Kiki’s Corner: As we enter the Christmas season
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The biggest season of the year is only three weeks away and the pressure is on us … I just finished my home decorations inside and outside and that is one thing off my list leaving only about 50 more to do LOL. … Actually not that many because my Christmas duties had shrunk this year due to the virus.
By this time last year I would have had a Christmas cookie exchange at my house and a major Christmas party at our house not to mention attending all the different Christmas programs at schools that our grandchildren were taking part in plus other parties.
By now my calendar was full of various events for the Christmas season … for example last year I had decorated 21 Christmas trees just for our home and listening to my husband telling me how crazy I was. This year I decorated only one tree and at least made my husband happy … I cut back this year because I figured why I should go through all the time and trouble decorating when not even our grandchildren will be coming to our house. Last year our grandkids put numbers on each of the 21 trees in our house and voted on which one would be the best, LOL. I will miss all that this year but hopefully things will go back to normal by next Christmas for it is sad and depressing not having quality time with the family and friends. … I also decorated six Christmas trees at the Blennerhassett Hotel to be auctioned off -- plus one international tree for the Museum. This year I only decorated two trees for the Blennerhassett and the Museum event was canceled. … Yearly we always entered Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Chick fil A in both the Vienna and Parkersburg parades but for the first time made the decision not to take part. This is to show you some of the major changes that have taken part in my life this holiday season.
There also was a major change in the traditional "Black Friday" as to the hours and build-up for the busiest shopping day of the year. The COVID-19 virus has turned our world upside down this year and our biggest wish for this Christmas is that people received the new vaccine and fear of testing positive.
It is what it is so we will all just have to adjust to the circumstances. The Christmas season is such a wonderful time of the year regardless the restrictions that are upon us but is also important that we follow the recommendations of our medical staff and take their safety instructions. Even if it is difficult because we can not get together with our loved ones, go to parties or church if we have faith and be patient one day soon hopefully we can see the bright side of things once again.
Till next week.
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Aunt Louise Anna's Raisin Nut Cookies
2 cups raisins
1 cup of water
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon soda
2 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Plump raisins by boiling with water for 5 minutes uncovered. Cool. Cream shortening and sugar, add eggs and beat well. Add vanilla and the cooled raisin mixture. Sift together the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Add sifted mixture to raisin mixture and blend well. Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts. Chill for 2 hours. Drop by tablespoons on greased baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool completely on rack. These cookies keep for weeks.
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Rum Balls
3 cups crushed vanilla wafers
1 cup powdered sugar
1 and 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
1 and 1/2 tablespoon Cocoa
2 tablespoons white corn syrup
3/4 cup light rum
powdered sugar
Mix ingredients thoroughly and roll into small balls about one heaping teaspoon each. Roll in powdered sugar and store in a tin box with wax paper between layers. May be frozen. Makes 4 dozen.
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Sand tart cookies
1 cup margarine
1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar divided
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons water
Cream margarine. Add three heaping tablespoons powdered sugar, vanilla, nuts, flour and water. Mix well and work together. Shape into oblong finger pieces about the size of small dates or roll into balls half the size of a golf ball. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 300 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until delicately browned. Roll in remaining powdered sugar immediately and allow to cool uncovered. Container makes 8 dozen.