This time of year I always make "moms fold over cookies".........in reality I received this
recipe from a dear friend (Robin) many years ago ........this was a polish cookie made by her grandmother......

I have a few changes over the years by using my "everything dough".....I make this easy
dough and use "Solo" filling . I use Almond or Apricot. This one can makes so many cookies!

You can use this dough for cut out cookies; foldovers; or twist into a candy cane.....

These cookies do not last long.........and are inexpensive and easy to make.....
They are great for your family holidays or to give as a thank you gift to someone...

Directions.................. Dough recipe follows..........

**************Take dough and pull apart (about a handful).....
1. Flour your countertop and pat dough to about 1"
2. Cut out a small circle ( I use a drinking glass)
3. Place about 1/2 tsp on the middle of each circle ......
4. Fold over your circle to make have circle and take the tins of your fork and
place down on the ends to seal............
5. Bake 350 until light brown on bottom...........
6. Sprinkle with powered sugar when cool.........

Moms Fold Over Cookies

2 cups unsalted butter, softened

11/2 cups sugar

4 egg yolks

2 teaspoons vanilla

41/2 cups unbleached flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.

Add the egg yolks and vanilla and mix until light and fluffy.

Sift the flour and salt over the butter mixture and mix until well-combined.

Chill for 10 minutes.

Make your magic with the different options below or one of your own.

Place onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes without browning.

Remove from cookie sheet and cool on a rack or waxed paper.

CHRISTMAS ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE....A SOUP TO BE FRUGAL AND BRING COMFORT

Christmas is up and all through the house....these are just a few items shown....I love the twinkle of the white lights and the "quiet hush" of comfort these bring on a snowy day....
Jesus is the light.......and His light shines even more at Christmas.....
Here is my black hutch with some of my favorite things....A doll from my sister Kay who
went to heaven several years ago; some recent items from my mom who went to heaven this past June; photos of family..........I found this little blue and white cup in a box downstairs and
filled it with little wooden red and white beads from the thirft store for $1.
This is the tree during the day.......We have 3 up all around and I love the "joy" they bring to a room.........
I dont know why but sometimes ironing a stack of "whites" all crisp and white makes me
feel like a holiday.......linen napkins; pillowcases; my apron.....sprayed with Lavender spray
(from the dollar store for $1) ummmm.
A Christmas table.........for whenever........My regular table off my kitchen gets the most use;
but I am never surprised when I set the diningroom table and ready for company they always seem to come......Simple plates given ; Chargers bought for $5 after Christmas Sale; red quilted placemats and white tablecloth bought at a Summer Yard Sale; clear votives bought many years ago at thrift for cents; Centerpiece was my cornucopia for Thanksgiving turned on its side now turned up with a white decoration I had all for $1...( I love how God gives us bargains).. antique red dishes my sister bought me many years ago for Christmas....
I saw these little red dishes at an antique store one day when my sister and I were shopping and that Christmas she had bought them for me for a gift...I think of her and love her when I see these...........
They are old and now abit chipped due to my many moves but I love them....
I have used these several times to enjoy a "lunch" or dessert for the holiday...They dont just sit on a shelf not used ( that could be why the wear) but it brings a special time out to whoever uses them....
Dishes given..........I love how stacked up they look so pretty.........
I love to look at the details of someones tree..........special ornaments given or made........
For years when my children were young we made cranberries and popcorn garlands and construction paper rings around the tree.................We always went out and cut down a tree
and it was such great fun and memories but now we use the boxed trees....I have had to
learn to love these and thank God for the memories we had.........Someday as my grandbabies
grow we will return to the Tree Farms again ...........
Some potpourri from Yankee Candle for a couple of dollars (thrift store)....So festive!!!

Simple Potato Soup

Serves 4-6

6 Large potatoes
1 medium onion
1 stalk of celery diced
*** may add 1 diced carrot if wish
Chicken broth 1-2 cubes or 2-3 tsp seasoning
4 or more cups of milk
2-3 Tbls butter or Smart Balance

*** If I am out of something I may just add one or two items....

. Peel and cut into bite size chunks potatoes
. Diced Onion

.........Boil together until soft

. Strain off water
. Back in large pot add: Milk; butter; seasoning
. Warm until just comes to a boil

......Serve with warm rolls or biscuits. * My hubby enjoys a biscuit in the bottom of his bowl with a ladle of soup over it.........

I LOVE MONDAYS..........WALKING BY HIM......

What a blessing Sundays are! They seem to refresh you to go on for another week.........
The morning message encouraged us to "look for Jesus" in everything we do or see.........

I got to thinking about that this morning and why Sundays are such a "boost" for my soul....
Its because we "see" Jesus in all we do on Sundays! We talk about Him; read His Word; and sing about Him.........

At this holiday season and throughout the next year........I want to "see" Him more...
Just this morning I saw a beautiful 'sunrise" with hues of pinks and grays...........I thanked Him...

