Sunday, December 10, 2017

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?

8 comments:

  1. I’ve printed my cards just envelopes to address. What species of deer is that handsome fella?

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  2. Going to make some fudge and molasses cookies today so I can make my plates to share.

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  3. Hello Bonnie,
    I also need to write Christmas cards. Several years ago we sent a Christmas card from Germany to my husband's cousin who lives in Chicago. We also wondered why we never get something back. Believe or not but this Christmas card arrived on Easter!
    I love to bake Christmas cookies! I already made about 10 different sorts. I have to bake a lot every year because some cookie packages travel to USA. My sister-in-law who lives in Texas would probably very offended when I would forget to send her my Germany Christmas cookies! :)
    This year I also have sent some to Chicago where my son lives right now.
    A special tradition? We celebrate the 4 sundays, called advent, before Christmas Eve. We have a advents wreath with 4 candles. 1 for every sunday.
    In Germany we have Christmas Eve and 2 Christmas days. On the first one is the traditional food in our family since I can remember and I also followed this tradition goose with potatoe dumplings and red cabbage. On the 2. holiday I will cook this year roasted wild boar. The woods in my area are populated by a lot of wild boar.
    I hope you got a nice little impression about our German Christmas
    Wish you a wonderful Christmas time!

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  4. You're way ahead of me, Bonnie. Cards left to write, cookies yet to bake, but I'm taking things slow. I like those special Christmas cards that you pin up each year.

    Beautiful bucky.

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  5. P.S. I have a handful of special Christmas cards that I put on my Christmas tree.

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  6. Hello Bonnie! You are getting into a festive mood! I love that you kept those precious cards and enjoy them yearly. It's the small things. I bake quite a bit the week before Christmas. I like to make goodie bags for all of my neighbors. This year, I might try something new. I saw a recipe for Candied Orange Peel. I just bought a box of oranges at Costco. I am determined. Fudge is also on my list. I use an old recipe that was passed to my by a friends mother. It's always a hit. But, I have to give most of it away. Too tempting! I have not addressed my Christmas cards, but the cards and evelops are literally at my elbow. Reading blogs is more fun. Wishing you a Merry Christmas! Cheers, Jenni

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  7. I need to put stamps on my cards and get them in the mail, taking my last vacation day Friday to play in the kitchen, presents all accounted for- just need to finish wrapping. Nice buck by the way. Our internet is being finicky so can't see all the pix but saw that one 😊

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  8. What nice things you have out to make things cozy. This year I have kept it simple and it is my favorite year ever. I mailed the last of my gifts yesterday. Now I get to do the fun things like make mustard and jam. I made English muffin bread last year, and everyone asked for it this year. So I will be making that too. Its very nice. Your snow is so beautiful. That is a wonderful looking buck you have hanging around your house. Have a delightful week.

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