I'm on a 'clean-out' binge. I'm de-cluttering my home in the hopes of selling it early this spring. I spent most of this past weekend making piles to donate, keep or toss (just like on Clean Sweep). I've had the Vietnam Vets Association come to the house 3 times in the last month picking up assorted items including clothing and shoes, books, toys, framed art, bedding crystal items and vases. You know those vases you get when flowers are sent to you? I didn't realize how many I had. And I had some that were saved from when my daughters have received flowers. So I donated some (don't tell, I still kept some).

But the biggest step for me was when I was cleaning the garage. I've had my wedding dress in the box that 'preserved' it, stacked in the garage for years. It used to live in the attic in the house in Dumont, but when we moved it moved with us. Knowing full well that my daughters would never wear this outdated, old-fashioned dress (although what goes around comes around) and knowing that when looking at wedding pictures the girls would be reduced to giggles, I thought I would turn the dress into a christening gown to be used by my future grandchildren. Great idea, right? So it stayed in my garage for the last (almost) six years. Have I taken it to a dressmaker to design the tiny gown? Of course not. And chances are, my kids wouldn't want to use it (or they would feel obligated to use it) or maybe they won't have their kids christened.

So I made the decision to throw it out. My friend, Kathy, was with me. We looked at it, saw how it had yellowed, and I decided to toss it. I cut a piece of lace to keep as a memory, and then put it in a garbage bag.

Does that sound cold? I don't think so. With so many changes going on, it was time to toss out the old and bring in the new. No need to hold onto an item that at the time represented hope, happiness and dreams (something that I looked pretty lovely in I may add). I have the memories from that happy time and will keep them in my heart.

Was it easy to do? Actually, it was much easier than I thought. I felt calm and somewhat relieved getting rid of it. Kathy was there on my wedding day when I wore than beautiful dress; Kathy was there when I discarded it, yellowing and disintegrating.

So on to new hope, new happiness, and new dreams. A wonderful new step in the wonderful journey of life.

My recipe this time is a cookie my mom would make every Christmas. I have added it to my repertoire of Christmas cookies. It's a cookie that has many different names -- Nut Balls, Mexican Wedding Cakes. My mom's name for them? Swedish Balls. She was given the recipe from a friend of hers when we lived outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Maybe the woman was Swedish?? I have no idea, but here is the recipe:

Swedish Balls

Ingredients

1/2 lb. butter (2 sticks)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 3/4 cups flour

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (your choice)

1 tsp. vanilla

Extra powdered sugar

Cream butter. Add powdered sugar slowly. Add flour, then nuts and vanilla.

Blend thoroughly and chill for at least 2 hours.

Roll into small balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and immediately roll in powdered sugar. Let cool on rack .