Christmas Fun

I borrowed this from Jenni from Living for the Victories.  It sounded fun, and I needed something to post on this little blog of mine! :)

What’s your favorite Christmas Movie?
I can't pick one, but National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and The Santa Clause 2 are at the top of the list.  I also love the made for TV ones.  One of my favorites is still Holiday in Handcuffs from ABC Family (with Melissa Joan Hart & Mario Lopez), and pretty much any one that Candace Cameron Bure is in on the Hallmark Channel.

Have you ever had a white Christmas?
Yes!  Unfortunately, it has been WAY too long since we've had one here in Pennsylvania.  It either snows before Christmas and goes away or we have a mild winter.  Christmas is the ONLY day of the year that I like snow.

Where do you usually spend your holiday?
At my parents' house

What is your favorite Christmas song?
"O Holy Night" and "White Christmas" (But don't get me wrong, I'm obsessed with Christmas music.

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?
No!  Santa hasn't come yet! ;)

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and depending on what story or song it is, there's Rudolph, too!

What holiday traditions are you looking forward to this year?
Food!  :)

Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
Fake.  But I actually sold it this year because it was too big and complicated, and I hated it.  I plan to get a new one when they go on clearance.  My house is a construction zone right now, so I didn't even bother to have one up this year. My parents always have a real one, which I love and appreciate.

What is your all time favourite holiday treat/food/sweet?
Cookies!!!  And pecan pie!

Be honest, do you like giving or receiving gifts better?
Honestly, I think I like both equally.  Who doesn't like getting presents?!  And I love picking out gifts for others and seeing their faces when they open them!

What is the best Christmas present you ever received?
Wow....ever??  Maybe when I was a kid we got the original Nintendo.  That was pretty awesome.  

What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?
Because I do actually like to have a white Christmas, maybe somewhere where there's sure to be snow?

Are you a pro present wrapper or do you fail miserably?
I am horrible.  Gift bags all the way!

Most memorable Christmas moment?
When we were little kids, we had to eat breakfast before opening presents (we still do!).  So my mom would go downstairs and start cooking breakfast, and my brother and I would wait upstairs while my dad got the Christmas records on.  Then he would come upstairs and carry us down one at a time with my blankie over our heads to the breakfast nook so we couldn't see the pile of presents.  I loved those moments of excitement and anticipation!

What made you realize the truth about Santa?
My brother and I always had to wrap our mom's gifts from our dad.  When I was in 3rd grade, we were doing this and even though my mom said not to worry about wrapping her gifts for my dad, we thought we would "help" anyway.  When we got into their closet to get his gifts, we found LOTS of presents.  My mom was so devastated.  They convinced my brother that Santa just needed to drop some off to help out on Christmas morning, but I wasn't a believer after that.  :(

What makes the holidays special for you?
Family, Christmas music, food

Stuff & Things...to Buy Your Child's Teacher

Ok.  I'm copping out here, but today, I was totally thinking about this post I wrote last December.  And I thought, "I should share that for Stuff & Things this week."

And then I forgot that it was actually Thursday.

I was mid-sentence with my students today, talking about what they would be doing tomorrow, and I stopped to say, "Wait, tomorrow is Friday, right?"  Fortunately, tomorrow is Friday.

I digress.

Christmas is coming up, and I have to say that I have had more than one friend who has contacted me over the years and asked what kind of gift they should buy for their child's teacher.  I'm always happy to share my thoughts based on gifts that I have received in the past.

Remember, it is never necessary or required to buy your child's teacher a gift.  But it is a very nice gesture that makes us feel genuinely grateful and appreciated.

Here's my original post.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you and your families.  I hope your day is blessed, and that you are able to spend time with the ones you love!

Music Monday: It's Christmas Week!

It's Christmas Week!  I can't believe that we have almost reached Christmas 2015!  This year had really flown by.

A few years ago, Lady Antebellum released their Christmas Album On this Winter's Night.  I am in love with it.  I was listening to it (for probably the thousandth time) the other day, and I was struck again by two of the tracks that I really love.  I figured it was a good idea to share them here on my little corner of the internet.

