Cookies, Movies and Music

It's that time of year...the crazy, trying hard to keep up with things, and doing way too much...time of year.

Mailing cards, shopping, gift wrapping, party going, cooking, baking, on and on and on...and then I like to add in reading, movie watching, and relaxing (ya, right.) But of course, I still have to do my regular day-to-day stuff, too, like writing, blogging, editing, marketing, etc....my, oh, my and I wonder where all my time goes.

It's no wonder I always feel so overwhelmed. I'm sure you all are relating- right?

Regardless, I try really hard to enjoy every moment, and I have my favorites that make this time of year special.

Cookies
Cookie baking doesn't come easily for me. Being gluten free isn't my only obstacle. Sadly, I hate to bake. I don't like to cook either, but being gluten free has forced me to do both. And if I want Christmas cookies, then I must roll up my sleeves and bake. Amazingly, I was able to create some good tasting (and looking) cookies. They tasted and looked good enough that I shared with my gluten-free neighbor.

Grain-free/Gluten-free Sugar Cookie Cut-outs

Flour-less Peanut Butter Cookies

Grain-free/Gluten-free Snowballs (Walnut/Pecan Sandies)

(pretty good for someone who doesn't bake, huh?)

Movies
Every year, I have a bunch of Holiday movies I just have to watch. It doesn't feel like Christmas without them. Most of the time, I have the movie on in the background while I'm wrapping, baking, or finishing up the cards. However, some nights I stay up late on the couch to watch these movies.

Christmas Vacation












One Magic Christmas (I think this is by far my favorite Christmas movie)
 

A Christmas Carol (with George C Scott)
 

Anything on Lifetime
 

Music
I love the classic Holiday songs like Rudolf, Silent Night, Let it Snow, Jingle Bells, etc. I basically love them all. But I thought I share with you Train, Shake it Up Christmas




What are your favorite cookies, movie, and music?

Be safe and merry!

Holiday Reading

So, the holidays are upon us, and even though very little snow has fallen in Colorado and I'm so busy I can barely turn around without knocking something over, I still like to grab a good book and curl up to read this time of year. (I also enjoy mindlessly laying on the couch and watching "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" -the Lifetime channel's series of holiday shows, or other holiday movies- but that's another post!)

Here are some of my favorite must-reads this time of year:

The Classics:

The Gift of the Magi-by O' Henry- I love this short story about the deep love of a couple and their desire to give up their most treasured gifts for each other. I am always drawn to this story and is a must read every year.


A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens- I have to read this story every year. I love the tale and it's message. It has always been a tradition in my family to watch the movie version with George C Scott every year on Christmas Eve.












A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore - A favorite of all. A must read short story before bed on Christmas Eve.














Other great Christmas reads:

Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah - I read this story a couple of years ago for the first time and loved it. A great story for the season with surprising twists and turns.

On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts -Any girls dream...to go on strike at Christmas time. And of course nothing would get done. "The right way," that is. The movie came out last year, and I have yet to see it. Maybe I'll pick it up and watch this season.



What stories are a must-read for you this time of year? What are your favorite Holiday tales?