Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is looking forward to a prosperous New Year! May 2010 bring us new opportunities, new friends, new adventures, new travels, and perhaps
even new direction for our lives.

Virtual Christmas Cookie Swap

You are cordially invited to

a Virtual Christmas Cookie Swap!

Simply post your favorite Christmas cookie recipe in the comment form below, then check back frequently to see other recipes posted!

By the end of the week, we will have exchanged many new recipes. Print them for later or come back and check them out when you're ready to bake.

Merry Christmas Baking!

Snowball Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
¼ cup sifted powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans

Cream butter and sugar in large bowl of electric mixer. Blend in vanilla and water; add flour and mix well. Stir in nuts. Shape into small balls (use ½ teaspoon measuring spoon). Bake on ungreased baking sheet at 300 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool thoroughly on pans. When completely cool, dip in frosting and roll in coconut. Freezes well. Yield: about 4 dozen, depending on size.

Frosting
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
½ cup milk or cream
½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Dash salt
Gradually add milk to powdered sugar, blending until smooth. Stir in vanilla and salt. Dip cooled cookies in frosting, then roll in coconut.

Great Gift Idea

Bulldog Brittle

1 ( 1-pound) box Keebler graham crackers
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
½ cup margarine
½ cup butter
½ cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet (10x15-inch) with foil. Cover with graham crackers, leaving space between crackers for liquid to spread to bottom and sides. Sprinkle nuts over graham crackers. Set aside.

Combine margarine, butter and sugar in heavy bottom saucepan. Bring to a rapid boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes. Pour immediately over crackers and pecans. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until mixture bubbles and begins to turn golden in color. Cool completely. Break into pieces. Yield: approximately 64 pieces.

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Today THE tree went up - all 9 ft of it! For months now, I've "lobbied" for a new, slim, smaller tree. (Of course, you understand that "lobby" is code for nag!) It didn't happen. The big tree came out of the shop and emerged into the house - again! It takes an entire day to put it together and decorate it.I lost count at 700 lights. It takes an engineering degree to make it fit into our living room without taking over the entire floor space. (Did I mention that neither of us has that particular degree?) But, after much discussion and many design changes, it is up and as close to the wall as possible, leaving some room for toddlers, dogs and family to gather and open presents! And, as much as I hate to admit it, it is beautiful!

Tomorrow, the rest of the decorating will get done. Snowmen will fill every bare spot and table top and snowflakes will accompany them! We're even supposed to have REAL snow on Sunday morning! Most of my Christmas shopping is done (yet to be delivered by Mr. UPS). I'll soon start baking cookies.... Yes, indeed, its beginning to look a lot like Christmas on Windy Knoll!!