baking frenzy

*Don't forget about the giveaway! You have until Tuesday night :-)

The boy and I were talking this fall and realized that we haven't met ANY of the neighbors since moving here. Well, that's not entirely true... we've met the neighbor's dog, Michael, who likes to poop on our lawn. And when I was overdue with Benjamin and trying to induce labor by mowing the lawn I briefly met one man. Really though, that's pretty pathetic. We've lived here over 2 years!! Since we're pretty happy with this house and neighborhood, we figured it was about time to settle in and meet some people.

It's not exactly easy to meet the neighbors, especially in the winter when everyone in OR hibernates, but I assumed that baked goods would be an appropriate avenue (and at least get them to open the door). I spent the week mixing, chilling, rolling, baking, and coating -- basically creating chaos in my kitchen. The results:

clockwise from top -- Russian tea cakes, meltaways, rum balls, fudge, peanut butter blossoms, double nut wonders, and wreaths (in the center)

I have to say I'm pretty proud, especially since half of these were new recipes to me. The rum balls are a specialty of Corey's grandma and I totally screwed them up last year, so I consider those especially exciting. The best part of my baking-week was simultaneously recovering from the flu, so I haven't been tempted to eat everything in my kitchen (at least not until this weekend, when I'm snowed-in and bored).

Yesterday our little family braved the snow, wind, and freezing temperatures to deliver some cookies. We only made it to half of the houses due to numb children and a few missing neighbors, but it was SO awesome to finally sit down and get to know the people around us. It was especially fun to get the local gossip for the street, and we had a great time laughing with the people next door while Benjamin entertained their older boys. I completely understand that there have been quite a few renters in our house over the years (hence a hesitancy to get to know us), but I'm hoping that our visits will mean new friends in the coming months. Here are some pictures of our cookies, ready to be delivered:

(I borrowed an idea from a friend to make the platters -- inverted bowls and cups glued to the bottoms of plates!)

We were going to venture out again this afternoon and deliver the rest, but freezing rain and a lot of snow have deterred us. I have to say that I'm pretty bitter at the weather right now -- I should be relaxing on the couch with two high school friends, but both of their flights were canceled last night. We're driving down to be with family next week and I'll be grateful to see people then, but I'm still slightly angry at all of the wind/snow/ice. Here was our view this morning:

(I made a lounging snowman on the chair last night, and Corey made a "snow mound" on the ground, but obviously the wind wasn't impressed)

(that would be my footprint, showing the icy upper layer)

We've had some more freezing rain and snow dumped on us today, and at last check we had about 7'' in the backyard. So strange! Hopefully tomorrow will be a little better and I can at least get out of the house...