15.11.08
Caramel and Cookies on a String
by Holly
Caramel
2 cups sugar
2 cups corn syrup
Cook until yellow
3 cups whipping cream
½ can Borden’s Eagle Brand milk
scald (can microwave)
Slowly laddle milk mixture into sugar mixture. Must boil all the time and stir constantly.
Cook on medium Heat to 235 degrees
Add dash of salt and 1 Tbsp. vanilla
Pour into a well buttered 9x13 or a little smaller pan depending on the thickness you want in the carmel.
(I use a glass pan)
Before cutting take entire pan of carmel out of pan. Score and cut with pizza cutter.
Christmas Cookies on a String
Sugar Cookies - can make from scratch or from a box and decorate
Gingerbread Men - can make from scratch or from a box and decorate
Holly Wreath Cookies - Melt in large heavy saucepan 30-34 large marshmallows and 1 cube butter. Stir until well blended. Add 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 tsp. green food coloring. Remove from heat and add 4 1/2 cup corn flakes. Blend well. Pour onto wax paper. Shape with finger into wreaths and dot with red cinnamon candies.
Lay out plastic wrap and place cookies, then place another sheet of plastic wrap on top of cookies and tie a knot with ribbon and curl between each cookie and hang.
Caramel
2 cups sugar
2 cups corn syrup
Cook until yellow
3 cups whipping cream
½ can Borden’s Eagle Brand milk
scald (can microwave)
Slowly laddle milk mixture into sugar mixture. Must boil all the time and stir constantly.
Cook on medium Heat to 235 degrees
Add dash of salt and 1 Tbsp. vanilla
Pour into a well buttered 9x13 or a little smaller pan depending on the thickness you want in the carmel.
(I use a glass pan)
Before cutting take entire pan of carmel out of pan. Score and cut with pizza cutter.
Christmas Cookies on a String
Sugar Cookies - can make from scratch or from a box and decorate
Gingerbread Men - can make from scratch or from a box and decorate
Holly Wreath Cookies - Melt in large heavy saucepan 30-34 large marshmallows and 1 cube butter. Stir until well blended. Add 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 tsp. green food coloring. Remove from heat and add 4 1/2 cup corn flakes. Blend well. Pour onto wax paper. Shape with finger into wreaths and dot with red cinnamon candies.
Lay out plastic wrap and place cookies, then place another sheet of plastic wrap on top of cookies and tie a knot with ribbon and curl between each cookie and hang.
8.11.08
Painting Gingerbread Cookies
Painting Gingerbread Cookies – Terilyn Taylor
Good Housekeeping December 1999
Gingerbread Cookies
1 t baking soda
1 C molasses
1 C butter (2 sticks) softened. No substitutions.
1 C sugar
2 t ground ginger
½ t salt
1 large egg
5 C all purpose flour
Preheat oven 375 degrees.
In cup, stir baking soda into molasses; set-aside until pale brown and frothy.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat butter with sugar, ginger, and salt until creamy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. At low speed, beat in molasses mixture and egg. It may look curdled. Gradually add 4 ¾ C flour; beat until just blended, occasionally scraping bowl.
On lightly floured surface, knead dough until thoroughly mixed, kneading in remaining ¼ cups of flour if necessary. Divide dough in half; wrap half of dough with plastic wrap and set aside.
On floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll remaining half of dough slightly thinner than ¼ inch. With floured 3- to 4-inch assorted cookie cutters, cut dough into as many cookies as possible; reserve trimmings. Place cookies, ½ inch apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet. Re-roll trimmings and cut out more cookies.
Bake cookies 8-10 minutes, until edges begin to brown. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool. Repeat with remaining dough.
When cookies are cook, prepare Ornamental Frosting: use to decorate cookies as desired. Allow frosting to dry completely, about 1 hour. Store cookies in tightly covered container up to 2 weeks.
Makes about 6 dozen cookies.
Ornamental Frosting
1 package of confectioners’ sugar (16 ounces)
3 T meringue powder
Assorted food coloring (color pastes are the best)
In a bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and 1/3 cup warm water until blended and mixture is stiff enough that a knife drawn through it leaves a clean cut path. (About 5 minutes)
Tint frosting with food coloring as desired. Keep covered with plastic wrap to prevent drying out. Makes about 3 cups.
