I'm so excited about the new benches that Verdi Blu is now offering!

Who doesn't want a fun, patterned bench for the end of your bed or sitting in front of your sofa?

http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/benches-ottomans

The benches and ottomans will be available for delivery in early February. Place orders now and you can have a new beautiful accent in your home just as the Spring Decorating (much nicer than Spring Cleaning) arrives. Greek Key footstools (18 x18 x 8) are priced at $205 and Larger benches (47 x 23.5 x16.5) at $540.

One of my favorite cookies! Every holiday we would make these meltaway goodies! We would call them "sandies" but they are more often known as "mexican wedding cookies"

Make sure to double the batch because these quickly disappear! 

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter 
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup pecans, chopped into small pieces 

Allow the butter to soften at room temperature. In a large bowl, mix the softened butter along with 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar along with the vanilla and stir vigorously until well blended. Add the flour slowly - stirring with each portion added. Then add the chopped pecans and continue to mix well. 

Divide dough in half; form each half into ball then flatten the ball slightly. Wrap separately in plastic; chill until cold, about 30 minutes or as long as overnight.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift the powdered sugar if possible, but not necessary. Working with half of the chilled dough, roll dough by 2 teaspoonfuls between palms into balls. Arrange balls on large baking sheet (using either parchment paper or a silpat mat works great) spacing 1/2 inch apart. Bake cookies until slightly brown on bottom and just pale golden on top, about 18 minutes. Cool cookies for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Then gently toss warm cookies in the powdered sugar and coat completely. Transfer coated cookies to a backing rack and cool completely. Repeat with remaining half of dough. (Cookies can be prepared 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight at room temperature. However, they won't last long so you might need to hide the container.