Gianny and I stayed home from church yesterday. We nursed a sore throat and headache, and we made cookies.

Without competing talkers, Gianny and I had time for conversation, like this:
Me: It’s almost 2018. I wonder what will happen in the new year?
G: I don’t know.
Me: I don’t either. But I’m pretty sure that you will grow and learn something new this year.
And we played a game that makes you drool and sound ridiculous:

And then my husband finally returned home after a trip to Portland, OR that was only supposed to take a few days.
Car trouble, a repair shop, junkyard visit, and avoiding a winter storm made the 6-day trip 4,350 miles long.

Chocolate Chip Gingersnaps
(No photo. They didn’t last very long.)
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
3 cups flour
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
white sugar for rolling cookies
- Mix dry ingredients; set aside.
- Combine sugar and butter. Mix in molasses.
- Add dry ingredients and chocolate chips and mix all.
- Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
- Shape dough into balls and roll in sugar.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Happy New Year Thoughts:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” Hebrews 12:1
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1-2