Make 2 batches of Ornamental Frosting. Divide frosting among several small bowls. Tint frosting in each bowl using food color paste. Start with small amount of coloring and gradually add more if necessary, using toothpick to mix it in. Keep bowl covered with plastic wrap to prevent icing from drying out.
Draw outlines of your design on the cookie, using a pencil if you don’t plan to eat it, thinned food colorings if you do. Paint background colors first, using an artist’s brush and frosting thinned with water to the consistency of think paint. Or outline the edges first, using a disposable pastry bag (or self sealing plastic bag with a corner cut off) filled with each color of frosting, then fill in the interior spaces, using slightly thinned frosting and an artist’s brush. (Prop the bag into a glass to make ti easier to fill-about half way is enough- or it will be hard to control.) Pipe on details using a pastry bag.
Whatever method you follow, let frosting dry between each stage of decorating to prevent colors from running together.
After frosting is completely dry, wrap cookies in plastic wrap or between paper towels and store in an airtight container if not using right away.
Christmas Tree Ornaments
Make a hole in the top of each cookie. String a fishing line through the hole, make a loop so cookie can be hung on tree.
Cinnamon Hard Candy
by Mary Sue
3 3/4 C. Sugar
1 1/2 C lite Karo Syrup
1 C. Water
2 tsp. Cinnamon Oil
Red Food Coloring
Powdered Sugar
1. Mix sugar, syrup, and water together in saucepan and boil without stirring, until 290 to 300 degrees F.
(use a candy thermometer), about 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Take off stove when boiling has ceased .
3. Add 2 teaspoons cinnamon oil. Add a few drops of red food coloring until dark pink.
4. Put in greased cookie sheet and as soon as you are able to handle it, begin cutting it with scissors into small, bite size pieces. Cut the pieces over a bowl of powdered sugar so that they will be covered. Put into candy jars or whatever you want.
I like to put this candy in little mason jars and tie a red ribbon around it to give to neighbors at Christmas. You can also put it into small baby food jars and spray paint the baby food jar lid red or green, tie a cute ribbon, and use a christmas transfer sticker for the jar. cheap.
7.11.08
Handmade Ornaments
Recycled Tree: Ornaments and Garland
Two circles fit snugly together to form one ornament. To make, cut two disks identical in size from a card; you can use a circle punch, or trace a round object and cut with scissors. Cut a slit halfway across each disk. In one circle, punch a hole near the edge opposite the cut with a hole punch. Hold the disks so that the slits face each other. Slide the slit of one disk all the way into the other (you should feel the disks "lock"). Thread string through the hole, and tie a knot. Make a garland by using disks popped out of cards with a circle punch (you can also trace a round object and cut out). They're attached to heavy thread with stickers; to make sure they're secure, rub with a craft stick.
Christmas Eve Meal.
CHRISTMAS EVE MENU
by Melanie
Baked Fish (Halibut is best)
Bread, Pitas
Grape Juice
Cheese—Feta, Cheddar
Tabbouleh Salad
Greek Olives
Hummus
Lemons
Tartar Sauce (not authentic, but good with the fish)
Pistachios
Apricots (dried)
Dates
Baklava (optional)
BREADING FOR FISH FILLETS
Combine the following ingredients and mix well:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 c. Bisquick
½ c. cornmeal
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt
Optional seasonings: Seasoning salt, Cajun seasoning, granulated garlic and/or onion, black pepper, lemon pepper
Combine in a bowl or shallow pan:
1 egg, beaten
1 c. milk
Dip your choice of fish fillets into egg-milk mixture to dampen. Roll fillet in flour mixture. Deep fry or pan fry in hot oil or shortening until golden. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
NOTE: for extra thick fillets, such as halibut, you may need to fry until golden, then bake in 350o oven for 5-10 minutes to finish cooking through.
TABBOULEH
courtesy Tyler Florence and JoAnn Cianciulli
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
1 cup bulgur wheat (fine-medium grind)
2 cups hot water (NOT boiling)
1 pound ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped (about 2 cups)
1 bunch green onions, white and green part, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 hothouse cucumber, halved, seeded and diced (about 2 cups)
2 large bunches fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves finely chopped (about 2 cups)
1 bunch fresh mint leaves, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup), optional
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons, juiced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Put the bulgur in a large bowl and pour in the hot water. Cover with a dish or plastic wrap and let stand for about 30 to 45 minutes to rehydrate. Drain in a strainer, pressing with the back of a wooden spoon to squeeze out as much water as possible.
