A week ago, John brought some cookies that he thought he liked, but he didn't, so I ate them all.  They were Pfefferneuse (sp?) cookies, and were anise-flavored, or licorice-flavored.  He did not like that flavoring.  Today, I made him some similar cookies that he does like, they are called Russian Teacakes, but flavored with vanilla.

Cream together 1 cup of butter (2 sticks) with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt.  Add 2-1/4 cups flour and 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts.  I chopped them fine, so they resemble coarse flour.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Roll the dough with your hands and fingers into little round balls, about 1 inch in diameter.  Place on ungreased baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.  Remove and cool slightly.  Sift powdered sugar into a bowl and roll the balls around in the sugar until coated.  Place them on a paper plate or paper towel; when completely cooled, roll them all again in the powdered sugar.  This recipe makes about 4 dozen.

I got all my Christmas shopping done yesterday, and I'm so glad it's over.  Now all I have to do is wrap.  Tomorrow the girls are getting together for a pot-luck Christmas party at a friend's house.  I am bringing the little Russian teacakes.  And a pretty plate to put them on. 

I got mad yesterday, when I stopped at the Holiday Station for extra gas this month.  There's a sign on the pumps that said this gas contains ethanol now.  I went in and loudly told them they are losing me as a customer if they don't get rid of the ethanol.  I went through all that ethanol crap last summer; my gas mileage dropped dramatically, like 15%, and I had so much water in my tank, that I'm sure it had something to do with it rusting out the tank, which of course, I had to have replaced (again) last summer.  The manager humbly told me it wasn't his fault, and I said I knew that, but I wanted him to pass on my comments to the higher ups.  I am now looking for a gas station that doesn't have ethanol in their gas.  I did get a 4-pak of Heet and got one can in my tank; hopefully, it will take care of the moisture now.

And I've had the last back adjustment from the chiropractor this year.  My back feels pretty darn good and he even adjusts my wrists and elbows, which have improved a lot.