Odd Things

Okay, these party horns for New Year's Eve aren't odd...

Until you read the warning: For ages 14 years and over.
Hmm. That leaves out two-fifths of our family on New Year's Eve! JT missed it by just one year.

Turns out it doesn't matter anyway: the horns do not work! Luci nearly passed out trying to make some sound.
Here's the other Odd Thing:
Fruitcake Cookies! John likes them. He's the only one in our house who likes them. I think they'd taste a lot better if you took out the candied fruit and added chocolate chips instead.

For those of you who do like fruitcake (Mom? Anyone else out there? No?), here is the recipe I used.

Fruitcake Cookies

Makes 3 1/2 dozen (that's 42, for those of you who aren't up on your twelve-times tables)

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
3/4 cups sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans
12 oz candied fruit for fruitcake (the chopped-up, colorful mix that comes in those huge tubs. I used 1/3 of my big 32 oz tub)

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add egg, mix well. Put candied fruit and pecans in a separate bowl. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add 1/4 cup of this to the fruit and nuts, stir. (I can't remember why you should do this, but it seems to help. Maybe so they won't all stick together in one big, fruity lump.) Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325* for 13-15 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.