I know though..........other "circumstances" will try and "cloud" my eyes.......I will come across things that have things become darker and darker until I can barely "see" the "light" .....and then I must have "hope" and "Believe" He is there walking with me!

The holiday season ..........seems to give people a brighter spirit.........they are willing to smile; give you a nod; give more; sing more; and Fa la la la all around...........But................

I know there are those that the "darkness" has dimmed their lights....for them the holidays
will be hard........All the joy that others will bring around them will pull on them and their hearts may hurt even more...........

I pray that "the light of Jesus" will shine through these days for them to see His Hope.....His love........His salvation........and His joy............

I want to "See" Him this season in the birds in the snowy trees; in the breath of a sweet little baby; in the memory of loved ones in heaven this year; in the smile of a child; in face of the elderly as they shovelful along the isles in the stores; in the quiet lights of a Christmas tree; in
the lonely soldier on the field protecting our country; in the hospitals as they await results; in the hearts of the meek..........****************

*********This morning as I looked out my kitchen window I saw about 20 geese
sliding across the frozen pond ....! It was great!

MAY I BE WORTHY...FOR HER TO FOLLOW MY STEPS...

These past few days have been busy ones with 2 Thanksgiving dinners; and guests ; some shopping ...........now leftovers; loads of laundry; and a tired but thankful body...........

The other day I saw that my granddaughter had donned a pair of ladies heels..........I
smiled as I watched her play tea party and walk all around in those "lady heels"..........

I couldnt help but wonder in my heart...........God .........I want to be an example for my sweet granddaughters to walk after............in my spirit; my walk; my speech; and my life..........

I have a small picture that sits upon my desk containing a photograph of a "grandmother"
that I never knew and grandfather. She passed away when my mom was only a little girl.
But........the photo grasp my heat when I gaze upon it..........I even find myself saying "Katie"
( thats the name of my youngest granddaughter also).....are you pleased with your granddaughter and her life?

As years have passed ......I pray I have learned some things and continue to learn........
Simple Things........such as:

. Its not all about me and my feelings or wants in life.........Its about learning to take those to God and leaving them there and putting on a smile............

. Its about making memories..........in the lives of others. Traditions for them to carry.

. Its about a quiet time of hugging ; rocking; singing or listening ( even if you have a hundred other things you could be doing)

. Its about my spirit and how I handle things.......not expecting anything from others...

. Its about making a life for him or her to follow.........remembering a grandma singing or yelling and grumpy...........having "tea parties" or "racing little cars" instead of telling them NO we dont touch anything...........

. Its about loving their parents and accepting them as they are.........or putting them down.

. Its about loving their grandpa and laughing at his jokes or tearing down the one they admire.

. Its about caring and loving the things that are important in their lives.....such as God; their parents; their church; their activities; and just being where I am planted...........

I pray may I be worthy.........this season and seasons to follow..........so that someday as they look at my picture they may ponder and remember happy memories they followed...........

PREPARATIONS.GOING FORTH...........GREAT BROWNIES

This is my first Thanksgiving at my home that I have had in 20 years....Every year we would travel out of town to be with my dad and mom and sister and her family......This past June mom went to heaven and a short time before dad went to heaven...my husbands Dad too ( who I loved too)...........So........this year is abit different. I am glad my mom gets to see my dad now and her daughter (my sister); and her first born baby boy.......but I will miss her........But her legacy lives on ......and I have my written list of my Thanksgiving menu; things to be prepared and guest coming...........

It has been a busy time but a time filled with the aromas of sausage cooking for the dressing; cranberry sauce and Nantucket cranberry pie baking; crisp bacon filling the air ready for Grandma M.s cauliflower broccoli salad; chocolaty brownies with buttercream icing; celery and onion chopped; apples that came from a friend in the Fall brought of of the freezer and readied for the pies to be filled and baked today.............I could "smell" Thanksgiving in the air!!
Nantucket Cranberry pie my daughter told me about...................Smells so good......... Home made cranberry sauce looks and smells delicious...................... Getting the "sweet potatoes " ready and baked...........to put together later with pecans; brown sugar; oats; and butter...............Oh my!!!!!!
Cranberries in a bowl always look so pretty............and today I will bring out my pumpkin rolls and cookies from the fridge and make name tags on my cookies for each place setting......... I LOVE stuffing.........I can remember mom stuffing the bird with this delicious treat but this year I will make dressing on the side with sausage; celery ; onions and chicken broth......... My granddaughter has been peeking inside the fridge "talking to Tom Turkey"......buzzing about the kitchen in and out; tasting treats grandma gives..........and she made a Thanksgiving Table like grandmas with her step stool; some bottles; cups; and her pink blankie and had her Pa Pa have a tea party with her on the floor.........( she used grandma's good napkin rings too but you know thats ok with me) These are just things ( not a Hallmark card ha ha) and I am enjoying having her along my side this Thanksgiving...........


