* BAKING, SHOPPING? NO, TRYING TO GET WELL FIRST! *

I wish I could say that since my previous post on December 7th, I've gotten all ready for Christmas....

I was doing really well, too. Not rushing around like a nut, not getting all stressed. I'd started working on my Christmas cards back around Thanksgiving and I knew I'd have them mailed EARLY this year! I still had plenty of time to bake cookies to take to work, and give to friends, and have some for us at home, too.

Then on Sunday, the 11th, I noticed I was getting a sore throat. Uh Oh! That's almost always the beginning of a sinus infection, but at least I get meds and it goes away fairly fast. But NO, not this year! Every day I felt a bit worse...and to shorten this as much as possible...I finally saw my doctor this morning and I have pneumonia!

When I was in my 20's and 30's, I would get either bronchitis or pneumonia almost every single year! But then I hadn't had more than a cold or sinus infection since then...until now. I recognized the symptoms and was 99% sure I had it, but I also did want the doctor to see me and make the correct diagnosis.

So, I got another round of new meds and by this evening was so much better! It's a wonderful feeling to have a bit more energy and actually feel like being part of the family again! Ron has been great, though, taking care of everything.

Now, I just need to rest up and get ALL BETTER, so I can experience a bit of last minute of shopping and baking, etc!

- Until then, I leave you with photos from Christmases past - 

Becky's cookies 2011

Becky's cookies 2011

Becky's cookies 2011

Mmm..Mmm, Can you almost sniff the aroma of fresh baked cookies??

I can't wait to start making them!

found on Pinterest

WHOA - FIVE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS! YIKES!

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday.

As I said in last week's Nostalgic Sunday, I'm highlighting Christmases past during December.

On Thursday of this week I actually made some homemade Christmas cookies. (Well, if truth be told, they were from a package mix, but at least they weren't purchased at the bakery.) My motivation was because of an invitation to a Cookie Exchange/Chili Luncheon. I love cookie exchanges and I haven't been to one in years, therefore I was excited about doing some baking.

I made 2 dozen Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies. I'm dangerous around these cookies...or is it they are dangerous around me?!

Then, I made something I haven't made since my youngest son (age 24) was a little boy. Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies! I used a mixture of old and new tools. My handy-dandy Pampered Chef pizza and dough roller, and three of my mom's cookie cutters! I can't tell you how happy I am to have them.

I've never had cookies turn out so well. Not too brown on the edges or bottoms....

This is the bottom of a star cookie. All I can say is....it must be the parchment paper!

I've never used it before! (I'm sure there are some voices saying, "You haven't?!")

I'm a true believer and will always use it from now on.

Some of the finished product!

I SO thought of my mom while I made these. When I was a little girl she always let me help: Rolling out the dough, pushing a cookie cutter into the dough, learning to put it on the cookie sheet without it tearing, and of course, the sprinkling of colored sugars on top!

I was home alone when I made these, except for Vern snoozing in the family room. I also had some Christmas music playing and I truly had fun. I was surprised at my feelings because I thought I'd be sad making these by myself. I did feel a bit melancholy but I also had fond, happy memories mixed in. I had a major "Aha moment," too, which was quite powerful and I hope it will help with my writing. (You just never know when those epiphanies will occur.)

I was either six or seven here. (1959 or 1960) I'm modeling the new robe I got for Christmas. Behind me is my sister Marian who I thought was so pretty and looked just like Betty Anderson, on "Father Knows Best." I was the flower girl in her wedding around this same time, too.

Here's another picture from the same evening. We always opened our presents on Christmas Eve, after Midnight Mass. Notice my brother, Mike, also received a new robe. I can't tell what he's holding, but it looks kind of like a pocket-watch. I don't remember anything about that. I do remember the chess/checkers game he got and the "Learn to Draw with Jon Gnagy" book. We both got one of those and I loved mine. I vividly remember drawing a dog; a boxer. I also see a couple of books there, which does not surprise me one bit. We grew up with books!

Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Will be near to us once more
Someday soon, we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Until then, we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now. (lyrics from Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Martin/Bane)

 

This Christmas song has begun to mean more to me over the past few years....must be that aging thing.