TWD: I Have Far Too Much Time on My Hands.

I didn't have to travel to New York this weekend. Although I love going back every weekend because I miss NY more than life itself, traveling from DC to NY once weekly really can kick the crap out of someone. Namely, me.

Therefore, I had a whole weekend with NOTHING. TO. DO.  Seriously. I was going stir crazy. I spent far too much time at the gym. I decorated my apartment for Christmas and Hannukah. And I made my boyfriend watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer for the first time in his life.

Now, I haven't seen Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in years. I never really noticed it when I was younger, but this cartoon is kind of messed up.  My boyfriend put it perfectly (parents, please shield your children's eyes if they are reading this):

"Santa's a d*ck."

And he IS! He is so mean to the elves and reindeer! He's a cranky old man! The elves sang a beautiful carol for him. "Needs work", Santa huffed. Rudolph's faux black nose fell off. "You should be ashamed of yourself, Donner", he scolded. Because he had a child with a deformity! That wouldn't fly in today's world!

And since when is Donner Rudolph's dad? What's going on there?

I had to turn it off. I was almost scarred. It reminded me of the feeling I got when I found out all of the people who animated Disney cartoon's put sexually suggestive innuendos throughout their drawings.

I needed something to calm my nerves and restore my faith in Christmas again. I decided that it was the perfect time to bake up this week's TWD recipe - Grandma's All Occasion Sugar Cookies. And then I proceeded slather them with tinted royal icing while making a mess of my kitchen because I think I'm the pastry painter's Van Gogh.

The cookies were absolutely delicious. Ulrike of Kuchenlatein picked a winner.  Light, buttery, soft and sugary. No problems there. But the paintings? Well. Normally, I am a very artistic person. I draw. I play the piano. I act. But paint, I do not. So please excuse the fact that these look like they were painted by a 6 year old.

You know what, though? I'm kind of proud. For my first foray into cookie painting, I think I did alright (don't laugh).

Maybe if Santa found these under the tree, he'd lighten up a bit, no?

Check out TWD for some more fabulous sugar cookies! 

Comments

[chocolatechic]

I think they are adorable.

At least you decorated yours.

[Natalie]

Your cookies look so nice!

[Jules]

I think they came out great! And you do have to watch out for Santa....

[Cathy]

You know, now that I have little ones I watch way too many kiddie shows, both the new crap and the older stuff. And the differences are just jarring. Nasty Santa from Rudolph is a prime example -- can you imagine that Santa showing up today? No. Another example -- the stepsisters on Cinderella are not just mean, but ugly. The uglyness is heavily emphasized. Today, we leave the ugly part out of it. In any event, your cookies are the opposite of ugly -- they are beautiful and festive looking, and hopefully got you back in the holiday spirit after nasty Rudolph Santa sucked it out of you.

[Matt]

First, your cookies are works of holiday art. Second, I'm with you on Rudolph Santa. I see that whole show as a parable of how we treat people who are different. Red nose? Cover it up. Hate making toys like all of the other boys and secretly want to be a dentist? Best run away. Toys that are less than perfect? Leave right now and get on the next boat or plane to the Isle of Misfit Toys. I watched that show every year when I was a kid. No wonder I'm a mess!

[Jennifer]

I LOVE what you did with these!!! They are so adorable! I would have to agree that going back and forth from DC to NY would kick the crap out of anyone. I'm 35 and going to the grocery store kicks the crap out of me sometimes! HA!

[Carmen]

your cookies are sooooooo adorable!!! i would never have been able to decorate them so wonderfully! And yes, weekly b/w NY and DC is killer .. I know ppl at work who do it and I can't imagine having to!

[Sabrina]

Bad Santa!!!

Lovely cookies!!!

[stephanie clark]

Oh wow!! Your cookies look so stunning! I love all the shapes and colors, very, very nice job! Happy holiday baking

[Lillian]

A 6-year-old? I think not. Those are simply lovely, and I shudder to think how much time they must have taken. How can you bear to eat them?

[Leanne]

Ohh I love your cookies. I really want to be able to make cookies like that! Love the candy cane. And since I haven't seen Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer in years, how bad it is. I won't put that one on my christmas list of things to do though!

[kim]

wow! they look amazing, you really went all-out :) beautiful result!

[Rebecca]

These are so cute! Please. I love the painting. And Santa ... I'm thinking he needs a good laxative in that cartoon. Cranky mofo!

[Di]

I think your cookies look great! My almost 6-year-old would love the opportunity to paint cookies, but I'm not sure I have the patience to let her do it... =)

[HappyTummy]

Are you kidding? Your cookies look like they belong in a cookie store! Great job--I love the creativity! Can't believe you had the patience to capture so much detail :)

I used to live in DC. I did the DC-NYC back-and-forth thing all the time. Totally hear you on it kicking the crap out of a person!!

[Leslie]

These are too cute to eat! Great work on the decorating!

[Sugar B]

Good job on those mad decorating skills! :) HAHA, Santa's a d*ck. I am sure he had his reasons. ;)

[Lynne]

Beautiful cookies! They look professional to me! I used to live in Burke, Va. I can imagine the trip from DC-NYC must be grueling.

[debbie]

Your cookies look fabulous. We watch Rudolph every year... and I can't even believe that I never saw it the way you did. But yeah... you're right on about that Santa. I'll probably still watch... but boo for mean Santa.

[AmyRuth]

OMG I love festive colorful Christmas cookies. Strong Work! They are definitely art to be proud of. Without a doubt. And a huge investment in time. Thanks for showing us your fun cookies. I liked them too.
AmyRuth