Ideas to help celebrate the season

Merry Christmas! I hope you and yours are celebrating in all the ways that makes your season special.

If you are inclined to do any more holiday baking, might I recommend this simple recipe from Land 'o Lakes butter? I am no Martha Stewart, I assure you, but even I made these successfully.

Sparkling Butter Toffee Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

3⁄4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

11⁄2 teaspoons baking powder

1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda

1⁄2 cup English or almond toffee bits

sugar for sprinkling.

Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine sugar, butter, egg and vanilla in large mixing bowl.

Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (1-2 minutes).

Add flour, baking powder and baking soda; reduce speed to low.

Beat until well mixed (1-2 minutes).

Stir in toffee bits by hand.

Shape rounded teaspoons of dough into 11⁄4 inch balls. Roll in sugar.

Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Flatten each with the bottom of a glass to 21⁄4 inch circles. (If glass sticks, dip it in sugar first).

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Do not over bake.

Let cool 2 minutes, then remove from cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar while still warm.

Yields 3 dozen.

New Year's Eve celebrations in the Gardnerville Ranchos

Looking for something fun and local to do on New Year's Eve? Silver Strike Lanes will host a New Year's Eve party in the lounge starting at 9 p.m. Little Robby and the Wound Ups are the featured entertainment and there's no cover charge. There will also be a midnight champagne toast, party favors and dancing.

In addition, they'll be running their regular Blacklight Bowling for $3.75 per person/per game. Shoe rentals are $2.

For more information, call them at 265-5454 or stop by the bowling alley at 1281 Kimmerling Road in the Ranchos.

Right next door, Jethro's will ring in the new year with your dinner choice of prime rib, crab legs or shrimp scampi, each just $16.95. Their party gets underway at 10 p.m., with Sierra Storm Entertainment rocking the DJ booth to get you dancing. They, too, will have a champagne toast at midnight.

For more information, call Jethro's at 265-2215.

Decisions, decisions. Any way you choose to celebrate, be sure to designate a driver and make it a safe one. Enjoy your holidays!

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com