I've missed everyone

In case anyone is wondering, I've been MIA for a few days. And there has been lot's of action!
It all started last Sunday as I was reading Granny's blog. Granny (who I adore), wrote a fantastic Sunday Scribblings about the tradition of making photo calendars for her family. Well! I hardly got finished with my comment to her, when the light bulb went off. I excitedly and impulsively hopped over to snapfish and began learning how to create a calendar gift the easier way. I still can't imagine creating one from scratch the way Hip Gran does it! It was still pretty damn time consuming the snapfish way, although maybe there were shortcuts I didn't know I could take. Once I had one done I began another for my Mom. This is such a great gift idea! I love that they let you 'fill in' your calendar with important dates too! I was able to customize it to have All my moms grandkids, kids and relatives b.d.s. This will make remembering everyone so much easier for her, as she is getting up there in years. ( who am i kidding, I still call HER to ask when my relatives birthdays are!)
After the first night of working on this, They offered a free shipping coupon! I happily used it and saved 6 bucks. The second calendar was done and I typed in the same coupon code. It wouldn't let you apply it to another calendar. Quick thinking, I popped in on Couponcabin.com Sure enough, there were many promotional codes and I was able to save 5 bucks on the second. I am giving this information, because I am assuming EVERYONE is going to go make a calendar when they 'feel' my excitement! This year, we are trying to cut a few corners, spend a lot less, as I know many are doing. To me, Nothing is as special as a gift that took a lot of thought and time and contains the beautiful memories of family photos. I just HOPE the receivers of my gifts will feel as moved by them as I do giving them. Thanks so much for the inspiration Granny Smith!

Besides being up till 1 am, sorting through photos and droppin and draggin like crazy, I have been crazy busy with errands, cleaning and work. Tuesday Night was 'ballie cookie' night with my middle son. he needed to share a food item with his college anthropology class, And he felt our traditional ballie cookie would be just the right addition. We had a lot of laughs, and he motivated me to double it up so we could start our yearly cookie frenzy of baking and hiding! I didn't do such a good job hiding them and they are nearly gone! Wednesday night I had a book club meeting, which is always so enjoyable and today I've been shopping for food and christmas and beauty supplies in the down pouring rain. Whew! I am Exhausted! What I missed most about being away from the wonderful world of blogging, is catching up on all my favorite blogs. It's amazing how much I miss visiting everyone! I have So much catching up to try to do! hey..you want my ballie recipe? These are so good and we have a tradition of eating these on Christmas morning while we open our gifts and drink pots and pots of tea and coffee! Over the next few days, I Hope to read what everyone else has been up to! ... Off to try and write a few more Christmas cards. xo

BALLIE COOKIES
INGRED:
1 CUP SUGAR
2 ½ TSP VANILLA
6 EGGS
½ LB. BUTTER ( MELTED AND COOLED)
6 TSP. BAKING POWDER
4 ½ CUPS OF FLOUR

IN LARGE BOWL MELT BUTTER AND COOL, THEN ADD EGGS, VANILLA AND BEAT WELL ( BY HAND) ADD SUGAR BEAT AGAIN
THEN SLOWLY ADD FLOUR AND BAKING POWDER.. MIX WELL.

ROLL INTO SMALL BALLS ( THE SIZE OF HONEY BALLS) PUT ON UNGREASED COOKIE SHEET. BAKE AT 350 FOR APPROX. 6-8 MIN.
UNTIL LIGHTLY BROWN ON BOTTOM

LET COOL DIP IN GLAZE ( OR COLORED GLAZE) AND ADD SPRINKLES


GLAZE RECIPE

1 CUP CONFECTIONERS SUGAR
½ TSP. VANILLA
2 TBSP. MILK
BEAT WELL WITH MIXER


I found out the hard way that these cookies do best if they are NOT stored in an air tight container. Just covering with foil works best.
coming up soon.. my tri-colored cookies!
© 2006-2008 luluspetals