Bake some cookies, save some bread

Vintage cookie cutters and vintage "bread loaf" coin bank

Although I am a passable cook, I am a far better baker.  It was always one of my favorite activities in preparing for holidays to bake dozens of different types of cookies, make candy, even to envelop myself in the process of making the very large recipe of 12 loaves of Patica, (the recipe here is very close to our family recipe but on pain of death I am keeping that a secret).  This Slovakian Christmas bread is very similar, I am told, to Stollen--without the powdered sugar.

Not only do I use the rolling pin that my mother owned, which makes me happy and brings back so many joyous memories, but I also have a lovely selection of vintage cookie cutters with wooden handles to  cut out the shapes from my favorite butter cookie recipe.  For me, there are few things that say "Holiday" more than a plateful of beautifully decorated shaped cookies.  And what a great gift to give to family or friends, especially if you happen upon a vintage platter or tin you can gift with the cookies. 

I know, it is only September, but since last year I really struggled with getting into the holiday spirit, this year I am working overtime and getting in to it way early.  Maybe I'll even have all my Christmas shopping, wrapping and baking done so that I can relax a little as they draw near.  In the meantime, maybe I'll go see if I can hunt down some Halloween shaped cookie cutters or at the very least, some leaves. 

The Holiday Countdown

It's official. The countdown to the holidays has started. Some of my favorite craft supply stores already have trees, ornaments and other decorations out. 

Look at these adorable vintage enamel canisters I picked up at an estate sale for a song.

As if those aren't adorable enough, these vintage Russian doll nesting Santas will bring holiday cheer.  I love decorating for the holidays.  

One of my favorite parts is hanging up my vintage ornaments.  My mom used to buy a new ornament each year--one for each of us kids--when we moved away from home, we all had enough to start our own tree.  Finding vintage holiday goodies is worth the wait for the perfect piece if you truly love the holidays.  Now is not too late to start...and not too soon either since the holidays are just around the corner.  

This is a Santa ornament my mom got for me
as a kid back in the late 1960s.