It's never ending

As you all know Christmas is just days away, and I'm doing everything I can to stay on top of laundry, dishes, baking, and just about anything to do with an orderly home. For any of you with children, why, it's impossible to keep a tidy home for more than a couple hours. For some, no more than a couple minutes. I leave one room clean, head to the next, only to find the room I left is now a shambles. It's a vicious cycle I'm learning to live with, and be thankful I have someone to clean up after.

Unfortunately tidiness isn't the only problem in this home. My stuff is often found and being used for experimental, and creative play.

Where she happens to find all these things is beyond me but I give her extra credit for creativity. 


I often wonder if I just don't spend enough time with her. If her self entertainment is a cry for attention. 

I had some making up to do, so I decided a movie night would be perfect. But not just any movie.  A movie filled with hard lessons, strong faith, and a reminder to cut myself some slack. "Return of Nanny McPhee" With that said, there was only one more thing to complete our night.

I'm not going to give a special secret recipe for popcorn. However I will tell you how we jazzed up this one and made it very appropriate for this time of year. Making our movie night a little extra special.

Christmas corn 

1 Tb melted butter and 4 drops red food coloring

1 Tb melted butter and 4 drops green food coloring

Make your popcorn over stove-top  as directed on bag of corn, only I used 1 Tb canola oil.
Pour prepared colored butter over the top, salt and stir. I didn't use all of the butter in mine but feel free.

  Miss, Nanny McPhee, how I love thee.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this movie. And how much I wish I had a magic stick to put everything back in order. But most of all I was surprised that while my time with her is important, she is just as content to explore and find herself on her own. 

 And making a mess is part of it. 

Cooking, cooking, and more baking

Yes folks it was another cooking extravaganza weekend. This time though our two events were smaller totaling 25 each. We had so much fun and we're finding that our personalities, different as they are, each have much to contribute. Sharing the same philosophy, while keeping a servants heart, is a challenge we all agree will come naturally. 

Event # 1

Usually the unknown in ventures is daunting, but I'm feeling pretty confident that no matter how successful we are it's no match for the fun interest we all share.

Event # 2

Although this weekend was a lot of fun, and I absolutely can't wait until our next event, I'm thrilled to be home with my family.


Special performance today by the kids at "Church on the hill".

I know this is horrible lighting, but it was the best I could do. I hope you can tell who my baby girl is singing so confidently, and sporting her red dress from two years ago.

Catching up on her "I am thankful for Christmas countdown" was on the list of family time today.

What with all of that done, and cooking should seem far from my mind, my apron seemed to wrap itself ever so gently around my waist.

For those of you who can appreciate a good ginger cookie, these are for you. Don't call them ginger snaps though, these spicy sweet delights are soft and chewy, with a little crisp around the edges.
Are they calling your name? Here's the recipe.


Ginger Cookies (inspired by food network kitchen)


Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 5 cracks freshly ground black pepper or 1/8 tsp cayenne
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar, plus more for rolling the cookies
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
• 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses

Directions

Whisk the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, mustard, salt and black pepper(or cayenne) together in a medium bowl.

Beat the butter and the sugars with a hand mixer electric mixer on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat on medium speed just until incorporated. Add the molasses and continue beating until the batter is an even light brown color, 30 seconds more.

Add the dry ingredients all at once, beating slowly to make a soft, smooth dough. Use a rubber spatula to make sure all ingredients are combined. Then beat again for 20 seconds. Cover the bowl with plastic and refrigerate the dough until firm, about 25 minutes.

Put about 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl. With a cookie scoop or a small ice cream scoop, portion the dough into a slightly heaping tablespoon for each cookie. Roll the dough, by hand, into balls. Roll the tops of the balls in the sugar, and space them 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. (Trust me these need to be chilled)

Preheat oven to 375

Bake until the top is crackly, and the insides peeking out through are dark and moist but not raw, about 9-12  minutes. Briefly cool the cookies on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

Serve or store in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 weeks.

Justin poured a glass of milk, I had my cup of coffee, and Avery ate these just like they are. All with no guilt and a great end to the weekend.

Let it snow.....Let it snow......

Actually, our trip to the snow should be enough to tie me over until next year. And I'm sure Mr. Snowman will agree.

If you haven't gathered, I'm really not to keen on coldness. I think it's a beautiful season, and I enjoy watching it snow. But If I'm not wrapped in a snuggie, good book in hand, and sitting by the fire, count me out. 