This first one is a beautiful arrangement of "Silent Night"

Silent Night (Lord of My Life)

The title track of their album "On this Winter's Night" is incredibly gorgeous!

Have any of you heard this album?  What would your favorite track be?

Music Monday

Every year, I download at least one Christmas album.  This year, I downloaded Bethlehem by Kari Jobe.  Kari is a contemporary Christian music artist.  I recently started listening to songs of hers.  Her voice is beautiful, and she writes truly powerful, worshipful songs.

When I saw that she had a Christmas album, I knew it had to be my download this year.

One of my favorite songs from this album is her version of "O Come, O Come Emanuel."

I hope that you like it as much as I do!

Other songs on the album:
The Christmas Song

What Child is This?

O Holy Night

Silent Night

White Christmas

O Little Town of Bethlehem/Away in a Manger

The First Noel

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I think the whole album was only $8.99 on iTunes.  If you like this song or her voice, I highly recommend a download! :)

Stuff & Things I Want for Christmas

I thought it would be fun to link up with Kristin & Joey today for Stuff & Things!  I decided to share some things on my Christmas wish list this year!

1. Books- I asked for a ton of books this year.  In fact, I was killing time in Barnes & Nobel one day, and I just grabbed my phone and started making a list of books I wanted.

2. Alex and Ani bracelets- I'm obsessed with these!  I just started my collection.  So far, I have the "B" initial.  I have a September birthstone and the elephant one on their way.  I also have a similar bracelet from Jewelry in Candles.  Theirs are called Crysalis.  The one I chose has a Christmas tree on it.  I liked this picture because I thought it looked pretty, but I only want the bracelets in silver.

3. Miller Throwback Jersey- Make fun if you must, but I think the Throwback Jerseys (aka Bumblebee jerseys) are fun!

4. Victoria's Secret The Dreamer Henley Pajama- I have 2 pairs of these already.  My newest pair came with a sleep mask and fit better than the first pair (my first pair is too big).  They are super cute and comfy!  I like this color, as well.

5. iTunes gift card- I have a bunch of music I would like to download.  I didn't want to go overboard, so I asked my brother for either the albums or an iTunes gift card so I could download them myself.

6.  Remote Car Starter- Seriously.  There is nothing more irritating than running out to start my car before leaving for work.  It's not just about liking to have a warm car when it's cold out.  In winter time, it's usually a necessity to heat up the windshield to more easily rid it of snow and/or ice before driving.  I will typically throw on whatever shoes are handy and run out to start it, but when it gets REALLY cold, I need to bundle up, go out, start the car, take off the bundling, finish getting ready, bundle back up....Get my point?

What is on your wish list this Christmas?

Teacher Thoughts: Gifts for the Teacher

Happy first day of December!  Now that this magical month is here, I thought it would be a good idea to use this segment of Teacher Thoughts to share some great gift ideas for teachers!

(Or at least great gift ideas for this teacher.)

I have gotten some great gifts over the years.  I am always truly grateful for the gifts I receive from my students.  In truth, they don't have to get me anything.  So it's very touching when they do.  Some of the gift ideas below are gifts I have received or gifts that would be great for the teacher(s) on your shopping list this year!

1. Candles
I have never been disappointed with the gift of a candle.  Scott and I love burning them at the house, so he gets to benefit from this gift, too!  Even better than a regular candle?  Jewelry in Candles!  I'm obsessed with these right now.  (You can choose the type of jewelry that's included in the candle, and it's SO fun to be surprised!)

Naughty or Nice candle

2. Restaurant Gift Cards
There are few things that make me happy as much as going out to eat.  If I don't have to cook, I'm a happy camper.  The only thing that makes going out to eat better is going out to eat for FREE (or for less than we would have paid without a gift card)!  Scott and I have been to The Olive Garden, Applebee's, and many other restaurants for a treat thanks to the generosity of my students' families.

