Twelve in Twelve

So let's recap how things went for the 12 in 12. The goal was to make a list of things that I wanted to do, not things I SHOULD do, like lose weight, exercise more, eat better, keep the house cleaner, invest in TFSA's. These are things that I WANTED to do and a list to help me remember them better.
It really helped me to be more mindful... read more, use more of my endless scrapbooking supplies, try and become more knowledgeable on the computer by blogging etc.

I didn't make an afghan or start a Heritage Album and I probably didn't use all my purchases within 30 days but I accomplished more then I expected to. This year, I'm going to use my friend Robin's idea and use a Smash book to keep track of my 13. Nothing formal, cuz that's not what its all about.

You can see my list on the sidebar. Just simple achievable goals to accomplish in the upcoming year.
I hope you are inspired to join us for the 13 in 13. It's a lot of fun to see what other people have come up with and to help them achieve their goals too. Good luck everyone.

Sugar Cookies

I had my little buddy helping out in the kitchen this week. He did the measuring, the mixing and the cutting and decorating of the sugar cookies. The dough was a little soft (I have some doubts about the measuring and I see a fair quantity of flour that didn't make it into the bowl on someone's clothing) but the cookies turned out great and taste fantastic piled with icing and decorations.
Here they are going into the oven, there was a wide assortment of themes happening from dog bones to reindeer....

and here are the final masterpieces, each one carefully produced for best effect...

And the LAST cookie, could it be, we had run out of icing?

Sugar Cookies
3/4 cup soft shortening (part butter)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg (optional)

Cream shortening and butter until fluffy. Add vanilla.
Add sugar, mixing until creamy. Sift together dry ingredients and add to wet
mixing thoroughly. Chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Roll out chilled dough
and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350F approx. 10 minutes.
Ice and smother with decorations as desired.
Enjoy.

Piggies in Blankets

My first post of the New Year.... I will be coming up with my 13 in 13 list of things I want to do but they're not resolutions so I don't feel obligated to have them for today.

 It's nice to have a day to kick around and spend some time with family.

I've actually been baking again, believe it or not,  with my nephew. It doesn't matter if we get to it before Christmas or not. Our tradition is always to make sugar cookies and decorate them.  I only have one nephew right now so the other will have to come at a later date. I will show you our creations later but for right now, here's a favourite appetizer that our family likes. We actually had them on Christmas Eve.

I use this recipe for Sure Fire Pastry and I always use Mini Sizzlers. Not sure if there is any other kind. You can buy sausage rolls pre-made but there is nothing like "home-made". Can be eaten plain or dipped in Dijon or some other favoured spread.

I cut the sausage into thirds and wrap each one up in a coat of pastry. Forgot to get a pic of their golden tinged, flaky deliciousness but you get the idea. I don't make them perfectly but you could take a little more time if you were preparing them for guests.
Happy New Year!

Sure Fire Pastry

3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup lard
1 egg yolk
1 Tbsp. vinegar
cold water

Cut lard into flour. Beat egg yolk slightly in bottom of measuring cup and add vinegar and enough cold water to make 1/2 cup of liquid. Pour over flour and mix with a fork. Press into 3 balls and chill at least a half hour and then roll out.

Christmas Arrangements

Well, the hustle and bustle is winding down, but I'm still enjoying the Christmas break and the tree and all the lovely decorations. The dogs are enjoying the snow and I'm happy that now I only have to deal with puddles and not mud.

I was lucky to receive this gorgeous fresh arrangement in Santa's sleigh from a dear friend for a combo birthday/Christmas gift. I forgot to take a photo for TWO weeks and look how well preserved it was. I love fresh flowers and was happy that I was able to enjoy this display for so long.

I can show you this outdoor cone arrangement now since it is happily hanging at my sister-in-laws house. I bought her this cone shaped arrangement from the same gentleman that does my urn arrangement. I loved the container and I hope she does too.

I think that was the last time the sun shone here is Southern Ontario.

I was also able to take in a container that I had purchased a couple years ago and have it refreshed at the same place.

These arrangements last well into the spring. Well worth the investment!

Christmas Tag Swap

I was invited to participate in a tag swap hosted by http://rosannes-blog.blogspot.ca/. Rosanne always does such a nice job hosting. She puts a special effort into presenting the food and makes everyone feel comfortable. I particularly liked her grape trees. This was my first attempt to hook up to someone's blog so I hope the link works for you and you check it out.

Here's the tag that I made for the swap. (Did I mention we had to make 18 of each?!?)

I embossed the Kraft cardstock with birds and flowers and did a border along the bottom. I cut a doily and cut many poinsetta pieces using the Nestabilities pointsetta. I inked everything, then crumpled the flowers and the leaves to add a little dimension. I cut and stamped a Christmas ticket and then added a ribbon. I think it turned out pretty well. At least, I wasn't embarassed to pass it around at the swap.

Here's some of the other tags I received. It is so interesting to see what people come up with and so nice to go home with a variety. Is it less work then a cookie swap? Definitely not, but a really nice idea.

Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

Traditional Shortbread

This is my favourite Christmas cookie. I like ALL kinds of shortbread, but this one is the best and has the simplest of ingredients. The recipe comes from a church cookbook "Coffee Hour Favourites" printed in 1982. I say printed not published because I'm pretty sure somebody typed it and then they photocopied the recipes. These are the best recipes. I'm sure they were made many times by the lady who submitted it. This recipe is called Etta Sawyer's Shortbread cookies. I'm pretty sure Etta knew what she was talking about.

Etta Sawyer's Shortbread Cookies

1 lb. unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
4 cups flour
pinch salt
Mix and refrigerate for 3 hours. Let warm up a bit, knead briefly and roll out to 1/2 inch.
Bake for 20 min at 300F, then turn off oven for 5 minutes. Then remove.

That is the recipe as it was typed. I bake them around 325F (I have a convection oven) and just take them out when they have a very slight tinge of brown around the edges. They freeze really well too. If they last that long.