Merry Christmas Shortbread Cookies

It's that time, again....a post from last year -- and the year before -- but cookie recipes are ageless. AIn't life grand?

I make about 70 pounds of this shortbread dough in December -- we give away most of the cookies - to customers, friends, roving bands of neighborhood teens. It's my favorite holiday recipe because it's SO simple and still so amazingly good.

You can roll the dough out, cut out fancy shapes. You can decorate them or drizzle them with melted chocolate. But I prefer them plain, naked -- pure, simple perfection.

I started with a recipe from Jeremiah Tower -- but I added vanilla to it and played with the baking time, so I consider it mine, now.

Feel free to consider it yours:

Christmas Shortbread Cookies

1 pound butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour


Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Mix in flour. Form dough into logs and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least one hour. (Logs can be frozen.) Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Slice dough and place slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for thirty minutes.

The cookies should be pale, not browned - take them out just as soon as the tops are dry. They will be delicate and oh-so-wonderful.

Enjoy!

NOT a Christmas Letter

I completely flaked out in 2010 (and still feel guilty about it)  but this year I managed to put  together a Friedman Family video Christmas Card for 2011.

It comes with wishes of joy for your Holiday Season and all throughout the New Year.



or click here to go to youtube

51 Days

It's true. Christmas is just 51 frantic fun-filled days away. If you're thinking lists, gifts and oh-my-where-did-the-year-go? Don't worry, because local artists are here to help get you through this Christmas season.

This Saturday, you'll find 40 local artists and crafters at ARTsMART at The Mt. Shasta Mall from 10 - 9. Come out and enjoy art displays, demonstrations, musical entertainment and craft booths. The kids can work on fun projects, and you can peruse the art displays and find unique local gifts for everyone on your list.

Still Married will play original tunes in the Food Court from 11 until noon, and we'll have some CDs to give away. We'd love to see you there.