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3. Scarves, hats, gloves
Some of my favorite winter weather items have actually been gifts from my students.  It can be scary to buy these things for someone you really don't know because you want them to match their coats or be colors you like.  Ask your kids.  They will be very likely to know the color of their teachers' coats and/or what their favorite colors are.  Still unsure?  Include a gift receipt!  The worst thing that happens is that the teacher can take it back and exchange it for something else.

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4.  Barnes & Noble Gift Card
This is a little specific.  I suppose it could be a gift card to any book store.  I just happen to love Barnes & Noble, and I LOVE it when I get a gift card!!  The best part about this is that the teacher can choose to use the gift card to buy books for the classroom or him/herself.  Since I teach 6th grade, sometimes that's one and the same thing.  I have purchased books, read them myself, and added them to my classroom library.

Barnes & Noble Gift Card

5. Bottle of wine
I've never gotten this.  I suppose it's probably not acceptable for your child to bring an alcoholic beverage to school.  But if you happen to know your child's teacher well enough, or don't mind making a trip.  You could always drop it off in a gift bag at the office.....or a gift card in an envelope would suffice here.

Fellow teachers, what are some gifts you like (or would like) to get from your students?

Parents, what are some of your favorite gifts to give to your children's teachers?

It's Christmas Eve Eve!

My friend, Kristin, posted this survey on her blog the other day, and since it pertains to all things Christmas, I decided I'd share it, too!

Before Christmas…

Do you send out Christmas cards?
I do! A couple of years ago, I realized that just because we didn't have kids, doesn't mean we can't send out picture cards!  So I use pictures of Scott and I from the beginning of the year until Halloween or Thanksgiving.  It's like a family newsletter without all the boring words! ;)

How soon do you start shopping?
I always have these ambitions of getting everything done by the end of November.  In reality, I don't usually end up shopping until the month of November.  

Do you have a lot of gifts to buy?

Not a ton.  Since we don't have kids, it's just one or two things for friends and family.  When my friends started having kids, I used to try to send a little something to all of them, but that's just become impossible these days! lol

Do you bake cookies?
Yes, I do!  This year, my friend, Kim, and I spent a Saturday in November baking!  I made Gluten Free Oatmeal cookies for Scott, and then we made chocolate chip, Grandma's Cut Out Cookies, Peanut Butter Blossoms, and Lady Locks (a pie-type pastry filled with frosting).  Then we froze everything until we needed them!

Decorations…

Do you put up a Christmas tree?
I didn't this year.  :(  We are constantly and forever working on remodeling our house.  The current forever-long project is our upstairs bathroom.  So Scott has tools and parts and a ton of other stuff in the room where I put up the tree.  It just wasn't worth the stress this year.  

If so, is it fake or real? 
Our tree is fake. 

Do you like tinsel?
Only in garland form!  (I have to agree with Kristin on this one, but I don't actually put any on my tree....)

Do you use homemade or store bought ornaments? 
For the past couple of years, it was a mixture of both because my mom gave me all of the ornaments that I made as a kid or that were bought for me when I was little.  This year, had I put up my tree, it was going to be all store bought ornaments.  Last year, when ornaments were on clearance, I got two sets of ornaments that are pink, silver, and lime green.  I just need a couple sets of all purple ornaments, and my tree next year is going up come hell or high water!! 

Do you put Christmas lights outside your house?

*sigh* I tried this year.  I haven't yet.  Every year, I say I will.  This year, I wrapped some pine garland around the banisters, and I started to put up a set of lights.  Things weren't working out, and once I finally figured how I could have them all strung together, the sets I had (given to us by Scott's mom) were half-out, and I just threw in the towel.  The lights are ancient and are really hard to check to switch out the bulbs.  Scott is also Mr. Scrooge, so I didn't want to spend any more money to get lights this year.  Clearance sales....look out!

Do you put lights on the tree? 
Of course!  I used to use the above lights when I put up the tree.  They were colored.  For my specific color theme, I decided to grab clear lights.

How about popcorn and cranberries?
No.  Who has time for that?

Is there a wreath hanging on your door?
I DID, at least, get a wreath on my door!  I made that myself.  SUPER easy!

