I am especially grateful this Christmas to have the opportunity to share some of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions with Kim Power Stilson’s audience. Christmas is a poignant, reflective season of celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We try to emulate his charity by being extra generous with the poor and giving heartfelt gifts of time, cheer and even objects that represent our love to family and friends. Christ’s goodness and mercy truly make Him the Light of the World.
The Light of the World dry point etching by Pam McMurtry
The excitement in our family is heightened by our anticipation of the arrival of our son Tim who has been away from home for 2 years serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Alabama. He returns to us from Selma, where he and his companion Elder Muaka, originally from Kenya, have been sharing the message of Jesus Christ; a message of brotherhood, peace and hope.
Most of the McMurtry Clan
Merry Christmas to you my friends, my wish for you is that my chat with Kim will give you ideas that will enrich your holiday season as you gather loved ones and prepare for the most wonderful time of the year!
Merry Christmas to you from the BYU Holiday Diva, Pam McMurtry and family!
Macy’s SLC City Creek holiday window by the McMurtrys
Gingerbread house, a McMurtry tradition
Shortbread cookies, a family favorite!
McMurtry Shortbread Cookies
These need no adornment but you may wish to frost them or sprinkle them with sugar before baking. Melted white chocolate can be drizzled over the cooled cookies.
1 C butter, room temperature
2/3 C powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1/2 C finely milled whole wheat flour
1/4 C cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt
1 C chopped pecans (optional)
Preheat oven to 325°. Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. In a seperate bowl blend the flours, cornstarch and salt. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and mix just until a crumbly dough is formed, add pecans if desired. Place dough between 2 sheets of wax paper and roll to 1/4 ” thickness. Cut with cookie cutters, transfer to a parchment or waxed paper-lined baking pan and sprinkle with sugar or cookie decorations if desired. Bake smaller cookies at 325° for 15-18 min and larger ones for 20 – 23 minutes or until edges are just starting to turn golden.
The Gift of Art
Please visit my gallery on Etsy for original art for Christmas giving. There are many pieces of fine art available and I welcome commissioned work.
The Shepherdess
Watercolor after Bouguereau
Nutcracker
Charcoal drawing
Mirror
Oil on canvas
Green Bottle
Oil on canvas
Delicious recipes like wild rice cranberry salad, homemade popcorn balls, pumpkin pie cake that you and your loved ones will treasure for the holidays are available in
A Harvest and Halloween Handbook
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