Here's to 2011!

As 2010 winds down I think of all the blessings we were showered with this past year. We've had new additions in the form of furry friends, Ray's job is still intact and we've enjoyed many warm and fuzzy moments that make life worth living.

Have you made any resolutions yet? Mine are to improve myself in every way I can and get more involved in my nations politics. We have a lot of work to do in unraveling the communism that has destroyed our republic. I'm hoping to see many prosecutions in the coming months and years too. Usurpers know who they are and they go to the highest level of our government. I pray there are people in power honest enough to make that happen. Those will be the men and women history looks kindly on. They will be our present day heroes.

I've enjoyed reading your blogs and look forward to reading more of your lives in the coming months. You've been such good friends and I thank God for each and every one of you.

May 2011 be a year full of prosperity, love and joy for you and yours.

Happy New Year!

Something Old and Something New

The Christmas season is winding down. The tree and ornaments are put away for another year and the house is getting back to normal. The turkey leftovers are long gone, yet the cats still roam into the kitchen with hopes that another pinch of turkey may come their way. Cats are always hopeful for one thing or another.

Someone dropped off another surprise last week. I'm up and down all hours of the night and morning and always check on the cats on the deck. It was around 4:00am the Sunday before Christmas when I spotted "Holly" sitting next to "Boo Boo" in his box. "Holly couldn't have been over 4 weeks old if she was a day. After a short chase around the deck in my nightgown in 12 degree weather, I managed to catch and cradle her in my arms. She's been my constant companion ever since. "Holly" has to be the biggest and best surprise we've received this Christmas.


Holly

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And Mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys -- and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump -- a right jolly old elf;

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle;

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."


by Clement Clarke Moore

Christmas is Coming!

The snow has been on the ground for several days now. I remember dad saying that when a snow lingers, it's waiting for the next one. He right too. There's a whopper of a snow storm expected this coming Christmas weekend. Thankfully, Ray and I have no plans for traveling.

I'm going to bake a turkey with all the trimmings for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Also have plans for baking Ray's favorite, Toll House Cookies and some homemade fudge.

I've recorded all the Christmas specials to watch this week too. One of my favorites is "The Bells of St. Marys", starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman.


I also have a copy of the 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol" starring Reginald Owen.


In my opinion, he's the best Scrooge to ever play the part. We always watch that on on Christmas Eve.

I've been making toys for the cats and getting all the washing and cleaning out of the way.

Ray's on vacation this week and has been a big help.

Your Christmas Card

Here's your Christmas Card.

Merry Christmas!

Testing Recipes

I'm always in search of new recipes to try on Ray, and during the holidays, the rest of the family too. Today, I've created my own cookies using a basic sugar cookie recipe. These will be added to the cookie tray for our family Christmas party this year.

Below are chocolate-dipped almond cookies and chocolate-dipped raspberry cookies.


The pink cookies were made by switching the vanilla ingredient for raspberry extract and adding six drops of red food coloring to the cookie dough.

The white cookies have almond extract in them instead of the vanilla.

They're easy to make too. Here's the recipes...

Chocolate-Dipped Raspberry and Almond Cookies

1/2 c. (1 stick) softened butter
3/4 c. white sugar
1 tsp. raspberry extract
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Combine the butter and sugar in a big bowl and mix until creamy. Add the egg, six drops of red food coloring and raspberry extract; mix again.
In another bowl, stir the flour, baking powder and salt together. Gradually add the flour mixture to the bowl containing the butter mixture and mix until smooth.
Form the dough into a roll on wax paper and roll the dough into the paper sheet. Place in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheet with cooking spray, wipe with oil, or line with parchment paper. (I prefer parchment paper.)

Slice 1/4 inch slices of dough off the roll and place on the cookie sheet.

Leave 1 1/2 to 2-inches between each cookie.
Bake the cookies for about 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Almond Cookie Variation: Use the same recipe as above but use almond extract instead of raspberry and leave out the red food coloring.


CHOCOLATE DIP FOR COOKIES

1 c. semisweet chocolate morsels
1 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. milk

Melt chocolate in a small saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly to blend in butter and milk. Set over pan of hot water and do not allow it to cool.
Dip baked cookies halfway into mixture. Set on wire rack or parchment paper until chocolate sets.
Do not store dipped cookies in high humidity or heat.

And He Shall Reign

Many thanks to Robin at Robin's Roost for posting this video.

I was having a hard time getting into the Christmas Spirit until I saw this. I now feel blessed with the hope that there are people who are going to stand up for religious freedom in the world.

Merry Christmas!