Holiday Grand Plan - Entry Foyer Week

This weekend really got away from me. I do not know why it surprises me... after all these years... that my best laid plans can go in the opposite direction of intention!


This weeks Holiday Grand Plan focus is the entrance. Our entrance/foyer is an area that has not yet received drywall, and therefore is also missing flooring and molding! What we do have in this area is a saw horse and half a dozen sheets of drywall! The foyer of our home is a little used space as we enter from the opposite direction (kitchen door). In considering what to put here I know I will need storage (no closets), and clearance for the new heater. I think the most practical, due to the tiny size of this area, would be a dresser type unit that has an area above to hang the heater, a flat top to display seasonal vignettes, and plenty of room below to organize 'stuff'! I do not have a great deal of 'stuff', honestly! I do have an annoying (if you live with me) habit of putting things into the rubbish bin if I cannot find their spot. So the men in my life have developed habits of squirrelling away their possessions.

Grand Plan Cleaning and Organizing:
I guess the cleaning and organizing of this space would be complete... besides the never ending list of renovation projects! Working on stripping the entrance door and installing new hardware. Who knew it would take so long to remove (safely) 107 years of paint?

Holiday Prep:
This week I tried a new recipe for the holiday cookie tray. Of the 5 family members, four agreed it was great! Not bad considering it is gluten free too! The one who did not like it - is also diabetic, so it is a sugar thing. The following recipe could be made at anytime of the year, but for me - the cost of a small bag of almond flour is too expensive for this to be a 'cookie jar' filler!

Almond Cookies:

These are a chewy, richly scented, sweet cookie. Makes about 30.

2 1/2 cups almond flour (may be labelled almond meal)
1 1/4 cups bakers sugar
3 large egg white
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. pure almond extract
Xtra sugar for dusting

1. Preheat oven to 300F (I use a convection bake)
2. I use a stand mixer for most recipes, but a hand blender would work fine too! In a bowl mix together sugar and almond flour till well blended. Add vanilla and almond extracts, blending. Add one egg white at a time, blending after each addition. Blend until mixture is smooth.
3. Place teaspoons of dough onto parchment lined (I use insulated) cookie sheets. Lightly dust tops with the xtra sugar.
4. Bake for 24 minutes, or until golden on the edges and set. Allow to cool on pan, remove from paper and place in air tight containers. These freeze well!

This weeks to print forms:

• baking planner
• freezer inventory

Enjoy your day!