Making The Season Bright

After being inspired by all of you and how you're decorating for the holidays, I decided to snap a few photos from around our house. I tend to go for a "more with less" approach...and having little inquisitive hands helps to curb my enthusiasm to what's financially frugal and easily put away come January! :o)


Welcome to our home...

This is my attempt at the snowflake wreath idea I posted a few weeks ago. It's hard to see the gingham bow and old brass bell in the center, but I had fun finding treasures in our basement to reuse...and my parents' backyard supplied all the fresh greens.



Entryway closet door...



I stole this idea just yesterday from my friend for our hallway stairs. If we ever decide to do stockings, I think I'll hang them here...



The nativity pieces on my china hutch...





Bowl of pinecones, walnuts and berries on our dining room table...



And our version of a traditional Polish tree with the straw ornaments. (It'd be even more European if I'd use real candles on the branches, but alas' we're not wishing to burn down the house!)...

Waiting

Cramping, Softening, But Not Dilating.

That's probably enough information.

I'm praying this Friday's doctor's appointment yields some news of the latter of those categories.

Last One...At Least Until Next Week (Ha Ha)

My friend Libby was contesting the amount of dessert recipes that were being posted lately...just reading them was making her fatter. (Hardly!)

Well, this one is more figure-friendly than my most recent recipe posts. And though it's not expressly a Christmas treat, it IS super easy and who doesn't want that?

ALMOND BISCOTTI

You can be the one to decide if you want to slather it with Nutella or dip it in melted chocolate! :o)

1 stick butter, softened

3/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. almond extract

2 1/2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. finely ground almonds

(I usually take whole, unsalted, roasted almonds right from my freezer, put a handful in a small freezer ziplock, and pound with a tenderizer hammer. Works like a charm.)

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Cream together the butter and sugar, then add the eggs and almond extract and mix well.

3. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into wet ingredients, then add almonds.

4. Knead in bowl until dough forms (add a bit of flour at the end if it's still too sticky to handle).

5. Divide into 2 parts and flatten on parchment lined cookie sheet into 8 x 4" rectangular loafs (about an inch high).

6. Bake for 35 minutes, then remove but leave oven on while loaves cool for 10 minutes.

7. Cut into 3/4" slices, lay biscotti on their sides and bake for 5 mins. Flip biscotti and bake 5 mins. more. Cool completely.

Makes about 2 dozen small biscotti.

Not Quite Twiddling My Thumbs Yet

I am soooo glad I did my holiday baking and extra meal prep weeks ago...my energy level has just taken a nose-dive!

But there are a few things remaining on my To Do List...

1. Get a haircut and color treatment--folks, the amount of grey was hideous! I told my hairdresser last night that I'd try not to fall asleep in the chair. Two hours later I felt transformed, and ready to go to bed. She has strong fingers and the wash and style at the end was literally a massage...good times.

2. Stock up on household stuff at BJ's: toilet paper, paper towels, diapers for Natalia, laundry detergent, etc.

3. Pack my hospital bag--I've been avoiding it because it means saving a laundered pair of lounge pants that I've practically LIVED in when not leaving the house.

4. Prepare Natalia's things for when we're at the hospital.

5. Clean my refrigerator--it needs a good wipe-down.

6. Knit baby booties. (Just kidding! I have no idea how to do this.)

7. Draft my Christmas letter. (I plan to send it out via email this year--sorry folks if you think that's cheesy, but the finances are tight. Besides, with this blog you practically get a newsletter AND pictures every week.)

8. Take as many naps as possible! (Thank you Lord that Natalia is not on strike from naps this week!)

9. Buy another warm air humidifier.

10. Request some good books from the library. (Any suggestions?)

Just Call Me Paula Dean (Part 2)

Cream Wafers

The buttery flaky crust literally melts in your mouth! And of course there's more butter in the frosting. Soooo yummy!

Dough:

2 c. flour

1 c. unsalted butter, softened

1/3 c. heavy cream

(You'll need regular sugar to lightly coat dough later.)

Frosting:

1/4 c. unsalted butter, softened

1 egg yoke

3/4 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

(add red or green food coloring)

1. Mix dough ingredients and chill for 1 hour.

2. Roll out dough with flour and cut with baby food jar dipped in flour.

3. Dip each dough circle in sugar (both sides).

4. Place on cookie sheet close together and jag with a fork 4 times. (This makes a squared pattern.)

5. Bake at 375 for 6-8 minutes. Do not overbake!

6. When cooled, fill with frosting and sandwich together.

(Makes about 2 dozen.)

Overheard

Once again Natalia has provided more than a few laughs in our household with her comments.

The other night Pete was headed out to watch a football playoff game soon after dinner and so when he sat down at the table decked out in his winter duds (complete with a silly wool hat), Natalia took one look at him, looked at me and said, "Mom, check it out!" as she pointed and giggled. Needless to say, there were laughs all around at that one! (Doesn't that sound so grown up--like a teenager?! Scary!)

On more than one occasion lately when Natalia first gets her lunch or dinner plate and takes a bite, she's said (completely stonefaced), "Mmmmm, this is kinda' good Mom. It's tasty!"

When in the car, she will occasionally give me directions... "turn weft, den weft, den white."

And since two of her buddies are now going to preschool a few days a week, she's been distressed at times because she has to have a few more birthdays till she can go to school too! "How many birt-days till I ride da' bus Mom?"

Just Call Me Paula Dean! (Part 1)

Fans of the Food Network will recognize that name. It's synonymous with the word "butter". Paula is not afraid to use this au natural ingredient and neither am I. You just don't eat a whole plateful of these folks! My philosophy: small portions of really good food is better than alot of something with unpronounceable ingredients.

So here is Part 1 of my favorite holiday cookie recipes.


Pecan Tassies

(This is a Stauffer family recipe that my dad's mother used to make when he was a boy.)



Pastry:
2 c. flour
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

(This should yield about 4 dozen cups)

Filling:
2 eggs
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. chopped pecans (coconut or raisin)

(This makes enough for 2 dozen cups so double amount or make 2 different kinds)

Directions:
1. Refrigerate dough for 1/2 hour.
2. Roll out dough (no thicker than 1/8") on a lightly floured surface and use a floured drinking glass edge to cut out circles.
3. Form dough cups and lightly place into miniature cupcake pan.
4. Put a small spoonful of filling into each cup--don't fill too full.
5. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes, then lower temperature to 200 ad bake 10-12 minutes more.
6. Let stand to cool for a few minutes before removing tassies from pan.