first Christmas in our new home, and we couldn't have been happier! This year was a little bit more calm than last year, as we traveled to North Carolina the week before Christmas to spend time with Mr. K's family, which was so much needed, and so wonderful. It was so great going for a day or two more than we usually do, because we didn't feel as rushed as we normally do, trying to do a million things and see everyone we love in such a short time. We got to spend time with great family and friends and even find time to see a movie and relax.

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my family here, as my parents hosted my father's side of the family for Christmas Eve. I loved it! It was great seeing family we only see so often. I love how all of the cousins have grown up and grown together. Christmas Day was as lovely as always with my mom's side of the family. Again, cousins growing up and growing together and it's so much fun.

We did our own gifts after breakfast on Christmas Day. We're seeking out our own traditions, and although we haven't quite found them, we will over time! It was fun decorating our house for the first time, and funny to see the different decorations we've acquired over the year, thanks to good sales and my mom's great finds!

Somehow, a cat always makes a cameo in our photos