Saturday, I spent the day galivanting around DC for some time with my gal pals for a day of shopping, cookies and general girl time.
Before we left, I made cookies though! Nom nom nom. I wanted to try something aside from my usual m&m holiday cookie, so I made Peanut Butter Blossoms!
Ingredients:
* 48 HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
* 1/2 cup shortening
* 3/4 cup REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar
* 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 egg
* 2 tablespoons milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* Granulated sugar
*Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
*Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
*Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
*Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies.
These cookies were so massively easy to make and were a huge hit not only with the girls but also my coworkers who I brought some in to.
I had an awesome day in the city. Literally. I met the girls in Georgetown to check out the Georgetown lululemon.
Ball-ler. We had a great time with the photobooth they had.
{I love my friends}
I came away with some fun stuff, picked up a couple things for hubs, and then we enjoyed drinks and merriment at Mr. Smiths in Georgetown.
Merry Christmas to me!
Love these girls!
Afterwards, we headed to Sephora, Paper Source, and then Trader Joes for wine and merriment before heading back to Lexi’s place – this is what we enjoyed when we got there. Mmm chips and dip nom nom nom.
It was a pretty amazing day. I have concluded this a long time ago that I have a pretty amazing set of gal pals. I am massively thankful that I live close to them again. Nothing is more valuable than having a great set of girl friends. Before we left DC, the three of us and a fourth who now lives in NY (Looking at you C!) did an annual cookie swap. It was amazing and always festive. This year though, with C now away, and so few weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the cookie swap got sidelined this year. Still though, there’s something so invaluable about having girls who just…get you. And embrace all of your quirks.
What is your favorite way to celebrate the holidays? Do you have any fun traditions with friends?