Persimmon Cookies and Thanksgiving!

Persimmons are so weird, and not many people have even heard of them when I tell them these are Persimmon Cookies. I made persimmon pudding a few years ago, and it brought back memories of when my mom used to make it. She also used to make these cookies, so I was pumped when she gave me some persimmon pulp to bring home with me! 

I still have 1/2 of the pulp left, so I think I'm gonna make more persimmon pudding. Or maybe I'll make these cookies for our Christmas cookie exchange book club in a few weeks!

It's starting to get busy at work since it's the holidays, and I know Christmas is going to be here before I know it! I put up our tiny lil' tree today, so that helped it seem even more like Christmas. Oh so I decided to venture out to Ikea and the Woodfield mall on Black Friday.... Ikea wasn't bad at all, but the mall was redic! It was 4pm, but it was still so crowded. But I have to say you do get some good deals if you shop on Black Friday. Of course I just got some black pants and a sweater for myself, but they were super super cheap. 

One of my first favorite restaurants when I moved to Chicago was Hamburger Mary's, and I still love going there! It's quirky, very LGBT friendly, comfortable, and something you wouldn't find in Indiana, so it's fun to bring out of town guests there. Plus, their burgers are pretty good. I always go for the Big Kahuna burger, which has a pineapple, teriyaki, and thousand island. I usually can't only eat half, and I ALWAYS want to get dessert, but there's never room in my belly :( We also got the Britney Fried Spears for an app. Pretty tasty. 

I love to buy Groupons for restaurants that I've been wanting to try, so I got one for Superdawg and we drove up there (a little outside of the city) last weekend. It's fast food, and you pull your car into a space and press the button to order. Fun! It's like being back in the 50's and 60's. 

We both got a burger and fries, and a chocolate milkshake to share. It was actually really good! I was surprised. I know it's been on the Food Network or something, so it had to be decent. Next time, I'll get the hot dog. 

So B always has to work on Black Friday, so we usually stay in Chicago for Thanksgiving. I was just planning on seeing a movie and going out to eat at one of the restaurants open (which is a good selection here!), but my old roomie Amy invited us to come over and eat w/ her and a few friends. So I made stuffing, mac and cheese, cranberry pear sauce, and deviled eggs. Her and her bf made everything else, and it was all really delish! It's been so nice to relax and just hang this weekend. I don't want it to end! 

We also went to the Chicago Brauhaus this weekend with B's family who came to visit, and it was SO fun! There are some serious older polka dancers there, and I felt intimidated by them on the dance floor! It's an awesome place for birthdays or celebrations. We even drank out of a ginormous boot!