A White Christmas.... Finally!

We finally got our white Christmas... just a few days late.  It was such a pretty snowfall - big, fluffly snowflakes that just floated in the air.  It was nice to stay inside and try my new hot chocolate mix - salted caramel hot cocoa.  Yum!  When I was little, I used to put saltine crackers in my cocoa - I loved the combination of sweet and salty, and still do!  My family thought I was nuts. 

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!  We have just had rain and more rain lately, so this field of snowmen picture made me smile.  Enjoy the holidays  ♥

Holiday Thumbprints

I received some of these cookies at a cookie exchange last week - they are so good!  I think they're pretty too.  I used a seedless strawberry jam and drizzed with a glaze of powdered sugar and milk. 

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 egg yolks
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup fruit preserves, any flavor
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and egg yolks. Mix in flour a little bit at a time until a soft dough forms. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. If dough is too soft, refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Use your finger or an instrument of similar size to make a well in the center of each cookie. Fill the hole with 1/2 teaspoon of preserves.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Saltine Toffee

This one is easy!  And you may even have everything you need in your pantry.

4 ounces saltine crackers  (not exactly sure how many I actually used)

1 cup butter

1 cup dark brown sugar

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped pecans 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Line cookie sheet with saltine crackers in single layer.

In a saucepan combine the sugar and the butter. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Immediately pour over saltines and spread t cover crackers completely.

Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let sit for 5 minutes. Spread melted chocolate and top with chopped nuts. Cool completely and break into pieces.

Pizzelle Time!

Or I should say "waffle time", as my dad calls them.  My house officially smells like the holidays - the sweet licorice smell of anise is lingering.  My electric pizzelle maker was one of the best bridal shower gifts I received and I've used it now for the past 8 years.  I always make the traditional anise flavored waffles and sometimes will make a different flavor such as chocolate or maple. 

Yum!

More Gift Ideas!

This time from my brother's shop, which features hand-turned wood creations -->> Woodhawk Gallery.  Gift ideas include beautiful bowls and vases from exotic woods.

It's not too late! ... Holiday gift ideas

It's December 6th and not to late to purchase from my ETSY shop for your holiday gifts --> Sweet Bird Designs.  Below are a few ideas..... I'm also able ship directly to the recipient, so keep that in mind too!

A beautiful set of navy blue freshwater pearls.... I love the color of these pearls!

Brown and blue and a great combination.  Blue Kyanite gems, freshwater pearls and smokey quartz items:

And who doesn't love creamy pearls?