It's time for Christmas baking...one of my favorite things about Christmas is giving and receiving baked goods.  And every year it's tough for me to decide exactly WHAT I am going to give out.

I remember the first Christmas I moved to AZ near my parents.  I was so excited to include my own parents on my list of receivers.  In my 10 years of married life, I had lived away and now I was finally home to share in holiday traditions with my family.  I delivered my goodies to my mom's and there found her in the kitchen wrapping her fresh bread for the lucky ones on her list.  I looked at all the tags, searching for my name.  But guess what? There wasn't one.  I wasn't on their list.  I think that disappointed me more than what I got from my husband that year. 

This taught me a little life's lesson.  Family should be your most important friends.  Though you didn't hand pick them as friends, you CHOSE them as friends.  I always want to make my family members  feel like they are my friends as well as my relatives.  (And I won't even mention that one of my sisters, the only one that was here in AZ for Thanksgiving, chose to spend the holiday with her friends instead of family.  No, not "as well as family."  but "instead".)    Tis sad, but true.

Anyways, this year I have turned to

Their website is so chalk full of fun baking supplies, you will forget about your disappointments of the holidays.  (It ALMOST made me forget already!)  Go here and find all the necessary things.

Go do a little monetary damage at Bake it Pretty.  Your "FRIENDS" will thank you!

Every year it's a struggle to get everything made that I want to for people's gifts.  I tend to leave it "till later" because I still have a lot of time.  Then, sadly, projects don't get done and I feel like a loser gift giver. 

But times, they are a changin'!  I am designating time EVERY day to work on my handmade gifts.  Do you know who I have turned to to help me in this task?

Yes, my favorite little go-to book.  (I know I have talked about this book before, but I am overwhelmed by its treasure trove of information and easy-to-comprehend directions!)  I am embroidering pillowcases, tea towels, hoodies...you name it!  It's a great craft for me because I can sit in my bed until the late hours and work, work, work.  And then, I can get up early and do the same thing!  If my little ones want me to sit and watch a movie with them, now I can!  Normally I don't have the attention span to sit and watch an ENTIRE movie.  But some how, being productive while watching helps TREMENDOUSLY!  Thanks, Jenny Hart! 

P.S.  Love the blog where I can find FREE downloads to print!

P.P.S.  I would show you my finished products, but then that might ruin the surprise for any unexpecting persons.

The weather is so beautiful.  We have been blessed with 70 - degree weather.

The roses are blooming and the rye grass is in its splendid bright green state.

Let's take lunch outside...

images 1. Euro Antique Market 2. Lonny Magazine

Lately I have been so busy with custom orders that I haven't been able to spend the time I'd like to on one-of-a-kinds...but that is going to change this next week.  I hope to have some new, fun pieces to share that will be available for purchase.  These are two children's pieces that are available here.  I have found it difficult to shoot pictures of just silver.  Yes, I am just using a point and shoot digital, but still, the pictures are so difficult to get.  What's sad is that I have a really nice camera, but not the patience to learn how to use it.  One of these days...

Ramblings for my patient readers:

Thanksgiving is over...no pictures to share.  I was so busy cooking all day and setting up tables, that I didn't have a chance, or think about getting out my camera.  By the time we sat down to eat, I was exhausted.  We went around the table, saying what we are thankful for (I love that part)  But after that, I don't remember much.  I think it was a carb-induced daze.  I decided last night (now this may chage in a year) that next year we are going someplace else.  I don't know where, specifically, just somewhere else.

Today is Black Friday.  I don't like Black Friday.  I am an anti-Black Friday shopper.  This is the one day of the year I DON'T shop.  It makes Christmas so commercialized and gives me a panicked knot in my stomach.  So I don't like to go there.  I'd rather stay home and make stuff.  (Speaking of which, I found a fun dress pattern that is really easy to sew.  It's by Sis Boom (Jennifer Paganelli) and you can purchase it here.)

Today I am getting the rest of my Christmas decorations up.  Does anyone else dread cooking today?  I'm so done with that.  I think it's pumpkin pie for breakfast  and then I want to be taken out to lunch...and dinner.

Thanksgiving Tradition

Spice Cookies with Pumpkin Dip

1 1/2 c. butter

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1/2 c. molassas

4 c. flour

4 t. baking soda

2 t. cinammon

1 t. ground ginger

1 t. ground clove

1 t. salt

Mix dough in mixer and then chill overnight.  Shape into 1/2" balls and roll in sugar.  Place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 6-8 minutes.  Cool for 2 minutes then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Dip:

1 pkg. 8 oz. cream cheese, softened.

1 can 18 oz. pumpkin pie mix

2 c. powdered sugar

1/2-1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. ginger

Beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add pumpkin and other ingredients.  Beat until smooth.