Give Me Some Sugar.

This is the best recipe* for cut-out sugar cookies. It's from an old cookbook my aunt gave me many years ago called "Palette to Palate." Before we delve into the recipe, take a look at the Silpat on my much-loved cookie sheet.

Silpat is one of the seven wonders of France. It's a washable, reusable silicone pan liner for baking. Through some kind of scientific miracle, it withstands heat to prevent food from sticking and results in even browning. Many, many parchment trees will be saved due to my discovery of this wonder. So, many thanks to my darling, beloved Aunt Sharon for sending it to me. You are a rock star, baby. Onto the deliciousness:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (confectioner's sugar)
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Granulated or colored sugar
Extra powdered sugar for frosting

Note: Oh, yes, extra powdered sugar for frosting because there is not enough p. sugar already in this.

Combine flour, cream of tartar and baking soda in a small bowl; set aside. In a large bowl, cream 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in egg and flavorings (vanilla, almond extracts - if you dislike almond extract or can't use it, double vanilla). Stir in the flour mixture. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours.

Divide dough into halves and shape into a large patty (it will seem hard but it softens up quickly). Roll each half about 3/16-inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered board (I used another Silpat I have that is for rolling; you can also just use flour-covered waxed paper). Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Sprinkle with granulated sugar, if desired, or leave plain and decorate after baking.

Place on parchment (or Silpat) -lined cookie sheet. Bake in pre-heated 375 degree oven until edges are lightly brown, only 7-8 minutes. Remove from oven; place on wire rack to cool.

If frosting is desired (I desire), just mix a cup of powdered sugar with a little milk until it is the proper consistency (unlike cake frosting, it will be thinner but not so thin it runs off the cookie). Sprinkle while frosting is wet.

Now, try very hard not to eat so many that you have to make another batch before the band concert which is where they are supposed to go. Enjoy!

*Technically, my mom makes the all-time best sugar cookies but they call for shortening and I just can't eat nearly as many thinking about all that shortening.

Do Not Buy This.

And especially do not buy the larger size. With real cream, rum, brandy and whiskey, it is the best egg nog ever to grace these lips. With some nutmeg on top (heated), it's best. Kind of strong. Not for wimps. (Although I am a well-known wimp and I can handle it.) If you gain 10 lbs. this holiday season, don't say I didn't warn you.

I Am Going to Miss My Daughter So Much...

when she goes to college.

She walks into my bedroom this morning where she spies her new "Rolling Stone" magazine.

"Mmmm...Brad Pitt," she says as she walks over to grab it.


"Ewww...crustache."

Maybe you had to be there. I find her mucho hilarious. By the way, props to her for my holiday header.

Time to Read This.

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. Available here.

And listen to this.

Christmas pickin' such as you have never heard. You can hear a sample on iTunes (try White Christmas from this CD). Available on Amazon here.

Deer-gasm.

I can't take it. These are so bee-yoo-tee-ful. As the kids say, "O.M.G." You know my affinity for deer. And these are just...(no words)...
And now for my favorite:
I saw these on MadebyGirl. Go there here and then go here here to Ruby's Lounge etsy to buy one of these objets d'art. They are $345 each and Worth. Every. Penny. !!! If you are planning to buy one for a certain fabulous deer lover you know (*eyelash flutter*) for Christmas, her shop is closed until after the holidays. But it's really not too early to start thinking about my your favorite deer lover's birthday.

Beach Week, Day Five: Mod Cottage.

Wrapping up Beach Week is Mod Cottage. Owned by Brad Holsinger and Ed Moore, Mod Cottage opened in May of this year with quite a splash. You'll find a fresh mix of items for the every area of the home - kitchen, bath, living areas, even outdoors. Everything from pottery to platters, candles to pillows, lamps and rugs and lots of great gifty items. It's kind of amazing how they fit so much into this space.

The lamps are great but take note of that wall decor. They're called Wallflowers. They have little magnets in them and they will attach to a tack. Isn't that a great idea?

These dogs are absolutely allowed on the furniture (nod to Decorno).

But not on the rug (I am loving this rug!).

Thomas Paul Swallows Dhurrie.

Great pillows, wall clocks, even furniture.

And, of course, they're all dolled up for the holidays.

They have a great website - you can order from it. The owners are the sweetest guys. I don't know why I didn't take a picture of them. I do have a picture of Ed, modeling a petticoat-styled laundry bag (the Bo-Peep :-). Talk about dressing up a drudge job.

Take a visit, schedule your flight, just get there. Either online here, or at 247A Rehoboth Avenue in the new Hotel Rehoboth. Please note: They're closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Beach Week, Day Four: Bella Luna.

Time for some girly. And Bella Luna's the place. How fabulous is that garland? The window displays are worth the price of admission alone.

Janice Elder is the owner of the shop that one of her customers calls "Estrogen Heaven." Indeed. You'll find handbags handmade from vintage quilts, retro art prints, cards and buttons from Anne Taintor ("I love not camping" is my favorite), handknit animal backpacks for toddlers as well as scented soy candles, great little chandeliers and too many other things to mention. I'll just let the pictures do the talking...

Bella Luna's online shop doesn't quite look open for business, but stayed tuned. To visit or bookmark for a future visit, go to bellalunatic.com.

