Merry Christmas From Our Family

I love Christmas. I love the sights, the smells, the feelings, the songs. The only problem is that it is over way too fast. These are my favorite things from the holidays:

THE TREE

I love Christmas Trees. I love to sit in the quietness of their light and relax. My tree has been a project for many years. It used to be just gold, but a couple of years ago I added red. Red is my favorite color and I love this tree.


This year, I added something new to the tree. I bought these little berries on clearance last year and totally forgot about them until I pulled out the Christmas stuff. I was thinking about going and buying something like this and was so excited when they were already in the box!



But, my favorite thing on the tree has to be these ornaments. They used to be my grandmother's. About 10 years ago, she was going to give them to the DI and asked if I wanted them. I didn't use them until I put red on the tree, but they are awesome. They still have the original box. And only a couple of them are missing. They are very fragile and very beautiful.




THE PRESENTS

This is the best gift I gave this year. I was so excited for my nephew Hunter to open it. He loves to read books. He will listen to anyone who will read to him. I created this book at snapfish.com with the help of my sisters. It is Hunter's ABC book. It took some creativity, but there is a picture and entry for every letter of the alphabet. I love that it is just like a regular picture book. They come beautifully bound and printed. I also created one for Halle and one for Whitney. They love them very much as well, but I knew Hunter would really love it- and he did. He walked around the room asking aunts and uncles to read it to him. I think everyone at the party read it before they left. Happy reading, Hunter. I hope you read it a "Zillion" times!



FAVORITE GIFT RECEIVED

I know this may sound weird, and nothing against all of the gifts we were given this year. But, I love this gift. Halle got it from her Nursery Teacher and she plays with it ALL the time. She makes us put on the puppets and pretend to be the baby Jesus or Mary. She doesn't exactly have the story down yet, but she has had so much fun playing with these puppets. They are available from Oriental Trading and, they are on clearance-$2.49 for 4 sets of them!!





THE TREATS

I love treats at Christmas. My favorite is the candy that my Aunt Sarah used to make. She would make fudge, boston cream, and pinoche. It is so creamy and rich. I went to her house to learn how to make it. It is more than a recipe- it is a process. I've made it a couple of times since, it's just not the same as her's. Since she's not with us anymore, I'm glad that my sister accquired the ability to make this candy. However, I DID NOT GET ANY THIS YEAR!!!!! No, I'm not bitter, really--- ok, maybe a little. I would give you the recipe, but since it involves a lot more than a recipe, it would be useless. So, here are the recipes for 3 of my 'other' favorite treats.

I love this sugar cookie recipe. They are fun to make and very yummy. I also love to eat the dough!!! These are a favorite at Valentine's and Halloween, too. Heck, you should just make them year round. Who needs a reason?
Sugar Cookies


3 c. sugar
2 c. IMO (fat free sour cream)
3/4 c. shortening
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
7-8 c. flour
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix and refrigerate till dough is cold (several hours or over night). Roll 1/3 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes--DO NOT OVERBAKE!!!

Cool and frost with Buttercream Frosting

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. shortening
powdered sugar
milk
vanilla

(I don't use a recipe for the frosting, I just add lots of powdered sugar and then thin it out with a little milk.)




The 2 things that we had every year at home when I was little was a basket of mixed nuts (I always picked out the almonds) and Chex Party Mix. My mom still has to make party mix every year.

Chex Mix (original)

In a large bowl, mix:
1 box corn chex
1 box rice chex
1 box wheat chex
pretzels
mixed nuts
cheese crackers

Melt together:
3/4 c butter
4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 tsp seasoned salt
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder



Pour butter mixture over cereal and stir until evenly coated. Pour in large roasting pan and bake at 250 for 1 hour stirring every 15 minutes. (I usually don't bake it for a full hour)

I accidentally left the oven on the temp. for the cookies and now have BURNT chex mix. Luckily, the 2nd half turned out yummy!




My mom got this recipe last year and I've been addicted ever since. I made it to take to school as well as Scott's work party. I had to e-mail the recipe out because I had so many requests for it. I know it may sound weird at first, but once people try it, they sit and eat and eat and eat. It is soooo yummy!
Cranberry Salsa
1 package fresh cranberries
fresh cilantro (to taste- I just throw in a handful, stems and all)
3 green onions
1 jalepeno (you will have to judge how hot you want it. I usually add one jalepeno with the seeds removed)
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2-3/4 c. sugar (to taste)

Put all ingredients in food processor and pulse until finely chopped but not mushy. Pour over 2 bricks of cream cheese and serve with crackers. I like Wheat Thins the best with this dip, but I usually serve a variety.


THE PEOPLE

Need I say more?

I hope your holiday was as wonderful as ours was and we wish you and your family the very best for 2009!