I’m pretty pumped. This year I actually have a sliver of a few days to bake! Yesterday I made two batches of different cookies, one the Ritz-type crackers, sandwiched with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate almond bark and the others, spritz cookies with sprinkles. I planned on making my Christmas cut-out cookies today but between hauling big round bales to the cows, running to town to the post office, then to the big town of Virginia, time got away from me. However, tomorrow, I’ve got all day set aside for baking.

This is what kept me busy yesterday.

I want to make my cut-out cookies, which I’ll decorate, plus a couple of loaves of cranberry-nut quick bread and a couple of lemon quick bread. (Of course, the kiddoes always get to take goodies home with them, so I want to make extras.

Our weather has warmed up to nearly the freezing mark, and the critters and birds are so happy. The bird feeder outside the window was busy all day with various birds. Hairy and Downey woodpeckers, White-breasted nuthatches, Blue Jays and, of course lots of Chickadees were scarfing down black oil sunflower seeds and suet.

We enjoy watching our wild neighbors. This little Downy Woodpecker enjoys the suet we put out.
Our chickens sure enjoy the warmer weather and some sunshine.

I picked up a few goodies for the birds, wildlife and pets for Christmas. Hey, we’ve all got to celebrate, don’t we? — Jackie

42 COMMENTS

  1. Merry Christmas to you, Jackie & Will. My present to myself was I got your seed catalog this week. Lots of check marks in it. I made some cookie bars (sugar cookie & jam) yesterday and making lasagna to put in frig. for tomorrow. Tonight is a Christmas movie & snacks everyone is supposed to make.

  3. Jackie your cookies look good and bet they taste yummy.
    I enjoy reading your blog and appreciate all the work you do to put it out for all your readers.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

    Sue

  4. Merry Christmas! Our chickens are not so happy, it hasn’t been above -30 for four days and the last two nights have been -40 on my electronic thermometer which bottoms out there. Didn’t check the other kind on the porch but it said -42 this morning. Last night my propane light started to dim bed time and a neighbor’s bath/will house propane heater quit last night freezing it so we probably had -45 at least! The public well has been down for three or four days but at least the fire department well is still ok. So it’s been a rough couple days in our part of the Copper Basin. My wife and daughter have been baking cookies and distributing plates of them to friends. Enjoy yours. Howard

    • Boy Howard, you’ve sure had a cold spell! I’m sure we’ll be there too, but are very much enjoying the warm up we’ve had lately. Today it was 29 above zero again!! Did we love that. We’re lucky, in that our propane heater and generator keep running, even at -50. So far. We run off a 1,000 gallon tank, if that matters???
      I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!!

  5. It will be a warm and very dry Christmas here, upper 50’s. Peanut brittle and several easy candies are made, as well as rolls. Hopefully making kolaches and a apple dessert tomorrow before going to mass. Our son & wife are hosting lunch Christmas day for our daughter and us. A Merry and Blessed Christmas, and a Happy and a Peaceful New Year to you Jackie, Will and family, and all your readers!

    • Wow Vicki, making kolaches and apple dessert BEFORE mass? You are an early riser! This time of the year, I’m pretty much a bum. Yep, in the spring and summer, I’m up with the chickens. Not so much when it’s still dark out. I’ve made fudge and cookies but will be doing our pies, rolls and bread on Friday, ahead of our family’s dinner on Saturday. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

      • Oh, dear lady, lol, I should have added mass for Christmas eve was at 4pm! So finishing the baking before we went wasn’t so hard. And the service was beautiful, church was full with many little ones anxious to get home and see what Santa brought. Have a wonder-full Christmas!

  6. Happy Holidays to you, Will, and family. It was a nice day today – *finally* melted enough where I don’t have to play Tetris walking through the yard to feed/water the wildlife. We’ve been the recipients of cookies from two neighbors plus a nice phone call from a former neighbor who is also from the same small town as I (one other neighbor also – small world). Daughter and SIL had a very uneventful almost 5 hour drive and arrived safely. Enjoy good food and family during your celebration.
    May we all count our blessings and hope for a better next year for all. None of us can solve all the problems but we can help wherever we can.

    • That’s for sure, Selena. We can do what we can and try not to let the goings on in the world upset us too much. I’m happy your family is all set for your celebration. We’re enjoying our warmer weather to the max, getting more done outside than is comfortable when it’s near, or below zero. Merry Christmas to you all!

  7. I have been doing some baking this week as well. I made cut out sugar cookies and peanut butter blossoms. I tried a new recipe for cranberry shortbread cookies. It called for orange extract and it made the cookies very bitter and strong tasting. I had had the extract for quite a long time so I think it must have been bad, which is very disappointing. We have been having unseasonably warm weather. It was 60 today, which felt very nice while I was finishing my shopping. My children who live in Kentucky will be home the day after Christmas so we will all do our celebrating this weekend. It is so nice to have everyone home! Sending wishes for a Merry Christmas to you and Will and the family.

    • Gee, that’s too bad about your cranberry shortbread cookies. I’m working on some cranberry and lemon quick breads this evening and trying to get the last cut-out cookies decorated. Our family, also, is celebrating here on Saturday so everyone can enjoy a quiet Christmas at home. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

  10. I’m another cookie baker so I appreciate those you’ve made and will make. They look really good! This year I made about six varieties, an average 5 dozen each plus two kinds of biscotti. Most are given away.

    It’s nice that you’re getting a break from the bitter cold. We have a warm spell coming in tomorrow through Monday when we’ll have low/mid 70’s but then our version of cold (45-50 with lows of 28-32) returns before it warms up a tad again. Whipsaw weather! It drives the cauliflower nuts. :)

    Your catalog came yesterday! Like Santa, I’m making a list and checking it twice.

    Wishing you and yours a very merry and joyous Christmas!

    • I really love making all the goodies at Christmas. Some go home to family, as gifts. We don’t eat a lot of sweets but sure parcel them out to last a long time, enjoying each one. It sounds like you’ve been busy too. Right now, I’ve got a pan of fudge setting and I’m getting ready to decorate the cut-out cookies I baked this morning.
      You have a very Merry Christmas!!

  12. Merry Christmas to you and Will. And a very happy new year as you ease into your new, hopefully less stressful, lifestyle!!!

    Thank you for the copy of your last catalog that arrived today. That is definitely a keeper!
    You and Will are much loved and admired.

  13. Beautiful!Yummy lookin cookies. You really think you l have‘ some to send with the kiddos’ Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    • Sure, I’ll be sending goodies home with the kids, both cookies and special canned foods like Cowboy Candy.
      Merry Christmas to you!!!

    • Oh well, I’m not complaining. We have 29 degrees here, but sunny and bright. We’re also enjoying the day. You have a very Merry Christmas!!

  18. I wish you and Will a happy holiday season and thank you for your blog. I just received your last seed catalog and appreciate all the education and guidance. I’ll keep this copy.

  19. Merry Christmas to you and your family. My daughter always makes sugar cookies and pumpkin rolls for Christmas. Yours look delicious, any left overs just send them my way.

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