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Today we light the second candle in the Advent Wreath. In two weeks, it will be Christmas Eve! December is such a magical month, so why does it have to gallop through the days so fast? I have watched the hands on the clock and they seem to go at a normal rate, but the days just disappear. So, Christmas is only days away and will be here, ready or not.
By the time you get this, hopefully, most of the plans you read about will be done! Cookies will be made and ready for delivery and candy will be in the crystal candy dish. Flour, sugar, eggs and butter are all sitting on the table, ready to be combined. Nearly all of the grandchildren are at the age where they prefer money to toys ("for little kids") or clothes ("Grandma doesn't know what I like"), so writing a check is easier than fighting that battle. I miss the shopping, but I can remember thinking the same as they do when I was that age. So, it is the easy way out – just enjoy a cup of tea by the fireplace, and write those checks. The young ones will be happy and the old ones will be more rested to enjoy the season!
We are blessed in this area for the many things to do during these December days. The store windows downtown are as special as any big city and the traffic is light enough that they can be admired easily. Parks are lit up with even more decorations this year. Even the homes seem to have increased the size and beauty of this year's lighting. Maybe we don't have a "Boat Parade" like San Antonio or Fort Lauderdale, but we can enjoy cruising in our land vehicles to see the beauty here in our Valley. Enjoy the displays and be thankful for those who put them up for all of us to see.
Cambridge is within driving distance for an evening and has a really nice "village" display as well as the lighting on the Courthouse -- with music! Some local churches have a "Singing Christmas Tree." There are several local musical groups, church and school, who have concerts for our holiday listening pleasure. The Cornerstone Restaurant in Beverly has caroling 7:30-8:30 p.m, Friday and Saturdays during December. There are bus tours to areas like Oglebay Park in Wheeling, to see the lighting displays, so you don't have to drive yourself. So look around, there is sure to be something that will be a "family treat" during this wonderful month.
The Christmas tree here on the hilltop usually ends up being a "year round" tree, so it was literally worn out by this year. A new tree was purchased and brought home to be put up as soon as it arrived. All at once, a problem reared its ugly head. Our latest "rescue," a large pup just over a year old, is still in the process of learning that he can't chew up everything he sees. As of this writing, that tree is still in the box! Now, with babies, one can set up the tree in a playpen. Since that is one thing we don't have, a substitute has to be found. So far, a portable fence looks like the only solution, but how do we secure it without nailing it to the wall?! Hopefully, by the time you read this, a solution will have been found and the tree will be up and decorated.
With temperatures dropping, we can really appreciate a hot bowl of soup as we come in from work or shopping. A crockpot is a true "kitchen helper" for that. Almost anything can be made into soup, from leftovers to freshly bought meat and vegetables. Just throw the ingredients into that crockpot, turn it on, and come back later with the meal cooked for you and ready to eat. Roasts and stew are easy too. A crockpot is easy to use, but do read the directions the first time you use it so you know what to watch for, like filling it too full (boils out all over the counter) or not enough liquid (dried out food), etc. I put mine on a rimmed cookie sheet (as it is an old one and spits out if I add the least bit too much liquid).
A couple of ideas are included today, along with some of my favorite Christmas cookie and candy recipes.
A somber note from our country's past – Last Thursday, Dec. 7, was National Pearl Harbor Rememberance Day. On that date, in 1941, the United States was attacked by another nation. The unthinkable happened. Could such a thing happen today? Think on it. If you don't remember Pearl Harbor and what happened because of it, and most of you were not of an age to know, go to the library and read what those who did experience it have recorded in history. We already know talking hasn't worked since we left Saigon. When the germs in a wound are not tended to, the wound does not heal itself; it just gets worse. (Vietnam?!) Pray for strength for those who now have to find a way to heal our countries' wounds and back them.
Even though these things concern us, we, personally, can do nothing about them except pray and hope. So, do enjoy this magical season and plan happy experiences for your little ones. Don't get too stressed (a cup of tea and rocking chair in front of a fireplace helps.) Count your blessings, help a neighbor, thank our protectors, and hug the kids. God Bless!
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RUSSIAN TEA CAKES
1 cup soft butter
1/2 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
Mix thoroughly the butter, sugar, and flavoring. Sift together the flour and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts. Chill dough. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake until set, but not brown – 10-12 minutes in preheated 400 oven. While still warm, roll in confectioners' sugar. Cool, then roll in sugar again.
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CHRISTMAS BISCOTTI
2 1/3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups candied cherries
1 cup pistachio nut meats
Whisk flour and baking powder together in a medium bowl. In a mixer bowl, beat sugar and butter until creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla, beating just until combined. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in cherries and pistachios. Divide dough into thirds. Form each piece of dough into a 9×2 log. If dough is sticky, dust hands with flour. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in preheated 375 oven for 25 minutes or until tops are lightly browned. The rolls will be soft if you touch them. Do not remove from cookie sheet until cool enough to handle. Carefully, cut slices, diagonally, into 1/2- to 1/4-inche slices with a serrated knife. Reduce oven heat to 325. Place cookie slices, cut side up, back on cookie sheets and bake another 8-10 minutes, or until edges are a golden brown. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
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CROCKPOT POTATO SOUP
2 cans (14 1/2-oz. each) chicken broth
4 medium baking potatoes, pared and cut into ¢-inch cubes
1 large onion, diced
2 celery ribs, diced
1 large carrot, diced
1/4 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup half-and-half
1 tablespoon butter
Fresh parsley for garnish
Combine broth, potatoes, onion, celery, flour, salt and pepper in slow cooker. Mix well. Cover and cook on low for about 6 or 7 hours. Stir in half-and-half and cook another hour. Remove lid and slightly mash potatoes with potato masher. Continue to cook, uncovered, for another 30 minutes or until it is slightly thickened. Just before serving, stir in butter. Garnish each bowl with chopped fresh parsley.
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ENGLISH TOFFEE
1 1/2 cups almonds, blanched
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons water
Milk chocolate, melted
Brown almonds lightly in the oven. Put half through food chopper. Split remainder into halves. Melt butter. Add sugar, salt, and water. Stir until sugar dissolves. Cook to hard-crack stage (310 degrees.) Stir constantly. Add split almonds. Pour into oiled 8×8 pan. Spread chocolate over top, sprinkle with ground almonds. Cool. Turn toffee upside down on waxed paper. Spread this side with chocolate and sprinkle with nuts. When it is cold, break into pieces.