Christmas Cutout Cookies

It's December 21, just 4 days until Christmas and the last week of an attempt at a Christmas blog hop with some of my bloggy friends. I am supposed to be the host of the cookie week and I have not fulfilled my duties...


Now to be fair, my oven IS broken and I did deal with a stomach bug with 3 of my kids over the last week... but I did know about this intended post over a month ago so you would think I would have had it written well ahead of time. But I didn't...

I have so many awesome cookie recipes that I could share with you. But I'm just going to stick with one today... Maybe next year I'll do a cookie post each week! :)

As a little background... I don't EVER remember doing cut out cookies as a kid. Yes, I have lived a deprived childhood, or else I have a terrible memory ... Mom??? Sisters??? did we do cut outs?

Then I met and married my ruggedly handsome husband, and he introduced me to Sour Cream Cutouts. And I thought, "Seriously? you put sour cream in your cookies?  ... AND the frosting?!?! and it tastes good??" But you do, and it does tastes great (when I can get the frosting to turn out right).

Now my poor 4 1/2 quart Kitchenaid isn't quite big enough for all the flour, sugar, butter and sour cream that goes into this, but I make it work! :)


Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
4 sticks butter
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream
7 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Cream together sugar and butter; Mix in eggs, vanilla and sour cream; Then add flour one cup at a time mixed with baking powder and salt. Chill batter over night.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Split batter into 4-5 portions for rolling out. on a lightly floured surface, roll out the batter to desired thickness. Cut out cookies in all different shapes and place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 minutes.

Frosting ingredients (must be at room temperature)
1 cup sour cream
1 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
tons of powdered sugar

Mix first 3 ingredients together. Add enough powdered sugar to thicken frosting to the desired spreadability. (seriously, that is what the recipe from my in-laws says, given to me 14 years ago on my first Christmas as a married woman) ... not even a ballpark figure of 4 cups or something! :)  Thin enough to spread, but thick enough to stay where you want it. Separate into smaller bowls and add coloring as desired.

I take the most pictures of the cutting and  decorating steps. My kids have so much fun (especially when I get over my perfectionism and let them decorate however they want!)




It really is one of our favorite recipes and we've been known to make a batch at Easter, or Valentine's Day, or in the Fall ... I really must invest in some summer themed cutters so we can make them in July!!

Printable Recipe




I would love to have you share one of your favorite Christmas Cookie recipes with us...






Also, share in the comments some of the must-have cookies for your house during Christmas!

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Deck the Halls for Christmas

I was originally going to use this post to share about my awesome new ornament wreath that I made... but alas, it didn't turn out quite like I expected. But here's a picture of it. It doesn't quite fit in my door when you close the door, so it's hanging in my hall... and I could use a few more ornaments to fill in the top! :)




I love our tree this year. We got all new lights this year. We (I mean, my dear husband) got tired of messing with all the strands that only half worked and kept fritzing out on us, so we splurged and bought LED lights (while they were on sale). Like I told you a few weeks ago, my kids decorated the tree without me and I think they did a great job!  I did decide that it needed some tinsel, so I hunted some down the last time I went shopping and added it to the tree. I think our tree this year is just perfect!! I can't wait to add some presents under it... My husband says I have to wait until Christmas Eve. Problem is, I think it has already stopped drinking water and I'm not sure we will have any needles left in 2 weeks!  :)



Another part of my Christmas decor that I just LOVE is my "mantle." It is really just a shelf with some hooks on it, but I love it and try to change it for each season. I kept it super simple this year with greenery, white lights, a small nativity and a beautiful print from Be Small Studios.



I have a few other items, here and there. I pulled out a few Christmas pot holders and towels for the kitchen. And I have some fancy Christmas serving dishes that might make an appearance before the end of the month. I also rearranged my Dayspring Message Blocks for Christmas... :)

Do you go all out in decorating? Or mostly just a tree? or somewhere in between like me?  feel free to share a link of your decor in the comments!!

Still trying to share a little bit of Christmas with you through a blog hop... check out these lovely ladies for more Christmas delight...
Jennifer
Katharine
Zohary

Christmas Traditions

What is it about the word tradition that just conjures up happy thoughts?

Traditions and Christmas often go hand-in-hand. From my childhood it resurrects decadent cream cheese brownies, peanut butter balls (a little different from buckeyes), and funky cookies that only mom liked. I remember the Christmas decorations popping up sporadically and we would rush in the house after school anxious to see who could discover the newest Christmas accent to fill our home.

I remember the Jesus box, typically a Christmas wrapped shoe box with a slit on top, sitting in the living room all of December for each family member to add money throughout the month. And mom and dad deciding who to bless with our gift to Jesus at Christmas time.

I remember new pajamas every Christmas Eve, stockings, Christmas cards and presents. I don't ever remember lacking.

I also have no memory of family excursions to pick out the Christmas tree. All I can remember is it appearing in our living room while we were at school.

