Happy Christmas!

I know it's not actually Christmas yet, but it is a Christmas party! Go ahead, kiss under the mistletoe. I don't mind.

This year my home isn't as festive as usual. We're a bit down about the fact that our lease prohibits a real Christmas tree, so we're trying to figure out what to do. The obvious answer is to get a fake tree, but I won't stand for that. Unless...I'm actually considering making a patchwork Christmas tree to hang on the wall. It's in the works, but it's not quite done yet. Eek. We'll see.

But on to the more festive side of things. I've done some cookie baking and some treat making, and these things are some of my favorites.

Except they're not supposed to be brown. A word to the wise: If you're going to make Christmas Krispies (which are simply rice krispie treats with Christmasy sprinkles), do not add the sprinkles directly to the marshmallow mix. They will melt and turn the gooey stuff brown.

Even so, a Christmas Krispie is a Christmas Krispie. I don't discriminate.

My new favorite cookies are Cinnamon Sugar Cookies. If you're a cinnamon lover like I am, you'll enjoy these.

2/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 or 2 tablespoons cinnamon (or less if you like)
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, beaten
4 tsp milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt ONLY IF BUTTER IS UNSALTED

Cream butter, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla (works best if you mix the sugar and cinnamon together first). Add egg and milk. Blend. Add flour and baking powder and blend until all ingredients are combined. Divide dough in half and chill for one hour. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut in desired shapes with cutters. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Cool slightly and remove from cookie sheet.

If you like frosted cookies, try this stuff:

3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 tsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups sifted powdered sugar

Combine cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla. Blend until creamy. Add powdered sugar. Blend until sugar is well combined. If you like, add food coloring. Frost cooled cookies.

Mmm...sooooo good. One of these with a mug of hot chocolate is like heaven, I tell you! HEAVEN.

I wish I had more to share. As Christmas gets closer I may post more photos, and I'll update about the patchwork tree if there's any good news.

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year

Wordless Wednesday

Swap Sweetness

Ugh. I have been so off lately! I can't keep track of the days, and it's driving me crazy! I'm doing my best to breathe and focus, and I'm hoping this weekend will provide a chance for me to center and get back on track.

But that's not what this is about. Excuse me. We will now return to regularly scheduled blogging.

Earlier this week I received a beautiful swap package. Check it out!

In addition to the gorgeous apron she made, my wonderful partner, Trish, sent me some mini cookie cutters with sprinkles, tiny ball ornaments to hang on a tree, some blue and silver star garland, a Christmas CD PACKED with fabulous music (including my absolute most favorite Christmas song ever, "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," by Gayla Peevey), and a bottle of dishsoap.

Dishsoap?! What?


Oh, look! We match!

Trust me, it's the same fabric. My bathroom is not the ideal spot to photograph anything, but it's the only mirror I have where I can see all of me.

Minus my head.

If I stand on a chair.

And whaddaya know?



We match here, too!

Isn't the dishsoap apron such a cute idea? I just fell in love with it!

At first I thought that the snowflake side of the apron was my favorite, but then I realized THIS:

The ball ornaments that Trish sent match the ornaments on my apron! I about flipped!

I'm telling you, it really doesn't take much to please me.

But this package was beyond much. I love it all! After I received it, I wore the apron around the house for a while. I didn't cook or anything--that might get it dirty! It's so pretty. You can't tell from the pictures, but the bottom of the apron (the skirt? Yes, let's go with that) flares out on the sides and is all swingy and swishy.

[Sigh of contentment].

Rabbit, Rabbit! (It's December, Baby!)

My high school algebra teacher had this fun superstition: If you say "rabbit, rabbit" before you get out of bed on the first of each month (like today!), you'll have good luck. I always thought it was cute, though I don't think I've ever remembered to do it before getting out of bed. Anyway, the point is, it's DECEMBER!

Yesterday we had our first real stick-to-the-ground, I-can't-figure-out-how-to-drive-in-this-stuff snow. Normally I'd prefer a late first snow, but this year I'm ready for winter! The snow has put me in a wintry, Christmasy mood. I am so excited to go sledding and skating and snowshoeing (and maybe some skiing, too!), and I'm looking forward to spending some downtime with family and friends around the holiday.

I hope you take the time to enjoy whatever December has in store for you!