#regram Day 21: #decorations I've already shared this, but it's the only decoration I have up this year! Also, I skipped Day 20 because for many reasons, I didn't put up our tree this year. #decemberphotoaday

A photo posted by Becky (@rebeckann2) on Dec 12, 2014 at 9:25am PST

  

Christmas Eve…

Do you celebrate it?
Is Santa jolly?  lol  My family has always gotten together on Christmas Eve.  When we were little, it used to be at my parents' house.  For probably 10 years or so, it's been at my aunt and uncle's house.  We just get together to eat and talk....some of our best abilities.  When I was younger, my nana used to make us grab bags of stuff she picked up throughout the year.  My brother referred to them as Nana's Bag O' Stuff.  It summed it up pretty well.  

Do you hang up your stocking?
I have in past years, but as we have discussed, I kind of threw in the towel on decorating this year.

Have you ever left cookies out for Santa?
When I was little, of course! 

Favorite…

Christmas Movie?
Just ONE!?  Are you kidding me!?  Ok, I'd have to say it's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  White Christmas with Bing Crosby is a CLOSE second.  I also love the Santa Clause movies, the first two Home Alone movies, and the classic cartoons!  And have you seen some of the made for TV movies on ABC Family and The Hallmark Channel??  Holiday in Handcuffs is one of my favorite ABC Family Originals.  

Character from any Christmas Movie?
I would have to say, I do love Scott Calvin (aka Santa Claus) from the Santa Clause movies.

Christmas Song?
This one is easier, surprisingly, because you all know how much I love Christmas music.  But every time I'm asked, I always have the same answer: my favorite religious Christmas song is "O, Holy Night" and my favorite non-religious song is "White Christmas."

Christmas Memory?
I love thinking back to when I was little.  My brother and I would wake up my parents, and Mom would go down to make breakfast, and Dad would go put on the Christmas records.  Then when breakfast was ready, my dad would carry us each down the stairs with my blanket over our heads so we couldn't see the gifts under the tree yet.  We HAD to eat breakfast before presents (and we STILL do!).  I also loved when we would decorate for Christmas together because my dad would play Christmas music and we would all pitch in.

Christmas Cookie?
I haven't met many cookies I don't like.  But chocolate chip and peanut butter blossoms are always at the top of my list. :)

This or That…

Give or Receive?
I love giving gifts!

Ham or Turkey?
I always take both, but I like ham more!

Star or Angel?
I have a star.

White Lights or Coloured Lights?
White lights for my tree....colored for outside

Blinking Lights or Still Lights?
Still.  For goodness sake.  The blinking lights are unnecessary.

Were you Naughty or Nice this year?
I'm gonna say mostly nice....I think.

Presents…

What do you want for Christmas this year?
I really, really, really want a FitBit.  I asked my parents for one.  If I don't get it, it is highly likely that I will buy one for myself.  lol

When do you open your gifts?
Christmas morning with my parents and brother.  Scott usually works on Christmas, and this year is no exception. He's on night shift.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten?
I honestly don't know...I would say that getting my keyboard a few years ago was pretty awesome.  I had been wanting one for YEARS, and if I would've been able to have one when I was in high school, I might be a much better piano player today....

What’s the worst gift you’ve ever gotten?
I honestly don't think that I've ever gotten something that I've hated.  A few times, my mom has gotten me clothes that I loved, but didn't fit. 

Do you like wrapping gifts?
No!  I'm currently taking a break from this right now.  And I'm totally cheating this year.  Almost everything I'm giving is in a gift bag! 

Random…

Can you name all the reindeer?
Uh yeah.  Who can't: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen.

Have you ever gotten a kiss under the mistletoe?
No!

Do you go caroling?
I have.  It's not a regular thing.  Two years ago, my family went to sing for my uncle's mom and then my grandfather.  I'm so glad we did because they both passed away the following summer within a couple weeks of each other.  It's a sad, but fond memory for me. 

Do you drive around and look at the Christmas lights? 

Not intentionally these days, but it was one of my favorite things to do at Christmas with my family!

