New England Clam Chowder

I cant believe Christmas has already passed me by. Never felt like it happened at all. Winter break is almost ending, and when winter quarter comes, it's time to get cracking once again. Many things happened during winter break and I don't really want to blog about it because I don't know where to start. But in terms of food, I haven't really been making anything. For one thing, it's because I don't know where all the things are in the kitchen, and another because I don't really need to. Didn't have any sort of Christmas gathering/party with my friends although I would have liked it. Didn't really exchange any gifts; therefore didn't feel much like Christmas. I made clam chowder today and my mom requested MORE apple pie... I'm really sick of it. Please, no more.

And that's all was left of that pie. So difficult to roll the crust thin because it would always break apart. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. More egg perhaps? And flour?

Gingerbread Cookies

I'm finally back home! It's going to feel so strange being away from my apartment for three weeks. I thought I would make butternut squash soup when I get back to LA but I left my butternut squash and spice rack back in San Diego. Bummer. There's so much that I want to make this winter break-- I'm so excited for that! I'm planning to set up the Christmas tree and lights tonight; hooray for holiday festivities! I'm going to make the most of my three weeks back home and end 2009 with a ..."!" (bang!) Fall quarter's over so everything else will just be "fun, fun, fun!"

First thing I did when I got back was hang out with Illa and make gingerbread cookies. Illa did help spread the frosting... sort of. Then we went to Yogurt Land and saw Natalie there and I stole a Tokidoki spoon. :D Gingerbread cookies turned out great! So soft and chewy and GOOD!

Pictures might come later when I make a new batch :)

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups unbleached flour