In a mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, onions, cucumber, parsley, and mint. Toss the salad well to incorporate the ingredients; season with cumin, salt and pepper. Add the bulgur; moisten with the lemon juice and olive oil. Fold everything together to incorporate the ingredients. The flavor will improve if the tabbouleh sits for a few hours. Serve at room temperature.
RESTAURANT-STYLE HUMMUS
We recommend Joyva or Krinos tahini and Pastene chickpeas (see related tasting). The hummus can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 5 days. If you do not plan on serving it immediately, refrigerate the hummus and garnishes separately. When ready to serve, stir in approximately 1 tablespoon of warm water if the texture is too thick.
Makes about 2 cups
3 tablespoons juice from 1 to 2 lemons
1/4 cup water
6 tablespoons tahini , stirred well (see note)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil , plus extra for drizzling
1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas , drained and rinsed (see note)
1 small garlic clove , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1/2 teaspoon)
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch cayenne
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro or parsley leaves
1. Combine lemon juice and water in small bowl or measuring cup. Whisk together tahini and 2 tablespoons oil in second small bowl or measuring cup. Set aside 2 tablespoons chickpeas for garnish.
2. Process remaining chickpeas, garlic, salt, cumin, and cayenne in food processor until almost fully ground, about 15 seconds. Scrape down bowl with rubber spatula. With machine running, add lemon juice-water mixture in steady stream through feed tube. Scrape down bowl and continue to process for 1 minute. With machine running, add oil-tahini mixture in steady stream through feed tube; continue to process until hummus is smooth and creamy, about 15 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed.
3. Transfer hummus to serving bowl, sprinkle reserved chickpeas and cilantro over surface, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand until flavors meld, at least 30 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.
Trudy’s Notes
I added extra garlic cloves, maybe a couple, and also more lemon juice, about 1-2 tablespoons. It also may need a little more salt and cayenne.
CHRISTMAS "HUNTS"
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
SCAVENGER HUNT
This game is great for those living in neighborhoods. First, you drive/walk around the neighborhood and identify houses that have unique Christmas decorations. Then you write down clues describing each house. Example, I'm a two story house dressed in red and white lights. Group your guests in pairs, then give them the sheet of clues and a pencil. Have them walk around the neighborhood guessing which house is described in the clues. The first team to identify all of the addresses correctly wins.SCAVENGER HUNT
CHRISTMAS NEIGHBORHOOD
SCAVENGER HUNT
SCAVENGER HUNT
Divide into groups. All groups must return by this time:
The group with the most items wins.
Supplies needed:
This list, grocery bag, watch, pen.
_______ 1 holly leaf, real or artificial
_______ 1 piece of wrapping paper with a snowman on it
_______ 3 strands of silver tinsel
_______ 1 yellow Christmas tree light
_______ 1 metal ornament hook
_______ 1 pinecone
_______ 1 small piece of tree garland
_______ 1 mistletoe leaf
_______ 1 sticky gift tag w/ backing still attached
_______ 1 red poinsettia flower
_______ 1 chocolate gold coin
_______ 1 package of dry hot cocoa drink mix
_______ 1 piece of chocolate fudge
_______ 1 tablespoon of eggnog in a zip-lock baggie
_______ 1 piece of green, curled ribbon
_______ 1 homemade Christmas cookie
_______ 1 picture of a nativity scene
_______ 1 piece of coal
_______ 1 candy cane
_______ 1 silver jingle bell
Christmas Games
CHRISTMAS MACARONI GAME
Purchase alphabet macaroni. Divide into 2 teams. Divide the macaroni into 2 bowls. Each team has to come up with the most number of Christmas themed items spelled out on the table.HUM THAT CAROL
One game we play at different occasions is an ice breaker. Write Christmas songs on slips of paper (2 of each song). Then put as many pairs of songs as you have pairs of people in a bag. Let each person draw a slip of paper out not showing it to anyone. Instruct the people that they are to begin humming the song on their slip of paper when you say "go". The object of the game is to locate the other person humming the same song that you are humming. When the partners find each other they hold hands and begin to sing the words to their song! They win the prize! It's great fun with a large group. Make sure you spread everyone around the room to begin with and mix up the slips really good. Have fun! p.s.for a baby shower we did this and used children's songs, church group used old hymns, etc.BACK TO BACK GAME
Two people sit back to back. One person is given an object,e.g. a kitchen whisk or a small ornament, and the other given paper and pencil. Without revealing what the object is, the person with the object has to decribe to the person drawing it what they have to draw. i.e. draw an oblong at the top left hand corner. Now draw a straight line diagonally across the page etc.What the final picture ends up like will depend entirely on how well the person describes and how the other person interprets the instructions!