Beach Week, Day Three: Jeff West Home.

This adorable, unassuming little cottage on Rehoboth Avenue belies the well-edited luxury inside. "Bespoke Beach" is the term Jeff has coined for his vision. Light and bright and airy. And artful.

I love the lithos of these beautiful old dog drawings from the 20s. His shop contains quite a few original works of art including watercolors and oils tucked into comfortable vignettes.

Blue and white is a beach staple. It looks especially fresh here with touches of apple green.


Red is an especially appropriate accent color at this time of year. How great is that floor? While it's not for sale, I am in love with that bamboo chair, which is.

I forgot to ask who these linens are but his website has linens from Charlotte Moss.

Antique Staffordshire transferware lined all in a row...

And here he is. He couldn't have been nicer. I left with quite a few things including Christmas cards from Susan Wallace Barnes and a couple of wreaths including one topped with a handmade ornament from Annapolis, MD folk artist Natalie Silitch, who is featured at the Delaware beaches exclusively at Jeff West. Her ornaments are currently being featured at Bergdorf's and have also graced Christmas trees at the White House during the past two administrations. Pretty cool. You can visit Jeff's website here to get a feel for some of the merchandise up close and personal.

Beach Week, Day Two: Tulip.

When I did my posts about Delaware, I didn't mention Bethany Beach. The reason is because the best thing about Bethany (IMO) was Tulip - and it had already moved to Rehoboth.

Tulip is owned by twin brothers Kurt and Wally Wode (that joke was for you, Wally). It is on Route 1 between Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches. It's an interesting mix of blingy ballgown gorgeousness and down-to-earth hand-craftedness. Let's browse and see what you like.

Sunburst mirrors suit the beach. And, of course, a carved deerhead (actually it's an antelope or something) fits in anywhere.

A lot of the local stores carry items that reflect beach life such as coral and shells but here they always manage to throw in some of the unexpected, like those interesting ceramics on the country cupboard.

Or this fabulous chandy.

The beauty is in the mix. Lodgy leather and transitional tortoise mix with translucent capiz shells to trip your light fantastic (I think I'm channeling Linda at Lime in the Coconut).

And texture. You can have an entire room of brown and white that looks interesting because of its varied textures. Silks and abalone, sisal and crackled ceramic contrast with shiny mirrors and polished chrome.

And just when you think you've got the place figured out, they throw you a curveball.

A well-loved, hand-hewn table shows up. Many items are one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces. And then there's a fun section of state pillows and glasses, another with soaps and potions and, oh, I almost forgot: The motherload of Vera Bradley. An entire room devoted to it.

But here's what I left with: A beautiful wreath for the front door of the beach house, the cutest little owl soap with a leaf soapdish and a gift for my daughter. And I found a few of my favorite Christmas Fir votives tucked in the bag.

Life's a Beach.

Welcome to Beach Week on Hello Gorgeous. It's perfect timing I think, considering the weather in some areas right now. I went to the beach over the weekend and took pictures of some of my favorite shops cuz I know how y'all are into that sort of thing. The great thing about shopping at the beach is that there is something for everyone - from high-end to funky and everything in between. Ready? Let's start with some funk, compliments of Detail, A Gallery for the Home.

Michael Muller and Tom Boeke are the owners of Detail Gallery. Detail showcases the works of many local and regional artists, including owner Michael's art and offers plenty of other out-of-the-ordinary goodies for the abode in a jam-packed home-like environment.

Who doesn't love a tinsel tree? The ornaments are especially great. And because nothing gets by the eagle eye and multi-layered prescription eyeglasses of Hello Gorgeous, the man to the right of the tree? He appears to be starring in one of Michael's collage pieces looking especially fabulous (click here to see more of Michael's art):

Uncertain Choices by Michael Muller, multimedia, $375

Mascot Extraordinaire Mirabelle the Boston Terrier is the adorable face behind the store and the inspiration for many items within, such as greeting cards and reusable recycled shopping bags created by Muller.

But that's not all! The Adventures of Mirabelle which has been featured on Michael's website is about to be published as a children's book. I can't wait for it to come out. Go here to see some of Mirabelle's adventures, also available online and in-store as cards and prints.

Birddog, with watermark

Difficult as it is to leave lovely Mirabelle, it's time to move about the store:

Flora in Black by Brent Rodgers

Doesn't the top artwork look so Mad Men? And oh, yes, I came home with Miss Flora below looking all Marie Antoinette-y and fabulous. And speaking of Queen Marie:


And equal time pour les messieurs...


Some family-friendly art:


A handful of accessories, fresh from the oven:


At his old location, he had quotes from "Barefoot in the Park" painted onto his walls. Because it is one of my all-time favorite movies, I immediately loved his shop. Here, perched amongst the candles and soaps is a signed photo of Mildred Natwick, who played to perfection Corie's mother, Ethel. Rent it if you haven't seen it.


If you don't live around here, you can still visit the Gallery and shop online. But if you're in the area, it shouldn't be too hard to stop by. In fact, next Saturday, Dec. 13, is the Second Saturday Destination Art Walk from 4-7 pm. Be warned, I left town loaded down with booty from my weekend (having planned to not buy a thing).

I mean, shop owners have to eat, too, right? *wink* I'm just doing my part for local retailers in this lousy economic and retail environment.