My Top 3(4) Books of 2018

I thought I would cap off 2018 with my book total and Top 3 books of the year, but I couldn't narrow it down to 3 so I am making it 4. Don't ask me to do a review since I read a couple quite some time ago but they stood out to me for various reasons.

In no particular order except I LOVED this book...

Another WWII novel...

Another brilliant story...

And my favourite character..

I read 24 books out of my goal of 40. I guess that was a little ambitious at approximately a book a week but I enjoy reading especially when the novel is gripping. I hope to set another reading goal next year and maybe participate in a Readathon where you just spend one whole week end reading. Wouldn't that be great?

Annual Card Swap

It's always so fun to get together and see what the other gals have created. I had to finish my cards before I went South and I used my beloved dies as usual. I wanted to have a card that wasn't completely Christmas and this is what I ended up with...

Keri did a mason jar card. Can't go wrong with those and a cool metallic embossing piece...

Nicole used a beautiful Joy die with a neat plaid embossing folder...

Robin created a cool present card that folded out like a gift.....

Lisa added shimmer spray to her card. I know one or two people that ran right out to their LSS to purchase that!...

Anne Marie spent ages putting all the little pieces behind this background die from Your Next Stamp...

Janice gave us a 2 for 1. A beautiful package around a beautiful card...

Liz took us to spring with a colourful rainbow card....

and Corrina used the MFT Snowman dies to make this cute card...

There, I think I got them all. For a look back at last year's swap link is here.

Mennonite Shortbread

This recipe is such a favourite of mine, I knew I needed to add it to the blog in case it goes missing. I make it every year without fail at Christmas. It's shortbread with the added sweetness of buttercream frosting. A little fussier to ice each one but well worth it. On the front end, you can make the dough and roll into into logs and throw it in the freezer until you're ready to slice and bake.

Mennonite Shortbread
1 cup butter
1/2 cup icing sugar
2 cups flour minus 2 Tbsp
2 Tbsp corn starch

Cream butter and sugar. Add dry ingredients. Blend in with your
hands if needed. Roll into cylinders and chill or keep in freezer until you're ready.
Slice into 1/3 inch slices. Bake at 300F, 15 to 20 min.
When cool ice with your favourite frosting. Makes about 3 dozen.

November Card Swap

So yesterday, I was defrosting a turkey in the laundry tub, threw in a load of wash and took Lindor for a walk. I went to the basement to transfer over to the dryer and it took me a minute to figure out why the floor was wet. Oh yeah! flooded. Don't know how I forgot the bird was in the tub but as turkey stockpiler, I had another one in the freezer ready to tap in.

So onto the November card... we got them done and exchanged. Almost time to exchange Dec.
Keri used the Lawn Fawn Simply Celebrate Winter and made this adorable card. I think I use that word every time to describe her cards....

This is the set she used... so quick to colour up and lots of options...

I used one of my Pure Innocence girls from MFT...

I love using kraft and paper piecing her sweet little dress..

Came together pretty quickly with minimal colouring. Well, I'm off to check turkey #2.

Vacation

My blog has been a little quiet because I was enjoying a month of Florida sunshine. Here's a little recap.                                  

 Lots of beautiful golf courses

       Tons of cranes right on the course

                                               A trip to the Wax Museum in Orlando

                                                    Breakfast with an icon

                                        An amazing day watching the manatees come in to the springs

                                                           Beautiful State Park

                                                            Gorgeous scenery

And lots of relaxation. The perfect vacation and an escape from what I hear was a record breaking lack of sunshine in Ontario. Stay tuned for the November swap card.