LEFT, RIGHT
NIGHT BEFORE
CHRISTMAS GAME
NIGHT BEFORE
CHRISTMAS GAME
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS PASS-AROUND GIFT EXCHANGE
Read fairly slowly pausing at punctuation.
The group forms a circle or sits in a straight row (separate circles or rows if males and females are present). Each holds the gift he brought to the party. While the poem is being read, each person passes his gift to the person on his right when reader says RIGHT; when reader says LEFT, each passes the gift he has to the left. The gift each person has in his hands at the conclusion of the poem is his to keep. NOTE: No one will receive the gift he brought if all pass gifts as directed.
Twas the night RIGHT before Christmas when RIGHT through the house
Not a creature was LEFT stirring, not even a mouse--
The stockings were hung RIGHT by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be RIGHT there.
The children were nestled RIGHT snug in their beds,
while visions of sugarplums danced RIGHT in their heads,
And mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled RIGHT down for a long winter's nap,
When RIGHT out on the LEFT lawn there rose such a clatter,
I sprang RIGHT from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the RIGHT window I LEFT like a flash;
tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
LEFT a luster of midday to objects RIGHT below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleight and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver RIGHT lively and quick;
I knew RIGHT in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came;
and he whistled and shouted, and called them RIGHT by name:
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen!
To the RIGHT top of the porch! To the LEFT top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, dash RIGHT away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
when they meet RIGHT with an obstacle, mount RIGHT up to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they LEFT flew,
with a sleighful of toys and St. Nicholas, too.
And then in a twinkling, I heard RIGHT on the roof,
the prancing and pawing of each little RIGHT and LEFT hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning LEFT around
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, RIGHT from his head to his LEFT foot,
and his clothes were all LEFT tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung RIGHT on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His RIGHT and LEFT eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was LEFT drawn up like a bow,
and the beard LEFT on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held RIGHT in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a round little belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was RIGHT chubby and plump, a RIGHT, RIGHT jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his LEFT eye and a LEFT twist of his head,
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went RIGHT straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk
And laying his finger to the LEFT of his nose,
and giving a nod, he LEFT up the chimney he rose.
He sprang RIGHT to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
and away they all LEFT like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he LEFT--out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"
CHRISTMAS SONG QUIZ
1. The apartment of 2 psychiatrists.
2. The lad is a diminutive percussionist.
3. Decorate the entry-ways .
4. Sir Lancelot with laryngitis.
5. A B C D E F G H I J K M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z.
6. Present me naught but dual incisors for this festive Yuletide.
7. The smog-less bewitching hour arrived.
8. Exuberation to this orb.
9. 288 Yuletide hours.
