I stayed home today! Yucky weather from Hurricane Sandy
made it cold, damp and very windy.
We had a little snow this morning!
We had a little snow this morning!
Our furnace broke down, so I decided today would be a good
day to get that first batch of cookies in the freezer for
Christmas. At least the oven would warm me up!
As I mentioned before, I'm very loosely following the
organizedchristmas.com guide for getting yourself ready
for Christmas before December comes, so you can
actually enjoy December. Well, the plan this week
is to book travel flights and things that I don't need to
do. I thought getting cookies in the freezer would be fun!
Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies were my first
choice! You just mix up the dough, roll in logs and chill.
Then you slice and bake! Very easy!
And I like the red and green ~ perfect for the holidays!
Jack was entertained at the window all day. With the snowflakes,
birds and blowing leaves, he didn't know where to look first!
Some of my drawing are in my Etsy shop in the form of
Christmas cards, if you are interested!
Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 c powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 c shelled pistachios
Mix butter with sugar and vanilla.
Mix in flour and salt.
Stir in cranberries and pistachios.
Roll into 3 logs and chill 30 minutes.
Slice 1/4 " thick. Bake at 325 for 18-20 minutes
until barely golden on the edges.
♥
perfect christmas cookies! and I bet they are perfect with tea or coffee! sorry about the furnace! I was cold all day too, but then I'll probably be cold from now till April. lol
ReplyDeleteWell, how are you? You were closer to all of that than we were!
DeleteGratefully, we are none the worse for wear right here. The electricity didn't even blink.
DeleteI may have to bake some of those pretty cookies for gifts!
Oh, that's great! Did you get any snow?
DeleteNope no snow, sadly. Just cold rain and some winds during the night.
DeleteI'm so insanely jealous that you had snow. Not jealous of your furnace issues tho.
ReplyDeleteIt was coming down in big fluffy flakes this morning! You know I love snow, but it seemed a little early. ha. And it's gone now...turned to rain.
DeleteThese cookies look amazing and beauty I love cranberries and pistachios betsy!!
ReplyDeleteI smile with Jack I think all is new to him so he enjoy looking at the window LOL
And you had some snow! Is increible
Here is so hot today you know I love more autumn and winter LOL
yes, his first snow! But it didn't stick enough for him to play in. ha.
Deleteoh dear! he doesnt know what is yet! he is so little, love the cookies color, what lovely are the pistachios didn't??
Deleteyes, I love pistachios! they taste nice in the cookies, too!
DeleteThe cookies looks so festive! What a perfect thing to do while you are stuck inside waiting for the repairman. I'll check out the Christmas website!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
it was perfect! I feel so...so..organized. lol...
Deleteoo i hope the furnace is not too much to fix...those are not cheap...but not a bad way to keep warm at all....def nice color in the cookies...i like my cookies crisp...smiles.
ReplyDeleteIt needs a new defrosting switch. Hmm...doesn't sound too ominous.
DeleteUgg to the furnace going kaput at your sea
ReplyDeleteTwo more things are next as you always say it goes to three
I won't guess this time though
Might make your coffee once again not flow
Then how would you be ready by December at your zoo
Flights you say, you going some place where no crummy snow comes due? haha
Two more things will break!
DeleteWho knows what fate will take!
Hope it's not my coffee, though
or I won't be able to go!
And no trips for us at all
that is just what the site gave a call
and since I don't need tickets
I baked cookies lickety splicket.
lol...
Well maybe the site
DeleteIs shouting out into the night
And telling you to take a trip
And a coffee pot beats a hip
If I fall and hurt my hip
DeleteI'm going to give you some lip!
Telling me to take a trip
without paying the cost is a rip!
Hey, what happened to the Boston plan?
It fell apart before it made land.
hahaha maybe in 2013,..or 14. ha.
Two of my favorite ingredients in these cookies. Nice!
ReplyDeletemine, too! :)
DeleteThese look so good...I'll have to change to dairy free and gluten free but I think it will work and I LOVE the freezer cookie idea. I'm pinning! :)
ReplyDeleteRita
Thanks, Rita! I hope it works for you with the changes! I've been guilty of getting a head start before and then started feelings smug and let things go and still fell behind...then add some snow days and sick kids into the last week and things can go crazy really fast! ha. I'm determined to stick with a schedule this time! ha.
