2008 Tour of Homes

I am participating in BooMama's 2008 Tour of Homes
I am a little late because I have a sick child at home, but I figured, "better late than never!" Check out all of the homes decorated for Christmas here.

Front of our house all lit up for Christmas.


This is the wreath on our front door. I got it from my favorite store Touchstone Outlet.


Past Christmas photos of Amanda in dining room.


Christmas swag above doors leading into dining room.


swag attached to clock near kitchen.


Our Christmas tree!


mantle with Nutcrackers and garland


side of fireplace


center of mantle above fireplace


close-up of mantle


other side of mantle


Nativity scene—the manager is the one from my childhood that my mother gave to me. The nativity set is a bigger one so that Amanda's hands can touch it.


The set above including the reindeer came from Touchstone Outlet for $12.00! I added the acorns and nuts, pinecones and cinnamon sticks.


Christmas potpourri on kitchen table


Candy canes hot glued around a candle and Yankee Balsam and Cedar candle


dress-me-up plate in foyer


And finally a cookie recipe. These are not your ordinary chocolate chip cookies!
Merry Christmas!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

In a mixing bowl add:
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 cup melted butter

Beat together until fully incorporated and fluffy.

Add 1 whole egg and 1 egg yolk. Beat well.

Add 2 oz milk and 1 1/4 tsp. vanilla. Beat well.

Mix together in a separate bowl:
2 1/4 cup bread flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt

Slowly add on low to the wet ingredients until fully incorporated. Scrape the bowl a couple times.

Add 2 cups of chocolate chips or whatever you want to put in them.*

Cover the bowl and refrigerate until firm.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, drop 1 ounce balls on the ungreased baking sheet. Leave room for them to spread and bake evenly. Take the sheet out of the oven when the edges of the cookie are browned and the tops are golden. Watch to see if the cookies are baking unevenly and you have to rotate the pan half way through. Keep the dough cold throughout the process of baking. Put only one pan in the oven at a time. Each batch will take about 9 - 11 minutes to bake. Remove cookies off the pan to a wire rack immediately after removing from the oven. Store the cookies in sealed zip lock bags for 3 or 4 days. Freeze for up to a month in double freezer zip locks.

*I added M&M’s and chocolate chips.