welcome to elaney!

Holiday Farmers’ Market glee!!  Our perfect Saturday includes a long run in the morning, followed by wandering around the Peachtree Road Farmers’ Market right in our backyard!  The Peachtree Road Farmers’ Market runs from April to December, and this weekend they are closing their doors with a Holiday version (oh, and thanks to the freezing weather in ATL…it’s inside).  Looking for neat electic art or good farm to table breads, sausages, and cheeses – the market has the best of Atlanta literally in (elaney’s) backyard.

In honor of the Pilgrims (and how difficult it probably was to make Thanksgiving dinner without Publix), we are having an all recipe week.  Check out this great Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, compliments of Joy the Baker.  Oh, btw.  While looking for the recipe, we discovered some commentary on “How to Impress a Boy by Baking.” Favorites, don’t mind if we do.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup canola or corn oil
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips, or any chip you like

Position a rack in the middle of the oven . Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and butter the paper.  Stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together in a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the eggs and sugar until smooth and lightened in color, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. On low speed, mix the oil, pumpkin, and vanilla until blended. Mix in the flour mixture to incorporate it. Mix in the chips.

Using an ice cream scoop with a 1/4-cup capacity, scoop mounds of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies at least 2 1/2-inches apart. You could also simply use a 1/4-cup measuring cup if you don’t have a scoop. Use a thin metal spatula to smooth and flatten the rounds.

Bake the cookies one sheet at a time until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry, about 16 minutes. Cool them on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then use a wide metal spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.  Dust the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar. The cookies can be stored in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Oh Holidays, how we love thee!  Let us count the ways!  Company Christmas parties, shopping, decorating, festive outfits, Christmas cards, elaney’s own Chili, Beer, & Holiday Cheer extravaganza, cooking new recipes, parties every night…oh can’t everyday be Christmas!?!  With next week being all Thanksgiving all the time, let’s give an early shout out to the AYA 7th Annual Holiday Auction.  See you at the Mason Muerer gallery this Sunday!

A quick note from elaney!  Here’s to hoping that everyone had a merry, merry holiday.

There’s a little place in South Georgia where the sun shines a little brighter and the cheeks are made a little rosier.  It’s called Columbus, Georgia.  And it’s perfect.  If you’ve also noticed that cheeks are a little rounder, it may be because of favorite local treat, Buford’s Brownies.  Buford’s Brownies come packaged for gift giving and melt in your mouth.  Perfect for a fall tailgate or a Christmas gala, BB never disappoint.  Order today!

Ladies – you know how elaney feels about style.  Find your own style that makes you feel pretty and cute and special. You also know that our style around elaney is a little more classic.  We like black and white and pretending we are Jackie O.  But there are certain occasions when you have to break out of that mold.  Whether you are hippie chic, sophisticated, or have a granola natural look, NYE is the time to be sassy.  For sassy dress ideas, click here.

We don’t often see elaney ladies on the couch eating Lay’s potato chips with a can of Dr. Pepper circa 7th grade afternoon snack.  But back in the day, watching Saved by the Bell, those chips were good.  So let’s do it gourmet and try some Neiman Marcus potato chips.  What a fun little hostess gift or holiday treat!