the sign of a great Christmas

Christmas 2013 photo recap...we never take enough pictures!

Labor of love...sand tart cookies.

2 sticks (1/2 lb.) butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs and 1 egg white

3/4 tsp. vanilla

3 1/2 cups flour

In standing mixer, cream the butter, sugars, 2 full eggs and vanilla. Then add flour in small batches, mixing as you go. When flour is completely mixed in, refrigerate the dough for 24 hours. Take a handful of dough and begin rolling, placing the rest back in the fridge until you need more. Roll out on a well-floured surface, adding more flour as you need it, to prevent dough from sticking to the cloth. If dough starts sticking to rolling pin, dust it with flour frequently, too. Using cookie cutters, make some beautiful cookies and assemble on a baking sheet (with parchment or Silpat). Mix a bit of water with egg white and using a pastry brush, lightly coat each cookie (don't get puddles!). Sprinkle the cookies with colored sugar or cinnamon and bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or less. Depending on your oven's temperature and the thickness of the cookies, baking time will vary. Watch them closely to prevent them from burning. Take them out just as their edges begin to turn a light shade of brown, or even a little sooner, if you don't want the brown edges. Cool on a wire rack. These take a while, so clear your afternoon!

Billy at Rippa Villa estate tour in Spring Hill, TN (what a trooper). We did also have a great lunch in Columbia at Square Market Cafe. If you are south of Nashville, this is lovely little spot for a bite.

Mom & Dad at Rippa Villa...note the different facial expressions than Bill. This is their type of day.

Vancer & Maura - Christmas 2013 (at Belle Meade Mansion)

From Vance's now infamous Manhattans to coconut cake, turkey to Mom's fruit cup...we had such lovely food and so many good times over the holidays - it was rare to have time to step away for the camera! I think this is the sign of a great Christmas.