Cards, Card Boxes (made with Close To My Heart's "Roxie" papers) and a Cookie Recipe

It's been a busy week preparing for Christmas! Whew!  Fun though!  Today I am sharing a few of my projects from the week.  We'll start with the cards and card boxes.  They were designed by my oh-so-talented friend and downline, Lynette Kankamp. I think she said she got some inspiration for the box from Melanie at Courtney Lane Designs.  I appreciate the inspiration from both ladies.  I tweaked a few things just a bit to put my own touch on them, but I would have been lost without Lynette's amazing designs.  The box and almost every card feature the Cricut/CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge and the AWESOME December Stamp of the Month (Mad About You).

I created a couple of these card boxes full of cards for a couple of people for Christmas. Hopefully they will enjoy having some Valentine cards already on hand and the fact that they can continue to use the box for whatever they want once the cards are given away. I'm so pleased with how they turned out.   If you were to purchase everything you need for a box and cards, you would qualify for the Stamp of the Month ($17.95 value) for only $5! WOO HOO! When ordering on my website, you'll be prompted to add it before you check out.

Cards and Card Box Close To My Heart Supply List (if you buy 2 boxes, pretty much one of everything else will make 2 sets of the cards and boxes): December Stamp of the Month, CTMH/Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Roxie Level 2 Paper Pack, Colonial White Value Pack (50) Cards and Envelopes (5 cards and envelopes for each box so you'll have 40 left for your use later!), Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearl Opaques, Pewter Mini-Medley assortment, Pin Clips, My Creations Card Box, Black Stamp Pad, Smoothie Stamp Pad, Desert Sand Stamp Pad, Round Sponge.

I also did a little baking for neighbors this week.  I decided to use a recipe I haven't pulled out in a while but that has serious sentimental significance (how's that for alliteration?) for me. This recipe was my grandmother's.  My mother carried it on in our home while I was growing up and then I also make it in mine. If you are a fan of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal scotchies, or just plain oatmeal cookies, this recipe is for you! It makes a huge batch (about 6-8 dozen cookies depending on how big you make them) but they freeze beautifully.

Grandma Winona's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream Together:

• 2 c. butter flavored shortening (I've tried using real butter instead but the shortening really does work better)
• 1 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1 1/2 c. white sugar

Add and beat:

• 1 1/2 tea. salt
• 5 eggs
• 2 tea. vanilla
• 2 tea. baking soda dissolved in 2 tbs. hot water

Then add and beat:

• 2 c. all purpose flour
• 4 c. quick oats

Stir in by hand:

• 2 more c. flour

Then add (if desired) and stir:

• 1-12 oz. bag of milk chocolate chips (my favorite by far are the Guittard brand of the large mild chocolate chips) or butterscotch chips (I like Hershey brand)
• 1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

Drop with 2 spoons on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Cool on rack and serve. Yummy!

The older I get, the more I love that there are recipes that I use often that have been in my family or Dan's for generations. It makes me feel close to those that have gone before us and left a legacy of family and love for us to continue. Each time I make one of these recipes, I feel a special connection to someone who helped to make me and my family what we are.