Thursday, December 11, 2008

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

8 comments:

Tumblewords: said...

Wow - the cookies look like something I could get somebody to make. Grin. I've been making individual calendars for family for about ten years - ...it's so much fun!!! Lots of work but well worth it...
Neat post!

Queen-Size funny bone said...

Wow you busy little beaver. Im just glad your getting things done for your holiday. Hope all is well with you and your family. I did miss you. lulu

threesidesofcrazy said...

I wondered where you were. At least you're having fun and being productive! LOL But aren't you always! The cookies sound great! I left a little something for you at my place!

Anonymous said...

Everyone will love your calendar gifts! Nice tip to remind us of coupons. I've learned to search the internet for any item I plan to buy. It's amazing how many coupons there are out there!- I've thrown out ones from the mail by accident, then gone on the internet and was able to print them! (like from jc Penney or Lord 'N Taylor, both places I go only when things are on ultra bargain discount.)--- Oh, that acoustic music on your blog sure is pretty! I like a variety of music, too. I see others on your playlist that are familiar but I'm going to listen another time to new ones b/c it's time for some zzz's.

Giggles said...

You've been missed. Like you I have been busy preparing for the season. Trying to finish a canvas to fill a wall until after Christmas ....it's a mix mash of colors for now. In either Jan or feb I'm going to do more on it, for now it works.I love the idea of homemade gifts...my brothers favorite gift has always been a calender.

Thanks so much for your cookie recipe...I am going to try it...also I may dip a few in Chocolate....mmmmm!

Love Sherrie glad your back....
Snow storm coming tomorrow!!

Anonymous said...

shshsh don't tell anyone so they don't find out that I made calendars this year too! lol
for all the grandparents-a 12 month full length complete with pics and for siblings and close friends, a one pic 12 months on one page calendar...I have a program...you should get a program...mine is called printshop, the whole process of both calendars were done in under an hour...not too mention the homemade Christmas cards...printer ink is so much cheaper then buying all that! :D
thanks for the recipes! woo hooo...today I'm hoping on baking! Maybe I'll have enough stuff to do this one too :D

Tammy Brierly said...

I do a mug of Dave's grandson's every year and a calendar for my dad at SnapFish.com. They are the best gifts!

HUGS

Anonymous said...

I wondered where you were. At least you're having fun and being productive! LOL But aren't you always! The cookies sound great! I left a little something for you at my place!