Have you ever had a white Christmas?
Yes, but it's been awhile.  And it looks like it's not going to happen this year either.  :(

Who do you celebrate Christmas with?

My family...since Scott is usually working.  This year, I am going to stop by to see his family for a bit.

Have you ever had your picture taken with Santa? 
I'm sure I have.  Not since I was little, though!

What part of Christmas do you look most forward to?
Being with my family.  We love each other's company.  We all make good food, and it's fun watching the kids open their gifts.  

Music Monday: The Night Before...the Night Before...the Night Before Christmas

So I might have gotten carried away with the title, but I couldn't resist.  That's where we are on this Monday night, and I'm blogging in real time for a few reasons:

1) I've been scarce around these parts.  I've been trying my best to read and comment on the blogs I love, but writing my own blog posts has not been a priority for me as of late.

2) Today was my last day of work, and I'm officially on Christmas break.

3) I couldn't let it be the Monday before Christmas and not write some more about Christmas music, and this is a post I thought of a couple of weeks ago.

So I was singing away to the Christmas music on my way to work the other day, and I started to think, "If I ever got to record a Christmas album, what songs would I want to sing?"

Here's what I came up with (and in parentheses, I note my favorite versions, where appropriate):

1. White Christmas (Bing Crosby)

2. Merry Christmas, Darling (Karen Carpenter)

3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

4. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Dean Martin & Doris Day) I would want to sing this with: Blake Shelton or Adam Levine....just to be clear.

5. All I want for Christmas is You (Lady Antebellum)

6. Do You Hear What I Hear (Glee Cast) This version is a gorgeous duet that wasn't featured in the show, and also doesn't seem to actually feature any of the cast members I recognize.  Anyway, I think I'd like to sing it with Lea Michele.

7. Silent Night

8. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

9. Winter Wonderland

10. O, Holy Night

On an impulse, I actually recorded and posted a YouTube video of me singing "O, Holy Night" acapella. 

It is my plan to blog a bit more over the next couple of days, and definitely more over my break from work!

But just in case my plans fall through, I wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! :)

Music Monday: Did I Really Listen to That?

I know some of you think it's too early for Christmas music, but not here in my world!  :)  I know that I usually rave about songs and/or albums that I love at Christmas. 

Today, I talk about one that I wish I hadn't wasted my time listening to.  Luckily, I bought it at a yard sale (from my brother, nonetheless) for $1.  

I'm not a huge Kenny Chesney fan.  In fact, I wouldn't even rank him in my Top 10  20 country artists.  I like some of his songs that they play on country radio.  Because of that, my love for country music, and my love for Christmas music, I decided to give this CD a try.

I hated it.  Even the traditional carols weren't very good.  For me, I think this was because they were slowed down unnecessarily.  I mean, I'm sorry, but "Jingle Bells" is supposed to be a pretty upbeat and peppy song, Kenny.  What were you thinking?

And while I do love Bing Crosby's version of "Mele Kalikimaka," I'm not otherwise a huge song of island-y, tropical Christmas songs.  I know that not everyone lives where there's snow, but doesn't everyone still want a white Christmas?!  ("Mele Kalikimaka" doesn't bother me because it's specifically stating that this is the Hawaiian Christmas greeting.  AND it's Bing Crosby!).  So the title track was just irritating to me.  Not to mention that it's really not the most grammatically correct title.

There are actually two redeeming songs on this album.  "Christmas in Dixie" features Randy Owen.  I'm not sure if it's because it's one I've heard before or if it's because there's less on Kenny Chesney singing in the song, but this one is pretty good.  "Just a Kid" is also a beautiful song with a really good message to it.  I just think it would be a million times better is someone else was actually singing it.


Have you heard this album?  What did you think?

Music Monday: It's that Time of Year!

Somehow, I managed to be so busy that it has been close to a month since I've written a blog post!  Sheesh.  Today, is an in-service day that we don't actually have to attend.  I know.  It makes no sense.  Long story short, we stay after school for a total of 7.25 hours over two days to do parent-teacher conferences so that we actually don't have to go to work today.

Anyway without further adieu...

