Can't stop eating those cookies

Six dozen homemade holiday cookies (from Saturday's cookie party) in our house is very, very, very dangerous. I might just have to toss them in the freezer to make sure I can still fit in my clothes end of week. Hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!

Molasses Cookies. The recipe makes 36.

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup molasses
1 large egg
granulated sugar for rolling

Sift together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. With mixer, beat butter and brown sugar together until light in color and texture. Stir in oil until well blended. Scrape down sides of bowl, add the molasses and the egg and beat until well blended. Stir in the flour mixture until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerated 3 hours or until firm. Roll tablespoon size pieces into balls and then in granulated sugar. Place on cookie sheet about 2inches apart. Sprinkle tops with more sugar. Bake 9-10 minutes at 350 until the center surface is barely dry. Cool on sheets 5 minutes and then transfer to rack.

Sneak Peek at our next Pumpkin of the Month

Too cute! Here is our upcoming Pumpkin of the Month, little Maddie. Her mom Holly included this very warm note, "I love Hand-Picked Pumpkin clothing! Our little girl, Maddie, received a playsuit with coordinating hoodie and a top with matching skort as gifts and these outfits soon became our favorites!! It was so nice to have a few pieces in her closet that were unique and made just for her! The fabric accents on the clothes were so trendy and fun, but what I loved most was the texture of the clothing. Each piece was incredibly soft and I loved that Maddie had such soft fabrics against her newborn, delicate skin. I highly recommend Hand-Picked Pumpkin clothing – the details and quality of the fabrics coupled with the ability to customize each piece makes Hand Picked Pumpkin a fabulous business!! "
Look for little Maddie's picture in a few days on our testimonial page.

HPP featured in Texas Family Gift Guide

Many thanks to Texas Family Magazine for featuring Hand Picked Pumpkin in the Holiday Gift Guide. The limited edition Jessica shirt dress and Jesse overall pant are featured on page 58 of the November/December issue.

Procrastinating

Perhaps it is no surprise that on the aforementioned entry below I found myself only able to cross off items 1 and 2. That was a tall list. It starts again today, minus 1.

It is not even 9 am and I already find myself procrastinating. Surfing New York Time's The 53 Places to Go in 2008 is so much easier than finalizing the Hand Picked Pumpkin 2008 budget.

Escaping to Tunisia (in my head) is so easy (especially when the weather report is 30 degrees and freezing rain).

Friday's To-Do List

This week I came across Sasha Cagen's To-Do List Blog and found it completely facinating to read other people's to-do lists.
Here is what I'm working on today.
1. Send out cookie party email reminding my friends to bring recipes with their treats.
2. Process orders
3. Decide on photos for Spring/Summer 08 website updates
4. Review and approve 2008 budget
5. Research for fall 2008 packaging
6. Weekly accounting tasks
7. Start and finish Christmas shopping
8. Call bakery to order boxes for next Saturday's cookie exchange

Might as well stop at No. 8 as I'm not sure how I'm going to make it even 1/2 down this list.

All wrapped up!

Here's a peek at how the new contoured burp clothes will be packaged and delivered. Folded and wrapped with white satin ribbon and hangtag. What a fun and stylish treat!

New for Spring 08

A sneek peak into Spring at Hand Picked Pumpkin.
Contoured for superior fit, our modern burp cloth makes a wonderful new baby gift or just because treat. Hand sewn from 100% soft woven cotton and lined with absorbent terry, the cloth measures 17 1/2" x 11" and comes finished wrapped in white ribbon. The burp clothes will be sold either as a single or set of two. Coming early spring 08.