~Packages, Boxes, Bows & Baking~

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale.


Good morning. It is rather dark and gloomy here in Vermont as a nasty wintry mix makes it way into our sleepy little town. I love these cloudy days, everything seems so cozy and lovely. These last couple of months have been a whirlwind for me but I have finally found my way to the bottom of my order pile. I am sooo happy to say....Yesterday, I took the last of my orders to the post office!!!! Gosh what a good feeling that is! Jackie, our postmaster commented, "my God, you've brought more packages in here in the last few weeks than the entire town has."...lol. It has been a busy season to be sure and I have enjoyed every single second of it..but I must say, I am, most definitely, looking forward to hanging up my "On Vacation" Sign. :) ~I do have a little something special I am working on....but more on that tomorrow.


To my utter shock and amazement...I have actually managed to finish all most all of my Christmas shopping (Mark and I will be completely finishing it on Sunday) AND..last weekend we trudged out into the snow and cut our Christmas tree and decorated the outside of the house.


I have ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS wanted to have a wreath on all of our front windows and this year we finally did it. I absolutely LOVE the ribbon on these wreaths..I think my sister and I took a half hour pouring over all the ribbons they had (Browns in Castelton, VT) and then I found this one..it's flannel!!!! I LOVE it.


After hanging these wreaths last Saturday morning, Mark and I got to chatting and we have decided to paint the blue trim mossy green!!! How great will that look..especially at Christmas!

I have also been making holiday gifts for our family and friends.


:) This one I made for my sister's Birthday..which was yesterday..I just love that Santa image!


Okay...I must run but before I go..I promised my FB friends that I would share my Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread recipe....they are scrumptious..I am actually eating one at the moment as I just made a fresh batch yesterday.

Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread
(From Better Homes & Gardens Ultimate Cookie Book)

.

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Orange glaze (recipe follows)

*Preheat your oven to 325*

In medium mixing bowl, beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Beat in sugar and orange peel, until completely combined. Beat in flour until crumbly.

Stir in chocolate chips, pressing the dough together until smooth. If the dough is just too crumbly to pat together, try putting it in the fridge for a few minutes. Pat dough into a rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick) on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 25 - 30 minute until bottom is just beginning to brown and the center of the cookie is set. Cool on wire rack.

Make your glaze;

Orange Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon butter, softened

1 tablespoon orange juice

Whisk together powdered sugar, butter, and orange juice. If necessary, stir in extra juice, one teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

Spread glaze over cooled shortbread. Let the glaze stand for about 30 minutes, until set. Cut lengthwise, then crosswise, making 24 rectangles.

Enjoy!


Wishing you a wonderful day. :~)Doreen