Favorite Things Addictive Reads 2014 Holiday Giveaway!
It’s the holidays again; somehow I think they come faster every year! This year, in addition to our fabulous Holiday Giveaway, the Addictive Reads’ authors wanted to share a few of our favorite things about the holidays!
Here is my list, and in the comments, feel free to share a few of your favorite things to be included in a drawing for a $10 Starbucks Gift Card! Also be sure to check out the other posts by following the linky at the end of the post.
1. Family:
I grew up as an only child and only grandchild, but made up for it when I had my own family of six children. Now, my oldest three are married, so their spouses are part of the family as well as three beautiful grandchildren. Unfortunately, they all live out of town, so I love the opportunity to gather together at the holidays.
2. Traditions:
I love holiday traditions. One of ours includes riding around and looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve and then coming home to read ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas along with cups of hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.
3. Christmas Movies:
This might fall under “traditions” except I start watching holiday movies at Halloween. Always start with the Charlie Brown trio: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, then A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
After Charlie Brown comes How The Grinch Stole Christmas , Rudolph, Frosty, and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Shrek The Halls, and of course the Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life.
4. Little People
Little People sets are my obsession. It’s possibly the reason I had six children. I have collected almost all the sets and I love their holiday sets! They are decorations that the kids, and now grandkids, can play with without fear of breaking. (Except when our pit bull get hold of the people, she loves to chew them up!)
5. Cookies
And last, what would the holidays be without baking all sorts of Christmas cookies and breads? Because of course, we have to have a reason to include “go on a diet” as part of our New Years’ resolutions!
My favorite cookie I make at Christmas, and I often make enough to give as gifts, is the Russian Teacake. I’m including the recipe here.
Russian Teacakes
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ¼ cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
¾ cup finely chopped nuts
¼ teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar
Heat oven to 400ºF.
Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, nuts and salt until dough holds together. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack.
Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on wire rack. When thoroughly cool, roll in powdered sugar again.
That’s my favorite things, don’t forget to tell me about yours, especially if you want to be entered for a chance to win the $10 Starbucks giftcard. And then follow the linky BELOW to get to the rest of the blogs.
An InLinkz Link-up
December 14, 2014 @ 5:16 pm
I enjoy baking at Christmas time, I like to make fudge and shortbread. Your teacakes sound delicious. Will be sure to try them. Happy Holidays.
January 2, 2015 @ 7:35 pm
Fudge, yummy! Thanks for stopping by!
December 21, 2014 @ 9:11 pm
I love snowmen. I collect Jim shore in particular but have many by unknown artisans from about 1/2 inch high to one that was a store display at Bath and Body Works about 10 years ago. (Driving home with him in the passenger seat and having a policeman look over while stopped at a traffic light is still one of my favorite anecdotes.)
I also love to create personalized gifts for friends and family. This year I made nightshirts, using polka dot ribbons and antique buttons-scottie dogs, monkeys etc., with matching slipper socks adorned with the same bows and buttons.
I am a Christmas “junkie” so I have made several tree skirts to co-ordinate with whatever tree theme I decide to use. . I particulary like one where I use miniature porcelain dolls, teddy bears and family ornaments I grew up with or that the kid/grandkid’s have crafted over the years.
I like to make candy and bake cookies as well. I look forward to trying your recipe for tea cakes as they are a favorite.
Wishing you and yours A Very Merry Christmas and a Joyous and Prosperous New Year!!!!!
January 2, 2015 @ 7:36 pm
Funny about the snowman and the policeman! I like that you have a collection. I think one day I’d like to collect different Santa Claus’s, now that I have all the Little People. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
December 29, 2014 @ 5:49 pm
My favorite things are more or less what I want to do. This year was watching TV series I’d missed. I was gifted with this seasons Downton Abbey. It is brilliant. I also really like it when the weather is warm. Been in the 70s every day. As far as food, my favorites are reservations and letting someone else cook. A very happy and prosperous 2015 to you.
January 2, 2015 @ 7:38 pm
I do love watching old TV series! I have never had time to get into Downtown Abbey but I’ve seen a lot people say it’s fabulous. Warm weather? I’d prefer snow, but this is Texas so . . . we’ve had nothing but cold rain. I can see that 70s would be nicer than cold, relentless rain, even though I’m grateful, I guess, because we’ve been in a drought. It’s just so dreary though. . .
Thanks for stopping by!
December 31, 2014 @ 4:12 am
My favorite thing about the holidays is definitely family! I love reasons to hang out with my family and then we go to visit the in-laws. It is always so much fun. 🙂
I, too, love to bake, though this year I didn’t do as much as I would have liked. I have never had Russian Tea cakes before, but will have to try them. Thank you for sharing the recipe. 🙂
I wish you a very Happy New Year, Diana!
January 2, 2015 @ 7:40 pm
As part of getting older, I’m now the one the kids come to visit. Sometimes I do miss going around and visiting the families. Hope you enjoy the Russian Teacakes, they’re good anytime, not just Christmas!
Thanks for stopping by!