Christmas is almost here...and the end of the world?

 Five more days until Dec. 21st, 2012....is it the end?..I don't think so but I did make a pilgrimage to Chichen Itza with my husband in February of 2011 to check things out. It was a "Bucket List" trip for me, I had always wanted to see the Mayan pyramids for myself.  An older Mayan gentleman who was selling souvenirs assured our tour group that the world would go on business as usual on the 22nd of Dec. 2012, just the end of and age, not the end of it all.  I am taking his word for it and carrying on as usual...if it's meant to be over and done with, I hope I can still make my crafty stuff on the other side!

 Here is our tree all set and ready to go.  It seems that the Holidays are a lot more low key around here than they used to be.  The kids have grown up as I mentioned in an earlier post on the Blog.  I guess we are in an in between time before they start getting married and having babies...I for one am enjoying the relative quiet.  I have been making a stack of rag rugs, it seems to be my favorite thing to do right now when not at my day job. 

I have also been trying hard to come up with a shortbread recipe that tastes like my Father in Laws.  Since he passed away I have tried to make his shortbread in order to keep my husband and kids happy.  This year I think I have come really close...not quite exactly the same but very close!  Here is the recipe in case you want to try it....Shortbread...1lb. of butter softened, 1 cup rice flour, 3/4 cup of icing sugar, 3 cups of flour.  
I used my mixer with a dough hook to blend the ingredients together and then pressed the dough out onto my granite counter top making it about 3/4 of an inch think, I then cut it into bars and used a fork to make the holes in the top of the bars.  I baked the bars at 325 degrees F until they just started to turn a golden color.  I sprinkled the tops of the bars with some regular granulated sugar.
I really wish I had a shortbread mold but my Sister in Law inherited his molds so I am going to have to keep my eyes open for a good old Scottish Shortbread Press.   The bars turned out very flaky, it just melts in your mouth!  The holes help to bake the bars but they also help to make an even break when you you snap them in half.  I will be making my 3rd batch today because it is just not lasting around the house....I do really think I am close to Jack's shortbread...maybe he is helping me out with it, I'd like to think so.
Anyway...Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year too....I hope to see you all in 2013....if the world doesn't end.