Every year it gets harder and harder for me to wait to start listening to Christmas music.  I know, I know.  There are some of you out there who just cringed.  But the fact is that I love Christmas music.  It's not that I don't appreciate other holidays.  Scott and I had a great time getting dressed up and going out on Halloween.  And I LOVE Thanksgiving.  In fact, I've come to appreciate Thanksgiving more than Christmas.  There's less stress, less pressure, less disappointment on Thanksgiving.  That being said, as soon as November 1st arrives, I'm ready for my Christmas tunes.  I mean, it's not like they even HAVE Thanksgiving music.

I saw this on Facebook:

This is the truth.  The music stations on DirecTV add a Christmas channel.  Hallmark starts showing Christmas movies, and the season of love, joy, and peace begins!  

Scott is not a huge fan of Christmas music, so unfortunately, I did not get to listen to Christmas music on our way home from our Halloween night out.  

In my family growing up, my dad would start to play Christmas music on November 1st, and that was when we would start watching Christmas movies together.  Last year, I walked into my parents' home, and my brother immediately asked me to name the first Christmas album that each of us would pick to play when the season begins.  

It was pretty easy to do.  Here are my family's go-to first-album-of-the-season Christmas albums.

(Let me also be clear that these are all albums we originally listened to on RECORDS.  :)  A few years ago, my dad transferred all of the albums to CDs so now I can take them anywhere. )

Me: The Beach Boys Christmas Album

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I do actually have this on a CD my dad didn't make.  It includes bonus tracks with songs that were not from this album originally and remakes of some of the original songs.  I will not lie: I usually stop listening after the original album's concluding song: "Auld Lang Syne."

My brother, David: Merry Snoopy's Christmas

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I always tease him and say that this isn't really a Christmas album because there are "unChristmasy" songs on it.  But that doesn't mean I love it any less.  

Mom: Kenny Rogers: Christmas

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This is another one of my favorites.  Hearing the beginning notes of the first song on the album always make my heart leap because it really feels like Christmas!

Dad: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sings Christmas Carols

I certainly can't say that I don't enjoy any of these albums.  I love them all!  They always remind me of Christmases growing up.  We would play them while we decorated for Christmas and on Christmas morning...so many good memories.

This does not mean that I don't look for new music to listen to!  Over the past few years, I've downloaded two Glee Christmas albums and Kelly Clarkson's new album last year.  This year, I added two more albums to my collection.

Idina Menzel- Holiday Wishes

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Because, um, yeah.  Have you heard her sing?!

Michael W. Smith- The Spirit of Christmas

This is a really cool album because Michael collaborates with a bunch of other artists!  Michael W. Smith is a Christian music performer who has been making albums for YEARS.  He has a unique voice that I've always loved, and I've always had a crush on him!  If you haven't heard any of his music before, I suggest starting with his Christmas albums.  :)

So...what's your go-to Christmas album?  Have you added anything new to your collection this year?

Music Monday: The Servant of the Lord

On Friday, the lovely Susannah from Simple Moments Stick hosted her monthly Faith & Fellowship link up.  This month's topic is "The Servant of the Lord."  It is so fitting for this time of year to reflect on Mary and how she so willingly and without question accepted God's plan for her.....

....carrying a baby when she was an unmarried virgin woman.

Whoa.

In case you're not aware, that was kind of a huge "No, no" back in Mary's time.

Here's what happened:

"God sent the angel Gabriel....to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin's name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.'  
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus....'  
'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'
The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God....'
'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered.  'May your word to me be fulfilled.'"  (Luke 1:26-31; 34-35; 38 NIV)

Mary doesn't go all.....human....on the angel.  She only asks one question.  She wants to know how it will happen since she's a virgin.  She doesn't ask, "Are you sure the Lord wants me?" or "Do I have to?".  She doesn't say, "That sounds nice, but no thank you."  or "But what will everyone think about me?".  She DOES say, "'I am the Lord's servant....May your word to me be fulfilled."

What does this have to do with music, since it is, in fact, Music Monday?

