(Sing as you like) LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW

We have a fresh covering of snow today.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sharing at:  Saturday Showoff

SOUR CREAM SUGAR COOKIES

Today I decided to go ahead and finally make a sugar cookie recipe I had seen a friend post it on face book a while back.  My friend, Barb Bach, had posted it and so I wanted to see the difference between it and the traditional sugar cookie which I think is that it has more moisture which is good here in our dry Colorado. You will see a note below about reducing the flour.  I think you will really like them!

So here is this recipe:

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies - makes about 30 medium large

1 1/2 cups sugar, 2 sticks of soft butter, 2 eggs, 2 Tsp vanilla, 1 cup of sour cream, 4 1/2 cups flour (I did not sift and I think next time I would use 4 cups only sifted flour), 1 Tsp baking powder, 1 Tsp baking soda, 1 Tsp salt

Cream sugar& butter, add eggs, vanilla, then sour cream.  Add dry ingredients.  This recipe calls for refrigerating dough overnight which I did not do.

Roll out of floured pastry cloth.  I use a cloth covered rolling pin which I floured.  Cut with cookie cutters.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Frosting:

1 stick butter, 2 Tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 lbs powdered sugar, add milk to make spreadable.  I used red food coloring and sprinkles.

In terms of DIY:  This is an old  mahogany flip top tea

 table painted with Cece Caldwell's Chalk  Paint!

A RELAXING SPOT FOR TEA

Now that the Christmas tree is gone, I have my

favorite spot back for
 tea back again by the window.

And just outside:

I am wishing the lawn was covered completely with snow
outside though instead of brown grass.

  Not to worry, it will happen again!

As I enjoy my tea, I have been feasting my eyes on Carolyn Aiken's newest book about home, garden and tea entitled "Aiken House & Gardens".  I have all four now.  The photos are so lovely and carry you through all four seasons on Prince Edward Island.

 You can order all or any of Carolyn's books HERE.  Winter is the perfect season for inspiration and believe me you will be inspired by Carolyn's beautiful photos.

I have been enjoying so many Christmasy teas over the holidays. I have poured you a cup of the Downton Abbey Christmas Tea.  Of course, I assume you watched last night?

Please try some homemade Orange Banana Walnut Bread:

I will be sharing this posting at these parties:
The Art of Homemaking Mondays
No Place Like Home
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Saturday Showoff
Tea Cup Tuesday
Let's Talk Vintage
Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home

I hope you will join me below in my blog party 
and please include a link to this post on your blog as well. 

Just no "Give Aways Only please".

An InLinkz Link-up

2015 THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Here's my Year In Review:

I have chosen one post from each month. Some of these are from Friends Sharing Tea, Tea In the Garden and Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden postings for the year of 2015!

For the Month of January I chose "Taking Tea In Comfort". As you can see it was snowy outside but cozy inside!  

And what about February? 

 Here was my pick: 

"The Week of Valentines Day":

Now for March I chose this post:

"Turning Green":

Now that April came along I chose this post to feature:

"Springtime Pansy Table":

May is one of the loveliest months in some places - in Colorado we still have the possibility of snow.  I chose this post:

"Taking Time For the Things You Love":

Now we come to June when the fun

 really started in the garden:

"First Tea In the Garden" this year:

For the month of July I am sharing this post:
"A Bouquet in the Garden": for Tea In The Garden

And on to August:
"Under The Lace Umbrella"  for Tea In The Garden

And September was still lovely:
It was a time for "Tea For Two" out in the garden:

October was a beautiful month in 
Colorado and
 so I shared this post: 
 "Chappie Finds A Garden"

November was a time to share
the collection I've started working on last year: 
 "Going Ahead With Red Transferware"

The last month of the year was easy because
 of all the decorating!
I chose this post for my last review

because we got to go to Georgetown,

Colorado during the Christmas season.

The 55th Annual Georgetown Street Market:

To be retired and get to attend this

was a wonderful blessing to us.

Hope 2016 is wonderful for you and your family!

"THE WORLD MOVES ON AND WE MUST MOVE ON WITH IT"!

This will be a year of change for my husband and I as we make our last move to be near family for retirement.  We have lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado for 22 years.

 In 2016 we will be moving to Columbia, Missouri to be near our son, daughter in law and two grandchildren.  We are excited

 and trying to 

"Keep Calm and Carry On"!

Early in 2015,  Jann Olson inspired me (link) with her fun New Year's Mantle so during the year as I went to various flea markets, antique malls and out door park vintage market events, I watched for old windup clocks to do my own mantle display.  I saw more in my journeys but price was always part of the criteria.  I also wanted a glittery "Happy New Year" sign but never saw one I liked.

Please don't ask the time though as it could get a little confusing.  Well actually, take your pick!

Lady Mary said it well, 
"The world moves on and we must move on with it." 
  Downton Abbey.