The best things in life are not things!

We decorated inside and out, baked, shopped, bought, wrapped, planned menus, entertained and spent time with family. Whewwwwwwww!  Such a busy time of the year!  Today is my day off from the shop, this is Jennifer's day to work, so I have a whole day off with absolutely no plans.

It feels pretty good and gives me time to reflect on the past year.  It was a year of retirement for me even though I spend more time at the store now it doesn't seem like work.  No one telling me what to do.  Just meeting new people everyday and helping them find the thing they have been looking for to add to their collection.

Having my own business is fun. I know it's not going to make me rich, just happy.  I don't have to put in way ahead of time to take a day or week off.  I have the best employees that jump right in when I need the extra time off.  They are trustworthy, fun and great with the customers.  What else could a boss ask for?

One thing that is constant is Family.  Three of our children have provided us with 6 grandchildren. I call them our " 6 pack ".  We also have 4 dogs in the family.  One is ours and 3 of our daughter's. Our dog Kesha is having some health problems so every day she is still here is a blessing.  Our little 6 pack is the biggest blessing any grandparent can have.  The is NO gift that can top that!!!

Ethan, Cooper and Aubrie

Sam, Maggie and Max

Kesha

I hope everyone that reads this can give each grandchild a hug and tell them they are the BEST PRESENT ever!!!!                                           Until next blog,    Shirley

It's a Wonderful Life in Galena, Il

If you have been in my shop this holiday season you may have noticed what I have hanging from the ceiling as part of my Christmas display.  It's a Wonderful Life is one of my very favorite movies at Christmas time. You can imagine the excitement in me when I had the opportunity to purchase a set of these.       Last year I had borrowed 2 of these from a different friend of mine.  They were featured in my windows.  It was so sad to have to return them.  Everyone who came in wanted to buy them, too.

It truly IS a Wonderful Life !!!!!!

Now I have a set to call my own.  These were featured in Target stores when they were promoting the Bedford Falls villages and accessories in the store.  Sadly most of the stores threw these away after Christmas.  After all they are cardboard and who would want them, right?  Fortunately a friend of mine had the opportunity to gather some and has sold them to me.   - - - - - --  YES, I have some for sale at the shop. One set already went to an eating establishment in Chicago.  He was excited to get them.  These are extremely rare so if you or someone you knows wants a set   - - - - - - - --  best stop in!          Shirley

Pink Peppermint Sweetness

Angel Dust

Cookie dough

Ready to bake

Red on left, peppermint on the right

My little helper Kesha

What do candy canes look like?  Mostly white with stripes of red, correct?  What happens when you powderize them?  PINK of course and who doesn't like pink?
This is one of my very favorite Christmas cookies that I make every year ( and throughout the year ). It was given to me by a friend Jane Specht many many years ago.
I took candy canes from the Dollar Store and unwrapped them and put them in my Magic Bullet ( wonderful little invention ).  They turned into a powder dust with a few small chunks of candy depending on how much you blend it.  I usually sprinkle the cookies before they go into the oven with colored sugars or even cinnamon sugar mixture but as the first 2 batches of red came out I thought why not try the peppermint dust??  Since it is Christmas I will call it pink angel dust. While these baked in the oven the peppermint spread and crisped up a bit giving the cookie a nice peppermint flavor with just a hint of crunch.  These would be even better if I had left more little chunks of candy in the "angel dust". The more you add on top, the more color and flavor you will have.
Well - - - -  they passed inspection and taste by myself, my husband and my little furry friend ( Kesha ). She loves to sit in the corner where I am working while I bake just in case I drop something.  I don't have to sweep the floor afterwards.  She also knows the crumbs under the cooling rack go into her bowl after I am all finished!     They also passed inspection of my little elf.  He jumped right out of my tree onto the plate for this picture.   Recipe as follows:
1/2 cup margarine                                               Dry ingred:  3 cups flour
1 1/2 cup sugar                                                                      1 tsp. salt
2 eggs                                                                                    1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla                                                                           1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup sour cream
       I mix the sugar and margarine, add the eggs and other liquids, mix well before adding the dry ingred. I always double the recipe, also.  Drop on ungreased cookie sheet and sprinke with your choice of colored sugar or "angel dust".  Bake 10 min. or so at 350, just until the edges are brown.
Try these, I think they will become a favorite of yours.              Until next blog,           Shirley

Christmas Shopping in Galena, IL

The temps are in the high 50s today.  It'll be even warmer tomorrow.  WOW!  No need to scrap your car windows or dig the car out of the snow today.  Take advantage of this beautiful day.  Grab the girls, go out to lunch, and pick up a few gifts for Christmas.

Just a reminder that we are open daily 10-5pm throughout the holiday season.

~Shirley