Well I certainly didn't meet all my goals for the week but what can you do. I haven't started my daughter's doll yet but will start that this weekend. I have been too busy packaging up items for my shop and sending them off before Christmas. I feel like Santa when I stumble into the post office with my bag of boxes!
On Tuesday my friend stopped by and "kidnapped" me on a trip to look for vintage ornaments at the local antique stores. I did feel a little guilty but picked up a few inexpensive ornaments that I love. These tiny colorful glass balls in their original packaging will be treasured at our house.
I also managed to make a batch of cookies for my children's writers group meeting and cookie swap.
Cardamom Almond Stamped Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks, 1/2 lb.) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cardamom seed
2 cups all purpose flour
Cream butter then add sugar and continue beating for another 2 minutes. Stir in the flavorings and salt. Add the flour and blend well.
Refrigerate the dough for 30-90 minutes in a covered container.
Form into 1" balls with your hands and place on lightly greased cookie sheets about 2" apart.
Oil and lightly flour a cookie stamp, press lightly into the dough to make the design. I didn't have a stamp so I used the bottom of a flat glass dipped in white sugar.
Bake cookies at 325°F for 9-12 minutes. They should be firm but not browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 2-3 minutes then transfer them to wire cooling racks.
They came out well and were very easy to make. I am going to look for a cookie stamp or ask my husband to carve one for me. I love the cardamom and almond combination. The recipe is from
Scandinavian Cooking.
Most of my flag garlands are hung on the tree and I have a photo to share too!
And last afternoon/night we enjoyed a wonderful snow storm. The girls will be sure to be out this afternoon playing in it after school.
I'm making slow but steady progress on the doll as more snow comes our way. I hope to attach the arms and legs to the body today and crochet a little hair "cap". I'll add the eyes and mouth tonight once I quiz my daughter again on the eye color. I think she wants the eyes closed like Annie. 
