It's that time of year!

 




It's December 16--my husband's birthday!--and I am just realizing how close we are to Christmas Day! The days fly by and suddenly the actually holiday is upon us. Sigh.

Though I'm generally very organized, I somehow never find the time (or plan for it) to make more gifts, more decorations, more goodies. I did most of my shopping online this year (thank you, Etsy and Amazon) but even so, the time to do those things that are so enjoyable seems to just disappear.

This weekend is set aside for wrapping and baking; I'm still compiling my list of goodies to make, trying to decide which ones must make the cut. Caramel corn, matzoh crunch, truffle cookies, peanut brittle, Oreo truffles?...the list is really endless.

So I ask: If you could bake or make just one treat this season, what would it be? I'd love to know! (And links to your favorite recipes are always appreciated.)

Here's to a wonderful weekend!

P.S. Those little treats on the baking sheet are cheddar-pepper palmiers and they are delicious. They're best eaten fresh from the oven. Yum.

Kicking off the holidays

The holiday season has officially arrived, now that we've said good-bye to Thanksgiving and November is at an end. Today the first snowflakes are flying here, and tomorrow we turn the calendar to the last month of the year.

To help you get into the holiday spirit, I'm offering a limited number of postcard sets for sale. These would be great for your inspiration board, as thank-you notes after the holidays, or maybe even a small gift for a friend. They are printed on heavy card stock and are blank on the back for your personal message. A set of four cards is $8, which includes shipping in the U.S. If you're interested, just send an email to me (the address is in my profile) and I'll be in touch!

In the meantime, take time to bake some cookies, watch a favorite holiday movie, or just enjoy the beauty of the twinkling lights. The holiday traditions are worth savoring!

P.S. You can see more photos of the cards here.

Goodies

The gifts are wrapped and under the tree. The errands are done. We'll be packing today for travel tomorrow. It's so nice to be relaxed and just enjoying time at home! The last few days have been spent baking treats to enjoy over the next few days. No new recipes this year, just a few old favorites. If you're looking for some goodies for your family, give one of these a try.

No matter where you are or how you celebrate, I hope you have a relaxed and blessed Christmas! I'll be back after the celebrating to wrap up my 365 project, so check back for the big finish...

Counting down

Oh, my. One look at the calendar and my heart starts to beat a little faster. How can it be that Christmas is just eight days away? I've made tons of progress yet I never feel completely ready. Does that happen to you?

Starting this weekend it will be time to wrap all the gifts, do some serious baking, and prepare to travel. It will all come together--it always does--but time just seems to speed up during the holiday season. My biggest regret is not making more time for crafting. Sigh. Maybe after Christmas I'll choose a project and devote some time to it.

By the way, I have just 15 days left in my 365 project. Woo-hoo! I'm thinking hard about how to wrap it up. Any ideas for a big finish photo?

P.S. If you're looking for a new cookie recipe, try this one. You won't be sorry.

Preparing

Just popping in to share some images from the week. I've been hauling out the holly (so to speak) and I think I'm about finished with the decorating. Time to move on to gifts! I need to order prints of some photos, do a little online shopping, and generally organize my plan for gift-giving. We're trying to scale back a bit but still give something meaningful to our family members. Can you relate? I'm also on the hunt for cookie recipes. I'd love to try some new ones this year, along with the family favorites. Send me your ideas!

Sparkle all the way

So here we are--the first day of the last month of 2009. It always amazes me how fast the year flies by. Today was sunny and balmy, not at all like the winter days that lie ahead. It's time for me to start digging out the decorations, to set up the tree, to adorn the mantle with the fresh greens I bought today. The Christmas lights have sprung up all around town, bringing some sparkle to the dark evenings.

The holidays certainly make the transition to winter a little easier, don't you think? The brightly-colored wrappings, the warm cookies fresh from the oven, the special ornaments that we enjoy for just a short time each year. All such simple pleasures. What are the traditions that mean the most to you?

Eye Candy Friday

The countdown is on--just six days to go!



Hope you have a productive, fun, relaxing weekend.

Progress

The days are getting shorter and the time for Christmas celebrating is nearly here. Luckily my "to do" list is getting shorter, too. How are your preparations coming along? If you're looking for some ideas, try these:

Espresso chocolate shortbread cookies are filled with buttery goodness. (Be sure to make an extra batch to keep.)



Everyone can use a new calendar. Even if you *think* you're not artistic, these are fun and easy to make.



If your friends and family aren't coffee lovers, try baking these brown butter brown sugar shorties.



So there you have it! Some progress for me, and ideas for you. Knitting continues and there will be more baking, I'm sure. But before I get started, do you have any recipes you want to share? I'm always on the lookout for the next best thing!

Counting down

These little elves know it's almost Christmas! The gifts are purchased and wrapped, goodies are baked, and we're ready to hit the road.



Merry Christmas to all! See you in the new year.