Happy 2011!

We are back for our wonderful Christmas up in Washington visiting with my husband's ENTIRE family.  It was awesome!

I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.  I have missed you all!  Really, I have.  But it has been nice to take a break and just have some time with my family.

Blogging will go back to normal this week.  Thank you all for being so patient with me this past month with all the craziness that has been going on and welcome to my new followers-I'm so happy to have you here!

Here's to 2011-let's make it great!

On The Mend

What a week this has been.  As I mentioned last week, I had to get my impacted wisdom tooth removed Monday.  It came out without a hitch, but left me in a lot of pain.  The meds that my oral surgeon gave me were not only ineffective, but made me very sick (yuck.)  I spend Tuesday in bed trying to hold down the little food I'd been able to eat.  Luckily, I was feeling much better Wednesday, just in time for my anniversary!

5 years married to this handsome guy.  I'm such a lucky girl :)  We celebrated with a lovely dinner and a show.

Things are moving very slowly with the house and I'm getting more anxious every day.  If you've noticed a lack of crafting or Christmas-related things, that's why.  I'm busy getting our apartment all packed up.  

I just wanted to fill you all in on what's been going on here and why I've been so absent.  I want to thank you all for your continued support and patience.  I promise things will soon return to normal!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Countdown Day 12- Minty Chocolate Butter Cookies

Another great find from Baby Center:

Minty Chocolate Butter Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon mint extract
1 large egg
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional) 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mint extract and the egg, and mix until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl if necessary. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and salt together into a medium bowl and add to the dough. Mix just until smooth. Place tablespoon-size balls of dough 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes (cookies should not brown at the edges). Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely. While the cookies are baking, melt the chocolate chips in a small saucepan over very low heat, stirring continuously. Remove from heat. Decorate cooled cookies with the melted chocolate, and let harden for about 1 hour before serving. (Makes 48 small cookies) 

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Countdown Day 11-Snowballs

So,half of my posts from this last week have just disappeared, including the last two cookie recipes for the countdown.  I'm re-posting them for your reading pleasure :)

This yummy morsels are from my awesome Grandma-in-law and they are fabulous!

Snowballs

1 cup butter or margerine (butter is best)

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups sifted flour

1 cup ground nuts (I like pecans or walnuts)

1 tsp. vanilla,

Red food coloring (optional)

powdered sugar

Cream butter and sugar thoroughly.

Add a few drops of red food coloring here if desired

Add vanilla,

Add flour - 1/2 cup at a time.

Add nuts

Blend.

Chill for at least an hour.

Shape into small balls about the size of marbles.

Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.

Cool and then roll in powdered sugar OR

Roll while hot in powdered sugar and again when the cookies cool.  (Best)

Enjoy!

Calling All Blogging Buddies...

My blogging buddy Dana of Saturday Mornings needs your help, guys.  She is in the top 11 on the Blog Guidebook's Top Blog of 2010!  How awesome is that?!  If you could help her out, head on over to the Blog Guidebook and cast your vote.  

Voting ends in two days, so when you get a chance, please vote for Dana!  I know she really appreciates your support!

And I want to congratulate Dana for being nominated!  What an amazing accomplishment!  You go, girl!

Extended!

Those awesome mark. deals I shared with you all have been extended through midnight tonight!  So head on over and get in on the saving!

Weekend Specials

mark. has some great deals going on this weekend!  It's a great way to get a bigger bang for your buck and take care of those ladies on your list!  

Shop our Holiday Gift Event THIS WEEKEND ONLY!

Ends December 12! 

With your $45 mark. order, you'll receive: - Touch of Lace Scarf - Lipclick Lipstick – In Ruffle - Totally Balmed – In Totally Hot Use Promo Code: GIFT45 

With your $75 mark. order, you'll receive: - Touch of Lace Scarf - Soft and Sleek Cosmetics Case - Sassy Dry Oil Mist - Lipclick Lipstick – In Ruffle Use Promo Code: GIFT75 

With you $100 mark. order, you’ll receive: - Touch of Lace Scarf - Arm Candy Bag – In Black - Totally Balmed – In Totally Sweet - Lipclick Lipstick – In Ruffle Use Promo Code: GIFT100 

You can head on over to my eBoutique to take advantage of this great offer!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Countdown Day 10-Rolo Cookies

One of our fans from Facebook, Michelle, emailed me this recipe that her friend Melanie shared with her.  It sounds absolutely wonderful!  Thanks for sharing, Melanie and Michelle!

Rolo Cookies

Picture via

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix

1 egg

1/3 cup of oil

24-28 rolos

Unwrap the rolos

Mix all the ingredients except for the rolos (it will be thick)

Roll up the dough into about 26 one inch balls.

Flatten the balls stuff a rolo in....and roll them up again.

Cook them about 7-10 minutes (I do closer to 7-8) at 350 degrees.  You want to pull them out while they are still lumpy in the middle.  Yum.  Double Yum.  Triple Yum.