Colds, Cookies and No CoMotion

Didn't realize how long it had been since I have blogged. I guess that's partly because we have not been riding.
The last time Jerry and I rode was the World AIDS Day Ride sponsored by the Positive Pedalers. I did the media for the event and we had a great turnout of TV and radio. But I have to say I didn't like this year's route. It was stop sign after stop sign so the ride took much longer than anticipated. It's only a 31 mile ride (for the 31 years of the pandemic) but our average speed was less than 10 mph. I was also starting to get a cold so it made the ride even less fun.

The cold kind of inched up on me and didn't really blossom until the middle of the following week, and then it took hold and didn't want to let go. So no riding the following weekend. As I started to get better, it was Jerry's turn. He is finally getting over it; at least that is what it sounds like on the phone. He has been away all week and was supposed to return tonight but his trip has been extended by another day.

But since I recovered I have spent a good amount of time in the kitchen. I made my annual batch of peppermint bark, which I sell as a fundraiser for my AIDS Lifecycle ride. I made around 12 pounds this year. After the peppermint bark came the endless parade of cookies.

I started with my standard: biscotti. This year I made spicy nut, which is my favorite, followed by cranberry pistachio. Bowing to Jerry, then came toffee bars, which are his favorite. I love making those because I can't eat them. They have chocolate in them, which gives me a migraine. Chocolate may be my favorite ingredient for just that reason. I can enjoy the baking without worry about gaining weight.

And speaking of gaining weight, I'm closing in on a new holiday record. Since October I've gained close to 10 pounds. No kidding. January will see a lot of popcorn and soup.

But, in the meantime, I'm not going to worry about it. I also made a three-ginger cookie. The recipe called for fresh, ground and crystallized ginger. They were good, though I expected more of a zing with that combo. May up the fresh ginger a tad the next time I make them. I finished the baking season with brown butter shortbread topped with fleur de sel. Just from reading the recipe I knew I'd enjoy them, and I was not disappointed.

The neighbors in my cul de sac each got bags of goodies but I still have far too many sweets left in the house. I will come up with more ways of getting rid of them: I did manage to snag the FedEx guys and gave them some goodies; I'll keep an eye out for the mail carrier.

With Jerry being away most of the last two weeks the holiday season has been less than jolly, and in reality, I'm looking forward to it being over. We have some great travel plans in line for winter, and while I don't want to wish my life away, the sooner this year is over, the happier I will be.