Coffee and Christmas cookies it is...

Coffee and Christmas cookies it is!  For once, I am ready for Christmas.  

The cards are written and awaiting stamps.  I promise I will stamp them.  One year I was in a hurry and mixed cards with stamps with the unstamped ones.  I didn't realize my mistake until over Christmas dinner my brother-in-law asked me why I didn't like him.  I wondered why he would think that.  He replied it was because he had to pay to get my Christmas card.  I was aghast.  The next year I sent an extra stamp in every Christmas card and apologized profusely for the error of my ways.

The cookies are made, but remain unfinished, because somebody forgot to buy powdered sugar.  That is no big deal.  I will get some tomorrow and my husband and I can finish our Christmas tradition of making cookies.  To be honest they are just as fabulous without the frosting.
White Cut Out Cookies
2/3 c. soft butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs    (Cream top three ingredients)
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp. baking soda dissolved in the milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 t. almond extract
1/2 t. salt
3 1/2 c. flour
Bake 7-10 minutes at 400 degrees.  
(A book of Favorite Recipes compiled by the Happy Home Club Members, Former Members, and Friends)

 I have a simple string that I hang over the deck door for Christmas cards.  Every year I carefully put up three very important cards.  The first is the last Christmas card my Grandfather sent me.  He was an old rancher and always coming up with funny things.  Here is what the inscription says:  "My pickup has been broke down so I didn't get to town.  I had some cards left from last year.  This is one I got last year.  I thought it was such a good picture, I cut it in two and I am sending it to you.  It reminds me of the way we used to feed when I was home...."  I tear up every year when I hang it.  He was a true cowboy.  The other card was made by my brother.  He cut out the reindeer and used toothpaste to glue it to the paper.  He is as ingenious as our grandfather.  The top one is a beautiful cross stitch done by my good friend Jody.  She is one of the most thoughtful people I know.

I wasn't going to decorate the cabin, because nobody braves the snow to come see us.  The next thing I knew I put a few things here and there.  I didn't overdo it.  Just enough to make things cozy.  All of the decorations on the antler chandelier are from my friend in Denmark.  The candle votives are very pretty and well made.  This morning I truly enjoyed my coffee surrounded by the spirit of Christmas.

The presents are wrapped.  Labels for the boxes are made.  I just need to find a few more boxes to send things in.  I will have it all mailed by the end of the week.

We have had a lot of snow and some pretty nasty winds.  This weekend was a nice break.  It warmed up and the wind stopped blowing.  Our resident buck is still wandering around.  He is a handsome fellow.

We took advantage of the calm weather to burn one of our piles of cut up trees and brush.  I took advantage of the fire to roast a few marshmallows.  Yes those are pajama bottoms and a bag of marshmallows under my arm.  I love roasted marshmallows.  

What do you have left for Christmas?  What kind of cookies do you make?  Is there a special tradition or reminder of Christmas past?