DeleteLOVE pistachios AND cranberries, so this combination sounds fantastic!! AND, it is Christmas-y colors!! Thank you. Our furnace was out too!! They have worked on it for two days and finally at 6: 40 they got it running, but still have to come back tomorrow and replace something they did temporarily (and it is only three years old)! Hope you are enjoying a working furnace now; I'm sure it is colder where you are!! blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteYou, too? Well, ours needs a part that isn't in stock. It's in the 30's here with strong winds from Sandy. Hopefully tomorrow! Stay warm!
DeleteOh I think these are so festive!! And I will copy your recipe and give them a try this year. Tired of making the same "three" cookies all the time.
ReplyDeleteWhen Don's 75th BD Party is over, (Saturday) and the dust clears... I will get my "Pre Christmas" Schedule going. I really want to freeze a lot this year and get a jump ahead. I will miss using Aunt Trula's big freezer. Her house is in escrow, and the freezer will be gone. Guess I will just have to organize my little one.
I hope your birthday celebrations are fun this weekend! Can't wait to hear about it! :) Oh, you will miss that freezer! Yes, being extra organized should do it!
Deletebeautiful cards and beautiful cookies, love the combo, I also love Jack, ( I do say love a lot) I love Christmas as well!!!I certainly am not as organized as you!
ReplyDeletewell, I'm trying! My gift basket business takes 2-3 weeks away from everything right at the end of November, so I'm trying to get ahead this time!
DeleteGreat photos of the birds, Betsy...
ReplyDeleteThose shortbread look pretty good, too..
I do mine in the food processor...
Guess I'll start weeding thru the Christmas stuff...once tomorrow night is over with!!!
Glad you are all safe and sound...
Cheers!
Linda :o)
you guys already have Thanksgiving over with! How nice! ha. Why don't we do that???
DeleteOh wow!!!! Beautiful cookies and beautiful birds!!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
thanks, kitty...it was a nice day to bake and watch birds! ha.
DeleteI simply adore this post. I'm making those cookies and freezing them. Christmas is looming large all of a sudden. I will have 14 people in my house. Yesterday, one of my brothers asked if he could fly into Houston and pop in with his 2 girls for a visit. I adore those cards. You know, my entire Xmas table is based on "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I am heading over to your shop! P.S. I love the photo of the cat looking out at the falling snow.
ReplyDeleteOh, you will have a nice crowd! Yes, I'd say it's better to get things baked and in the freezer. Less stress at the end when it's crunch time! I'd love to be in your home for the holidays. I know it is just lovely! I don't have a card for each of the 12 days, but that is an idea~ I should work on that for next year!
DeleteOnce again - you WOWed us with awesome photos. I'm not sure this recipe would interest me...though I LOVE shortbread cookies...but since it's from you, I just may have to try it. Thanks for inspiring us to get started early. Hopefully our weather is a tad calmer the rest of the week! Hugs from NW Ohio. XO
ReplyDeleteso, what doesn't appeal to you..pistachios or cranberries? ;)
Deleteyes, our weather was calmer too..the wind is gone although the cold rain remains!
Betsy, is it possible to print your "12 Days of Christmas Cards" on placecard size sheets? I am looking for placecards for my Xmas table.
ReplyDeleteaw, no, I'm sorry I don't have all 12 days~! But what a great idea~ I'll have to do that next year~ I bet if you looked online you could find some!
DeleteWonderful photos...those cookies look delicious, loving the red and green.
ReplyDeleteThe Mister was disappointed all of the cookies were in the freezer by the time he got home! ha.
DeleteJust home from work, hungry for my supper - and what do I spy but shortbread cookies! I'm even hungrier now.
ReplyDeletehaha...and they are so good, too! I had to freeze them right away so I wouldn't nibble a dozen away! ha.
DeleteHi Betsy .. the shortbread biscuits look particularly good - mind you, your photos are much better! Love them .. had to do my Christmas cards early this year ... must remember yours for next year ...
ReplyDeleteHope the furnace is repaired soon - and snow - yugh .. but you're safe and that's the main thing .. cheers Hilary
look at you with your Christmas cards already done before Halloween~ wow! :)
DeleteDear Betsy, love the way you spend your day and the shortbread looks yummy.;) No snow here yet but we have had frost.;) Have a nice weekend,
ReplyDeletexoxo
Cranberries and pistachios? Now there's a mix I'd enjoy!
ReplyDelete