"CHERRY WINKS" Recipe

I know this is past Christmas, but I think you can make these anytime you want to.  Here's the recipe:

CHERRY WINKS

I cup sugar (I used brown sugar)
3/4 cup shortening
2 tblsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 all purpose flour (I used whole wheat for 1/2 cup of the total)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped pecans  or walnuts
1 c. chopped dates
1/3 c. chopped maraschino cherries, patted dry with paper towel
1 1/2 c. coarsely crushed corn flakes cereal
15 maraschino cherries, quartered (?)

In large bowl beat sugar and shortening with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occ. until well blended.  Beat in milk, vanilla and eggs. On low speed beat in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Stir in nuts, dates and 1/3 c. chopped cherries.  If necessary, can cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 15 min. for easier handling.

Heat oven to 375, spray cooking spray on cookie sheets.  Drop dough by rounded teaspoons into cereal and coat thoroughly, shape into balls.  Place 2 inches apart on sheet and lightly press maraschino cherry quarter into the top.

Bake 10-15 min. or until light golden brown, Cool 1 min. then remove to cooling racks.

ASPEN BOWL ALL DECKED OUT!

My husband is a woodturner and knifemaker.  He has made some beautiful things from wood and this is one of his pieces.  It is an aspen bowl that he actually carved from a huge aspen burl, keeping the natural look to the underside.   I wanted to use it this year to display some of the vintage glass ornaments that I've been blessed with.  The aqua/silver ornament in the center has "Merry Christmas" on it in flocked white lettering.   Merry Christmas!!!

TEENY TINY MITTENS

I have the best time decorating my house and yard for Christmas.   I would love to use more live evergreen trees, wreaths and garlands but it's just not cost effective and they just dry out so quickly.  I want to enjoy things a bit longer.  I hang wreaths on doors, the mailbox and an old iron bed frame that functions as a funky fence in my yard.  I have all kinds of ornaments, many of them homemade.  I love this cute little pair of mittens that look like they have snow on them . . . kind of like the ones I wear and when I was out shoveling snow or throwing snowballs for my dog.  These decorate a wreath that hangs on the door between our utility room and the main part of our house.

My MOM and "CHERRY WINKS"

I have Mary Jane's calendar and for today is says "Bake cookies today". . . so I am.  I decided to stir up some memories of my childhood Christmases on the farm, of my mom in the kitchen and "Cherry Winks".  These are a yummy cookie that my mom traditionally made every year at Christmas.  So, with my Christmas CDs playing selections from Vince Guaraldi, Johnny Mathis, Neil Diamond, Mannheim Steamroller and  Celtic Christmas, I'm baking my cookies, whispering "thank yous" to my mom (she's been in heaven since February 1994) and relishing the fond, sweet memories of  Christmas on the farm . . . and look out the window at the farmhouse I grew up in.  It's just down the road!  And our world is white with snow . . . hallelujah!

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS "SWEET"

I grew up on a farm and attended a two-room rural school for grades 1-8.  We always had a Christmas program at the school which included little plays, lots of music and fun things.  The teachers (a married couple) always put together Christmas treat sacks for each student.  Included in those sacks (brown paper bags) were an apple, an orange, peanuts, a popcorn ball, a variety of candies which included these orange slices.  They will always be one of my favorite candies and now, as I enjoy them I'm reminded of those Christmas programs at Mildred School. I'm also reminded of the incredibly wonderful heritage I have as a "farmkid"!  Grateful for all kinds of CHRISTMAS "SWEETS"!

SWEATERS on CHRISTMAS TREES

I have such fun finding, selecting and/or making Christmas ornaments.  I found a fun collection of little sweater ornaments at our local nursery/greenhouse that is open year round and has all kinds of Christmas activities.  They have about a dozen themed trees and it's just a blast to go shopping there for ornaments or other Christmas goodies.

This is just one of the sweaters my tree is wearing.  I have some teeny tiny red ones, bright blue ones and some others this size that are different red/whte designs.  They all came with their own little tiny hangers.

Merry! Ho! Ho!

CHRISTMAS PEPPERMINTS

Christmas means so many things, some of them are just sweet and simple.  I adore poinsettia flowers and decorate profusely with them.   I found this beautiful cutwork runner with poinsettias on it at a thrift store.  I don't think it has ever been used.  But it graces my coffee table right now and I thought these cute little red/white snowflake dishes were a perfect accent.  And, just toss in a few peppermints for that added sweet touch! 

A' CAROLING we will GO!

Found this lighted ceramic treasure at a local thrift store . . enjoying it!

I love Christmas!  Everything about it!  But I especially love the music . . .I'm a musician you know and Christmas just gives me the gift of Christmas music.  I put on my CDs and listen to my hearts content!  Christian, Celtic, Jazz, Classical, Easy Listening.  I'm not too fond of Country Western but there are a few Christmas songs I do enjoy from that genre.  And, I love to listen to the music on my favorite Christian radio station, KTLF out of Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Not only do they play great music and everything they do is so uplifting and encouraging . . they are commercial free!!!

Merry Christmas . . I sing to you!!