This time of year always brings back memories. As each Christmas comes long, I find myself thinking back to my early married years, then slowly make my way to the present. Our tree tells a story, just as I'm sure yours does: first Christmas as husband and wife, first baby, second and so on. Every year I either make or buy my kids each an ornament. Our tree is quite full, though this is the first year my oldest son is officially on his own. I bagged up his ornaments for him so he can add them onto his own tree. A bitter-sweet time for sure. I thought I would share with you some of my favorite hand-made ornaments... The snowman is a piece I made a few years ago. I love the little beads on it and like the way it glistens.
The knitted stocking was made by my mother-in-law who could knit in her sleep! I picture her now, resting in heaven, but surely with knitting needles in her hands and a skein of yarn at her side...
The little lamb ornament is the one I made for Kierra's first Christmas. It's in dire need of some repair work on the top and I will take care of that during the week.
Casey made this sweet ornament for me when he was just three years old. He's seventeen now.
And this is a little hardanger piece that is one of my favorite...
I hope you enjoyed looking at some of my treasured ornaments that are hanging on the tree. For a little gift to you, please enjoy the following recipes that I was busy making today. Tomorrow is my husband's birthday and I'm also trying to get a head start on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day cooking. Hope you find something new to try!
Hot Buttered Cranberry Butter Rum Mix - from Storybook Woods Blog
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg, ginger
pinch cloves and salt
Cream ingredients together. Store in freezer, tightly wrapped in wax paper, then a freezer bag. Slice off pieces as needed.
Drink:
Heat 1/2 cup cranberry juice and 1/2 cup cider. In bottom of cup add a generous tablespoon of butter. Pour hot liquid over juice. Add rum if you like.
Hawaiian Dream Cake - from my good friend, Rose
1 yellow cake mix
1 (20-oz) can crushed pineapple, drained - reserve juice
1 (8-oz) cream cheese
1 (3-oz) instant vanilla pudding
1 cup cold milk
1 (9-oz) Cool Whip or your own whipped cream
coconut to garnish
Make cake using liquid and water for the liquid. Bake in 15 X 10 pan - grease & flour
Blend cream cheese, pudding and milk using a mixer. Fold in pineapple and spread over cooled cake.
Cover with Cool Whip or whipped cream and sprinkle with coconut. Let sit for a few hours before serving and keep in 'fridge.
Jelly Roll
Grease & line jelly roll pan with foil.
Sift together:
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp.salt
In small bowl beat: 3 large eggs 'til thick. Pour into large bowl and gradually add in 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup water, 1 tsp. vanilla.
Mix dry ingredients until smooth. Pour into greased pan and bake for 375 for 12-15 minutes. Check often - after 10 minutes. Done just 'til top springs back. Loosen edges as soon as cake comes out. Turn upside down onto towel. Sprinkle with conf. sugar. Remove paper. Roll cake while hot - cool on wire rack. Unroll cake and remove towel. Spread with raspberry jam and roll back up again. Sprinkle with conf. sugar. Can be frozen... sprinkle conf. sugar before serving!
Chocolate Jelly Roll
Sift & Set aside:
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup cocoa
Beat together:
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix all ingredients together and bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes in a jelly roll pan that has been lined with foil and well greased.
As soon as cake comes out of the oven, immediately loosen edges with a knife and invert onto a towel that has been sprinkled with conf. sugar. Roll up in a towel and let cool for at least 30 minutes. Then unroll and smear peppermint stick, mint chocolate chip or coffee ice cream over cake. Roll back up jelly-roll style, wrap with plastic wrap and foil and freeze. Serve with hot fudge (Friendly's is my personal favorite) and home-made whipped cream.
I can't remember who shared the above two recipes with me but they've been in my recipe box for years. I make both jelly roll recipes every year for Christmas Eve and it wouldn't be the same without them. I made each recipe this afternoon along with a home-made pizza for dinner. I'm glad to be out of the kitchen!
2 comments:
Our tree will like yours will be adorned with different ornaments the children have made or were given to us. I am a sentimental gal at heart and I woudn't dress up our tree any other way.
That chocolate jelly roll sounds fabulous.
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