Saturday, December 19, 2009

Making My Mother's Christmas Cookies with Kathryn

Christmas Cookies were always a tradition when I was growing up. I don't remember a Christmas I didn't make them with my mother. We spent the last Christmas with her in a cabin in Gatlinburg. We even hauled all the cookie cutters up to the mountain and made cookies.

This year is the first Christmas Kathryn is old enough to make cookies so I had to take a few pictures. I thought it would be fun to put them on my blog along with the cookie recipe.

I don't know where my mom got the recipe from. But it is written on the inside cover of one of the 2 cookbooks she liked to use. She always doubled it. It makes a really crisp not to sweet cookie that is perfect for decorating.










Here is the Recipe

2/3 cup of butter (do yourself a favor and use real sweet cream butter)
3/4 cup of sugar
1/2 tsp of vanilla

1 egg
4 tsp of milk

2 cups all purpose flour
1.5 tsp baking Powder (check your expiration date)
1/2 tsp of salt

Bake at 375 for 6 to 8 minutes or 10 to 14 minutes if using Pampered Chef stoneware


Cream the butter and sugar together.
Add the egg and milk
Then add flour, baking powder and salt

Mix until it is firm.
Form into a ball, cover with plastic and put in the refrigerator for about an hour.

When it has chilled, I cut out small portions to roll out a little at a time.
Get your flour out because you are going to need it.

Flour the surface you are rolling on and your rolling pin. I like my fondant roller because its easier to control.



and form them in a flat round shape.





I usually flip the dough over a few times while rolling. Take your time and get it even. And don't roll it too thin because some cookie cutter patterns won't show if the dough is too thin.









And speaking of cookie cutters, I have no idea how old these cookie cutters are. I'm 42 and they were old when I was a child using them. I'm pretty sure my mother got them from my great grandmother but I'm not sure where Granny got them from. I think the bell is my absolute favorite.








If you have cookie cutters with patterns, make sure you really flour them good so the dough won't stick.



Don't they look yummy? Bake them until the corners just start to turn brown. It will take longer on a Pampered Chef cookie sheet but the cookies really turn out so much better on the stoneware it is worth the extra cooking time.

We'll be decorating them Tuesday night so check back for more pictures.

I hope you will try my mom's recipe. Christmas just has not been the same since she died in 1993, but making her cookie recipe with my daughter this year has definitely given the Holidays back some of their magic!

And I highly recommend getting a pretty retro boutique apron before you make them...



Merry Christmas!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Extreme Home Makeover is coming to Hattiesburg



We're so excited that Extreme Home Makeover is coming to Hattiesburg!!!!
I'm already signed up to volunteer 2 days. If you want to volunteer you can just go to the site.

http://www.extremehattiesburg.com/

Can't wait to see who is chosen!!!!!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Lost Orchard is almost ready

The model home is going up fast!

The builders are getting ready to start building spec houses and we'll have the information posted on the website very soon.

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to own a new home at an affordable price in Purvis, MS.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

BENEFIT FOR JIM GRENN AT COLDWELL BANKER

We just finished up the Mack's Catfish fry. Proceeds to benefit Jim Grenn son of Chip and Selena Grenn.

Gary McLaurin and his crew fry a mean catfish!!!!!
Mack's did a great job and worked so hard today! And I don't think there is a catfish left in the Lamar/Forrest County Area!

We had an awesome turnout. Just proves what a great community we live in.

























Tuesday, June 9, 2009

$15,000 Home Makeover Sweepstaks

Want to win $15,000 to Make Over Your House?

GO to Coldwell Banker and sign up.

http://coldwellbanker.com/servlet/Sweepstakes?action=enter

Mention me if it asks for an agent.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Hattiesburg Real Estate MLS Search

Are you looking for a new home in Hattiesburg?

Try my website

http://www.searchhattiesburg.com

My updated IDX search function allows you to create an account, save your favorites and set up automatic emails.

Email me if you have any questions!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Kathryn's 1st Dance Recital

Leaps and Bounds Studio had their 2009 dance recital last night and it was standing room only at the Saenger in Downtown Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

This was Kathryn's very first recital and she and the other girls did such a great job!!!!!



Her Daddy snapped this picture as she got her certificate from Ms. Wendy. I just have to mention that her Daddy missed the International Blade Show in Atlanta fort he recital. He has not missed in about 10 years. It's his one trip a year that he really looks forward too.



Here we are waiting backstage for everything to begin.
Kathryn is on the far left. My neice Chloe is in the center, and Cate Adams on the right.



Tape Dance Routine


"I'm a Little Teapot" Pre Ballet routine



Kathryn with Flowers



Tumbletots



Kathryn and Chloe hamming it up backstage.



My Baby Ballerina, Kathryn.



My fabulouse Neice, Chloe. She is meant for the stage!!!!!



Here's Chloe's class. I think they had the most exciting costumes of the entire night. But I have to say Wendy picked out gorgeous costumes from everyone.


I just can't believe how much Chloe and Kathryn have grown.
How does it go from this:




To this, in just 4 years?????



What a great night! Thanks, Mrs. Wendy!!!!!!!!