Kiki’s Corner: Choosing peace over pressure
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With only a few days left for the big Christmas celebration, so much yet needs to be done.
Running for last minute gifts that we don't have any idea what to buy, baking everybody's favorite cookies and desserts, many last minute gatherings, it is always so much fun and we don't want to miss them. Grocery shopping to make sure all our guests like our selection of dishes that we choose in our menu, plus we want to make everyone happy.
I wish December had 41 days instead of 31. In my situation I don't think that would help LOL with my lifestyle even if I started a month earlier I will end up running at the last minute.
I really don't know how people do it. If you're one of those people, how do you do it? It has to be a way for me to slow down and give myself time to enjoy the special season.
I have to say I learned to let myself enjoy and get satisfaction from little things. For instance last Saturday as I was driving on Grand Central Avenue and there was a huge group of people not sure what church it was (It seems to me it was a church congregation). Men, women and children and all of them holding signs that said "Christ is the reason for the season."
Amen! Honestly, it really truly touched my heart to see them in freezing temperatures be out there on the sidewalks. I'm sure they had many things to do like all of us this time of the year but they chose to do something they like and enjoy to do, and to me I thought it was great!
The stores were packed with shoppers, traffic was unbelievable on the streets, cold temperatures and I was so proud of those people so I rolled my window down and thanked them for doing it.
Let's not forget things that are very important to us this Christmas season.
1) Be forever grateful – Because everything you have is his grace.
2) Keep the faith because God's plan is better than we can imagine.
3) Be happy – Because God has given us joy.
4) Be hopeful – God is always making a way for you.
5) Be Loving – God has called us to love.
6) Be kind – Because everyone is precious to God.
Let's not forget this season to make a priority to spend time with your family and let everything else wait and let's not forget every day is a gift to us. Family comes first, name is better than riches and love everyone deeply, respect everyone, work hard, be humble and be grateful for what each one of us have.
Let's all appreciate everything in life, gratitude for the little things brings inner peace. Let's teach the family some things they need to remember.
That past cannot be changed.
Everyone's journey is different.
Happiness is found within.
Kindness is free.
You only fail if you quit.
Smiles, love, caring, hugs are contagious, So share them with everyone and teach them the importance of all.
To finish this Christmas article I would like to wish all of you wonderful people from the bottom of my heart and from my family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year with your beautiful families.
God Bless!
This Christmas I'm choosing peace over pressure.
I'm choosing to breathe instead of rush.
I'm choosing to show up with what I can do, not what I think I'm supposed to do.
Christmas doesn't need to be perfect to be meaningful, it needs to be full of love to share with family , friends, our community, and anyone that needs help in any way. Once we practice that we will have a wonderful and special season !
Till next week.
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Almond Coconut Candies
4 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
60 whole unblanched almonds
Frosting
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup butter or margarine melted
3 tablespoons hot coffee
In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients, stir until well mixed. Shape into one inch balls , Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Press an almond on top of each ball. Chill for one hour. Combine frosting ingredients until smooth. Immediately frost tops of candies. Chill until frosting is firm. Store in the refrigerator. Makes five dozen
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Stuffed Crown Roast of Pork
1 pork loin crown roast (5 to 6 pounds, about 10 ribs)
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
Mushroom stuffing
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup diced celery
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3 cups day old bread cubes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup apricot preserves
1 cup whole fresh cranberries, optional
Place roast ribs end up in a shallow roasting pan, sprinkle with seasoned salt. Cover rib ends with foil. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees F for 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, saute mushrooms and celery in butter until tender. Stir in bread cubes, salt and pepper. Spoon into the center of the roast. Brush sides of roast with preserves.
Bake 1 hour longer, or until a meat thermometer inserted into meat between ribs reads 160 degrees F. Remove foil if desired thread cranberries on a 20-inch piece of thin string or thread. Transfer roast a serving platter, loop the cranberry string in and out on the rib ends.
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Punchbowl Christmas Trifle
2 cans (20 ounces each) crushed pineapple
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
One package (5.1 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
4 medium ripe bananas, sliced
2 cans (15-14 ounces each) Fruit cocktail drained
2 cans (11 ounces each) mandarin oranges drained
1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 package (7 ounces) flaked coconut, toasted.
Drain pineapple, reserving juice, set the pineapple aside. Prepare cake batter according to packet directions, substituting pineapple juice for the water (Add water if necessary for the required measurement). Bake as directed in a greased 13 x 9 x 2 pan. Cool. Meanwhile, prepare pudding according to package directions. Cut the cake into 1 inch cubes. Place half in a 6-qt punch bowl. Top with half of the pudding, pie filling, pineapple, bananas, fruit cocktail, oranges, whipped topping and coconut. Repeat layers, cover and chill for six hours or overnight.