A new favorite for 2014~

Don't you just love that dear little handstitched ornament♥?
Charming and whimsical..and dear.
And how about that church?
I love going to the beach in summer..but winter brings it's charms also..I got our mail.(rural delivery..we pick it up).and then decided to keep going to one of our town parks..which is on the water..it is already partially frozen..and the picnic tables and benches are covered in snow..I felt like setting a table on one..but was alone and had nothing:)
So I simply looked across the partially frozen lake and admired the view~
God Bless Us Everyone~

It's all about cheer and goodwill right now..and parties (not me)..and festivities..
But everywhere,everywhere..someone is sad or hurting..missing someone..or in ill health..worse.. alone..
When I see people alone at hospitals..I think..how very brave and courageous you are.
No one there lifting you up..encouraging you..making a day perhaps a bit more special.
So many questions..
While in Florida..I walked one day a peaceful stretch of beach..we walked ..my neighbor an I ..at least 1 .5 hrs..and talked a lot..
And wondered about many things..
How some seem to go through life unscathed..and others go through it tumultuously..or in pain  etc.
Her husband had passed this Sept afer living many many years in pain.
We talked of Robin Williams..and the deep sorrow  that lives in some.
No answers did we find.
But I loved that walk and talk.
So much more than party trivialities.

I just want people to know that what most of us show  on our blogs ..are all the good things ..
But into most of our lives some rain does fall...
And you are not alone.


I was baking yesterday  and thought again how fortunate we are to have the means to bake.
This is not afforded to everyone...and I was and am grateful.

I am still trying out new things here at Nana's..
Last year ..I had Pinned little wreath cookies..but not sure why I did not make them as I had planned on it..
Didn't take much convincing to make them this year when I read this post..
I knew instinctively..that these could become favorites..
They are so favorited by me! And Jacques..I can't wait for the girls to try..
Just look at the ingredients..the rice flour..the vanilla sugar(I always keep a jar on hand)..the icing sugar,the butter,the zests,,and the fact that you make them by rubbing the ingredients together..
Oh and wait..once they are done you ZigZag white melted chocoltae on them and then sprinkle your chopped up pistachios and dried cranberries..
The cookie..and topping ..blend into a citrusy..sweet salty bite of sheer delight.
Not to mention how very pretty they are..They actually look perfect in person..I took one to take a pic and it may not be the perfectest one:)
I see one of my pistachios is a bit over the top:)
Regardless..in person..they are perfect little wreaths..
I had a feeling I would appreciate the dough..and I had a feeling it would hold an imprint well..
My Starbucks stamp/cutter is probably the most intricate and detailed..so I tried..look  ..look Terry:)

Now this is a cookie that holds it's shape and imprint while being delicious and probably easier than my Italian one..as the measurements were SPOT on.
Just remember you will need to knead to render it malleable enough to roll out.
Use all the zest..It's delish!
We haven't had one ounce of sunshine in the past week I think..so most of my Christams baking photos are coming out a bit grey..
I need that pretty light..

Here is La Recette~ Courtesy of..Little Sugar Snaps~

PS..I may have gone overboard on my toppings..I should have looked again at her beautiful post..but I printed out the recipe the night before and thought I was invincible....not..
Plus make sure your white chocolate is perectly melted..I couldn't wait I think and the first few times..harder chacolate blocked my piping Baggie hole..
Look at hers..and do them as well as hers:)

I was a bit messier.

Ok here goes..

2/3 cup rice flour
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup cubed butter (I use salted)
1/3 cup of icing sugar
1/4 cup of vanilla caster sugar
1 tsp mixed spice..(I used a touch of cinnamon only)
Finely grated zest of half an orange
Finely grated zest of half a lemon

Take your hands and finely blend all the flours and sugars and zest ..rubbing..add cubed butter and continue until it becomes like cornmeal ..or breadcrumbs as she said:)and then it comes together..Knead gently.
Roll out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch  thickness.
I used a Linzer cookie cutter....to make the shapes.Chill ap 30 mins..
I put mine in my screened in porch..you must realize it's the arctic here.
You bake them at 300 F for 25-30 mins..until you can see they are done..go read how she says you don't want them to have a suntan..just lightly gold..and baked..mine took a bit longer..
Cool..then take your melted white chocolate and zig zag across the cookies..sprinkling the pistachios and cranberries..
I worried my choc. would dry too fast so I did 5 at a time..
It was just right.

The topping that falls off..in the centre is great to eat once you remove the cookies:)

Be prepared to just ♥ these.
PS I will run out of things soon:)

PPSS Please read Jane's full post..for the whole proper way..like chilling the wreaths etc,,:)