We Need a Little Christmas…

Good morning, my friends!

Are you ready for Christmas?  It’s really starting to feel like it’s in the air to me…such a wonderful time of the year!

I have a few things to share with you today…first a fun Christmas project…

A bright & cheery retro Christmas scene…I’ll find a frame later! 

More fun from Vintage Street Market’s “Retro Christmas” kit—so much to play with!  Here, some old Christmas cutouts…the tree, an old cutout from Hallmark…the Santa, just fabulous!

Then, a bit of  vintage  family Christmas thrown in.  Here we have my grandparents, Dow & Velda, sitting quietly on a Christmas Eve in the 1950’s…

 

A framed reminder of the big day!

And a wonderful starburst “flower” made from a trio of vintage light reflectors, also from Vintage Street Market—love how they sparkle!  Topped by a cut-out circle from the same background paper & a vintage button from Vintage Street Market.

And here, a reminder for me to just be still sometimes during this wonderful yet hectic season…my dear Grandmother, LaPriel, who died when I was so very young…quietly sitting and reading through Christmas cards at her dining room table…I love this picture.

Now, a glimpse of a little decorated corner of our house…

A snowy, retro village scene on top of our old saloon player piano…I love how the lights reflect on the “snow”!

I just love this set of lighted houses from Target’s Christmas collection some years back…along with an assortment of mismatched trees…

Looks peaceful, doesn’t it?

And what’s Christmas time without a platter full of soft, delicious frosted sugar cookies (complete with a sprinkling of edible glitter!)?

Here’s a wonderfully simple & very yummy recipe to share with you…

CUTOUT SUGAR COOKIES

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined.  Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer.  Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.  Divide dough in half. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or until dough is easy to handle.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the dough at a time until 1/4 inch thick.  Using 2 1/2 inch cookie or biscuit cutters, cut out dough.  Place cutouts 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in preheated oven for 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned.  Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool.

POWDERED SUGAR FROSTING

In a medium bowl, combine 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp. milk, and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Stir in additional milk, 1 Tbsp. at a time, to make a frosting of spreading consistency.  If desired, tint with paste food coloring.

(Recipe found in Better Homes & Gardens “100 Best Cookies” magazine).

And lastly today, two more Scotty cards from my personal vintage Christmas card collection…

This little cutie was sent out to a dear friend in 1935…

Isn’t this one unusual?  I love that little birdie!  This  was postmarked 1933…just adorable!

Well, that’s all for me today!  I hope your all having fun with your holiday preparations, and I’ll see you soon with something new…

Julie

LiveJournal Tags: Vintage Street Market,calendar,vintage photos,LaPriel Riggs Smith,Dow & Velda Stapley Ostlund,Cutout Sugar Cookie Recipe,Vintage Christmas Scotty Dog Cards