XXXmas

Rumnog Pecan and Peanut Ginger Sesame Cookies from Veganomicon

Has the xxxmas season taken over or what?
Not that it's anything new, or a surprise, but it has been contributing to my overall adjustment to 'normal' life again back in Portland, unpacking, the office holiday nonsense and a tad of shopping for my other half (Thomas), who truly adores the season.

I've been really content that I largely kept to homemade gifts this year for friends & family - I made a super TON of marble magnets, candied nuts and the cookies shown were simply taken into the office for the seasonal sugar rush. I wanted to make my siblings hazelnut baking mixes, but ended up just giving my sister the Oregon hazelnuts due to lack of time before travelling. The thought of being pressured into spending money on 'stuff' is too ridiculous for me to handle. I'm not a religious person, and while I enjoy the novelty of the season, and giving homemade gifts, no malls for me, please.

With my nuts - I used the Veganomican recipe as a base, and made spicy salt and pepper almonds (sweetened with organic sugar, not maple syrup) and cinnamon and maple candied pecans and haelnuts. Sorry, no pics, but they were super easy to make and not just for topping Smlove pie. More on my trip to come!