I remember singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" as we tromped down the stairs to "wake" mom and dad, although Dad had already had his first cup of tea and Mom had the monkey bread ready for the oven.

I remember sitting in anticipation, looking at all the gifts under the trees as I tried to listen (and focus on my father's reading of the Christmas story. Some years it seemed very long. That was probably the year I got the Hot Wheels motorized race track for Christmas. (I spent quite a few years of my childhood being a tomboy).

I remember the fake mistletoe in the hallway, and the angel on top of the tree --always an angel.

I remember bringing some of these traditions into my new family at marriage --still the angel on top of the tree. Still the scrambled eggs and monkey bread for Christmas morning breakfast.

But all the cookies, they come from his family traditions, except the cream cheese brownies. I finally attempted them myself just 2 years ago!

And we read the Christmas story before we open gifts.  But for us, It's a family excursion to get the Christmas tree. It may be precut, but it's still a fun adventure.


Our pastor spoke on traditions this week... on spiritual family traditions from 1 Peter.
1. Establish a God-Fearing Life
2. Establish a Heart-Felt Love
3. Establish a Word-Focused Longing

Do you have any of these spiritual traditions?
What Christmas traditions do you have from childhood?
and what new ones are you creating with your kids?

this is a late addition to the Christmas bloghop I'm participating in with some of my blog friends...
Be sure to visit Katharine... she's our host this week!!.

Celebrating Advent

Advent is sneaking up on me, not that I haven't been aware of it...  It's just that I am letting the URGENT overtake the important ... is that how the saying goes?  There always just seems to be ONE more thing that is screaming for my attention... and then there is the unimportant and the un-urgent that just seems to be the easy thing to do.

So here it is just a few days before December, and I want to let you, my friends and readers, know what I hope to accomplish in the next month in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.

First off, is a fun little blog hop, each week with a different focus! We would love to have you join us.  Each week there will be a link up on the host's blog. Write a post about that them and add yours to the list! We look forward to celebrating with you.

Week one: Advent hosted by Zohary
Week two: Traditions hosted by Katharine
Week three: Decor hosted by Jen
Week four: Cookies hosted by Yours Truly

This first week is all about Advent...

Last year, I participated in a great community called Truth in the Tinsel. I call it a community because we did share pictures and encourage each other on facebook. It was an Advent Experience, just like the ebook says!  When I decided to give it a go last year, I was a little apprehensive. I am a perfectionist. I have four kids. Nothing ever turns out perfect... especially crafts! I have a knack for starting things and never finishing them.  However, THIS we actually finished and we actually enjoyed it (most days) and Yes, we did double up on a few days and I did fudge a few crafts. But that's the beauty of it! There are plenty of options for you to choose from and it's easy to find one that fits your schedule.

and this year, Amanda has added printable ornaments (for $3.99) for those of you that don't do crafts!

The ebook itself is just $7.99 and you can use it year after year... and your kids will love you for it!! My kids have already started asking me when we are going to start the ornaments... I better get on that! :) Or maybe we can just re-use last year's ornaments!

For more on Truth in the Tinsel (and some cute pictures of my kids' ornaments) you can check out...
my review last year
my first update
my second update

...


For myself this year, I am going to work my way through Walking to Bethlehem. It was written by my dear friend Katherine, and although I received an advance copy to review, I just wanted to wait until December to really dig into it during the Advent season.

I love her style of writing and I haven't read one devotional that didn't just meet me where I was! She's amazing like that! Check out her book, Grace and Fresh Ink, too. It would be a great way to start the new year.




I also have two freebies to mention:

Just got notice of this one today! It's More Than Candy by SarahMae, free to email subscribers on her blog.  As a child I remember the Hershey Kiss Advent ribbon that we used EVERY year (and I loved it) but I also remember doing "more than candy," like our Jesus box that we put money in all month long and then found someone to bless it with for Christmas. Can't wait to check this one out! :)

and a free family devotional with Jesse Tree ornaments from Ann Voskamp. "I want a Christmas that you can hold."


So many options, and while I know I can't do them all, I still want to try. So would you pick one or two and join me in this Advent Journey?!?!  
Let me know which one you are going to use... or if you have another Advent tradition, please share it in the comments!


ps. this post does contain affiliate links, but I would share them anyway...

Blog Bash 2011

I love parties... they normally mean food!  However, this is a Blog Bash and I am going to have to make and provide my own food for this one because it's all online!

Courtney from WomenLivingWell is our beautiful host for this blog party.  She listed some categories of  blogger types and right away I was stumped... I am not sure I see myself in any of these categories exclusively. If you are a regular reader of my blog, tell me in the comments what category you see me in!

