Friday Fabulous - It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas...

Well, here we are.  At the end of another week.  I continue to marvel at how quickly each week seems to fly right on by.  This post is not really related to decorating my home but it's too fun to resist!  I can't wait for Christmas!  It's my favourite holiday by FAR!  Today marks day 1 of my holiday baking.  I'm not sure if there will be more than day 1 but it's fun to plan.

First up - sugar cookies

the recipe - I'm not gonna lie, it's from a kid's cookbook, super easy and totally yummy

my favourite part - decorating and totally trying something new this year

Here is my favourite sugar cookie recipe (from Company's Coming - kids cooking)

Ingredients

12 tbsp. butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

21/2 cups all-purpose flour
11/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

1.  place the first 4 ingredients into the bowl.  Beat on medium speed until smooth.

2.  add flour, baking powder and salt.  Beat on lowest speed just until moistened.

3.  wrap dough in plastic wrap, place in refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.  **this step is critical as this dough is VERY sticky**

4.  turn oven to 350'F, roll dough out on parchment paper and bake for 7-8 minutes or until edges begin to turn golden brown.  Cool cookies completely and decorate.


Here are some of my current inspirations from none other than Martha Stewart

- love the simplicity of this beautiful snowflake

These were some of my first inspirations

so pretty

colour is always fun

I just can't resist... Happy Holidays!  (ok, so it's a little early but this only comes once a year so I'm going to make the most of it!)


ciao!

Sweet Delight - Chai Tea Recipe

I thought I'd share with you a little something that has been making my Christmas season merry and bright. I affectionately call it chai nog and it has quickly become my favourite drink of the season.  Back in November, many of my friends were excited about the return of pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks.  I'm not really into coffee that much so couldn't really relate until...my sister-in-law told me to try my regular chai tea with egg nog in it.  WOW!  It was de-lightful!  I'm not sure about you but Starbucks is reserved for "special treats" so I came up with my own recipe for chai nog that I think you'll love.

Chai Nog

1 part milk
1 part egg nog
*you can do 2/3 milk and 1/3 egg nog if you want a more subtle flavor
1 chai tea bag (Bigelow Vanilla Chai is my fave)

Heat the milk and egg nog in a pot on the stove or in your mug in the microwave until hot.  Add the chai tea bag and let steep a good 3-4 minutes.  Add sugar to taste.  Enjoy!


...one more thing - have a wonder-filled weekend!

*photo courtesy of teadome.com