However, pretending it's snowing is a good alternative too. Especially when the alternative taste good.

That's me, pretending. What could that be, you ask? Why it's my pistachio snow ball cookies. I make these every year, and like snow, these also would be a once a year occasion. What with 3 sticks of butter, it's sure to keep you tied over all year. But oh heavens gracious, they are good. 

Pistachio mini chip snowball cookies

The process

Cream butter, and sugar

Add flour a little at a time

Add chips and nuts

Combine. Go ahead, taste your batter.

Shape into balls and bake

Sprinkle with snow sugar

Pistachio mini chip snowball cookies


Ingredients


3 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tb vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quality mini chocolate chips(12 oz package)
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
powdered sugar 


Directions


Preheat oven to 375


Beat butter, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add flour, mixing in 1 cup at a time. Stir in chips and nuts. Use a tablespoon scooper to shape into balls, place on cookie sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Remove from oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar.(snow) Let cool for 2-3 minutes, transfer to cooling rack, and when completely cooled sprinkle a little more powdered sugar, if desired. Makes about 5 dozen.


Upon popping these rich little treats, they will crumble, they will flake, they will most definitely melt in your mouth. Kind of like snow.

This time of year

This time of year seems to ignite so many memories. Memories not worth forgetting. Childhood traditions, followed by moms baked treats, pretty lights and tinsel strung everywhere; the house smelling like pine and music played in the background; I felt very blessed. The memories seem to rise and then linger as the holiday nears.


I remember my parents let the youngest brother and I have a real Christmas tree in our room. Every week before Christmas, my mom would put a little gift under our tree to open, and we were sworn to secrecy not to tell the two older brothers.(Secret revealed)


My most memorable times were sleeping in the living room, gazing at the Christmas lights, and anticipating the morning to come.  And while the morning brought Christmas gifts and hot cinnamon rolls, I waited patiently as my dad opened his bible and read the story about the birth of a king; not failing to mention that the only gift to last, would be the one God gave.


This time of year also seems to ignite so many memories worth forgetting; my bratty attitude, all the clean up Christmas morning required, cold showers, and being the youngest, I was last in line. All the while, family was coming, moms hair wasn't curled, and all hell would break loose for those without a shower.


During my teens were always a challenge when Dad and Mom failed the gift of Guess jeans, a white pair of Keds, or the Esprit bag that everyone seemed to have. Or the time I ran to my room and cried hysterically because I knew my friends were getting more than i did. Oh how absorbed I was.


However, some memories are easier on the mind to forget, yet much richer in value to remember. Seven years ago today, my dad went to be with Jesus. I will never forget the house decorated so gently in Christmas cheer, all the while my heart gently broke as this man, that God fully trusted to lead this family, was breaking free into a new place. Although Christmas would never be the same, I knew my dad was free, he was healed, and he was dancing with the angels. 


My dad was amazing, and he and my mom paved the path for us kids. He knew just what to say, and when to say it. He knew how to love, and give tough love. Gentle was his gift.


 He could take a stand, but not be noticed. He could fail miserably, but not be noticed. He was graceful, faithful, patient, and self controlled. 


 While I miss him terribly, this time of year reminds me that my dad has his full reward; he is safe, and his joy knows no bounds. 


This time of year, I remember my dad. 

A trip in the snow

Yep! We packed a bag of goodies, put on any and every kind of snow gear we had, and headed toward the mountains. The last time we took Ave to the snow she was only 3, and lasted about 10 minutes in the cold. However, she's 5 now, and when your 5, you don't get cold anymore. Did I mention it was windy, freezing, and raining? Ya! I don't think older people are meant to be in the snow, because I  was cold even before we got out of the truck.




So I took pictures.

Brrrrrrrrr 

I got the "lets go mommy" more than I'd like to admit, so out of guilt joy I suited up, grabbed a hand, and played like a five year old.

And then took more pictures

Though it was short and sweet, we had a blast, but there was still one more thing left to do.

Warm up with cocoa!

There's something special about packing up the family, taking more clothes than you need, and being completely drenched on the way home. There's something special about getting 3 pairs of pants, 3 layers of shirts, 2 pairs of socks, and one pair of tightly fitting boots, all to take it off again to go potty; in a red cup; because there was no restroom. There's something special about taking the time, as little as it may be, and making the best of what you have.

There's something special about taking "a trip in the snow".