Holiday Happenings

We "misplaced" our camera for a little while but we finally found it. I don't have many pictures as to what we have been doing during this Christmas season but I have a few recipes. One afternoon the kids were driving me bonkers and I decided we needed to do something interactive. I remembered my mom had done cinnamon ornaments with my nieces and nephews one year so we decided to give it a try. They actually turned out pretty cute and they make your house smell lovely. It's a very good preschool on up aged activity. Here is the recipe I used:

1 cup cinnamon

1 tbsp cloves

1 tbsp ground nutmeg

1 tbsp ground ginger

3/4 cup applesauce

2 tbsp Elmer's glue

In a bowl combine spices. Add applesauce and the glue. Stir ti combine.

Knead the mixture by hand for 2-3 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Divide into 4 equal portions. On lightly floured board, roll each portion to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough with floured cookie cutters. You can make a hole at the top to add ribbon to hang at this point. Place each ornament on wire rack and allow to dry at room temperature for several days. Turn ornaments over daily so they will dry evenly. Once dry, add ribbon to hang them with. Spray with water to refresh the scent throughout the season.

I wish I had some pictures of the kids making them but I don't. Maybe next year....

On Sunday we got together with the Philly Black's to make gingerbread houses and visit with John-David's Sister and husband. We only got two pictures before our camera battery died on out finally located camera. Jackson and Jocelyn's house is the one shown. It was a home that was hit hard by a storm and was already struggling from poor building materials and less than focused builders. Some were enjoying the candy free for all that was placed in front of them instead of concentrating on the house. Eve and Eliza's house is shown in the right corner. Much more focused builders thus a much more quality house.

A gingerbread house hit by Hurricane Jocjac.
The happy builder's. You'll notice on the face of Jackson that he was really getting into things and was eating some of the "mortar". He left a lot of evidence.

I went to a cookie exchange this week and decided to try to come up with a recipe to use Hershey Mint Truffle kisses. They have become a favorite of mine this year. Here is one more holiday recipe for you to try especially if you like mint and chocolate.

Mint Truffle Kisses cookies

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 pkg of Hershey Mint Truffle kisses, unwrap about 24 kisses

Heat oven to 350 Degrees. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Drop rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 7-8 minutes, pull out and put a kiss in the center and cook for about 1 minute longer. Make sure you don't over bake. Remove and allow to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool. This cookies are delicious and make and excellent neighbor gift.