So, to those of you who have been arguing with me about winter being here…I am blowing raspberries at you!

A date on the calendar is simply that, and although the winter solstice will arrive later this week (Thursday), we’ve already had 37 inches of snow this season.

Oy!

Ben’s Weather says that the entire seasonal average for the Big Bear area is 62 inches.

When you consider that we normally get the most snow early in the year, well–it will be interesting to see what happens.

Now, GG brought in a lot of wood this year so to those of you who were wondering why–now you know.

As for me, I managed to clear a little bit of snow using caution and wearing my belt brace.

The bummer is that I had to do so since I have to head down the hill for another medical appointment today.

I just hate traveling in the winter since it always seems that it snows when I have an appointment.

But this is the last medical trip for the year.

Have a great day and stay warm!

Once again it is time for the annual holiday traditions at the Fawnskin Post Office.

Here in our little mountain lake resort, life centers around the post. In fact, neighbors flock to the mail center to catch up on news and grab their mail on a daily basis.

The place has been adopted by the community and so is an unusually social location.

Next week is one of the biggest since it will feature another “cookie week.”

Starting on Monday, December 19th through Friday December 23rd all residents are invited to share your best holiday cookies and special treats with other Fawnskin Folks.

In the midst of the holiday food fest, on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 from 10:00an until 4:00pm, it will be “pie day.”

The pie day event will be hosted by Fawnskin Co-Mayors Char and Mike Hoffman.

All of these activities are sponsored by Postmaster Mike and the North Shore Improvement Association.

There is a signup sheet on the Post Office counter so you can be official–but you can donate any cookies or pies at any time during this festive week.

Cheryl tends to make the most festive cookies (pictured above) and they are yummy!

Bring your best and bring a lot because they tend to disappear quickly.

Have a great weekend and stay warm.

Sorry to say that my back issue reared its ugly head again a couple hours before the NSIA Holiday Potluck–so I missed it.

Now I was doing great and then WHAM! I found myself suddenly incapacitated and writhing on the floor in agony.

The good news is that we did not get a ton of snow since I would not have been able to shovel out.

The other good news is that I have the ice packs, pain meds, and back belt handy.

Because I had planned on going to the potluck…you know, to take those much desired action news photos for you…I had already baked some cookies and so I thought I would share the recipe with you.

And yes, since you are wondering–I’ll be at the doc’s later today.

The back story to these cookies…

I don’t have a lot of childhood memories but a few blips surface here and there.

One of them was the sugar cookies my maternal grandmother made for us.

My mom hated her but the nice thing about grandmothers and aunties is that they love you.

And, although my maternal grandmother was definitely not a good cook, she was a great artist, built an amazing garden with a pond for the birds, and was a hat model–so she had a bunch of suitors lined up at all times.

But she also had a closet full of toys for us to play with when we visited.

Besides all the marbles, jacks and odds n’ ends, one of my favorites was a great big elephant. Now, if you don’t know about my past, I ended up training elephants during some of my animal adventures–but that is a story for another time.

Anyway, I recently went back to my home town. It isn’t something I have done much over the years but I’ve been reconnecting with family and old friends.

And so here I am, thinking of my grandma–so I thought I would share the sugar cookie recipe in honor of her memory.

GG’s Grandma Suzanne’s Holiday Sugar Cookie Recipe

The truth is, these holiday sugar cookies are pretty simple but what makes them unique is that there are adorned with fresh walnuts or crushed candy canes to give them a little spark.

As usual, I play with recipes and so this one makes about two dozen or so.

• 1.5 Cups of Flour
• 1 Tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/8 Tsp. Salt
• 1/2 Cup of Cold Butter (or 1/4 C Butter & 1/4 Cup Shortening)
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup of Sugar
• 1/2 Tsp Vanilla
• Walnut Halves or Crushed Candy Canes

Pre-heat the oven to 350 Degrees F

Mix flour, baking powder and salt together and put aside.

Blend eggs with vanilla.

Mix butter and sugar until it gets granular.

Add eggs and then gradually add flour until it adheres together.

Chill until firm.

Roll into small dough balls and then place on baking sheets.

Cross hatch with a fork and either place a walnut half in the middle or sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

Bake in 350 degree over up to about 15 minutes and cool on baking rack.

Enjoy!

Finally, thanks to my parking pad snow angel for looking out for me. *Smooches* to ya Bob V!