10. Do you perceive the same longitudinal pressure which stimulates my auditory sense organs.
11. The red-suited pa is due in this burg.
12. Stepping on the pad cover.
13. Uncouth dolt has his beezer in the booze and thinks he is a Dark Cloud's boyfriend.
14. Far back in a hay bin.
15. Leave and do an elevated broadcast.
16. That exiguous hamlet south of the holy city.
17. Behold! I envisioned a trio of nautical vessels.
18. Listen, the winged heavenly messengers are proclaiming tunefully.
19. A joyful song relative to hollow metallic vessels which vibrate and bring forth a ringing sound when struck.
20. As the guardians of little woolly animal's protected their charges in the shadows of the earth.
21. Frozen precipitation commence
22. Monarchial triad
23. Oh, member of the round table with missing areas
24. Boulder of the tinkling metal spheres
25. Vehicular homicide was committed on Dad's mom by a precipitous darling
26. Wanted in December: top forward incisors
27. We are Kong, Lear, and Nat Cole
28. Cup-shaped instruments fashioned of a whitish metallic element
29. Oh small Israel urban center
30. Our fervent hope is that you thoroughly enjoy your yuletide season
31. Parent was observed osculating a red-coated unshaven teamster
32. May the Deity bestow an absence of fatigue to mild male humans
33. Natal celebration devoid of color, rather albino, as a hallucinatory phenomenon for me.
34. Obese personification fabricated of compressed mounds of minute crystals.
35. Tranquiltiy upon the terrestrial sphere.
36. Have hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief.
Answers:
1) Nutcracker Suite
2) Little Drummer Boy
3) Deck The Halls
4) Silent Night
5) Noel
6) All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
7) It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
8) Joy to the World
9) 12 Days of Christmas
10) Do You Hear What I Hear?
11) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
12) Up On The House Top
13) Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
14) Away In A Manger
15) Go Tell It On The Mountain
16) Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
17) I Saw 3 Ships
18) Hark The Herald Angels Sing
19) Carol of the Bells
20) As Shepherd's Watch Their Flocks At Night
21) Let It Snow
22) We Three Kings
23) Oh, Holy Night
24) Jingle Bell Rock
25) Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
26) All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth
27) We Three Kings
28) Silver Bells
29) O Little Town of Bethlehem
30) We Wish You A Merry Christmas
31) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
32) God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
33) I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
34) Frosty the Snowman
35) Peace on Earth
36) Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
1. The apartment of 2 psychiatrists.
2. The lad is a diminutive percussionist.
3. Decorate the entry-ways .
4. Sir Lancelot with laryngitis.
5. A B C D E F G H I J K M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z.
6. Present me naught but dual incisors for this festive Yuletide.
7. The smog-less bewitching hour arrived.
8. Exuberation to this orb.
9. 288 Yuletide hours.
10. Do you perceive the same longitudinal pressure which stimulates my auditory sense organs.
11. The red-suited pa is due in this burg.
12. Stepping on the pad cover.
13. Uncouth dolt has his beezer in the booze and thinks he is a Dark Cloud's boyfriend.
14. Far back in a hay bin.
15. Leave and do an elevated broadcast.
16. That exiguous hamlet south of the holy city.
17. Behold! I envisioned a trio of nautical vessels.
18. Listen, the winged heavenly messengers are proclaiming tunefully.
19. A joyful song relative to hollow metallic vessels which vibrate and bring forth a ringing sound when struck.
20. As the guardians of little woolly animal's protected their charges in the shadows of the earth.
21. Frozen precipitation commence
22. Monarchial triad
23. Oh, member of the round table with missing areas
24. Boulder of the tinkling metal spheres
25. Vehicular homicide was committed on Dad's mom by a precipitous darling
26. Wanted in December: top forward incisors
27. We are Kong, Lear, and Nat Cole
28. Cup-shaped instruments fashioned of a whitish metallic element
29. Oh small Israel urban center
30. Our fervent hope is that you thoroughly enjoy your yuletide season
31. Parent was observed osculating a red-coated unshaven teamster
32. May the Deity bestow an absence of fatigue to mild male humans
33. Natal celebration devoid of color, rather albino, as a hallucinatory phenomenon for me.
34. Obese personification fabricated of compressed mounds of minute crystals.
35. Tranquiltiy upon the terrestrial sphere.
36. Have hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief.
Answers:
1) Nutcracker Suite
2) Little Drummer Boy
3) Deck The Halls
4) Silent Night
5) Noel
6) All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
7) It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
8) Joy to the World
9) 12 Days of Christmas
10) Do You Hear What I Hear?
11) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
12) Up On The House Top
13) Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
14) Away In A Manger
15) Go Tell It On The Mountain
16) Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
17) I Saw 3 Ships
18) Hark The Herald Angels Sing
19) Carol of the Bells
20) As Shepherd's Watch Their Flocks At Night
21) Let It Snow
22) We Three Kings
23) Oh, Holy Night
24) Jingle Bell Rock
25) Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
26) All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth
27) We Three Kings
28) Silver Bells
29) O Little Town of Bethlehem
30) We Wish You A Merry Christmas
31) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
32) God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
33) I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
34) Frosty the Snowman
35) Peace on Earth
36) Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
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