a warm cup of tea

i have spent most of the christmas holiday in bed, sick. but earlier in the week, before the cough, sore throat, and chills, i exchanged christmas gifts with friends. one of the gifts that has come in handy these last few days are teas i received from my friend karen: warm, soothing, tasty and just perfect when you're sick on these cold winter days.

winter reading program

cold chill in the air. snow on the ground.

this can only mean one thing... it is winter.

and that means the winter reading program is about to begin!

this year's theme is sled & skate to the library and this is the

logo i designed for our 2011 winter program.

welcome back caitlin!

our head of circulation came back from her three month

maternity leave today and to celebrate her return, i made her a banner

and hung it up at the circ desk for everyone to see! it is simple yet colorful banner

and is a perfect expression of my excitement to have her back at work.

cookie exchange

i participated in my very first cookie exchange this year. the exchanged took place at a work holiday party a coworker and i hosted last night. there were 10 participants and was very successful. i walked away from the party with a wide variety of cookies that will definately keep the sugar rush going for the next few weeks.

i made hazelnut-chocolate sandwich cookies and packaged them in white boxes. i wrapped the middle of the boxes with patterned paper. i finished it off with an ornament shaped gift tag and brown ribbon.

hazelnut-chocolate sandwich cookies

makes 48 cookies (2 inch round) or 24 sandwiches

ingredients

cookies

• 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

topping & filling

• powdered sugar (for dusting)
• 1/2 cup hazelnut-chocolate spread (nutella)

directions

1. in a small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, & salt.
2. in a medium bowl, beat granulated sugar & better at medium speed until light and fluffy. beat in egg & vanilla.
3. gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture. beat at low speed until dough forms.
4. divide dough in half. wrap in plastic wrap & refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
5. preheat over to 375 F.
6. roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 3/16-inch thickness.
7. cut dough into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters. make sure to cut equal numbers of each shape (to make the top & bottom of sandwich).
8. place cookies 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. bake 6-7 minutes or until edges are lightly brown.
9. let cookies stand on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. place cookies on wire rack & cool completely.
10. sprinkle half the number of cookies (the tops of the sandwich) with powdered sugar. spread hazelnut-chocolate spread on the flat side of the remaining cookies (the bottoms of the sandwich).
11. place flat side of top cookie over hazelnut spread & enjoy!

guatemala

twenty photographs from my trip to guatemala will be on display

at work (morton grove public library) during the month of december.

here are a few of my favorite photos from the trip.

for a holiday party

holiday party co-hosted with melissa

lined envelope, invitation & rsvp card

thankful

morning

early morning glow

through my window when i wake

perfect and lovely