Nutcrackers, Barns and Christmas...Oh My!

I know what you're thinking...

I've finally lost it!

Well maybe...maybe not:)

We have a lot going on at the Shabby Chicks place today...

White Wednesday...

A barn party with the Barn Chicks...

and we're getting ready for Christmas with

All Things Merry & Bright!

So let's get started...

White Wednesday is a cool group who link up with 

Kathleen at Faded Charm

This is where the Nutcrackers come in.

Would you believe I am painting my house tomorrow just to go with the

9 ft. WHITE Christmas tree that is arriving on Friday?
Yes, I am crazy!
My girls say this is my "Martha" side coming out...
everything has to be "perfect".
Whatever...
not perfect, just kind of perfect:)
So I found some beautiful Nutcrackers this week.
The first one is from Joann's and is 20 inches tall,
dressed in cream and white glitter...

 GORGEOUS!!!
The next 2 guys are a silver and champagne color from Michael's.

 (Don't you LOVE the coupons from these stores?)
Anyway, I wasn't sure how to decorate this year until I found these guys and it hit me...
it's my GLAM Christmas with metallics (even pink:) and glitter!!
(I still love Pink for my pink friends...
but it goes better in the rest of the house:)
And speaking of Nutcrackers,
my daughter got a pic of the tutu she will be wearing for the Nutcracker last night.
This is it...

 a real tutu fit for the Snow Queen,
white with silver stitching, cream sequins and crystals.

Okay...moving on to barns!
Karen at Brayton Homestead Interiors is hosting a
Barn Chicks Party!!!

 If you like barns...or anything fall/winter/decorating...check it out!
Okay, so my husband recently met someone who lives on a ranch out east
and even he was impressed by the life this guy has.
He said to me "what do you think, could you be happy living like that"?
Ummmm...yeahh!!!
Especially if I can live in a BARN!!!

 (He thinks I'm joking...NOT)
 I mean, Christmas is coming and can you imagine coming home to your BARN
decorated like THIS???

 Or how about a winter wedding in a barn...

(flickr photos...green weddings)
not too SHABBY:)

Speaking of Christmas,
Robin is hosting the
All Things Merry and Brite blog party
on Wednesdays and we
are allowed to post old OR new posts for the Holidays.
I should have SOMETHING here, wouldn't you think?
 I decided to re-post a recipe for Amish Sugar Cookies.

These are so good, so white and sugary and look pretty wrapped in a
clear cellophane bag and tied with a pretty ribbon.
Oh my gosh, I'm making myself hungry for sugar cookies at 8:30 in the morning!
The full post is here but I've included just the recipe for you below.

AMISH SUGAR COOKIES:

Beat Well:

1 C Sugar

1 C Powder Sugar

1 C Butter

! C Corn Oil (We used Canola Oil)

Add and Beat together then add to above mixture:

2 Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Cream of Tarter

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Salt

4 1/2 C Flour

Directions:

Drop a heaping tsp on greased or parchment lined cookie sheet.

Flatten with a glass bottom dipped in sugar.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 min. or till edges are golden.

(Yes, we add a sprinkle of sugar when they come out too...

and do not let them stay on the pan too long or they get too crispy/crumbly)

All I can say is ENJOY!!!!!
And Happy White Wednesday, Barn Chicks Party and
All Things Merry & Brite Day!