12 days until Christmas

Hello there, whatcha got going on for today? Me a holiday reunion party with my junior and highschool friends. Dosent that sound like fun, I cant wait.

Hows the christmas shopping going? I did some shopping last night at the mall with Hubby.Theres some fantastic sales out there Dillards has 30% off there Coach and Dooney&Burk hand bags.Thats the one of the items on my 2 item christmas/birthaday list, I really want a new hand bag. We will see! The other item is the Pixie sewing machine by Singer thats just for papercrafting and embellshing fabrics. Its smaller than a singer, a just right size for us crafters.I have a confession when I shop for christmas I do alot of ME shopping as well. But I feel okay with that because my birthday is Christmas eve and theres never anything to do but go out to dinner or see a movie. I cant see a concert (who performs on chrstmas eve)or shop (way to crazy out there to enjoy it), not many dinner parties because that would require friends and family to drive 45 min to my house and if its a work day theres work traffic. I gave myself a dinner party the 2 years in a row because my birthday actually fell on a weeekend.There are alot of things to consider when planning anything for my birthday. Restarants even close early. Enough rambling, its feeling alot like winter here in So Cali were even expecting snow in my desert are, wouldnt that be perfect.

Check out the GORGEOUS cookie recipe I posted


Makes: 48
Prep: 45 min.
Bake: 10 min. per batch


2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon instant espresso coffee powder
8 ounces sweet baking chocolate, chopped
2 teaspoons shortening
Edible gold luster dust (optional)
Directions
1. Combine flour, cocoa, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat about 2 minutes or until fluffy, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and espresso powder. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour mixture (dough will be crumbly). Use your hands to form the dough into a ball. Divide dough in half.

2. Preheat oven to 350F. Roll each half of the dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut out shapes using a 2-1/2-inch star-shape cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are firm. Transfer to wire racks and let cool.

3. Microwave chopped chocolate and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl on 50 percent power about 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring three times.

4. Dip one-third of each cookie into melted chocolate mixture; let excess drip back into bowl. Place cookies on waxed paper; let stand about 1 hour or until set. If desired, brush luster dust on chocolate. Makes 48 cookies.

5. To store: Place cookies in layers separated by pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before serving.

Does this make you want to bake, have you done any baking? The holidays does something to me and I crave the the action of baking, the smell of goodies in the oven and of course the eating of anything baked. I thought I would post some pics of the sights of christmas at my house, these will be going in my 25 days of christmas album.


One of my treasured ormaments are these ceramic santas, there on the tree every year


I think these glittered apples are the most gorgeous thing on my tree. I found them for a great price @Home Goods


A bit of the bannister on the stairs


Beautiful poinsettas that sit on my coffee table



Heres a peek at my tree


I enjoy the house at christmas, the golds, and oranges and the smell of my Yankee candle that smells just like a real pine tree.

Okay heres a card I made using Martha Stewart set called Toy Transportation. It has taken weeks to finish this card, its driving me crazy that I am so slow.



Toodles