The categories are:

Devotional and Inspirational Bloggers {I try to be "inspirational"}

Recipe Bloggers {I occasionally post a good recipe (or at least link up to some good ones)}
Marriage and Family Bloggers {I am all for marriage and family, but that's not really what I blog about}

Homeschool Bloggers  {I don't homeschool}

Health/Fitness/Beauty Bloggers  {There is no health, fitness or beauty going on here}

Organizing, Decorating, and Crafty Bloggers  {I am improving my decorating skills and I love being crafty... but mostly paper crafts}

Adoption Bloggers  {I am not pursuing adoption... although I am thankful for my adoption into the family of God}

Foreign or Missionary Bloggers {I am not foreign/missionary}

Money Saver, Product Review and Giveaway Bloggers  {I would love to do product review and giveaways, but haven't gotten into it yet}

So to sum it up, I see myself as a sometimes Crafty, sometimes Inspirational blogger, with some recipes thrown in, who is also open to giveaways!

In case you want to know a little bit about me... Random things

In case you want to see some of my cards ... my posts w/ cards  

It's way past time for a new family photo, but here's a pic of my family this summer!

and a few more random things about me...

I am on a Psych rerun kick (hurray for Netflix)... which makes blog writing take twice as long! :)

I have chickens (3 hens and rooster...which wasn't supposed to be a rooster)

I wish I was at Relevant but didn't have the guts to ask my hubby if I could go

so say "hi" in the comments and let me know what brings you back to a blog and then go join the party!!!

Still figuring it out

Today, I am joining up with 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party!  It's an "introduce yourself, get to know other bloggers, put your name or business out there" kind of party ... as far as I can tell!




So anyway, I have a blog... but I am not sure that makes me a blogger! :)  I started blogging back in 2004 on Xanga with the blog name Parresia. this is why... "Parresia - Is Bible Greek for "confidence." It can be found in 1 John 5:14. I am learning and yearning to be confident in His strength for my daily life."  I feel like that is still where I am.
Last year I made the switch to Blogger in an attempt to connect with more bloggers out there. I also wanted to use it for exposure to my Artfire stationery store (more on that in a minute) so I chose the name "Whimsical Words" only the URL was taken so I went with whimsywords.blogspot.com ... are you confused yet?   I am!! and the problem is I haven't figured out what I want my blog to be about!

So here are some things you will find here...

I am counting my 1000gifts with Ann from A Holy Experience every Monday (or Tuesday, when I get sidetracked)
I make handmade notecards... and I love it! so I often show my most recent creations!  I would like to make it profitable financially, but it is mostly a hobby!  My family LOVES my cards, and I just made 2 sales from friends this week, so I won't complain!  You can see my shop here... or "Like" my facebook page here.

I love to take pictures and am attempting Project365 this year, so you will see lots of AMATEUR photos on this site.
I would like to be a better wife and mom, so occasionally there are posts reflecting that.
I am memorizing Scripture and share that here, too.
and when I can't think of anything else, or when I only have 5 minutes I join The Gypsy Mama on Fridays!!

Just a little more about me! I am a wife to a ruggedly handsome, hard working man!  I am mama to four kids (ages 3-7 1/2), I am a papercrafter, I like to take pictures, I sometimes think the grass is greener (although right now my grass is still buried under snow!) on the other side of the fence, but I know that God has plans for me here... I am still figuring it out! ... and I drink coffee!

So thanks for stopping by... I love affirmation, so feel free to say HI! :)
I would also love for you to follow my blog
follow me on twitter,
and "Like" my Whimsical Words facebook page

 

PS... should I do a giveaway of my handmade cards???

Blizzard Blog Hop

Well, it has been a week since I have blogged... so I needed some incentive... The Blizzard Blog Hop was just what I needed!



I have been wasting too much time on Twitter the last few days enjoying all the tweets on #Blissdom and while I have been blogging on and off for over 6 years, I don't feel quite qualified for a blogging conference, so it's fun to just watch and learn from others!!  (and wonder how they do it!)

So my "About Me" post still isn't done, even after all this time, so I guess I will just tell you a little bit about myself.  I am thinking my blogging is struggling because I haven't found my "niche" yet... anybody wanna help me???

I started blogging over on Xanga all those years ago, before blogging was cool, as an outlet. I was a new stay-at-home mom, and I used it to share stories and pics of my baby to long distance family... over the years it has ebbed and flowed, and now I want to narrow my focus and make it a blog worth subscribing to! :)  Recently I switched to blogger and I am still trying to figure it all out!!

Here are some of the things I love.... counting my blessings, taking pictures,

crafting handmade/handstamped notecards, (and maybe someday selling them on a larger scale)

learning to enjoy my husband and children,

learning from Scripture, connecting with other moms and other crafters.

So if you are interested in helping me find my niche, or just becoming friends... feel free to subscribe!!  and hopefully I will get a chance to check out all the Blizzard Blog Hop posts over at Household 6 Diva!


PS... I also haven't figured out the best way to reply to all the nice comments I get, so know that I love and read every comment I get(and if you can help me reply, let me know!)