Knotted Tree NeedleArt

Every year I buy a new carved-wood Santa to add to a beloved collection. I’ve been lucky enough to have an extraordinary Santa carver right here in eastern Oregon! Sadly, that talented lady retired this year, and My fiancé, Matthew, surprised me in the days before Christmas with some of her last pieces to add to my Old World Santa collection! What a gift! I just knew I had to create a special Santa ornament and will be making a second to give to her as a “thank you” for all the amazing wooden Santas she’s carved and painted. Even though they were made for her annual Christmas bazaar, somehow each one feels like they were made just for me! My hope is that this special St. Nick brings you as much Christmas joy as he brought to me as I stitched him up! Merry Christmas and cheers to a happy New Year!

Sometimes a classic with a twist is a great thing! This is my Grandma Ruthie Kile’s recipe with a few tweaks added for Christmas cookie plates!

Grandma Kile’s Peanut Butter Cookies

1/4 cup shortening 1/4 cup butter, room temperature 1 cup sugar, plus extra for rolling 1 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup smooth peanut butter 21/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Dash freshly ground nutmeg 1 cup chopped honey-roasted peanuts

Cream shortening, butter and sugars together. Add eggs and vanilla. Blend in the peanut butter. Sift dry ingredients and spices together; add all at once to creamed mixture and mix to combine. Fold in the chopped peanuts. (Or use 1 cup of chocolate chips or butterscotch chips! Baker’s choice!) Form dough into 1" to 11/2" balls and roll each ball in extra sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheet and flatten with a fork tines. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes.