Moving Forward

I realize the election was about a week ago and I normally stay away from any kind of political post, I thought the two quotes below are appropriate regardless of which candidate you supported.

"After the election...If you win, don't gloat. If you lose, don't despair. This has been hard on all of us. Treat others the way you want to be treated. We all will need it." ~ Unknown

"What counts now if not just what we are against, but what we are for. Who leads us is less important than what leads us -- what convictions, what courage, what faith..." ~ Adlai Stevenson

Happy Veterans Day

                                Please take a moment today to remember and honor
                                      our military veterans both past and present.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): Not much accomplished. I worked extra hours at the day job last week.

Quote of the Week:  “You can’t live your dreams and your fear at the same time. Furthermore, if you’re not living your dream, consider that you may be letting fear win.” ~ Unknown

What I'm reading:  I finally finished the Sarah MacLean book I was reading. I've just started Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton

Random Things:  I've decided to do handmade Christmas cards this year. I haven't made any in the fast 6 years or so, but have been inspired by some of the cards I've seen posted online by other paper crafters. I don't send out very many so I should be able to get them made and sent by the second week of December.

Random Photo of the Week: 

                                Somebody's all tucked in and ready for winter.

Holiday Cookies

Every year we make shortbread cookies to serve on Thanksgiving Day. We make them and put them out for guests who are looking for a snack while dinner is cooking. Some people have them for dessert instead of pie as well. I thought I'd share our recipe this year.

Shortbread Cookies

2 sticks room temperature salted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease two 8 inch round cake pans. I use butter Pam spray, but you can also use butter to grease the pans. Set the pans aside.

Beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract together in a medium sized bowl. Add flour to mixture. If the mixture seems too dry and isn't combining well, add up to 3 teaspoons of water, one at a time until the dough is well mixed. Divide the dough into two parts. Press each part into the cake pans. Prick the dough with a fork in various places. This will keep the shortbread from forming bubbles while baking. Bake each pan for 30 to 35 minutes until the shortbread is a light golden brown.

Immediately remove from the pan. I just dump the pan upside down onto the clean tabletop. Cut into 12 pie shaped wedges. I do this with a pizza cutter. I find it's easier than using a knife. Once the pieces are cut, place them on a rack until completely cool.

Makes 24 pie shaped wedges.

This I know for sure...

I already feel like my leisure time has become practically non-existent and with the coming holidays that time will become even more of a luxury.

I usually read about 4 to 5 books a month. I read 2 books in September and 1 book in October, not for lack of trying. I had planned on starting to read a new book days before I actually found the time to do so.

I'm taking my mom to the library today when I get out of work. While I want to borrow a few books myself, I'm not sure I'll have the time to read them. As a person who'd rather read than do almost anything else, not having time to read is almost like being punished. I'm going to have to either give up on sleep or find a way to get some reading time back.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress):  I didn't get much done last week. I worked extra hours at the day job two days and had appointments after work two days. Hope to have a better week this week.

Quote of the Week: “Do what feeds your soul, what you’re meant to do now. There is never an ideal time.” ~ Ana Suarez

What I'm reading: I was actually able to start A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean late last week. I'm only a couple of chapters in, but am already enjoying it. 

Random Things:  My nephew and his fiancee have asked me for a list of things I might like to receive for Christmas gifts. I realize it's November, but I really don't want to think about Christmas yet. :o)

Random Photo of the Week: 

                                 It was cold last weekend so Petey took advantage of
                                           the extra material from my lap throw blanket.