Even with the unFall like weather, Christmas is upon us.

Pie Crust Cookies

I don't know about you, but the best part of any pie is the crust!  So, when I spotted this recipe I knew I couldn't go wrong.

Already had a pie crust in the freezer.  Rolled it out and punched out a few festive shapes, sprinkled sugar and cinnamon and baked for 15 minutes (I just kept an eye on them and when they puffed and turned golden I yanked them out).   Delicious.  Light and Crispy.

We also began a new tradition.  Salt Dough Ornaments.  Each year will be a new design to decorate and give as gifts.

A mother of a student of mine used to make these each year as gifts to teachers.  Hers were very ornate, with colored dough and extensive details.  I will post a picture of the ones I still proudly display on our Christmas tree when we break open the ornament boxes.  

Ours are a bit more Alaskan, rustic and simple. Heehee.  I will try more creative elements next year.

One part salt, four parts flour and one and a half parts hot water.  Knead for 10 minutes and you are done with the dough.  Eh..don't eat it or you will be like Amelia and say EEEKKKK!   She much rather have my buttery Pate Brise dough that I used for the cookies.

Stay tuned on what our little creative minds come up with to decorate these babies!

Lastly, and I dare not say this as there surely is a magic spell upon us...apart from the 6 inches of snow that we had in September, which I might add didn't count in Anchorage's record books as it only happened to us mountain folks, we have had no snow since then.  

It has been glorious.  

And besides having a virus sweep thru the house, we have been taking full advantage of it.

Amelia saw this coat while shopping and said "OH MOM...PLEASE!!!"  Luckily, it was on sale :)  She wears it around the house too.  It is still chilly enough to sport our hat, but warm enough to break out the badminton rackets...if only to direct traffic.

Now that the grasses, cow parsnip and brush are gone or at least mashed down, we have returned to our woods in our side yard where we have found a tree fort.  We are careful to keep an eye out for bear and moose as it would be hard to run to the house.  With this nice weather the bears are still up.   Lots of horses to ride and we even managed some hot cocoa while sitting on a branch.  It's a great spot for adventure.

I think she likes the coat as Lucy from the Narnia movies wears a similar one.  She is a great fan of Miss Lucy.

And Yes, Virgina...Christmas at the Guisinger home has begun...more on that next time!