You guys! It’s almost Christmas! The time we have all been waiting for and prepping for is finally here. The stockings are hung, the presents are wrapped (mostly), and the cookies are made. But what I’m most ready for is the huge gift that we receive of HOPE and PEACE. The lines from Oh Holy Night sum it up perfectly: “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn’, Fall on your knees, O Hear the angels’ voices, O night divine, O night when Christ was born.” That is why we celebrate this season. He makes all things new, and that fills my heart with so much joy. Now before I go off to enjoy this most wonderful holiday with my family (I’ll be taking a week off from blogging), I did want to share three things with you: our Christmas card, our cookie recipe, and a few pictures from my little festive one.
ONE.
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| Front of the card, from Tiny Prints |
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| back of the card |
Ever since the hubs and I have been married, I have loved sending out Christmas cards. Our first year of marriage, I’m pretty sure we sent out regular cards, but every year since, we’ve had a picture with us and Chapman (our pup), and then last year, Charlotte of course stole the show. I love this year’s mini collage of our family (minus Chapman), and I completely love the picture on the back. Little Miss is so focused when she has her mind set on something. She was trying ever so hard to hang that ornament back where she found it. Cutest thing ever.
TWO.
I shared this picture on Instagram/Facebook of our cookie making marathon, and because these cookies turned out so incredibly good, I just have to share the recipe with y’all. Last year, I tried making the “World’s Best Sugar Cookie” recipe I found on Pinterest, and it was not the world’s best. The dough was so sticky we could barely roll it out. This year, we stuck to a tried and true recipe that M grew up with. My MIL has used this recipe for as long as the hubs can remember, so we went that route. He raves about these all year long, so I was happy that we finally got the recipe and have it down. It’s a modified version of the Better Homes and Garden’s Santa’s Whiskers. Seriously, the best cookies we have ever made. Even the icing/glaze is amazing.
Cookie Ingredients
3/4 cup softened butter
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 egg yolk
3 tablespoons milk (we used whole milk)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Directions
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and shortening with an electric mixer. (I used my Kitchen Aid mixer.) Beat on medium to high speed for about 30 seconds.
2. Add in the sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix well and scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally.
3. Next, add in the egg, egg yolk, milk, and vanilla.
4. Gradually add in the flour into the mixer. Mix, then add, mix, then add, until all flour is combined and mixed well.
5. Transfer a quarter of the dough onto wax paper and roll out. Sprinkle the wax paper and cookie cutters with flour for easier handling. Cut out cookies with your favorite cookie cutter design.
6. Place cookies onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Repeat steps 5 & 6 until all dough has been used. (We used several baking sheets and prepped all of the cookies before putting any in the oven.)
8. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees F, until edges are golden brown. Transfer cookies to cooling rack. (Makes about 4 dozen cookies. We doubled this recipe and had over 100 cookies.)
Once the cookies are cool, you can ice them or glaze them. We made our own glaze with this super easy recipe:
Cookie Icing Glaze
powdered sugar
evaporated milk
food coloring
We eye-balled the measurements for this, but in a cup or small bowl, mix about a half cup of powdered sugar and about a tablespoon or less of evaporated milk. Mix. Stir into a consistency that isn’t too runny, and isn’t too thick. You can add food coloring drops for your desired color.
We made these cookies in batches, because our schedule revolves around a toddler. Once all of the cookies cooled for a couple of hours, we moved on to making the glaze and decorating them. It was an all day affair, but a very fun one. It’s definitely a tradition we will continue.
THREE.
Oh Jingle Bells! The many faces of Charlotte Grace.
I’m pretty sure I make this face. She cracks me up.
And all day every day, I have a finger sucker. What in the world am I supposed to do with this problem? She’s too cute for me to get mad about it. I mean, I thought we were doing good when we dropped the paci at five months, but lo and behold, we have a different problem. Any tips on breaking this habit or do you think it’s harmless?
T-shirt: Positively Oakes / Leggings: S.A.K. Threads
And last but not least, her Santa pictures from this year!
Not much different from her Santa picture last year! She just doesn’t like strangers when they are too close. She’ll wave all day, but make her sit in somebody’s lap, and well…sister has a meltdown. I don’t blame her. She still is the cutest little crier ever. However, she did much better when I sat with her. Obviously.
And that’s a Christmas wrap! I am so thankful for each and every one of you who read this blog and follow along and do life with us. You all are always in my prayers and thought of so often. From our family to yours, we hope you all have a VERY, MERRY CHRISTMAS! May your holiday be filled with laughter, love, peace, and hope. God bless you this beautiful season and always! See you next week.
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So cute! Love these sweet pictures. I totally can’t blame her for the reaction to Santa. I still get a little nervous (mascots at a sporting event? I can’t handle it) even in my adult years. Have a Merry Christmas!!
Thanks, Rebecca! I was kinda hesitant to sit next to him, so I totally understand where she’s coming from. Lol. have a very Merry Christmas!
Aw!! I think it’s funny that you find her crying cute– good for you ;) Love your Christmas card and those cookies look so good!
Yep, her crying is hysterical sometimes. She is such a little drama queen. I have no idea where she gets that from. ;) Merry Christmas, Daisy!
Your Santa photo!!! I love it! Hope you three have a wonderfully magical Christmas!!!
P.s. We should exchange cards next year!!! ;)
Haha! Yep, two years in a row and I’m betting it will be like that next year, too. :) Have a very merry Christmas, Alycia! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.
And yes! I need to figure out how to send things to Canada. I tried sending one to Tawnya and failed miserably. Lol.
So cute! Love these sweet pictures. I totally can't blame her for the reaction to Santa. I still get a little nervous (mascots at a sporting event? I can't handle it) even in my adult years. Have a Merry Christmas!!
Aw!! I think it's funny that you find her crying cute– good for you ;) Love your Christmas card and those cookies look so good!
Your Santa photo!!! I love it! Hope you three have a wonderfully magical Christmas!!!
P.s. We should exchange cards next year!!! ;)
Thanks, Rebecca! I was kinda hesitant to sit next to him, so I totally understand where she's coming from. Lol. have a very Merry Christmas!
Yep, her crying is hysterical sometimes. She is such a little drama queen. I have no idea where she gets that from. ;) Merry Christmas, Daisy!
Haha! Yep, two years in a row and I'm betting it will be like that next year, too. :) Have a very merry Christmas, Alycia! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.
And yes! I need to figure out how to send things to Canada. I tried sending one to Tawnya and failed miserably. Lol.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! What a memorable Santa pic :)
Thanks, girls! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful New Year!
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! What a memorable Santa pic :)
Thanks, girls! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful New Year!