My Favorite Christmas Cookie

Real Divinity Cookies

2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/4 cups shortening
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sifted flour
Optional: 1/2 cup ground nuts, chocolate sprinkle or colored sprinkles

Mix ingredients in order given. Roll into 2 inch thick logs, wrap in waxed paper and chill. When ready to bake, slice into 1/4 inch thick slices and bake 7-12 minutes at 350 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet or on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

You can also roll the log in colored decorator's sugar before chilling. Then the outside of each cookie will have a colored sugar edge.

Christmas Craft

The other day I was deeply offended when a relative commented that I possibly had "pack rat" tendencies! I was deeply offended because I could not think of a single rebuttal that would prove otherwise. Humph!
Do you save beautiful ribbons that are too short to throw away but never the right size to be able to use again? Here is a solution. Get a Styrofoam tree form and use a knife to insert 3 inch pieces of ribbon into the form. Double the ribbon to make a loop and insert the raw edges in layered rows about 1 inch apart starting from the base and going to the top of the tree. I used clear tacky glue around each insertion to make it more secure.

Before and After

I love Photoshop. The top original photo was taken at Heather and Rex's house. I changed part of the background and added Christmas lights to create the bottom photo. I could spend hours doing this!!!!! (Although this one only took about 15 minutes.)

Crepe Cake

One of my genius daughters recently posted an applesauce filled crepe cake on her blog. I was so intrigued with this idea that I had to try it too. I made a few changes to the recipe. I sliced some ginger gold apples and fried them along with lots of finely chopped walnuts in butter and maple syrup until soft. I then made a very thick maple syrup/butter mixture by boiling the two until it was like a soft taffy. I layered the cooked crepes alternating with apple mixture and syrup mixture. Finally I topped each serving with honey flavored Greek Yogurt. I think caramel sauce would be just as delicious as the maple/taffy sauce and a lot easier. Just buy Mrs. Richardson's Butterscotch Caramel Sauce in the ice cream toppings section of your grocery store.

Teddy Bear Quilts

Way back around 1980 I bought this cute quilt pattern. My own daughters never got one of these but each of my grandchildren have gotten one on their first birthday. I guess that is how it goes. I always wanted to do way more for my own kids than I ever actually accomplished. I bought lots of patterns and materials and supplies with those intentions. I'm sure glad being a grandma gives me a second chance!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!

To celebrate one of those troubling birthdays that end in a "0" I am starting a blog. These are presents from my cool daughters who know what I like! For those not in the know, the chocolates are See's Dark Chocolate Bordeaux. (yes, I ate several before the photo was taken.) The beautiful flowers are from the Pike Street market and the delicate gold item is a gold plated Aspen leaf. Click on the photo for a close-up.