It's Christmas time, Ding-a-Ling!

Have you ever had one of those days where you just want to go crazy? A little off the wall behavior sounds completely normal to you?

Good news, my friend. Today is your day. It is National Ding-a-Ling Day, a day to “Ring your Bell.” Not that we want you to steal the Salvation Army’s bells. No, this is a day to do what you normally would never do.

As the saying goes, every time someone rings a bell, a smile gets to be used. Or is it an angel gets its wings? No matter, because today, you should brace yourself for bizarre and crazy behavior, from all of the people you encounter today.

Even normal conservative Wyoming people have been known to go a little crazy on this day. That may be due to putting up with sub-zero temperatures and wind for a week and today is a balmy 38 degrees and calm. But looney they will go.

You don’t want to be an observer on a day like today. Get involved. This is one day when we can all “cut loose.”

What do you do to celebrate this day? Ding-a-Lings will be everywhere: on the road, on the street, in stores, and even in your own house. Get into the holiday spirit, and become a Ding-a-Ling yourself. If only for a day.

Don’t let the naysayers and straight-laced members of your ward, err world, say that Ding-a-Lings and Ding Bats are the same. They are not.

Nobody will ever call you a Ding-a-Ling or a Ding Bat if you show up with cookies. Here is a favorite recipe that I often use for Valentine’s Day, Easter, and those last minute, “Mom, I need a snack for school,” days. They have even gone out to Shriner’s Hospital in the shape of cowboy hats to thank the staff for all their help with my son.

And no one has called me a Ding-a-Ling. At least to my face.

Old Fashioned Butter Cookie Ingredients (from holidayinsights.com)

3 1/2 cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup soft butter

3/4 cups sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 egg, unbeaten

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Cream together well, the butter, sour cream and sugar.

Add egg, milk and vanilla. Mix together well.

Gradually add in the flour mixture. Add 1/4 at a time and mix together with a big spoon.

Chill dough overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Take chilled dough from the refrigerator and divide in two.

Roll out the dough to the thickness that you like for your cut out cookies. Use your favorite cutouts.

Put cookies onto un-greased cookie sheets.

Bake for 5 to 8 minutes, depending upon thickness. Allow to cool. Use your favorite frosting recipe and decorate with colored sugars and candy balls.