Sunday, December 22, 2013

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time For Another Nostalgic Sunday



I'm sharing some photos I've posted during past Decembers.....


These are from 2011, but I baked the [same looking] cookies for a cookie exchange earlier this month. The difference between then and now is that these were made from a Betty Crocker sugar cookie package. The ones I made this year were made from scratch! Yes! I haven't done that in quite a few years, and I also used a recipe I'd never tried before. Pretty brave, daring, or just plain idiotic when participating in a cookie exchange....with people I didn't even know! (except for ONE woman!) Yikes! BUT, I did have a "back up plan," a package mix in the pantry, just in case! 


But, everything worked correctly and this year's batch was just as pretty and tasty as 2011. I keep saying I'm going to make more, so we'll have some to take to others, and still have some to hide share at home. I better start today, dont'cha think??



I also posted this in December of 2011. It's a Christmas card holder that I made. (Yep, another astonishing fact!) But, before you start applauding my "talent," let me say that it's a "no-sew" project, and I used my hot glue gun. When I was a little girl, my mother made a couple of these "boots," but they were more elaborate with rick-rack and were actually sewn together. (I mention these in my memoir.) She let me help with some of it and I loved them so much, I decided to make my own. The back material is green felt, and the pockets are light-weight, cotton fabric pieces. Then, just glittery glue for the names.


This is Vern from last year. I've taken new photos, but just haven't gotten them uploaded yet. When he and I were out early this morning, it began to flurry on us, which made us both Happy! (See that wad of peace signs behind him? That's one of his very own blankies!) 



"It's true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, especially for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you'll find you've created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul." -- Caroline Kennedy

36 comments:

  1. Christmas past and Christmas presents (oops...I mean present).....the memories are the best part.

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    1. Thank you, Delores! And I like your Freudian slip....! :)

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  2. Oh Vern looks so great!!! Glad the season is moving along...had too many cookies at this house so far! Must put on the brakes real soon here. Happy Sunday, Becky.

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    1. Thanks, Claudia! I don't think there could EVER be too many cookies in this house...especially sugar cookies, and/or snickerdoodles!

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  3. Nostalgia--it is what Christmas is all about. Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. Hi Bonnie! Thank you so much! I wish you the same, too~

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  4. The cookies look awesome, good for you for trying a new recipe from scratch!

    What an awesome ide for a Christmas card holder! I didn't even remember when you posted it, so glad to see it again (it does look familiar, and I'm sure not many people have similar ones, so I know I've seen it before :P)

    And Vern looks darling in his little Santa hat! Looking forward to new photos when you post them :)

    Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

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    1. Hi Estrella! Thank you for all your sweet comments! Vern says, "woof woof," too!

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  5. Christmas is about remembering loved ones and taking a little time out to think of them. We wish you a wonderful Holiday and a merry Christmas.
    Have a serene Sunday and enjoy the big easy.
    Best wishes Molly

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    1. Hi Molly The Wally! You've been such an awesome stopper-and-commenter-bloggy-friend!! :)

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  6. Merry Christmas Becky!! I hope the coming new year is all that you want it to be.

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    1. Hello dear Beth~ I wish the very same to you. Thank you!

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  7. Lots of good memories from past Christmases here. :) Merry Christmas Becky!

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    1. Hi Daisy! Yes, lots of good memories! Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you, too!

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  8. Vern is a pretty little guy! And, pets almost always enjoy a light snow!

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    1. Hi Suzanne! I thank you, and Vern thanks you! :)

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  9. So nice to meet you via the blogosphere :-). You are so right about the importance of holidays and traditns. Sugar cut-out cookies are my favorites, and I have wonderful memories of making them with kids and then grand kids. I do love your dog. A dog is a great companion, and my Poppy loves to take a walk no matter the weather.

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    1. Hi Maryann~ Thank you so much. Such lovely comments. I have wonderful memories of making cut-out cookies, too....from being a little girl, to being a mom, to being a grandma now. Yikes! Time just goes by way too fast.

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  10. Merry Christmas, Becky! I loved your photos, and I love that VERN! What a cutie.

    I have a little video posted that I think you would greatly enjoy. Christmas cuteness which we all need.

    Love to you and yours and a very Merry Christmas!

    XO,

    Sheila

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    1. Hi Sheila! Thank you! I'll pop right over to your blog now, or I'll forget! :)
      Merry Christmas and love to you, too!

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  11. Oh, Vern! He makes me remember how Art and Jennifer used to host the morning news together on Channel 5, and Art would get hysterical laughing at the dressed-up pets, while Jennifer tried to pretend that was the most natural thing in the world.

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    1. Hi Val ~ Yes, I remember those moments, too. Jennifer is such a dog lover, and Art....well, not so much, I think!

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  12. My hubby always loved the Andy Griffiths Show and still talks about it even now.
    May I take this opportunity of wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and may all your Christmas wishes come true. As I am nearly 82 I have many Christmases to look back on and even during the war years there were still presents in my stocking (pillowcase). We were a tiny family but love was always foremost.
    We of course don't ever have snow in Perth but I always dream of a white Christmas even though it's not likely to happen. One can always dream.

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    1. Hi Mimsie~ Thank you for your wonderful comments and your Christmas wishes. I always love to know about someone else who loved The Andy Griffith Show! I agree about presents. Family and love are the most important. And yes....one can ALWAYS dream, especially for a white Christmas! :)

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  13. Oh, darn, I just tried to leave a comment and lost it. Okay, so basically I said I LOVE THAT QUOTE at the end. It speaks to me this year. :) Love your cookies, too. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Hi Margo! Thanks for hanging in there to leave a second comment! I know how aggravating that is. I understand how Caroline's quote would mean a lot to you, especially this year! Merry Christmas to you, too!

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  14. I made a new sugar cookie recipe this year, too, and I took mine to our writers' group Christmas gathering. As far as I know, nobody got sick!

    I made our Christmas wreath from stuff at Dollar Tree. It is my only attempt at craftiness in a long time. Five years, and it still looks pretty good.

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    1. Hey Kim, glad to hear nobody got sick...as of yet! :)
      And I'm all for buying things at Dollar Tree! They have wonderful items that you wouldn't even think would be in a dollar store.

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  15. I always use new recipes on people - guess that might be idiotic as you say, but I always tell people! I don't know why, but I always have to do baking from scratch!

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    1. Hi Lynn! I know you're a wonderful baker/chef! I'd surely try anything you made!

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  16. I love these posts. I really enjoy You. Merry Christmas, my friend.

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    1. Hi McGuffy! What sweet things to say! Merry Christmas to you, too, friend!

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  17. Your Christmas cookies look wonderful -- they really are my favorite kind -- so many connections to making them. And Vern is lookin' snappy! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Hi Jeanie! Thank you, m'dear! I think Vern looks snappy, too! I'll tell him you said so. He's sleeping on the day bed next to my desk at the moment! :)

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  18. I'm a bit slow with my Christmas baking this year, usually by now I've done 5 dozen mince pies and three dozen snickerdoodles; this year all I've done is 3 dozen mince pies and a batch of melt-in-the-mouth chocolate fudge.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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    1. Hi River ~ This is funny...Your comment about being a bit slow with your Christmas baking....and my comment back to you....is so late, it's January 9th! :) Your baking sounds scrumptious!

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