Sick Computer

Well, regrettably, my computer is out of commission right now. I had to leave it at Future Shop to be diagnosed so I will not be able to put any pictures on the blog for probably a few weeks. When I get it back I will post all the Christmas pictures. I hope it doesn't take too long but probably will due to the business of the season.

Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas Eve and looking forward to the big day tomorrow.

On Saturday evening we went to Bright Nights (Edmonton's Winter Family Festival at Hawrelak Park) It's Canada’s Largest Christmas Festival of Lights. There are over 500 light displays! It was really nice. I took pictures and will post them upon the return of my computer.

We are both off work today so we are having a relaxing day of Christmas movies and just hanging out together. This morning we went grocery shopping and got everything for our Christmas dinner tomorrow and snacks for tonight and tomorrow. We are having a ham this year instead of turkey, it should be good!

Last night we went to Blaine's aunt and uncle's place in Stony Plain for a visit. It was nice seeing them again.

Well, I can't wait to get my computer back and update everyone with pictures of our Christmas season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Friends

Well a week ago two of my great friends moved to Fort Saskatchewan, which is just about 15 or 20 minutes north of Edmonton! I am so happy to have them so close now so we can hang out whenever we want. We got together on Saturday and it was so nice to see them again!

For My Sister Char

Shortbread Cookie recipe:

I put a few of my comments at the bottom so you can check them out!

Makes about 12

INGREDIENTS
6 tbsp butter
generous 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
finely grated find of 1 small lemon (or a few drops of almond extract)
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
pinch of salt

TO DECORATE
2 egg yolks
red and green edible food colouring

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and lemon rind (or almond extract) together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk, and then sift in the flour and the salt. Knead together to form a smooth dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thick. Using cutters, stamp out as many cookies as you can with the cutter dipped in flour to prevent it from sticking to the dough.

3. Transfer the cookies on to lightly greased baking trays. Chill for 10 minutes, until firm.

4. Meanwhile, put each egg yolk into a small cup. Mix red food colouring into one and green food colouring into the other. Using a small, clean paintbrush, carefully paint the colours on to the cookies. Bake the cookies for 10 - 12 minutes, or until they begin to colour around the edges. Let them cool slightly on the baking trays, and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

MY COMMENTS
- I used the almond extract. I was going to try the lemon but used in in the first batch and that didn't turn out because I forgot the egg yolk before the flour! So anyway the almond was good.

- Remember to use real butter. Don't sub margarine for shortbread. It's not as good.

- Try to place the cookie cutters as close together as you can because if you re roll the dough scraps, it will be tougher and not as good.

- Make sure you don't over cook them!!

First Christmas Cookies!!

Today I decided to make some Christmas Cookies. I tried a new recipe for shortbread cookies and they turned out really good. I love shortbread! I guess I will make my sugar cookies next week. Merry Christmas!!

Blaine is a snowman! That's his first post on the blog...

Blaine's Christmas ornament...

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Only 20 Days Left

Well, only 20 more days and still lots to do!! Well actually, I am almost done all my Christmas shopping, surprisingly! It feels good to be getting things done early. The stores are beginning to get unbearably busy. We will soon be sending out parcels. I think I will start some baking tomorrow. I am going to make sugar cookies. I also want to make some shortbread but I will do that another day.

I wish everyone a happy Christmas!!!

Elf... The Funniest Christmas Movie Ever!

Holly Jolly Christmas

I just watched this old classic Christmas movie. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." My sisters and I loved to watch it as kids!