I sang this song in church on Sunday.  It's called "You're Here".  It's a song by Francesca Battistelli, and it's about Mary on the night Jesus was born.

Of course, we don't know for sure if Mary knew the ultimate sacrifice that baby Jesus would pay by dying on the cross to save our sins, but she sacrificed her reputation, the possibility of losing her fiance, and her body to bring the Savior into the world.

Without question.

If only we could be the humble Servants of the Lord that Mary was.

Live & Learn Thursday: Grandma's Cut Out Cookies

 

I have just been full of recipes lately.  The lovely ladies who host this blog are going to expect this all the time....

 

I can't make any promises.  I've just been baking because it's the holidays.

 

Today, I'm going to share with you a recipe that's been in my family for as long as I can remember.  My mom's sister was moving last summer, and in order to reduce her belongings, she bestowed on me the cookie cutters we use to make my Grandma's cut out cookies.  We've made them since I was little.  My brother, mom, and I would go over to my aunt's and bake cookies all day.  (I was SO excited when I was old enough to make the chocolate chip cookies all by myself!) 

 

Last year, we made them together at my mom's house, but this year, time is just not on our side.  My brother basically said it wasn't Christmas if no one made these cookies.  So I did.  It's the first time I've ever made them by myself, and I have to say, they turned out pretty well!

 

Here's how:

 

Grandma's Cut Out Cookies

Cookie Ingredients

• 1 c. butter, softened (2 sticks)
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 c. white sugar
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder (PLEASE NOTE: baking powder, NOT baking soda)
• 4 eggs

Frosting Ingredients

• 4 cups confectioners sugar
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter or shortening*
• 5 T milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• Food coloring (optional)

*I used butter.

 

The cookies:

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

 

2. Cream butter and sugars.

 

Before

After

2. Add vanilla and beat in eggs.

 

Before

After

3. Add salt, baking powder, and flour.

 

Before

 

After

4.  Turn out the dough onto a floured surface.  (The dough WILL be sticky, but I promise, it won't stay that way!)

 

 

5. Knead it a bit in the flour until it is no longer sticky.  Then roll it out and begin using your desired cookie cutter!

 

I started with angels. :)

It is horrifying how awful my oven looks....

 

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Here are my different variations:

Please forgive me now for the horrible condition of my cookie sheets....

Christmas trees

Santa

Stars

And I also made bells (see picture of completed cookies).  I must have been getting tired at this point. 

 

A few things I learned before I tell you about the frosting.

~Some of my cookies are a little thinner (therefore crispier) than others.  I clearly rolled the dough a little too thin for some cookies, and absolutely perfect for others. 

~If your cookies are thin like my stars and Santas are, you may want to knock a couple of minutes off of the cooking time.  (Try 8 minutes.)

~Putting flour on my counter stresses me out.  It was messy....fun....but a little insane.

~I need to buy new cookie sheets if I'm going to take pictures of food on them....

 

The Icing:

 

1. Cream sugar and butter (or shortening) until smooth.

 

I swear there's butter underneath all of that powdered sugar!  (See down in the bottom left of the bowl!)

2. Gradually mix in milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff (about 5 minutes).

 

During

After

 

3.  Spoon out desired amounts into bowls and add food coloring if desired.  Mix with a spoon, and spread on each cookie with a butter knife. 

 

This is just my share of the cookies.  The other half went to my parents and brother. :)

Things I learned about the frosting.

1.  This may be a tad thinner than it should be.  But I literally used the rest of the bag of powdered sugar I had, and I couldn't have done anything about it if I wanted to.  SO have plenty on hand.

2. I also somehow had A LOT more frosting than we had last year.  I followed the same recipe, but we had to keep making more.  I ended up throwing a lot away.  It bothers me just to talk about it.  I don't like being wasteful, but once this stuff hardens up, I'm not sure you can really use it again anyway.

3.  It takes a lot of red food coloring to make Santa red and not pink.  That red was at least 25 drops. 

 

I know this post was long!  Thanks for sticking with me!  I hope you give these cut outs a try!  I'd love to hear about it if you do!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)