I will do more on my list today..........baking pies; finishing cookies; more pumpkin rolls (by daughter wanted to give them to someone); cleaning; laundry; * I made lemon chicken ahead yesterday so I could pull it out of the fridge today and just warm it for a quick dinner*** But.........in the midst of all this I must STOP and realize this isnt all about me or my dinner or the house but about a day of Thanks...........a time of Thanks.........and all I have been given.... My health, a family; a place to live; heat; food; friends; freedom.........I could go on and on..... My sister gave me this simple recipe for Delicious Brownies ..........so easy so I thought I would share..........

1 box Gueradelli brownie mix 1 can Duncan Hines chocolate buttercream frosting 1 can Duncan Hines caramel frosting . Make brownies . Frost with chocolate ; then caramel frosting........EAT!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

I LOVE MONDAYS............THANKFULNESS AND TABLESETTINGS

I LOVE MONDAYS..........and I have so much to be thankful for...........These are the beautiful
flowers my husband gave me for my birthday.......They are still bringing beauty throughout my room............I am so spoiled that after 33 years he still brings me flowers..............
I am working on my Thanksgiving Table today..........oh...its doesnt have to be perfect but
I like setting a pretty table for myself and others to enjoy..............I am working on this cornucopia ....I didnt want the traditional pumpkins and gourds but I thought these colors worked with the rest of the table...........
I like a little sparkle for this special occasion..........so I added these little "glitter mosaic balls"
This will be the place-setting along with the silverware and such ( I wont put these until the
last day)
I only had 4 of the orange plates ; so I added a few white also........Use what you have is my
thought.............I also am using some things from my mom this year which will keep her near
my heart..........
I hope to bake some little cookies and write each guest name on it for each place setting...........
I have several votive candles throughout the table in which I will light........I love candlelight
for special occasions...........it brings abit of twinkle to the table!! This glass plate was my
moms and I think I will place the ham slices upon it...........I have a turkey platter from her
also and will use that too!
I have a chandelier that I am not crazy about ; ( you know all the new styles) but I am thankful
for a nice light over the table so..........USE WHAT YOU HAVE..........and I added some pretty
berries and garland which just seemed to bring it all together...........
I have "my favorite things" hutch that sits nearby ............I found this little doll in a box when
I was looking for some things..........Its from my sister who passed away with cancer a few
years back.......( I can keep her near my heart too).........by remembering .............
We are having guest for overnight so I found these cute little bags for them and filled them
with "goodies"......( my daughter in law taught me this she is so good at making baskets for guest like me!)............I have readied the guest room with towels; fresh soaps; and clean fresh sheets
for them to sleep on..............
And last..............a reminder from God..............I looked up and couldnt believe my eyes that
in the end of November there were 4 roses in bloom on my rosebush outside..........God can
bring "His beauty" in any season and blooms in your life to the fullest!

BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE........

This past summer I came across a yard sale and there I saw it....This little small white desk
( I knew it would fit perfectly in the corner of my bedroom).....I saw it was marked $5 but the lady took one look and said, oh you can have this for $2 ok? " I said, " Ok thank you" and took it home........The desk was cream and I thought I would paint it "cottage gray"......( I love names on paint I dont know why but they seem to be more real?) So it sat and summer flew by.........

By Fall my hubby said to me as he was cleaning out the garage; " Honey do I throw this thing out?" What? I thought......"This is a treasure and my corner".........so sweetly he left my "treasure in its place"........I had a picture I had found of a corner desk with a shelf above it and and nice little chair........" I didnt want to put any money in this little project" so I just whispered to God of my need.......Within a few weeks I found a vintage chair that was painted black and had
a gray and black seat for $2; then I found a small shelf with scrolls holding them up for $1; " I couldnt believe it! But..........then God was caring for me!
So........I kept the cream desk; moved it into the corner behind my wing chair and it fit perfectly.........I began to add my "organizer"; some flowers I had in a box; a few things here and there and lit my candle and it came to life.......
I love the detail on the desk and its little curves......
Sometimes I find cute little bags and I hung this one from the bottom of the shelf.......
This is a photo of my grandmother and grandfather..........( I never knew them) but my granddaughter has her name..............I sometimes look at that photo ( the only one my mom
ever had) and wonder if she knows her granddaughter admires her............
My shelf............holds some of my favorite things; a picture of mr favorite guy and I; my Bible verse ( found the frame for .50 and put my verse in it); a favorite book and a pillow my sister
sent to me..........
My granddaughter and I had fun one day picking up pinecones and glittering them............
We then placed them in a basket for Thanksgiving.......to enjoy


Dr. Jack Hyles used to have a favorite song; "Brighten the Corner Where You Are"........(this always reminds me God can use you right where you are)...............

I love the little desk in the corner.........it helps me keep my files in one place; notebooks together ( basket underneath); day and month items posted; and a place where my granddaughter can come bring me "tea" with her playset..........