Miscellaneous Advent Items

Our special friend, Patty, came over this week. She was one of my Mom's closest friends. It is such a blessing to have her in my children's lives. In fact, she may become Grandma Patty soon. So, she walks in the door this last Tuesday and has these in her hand. A special memory invaded my mind.

Baking with mom.

One thing I miss so much this time of year. I can still hear mom's beautiful voice singing her Christmas songs. Especially Bing Crosby.

And, yes, they have already disappeared.

Thank you, dear friend.

"Little Joe" is spending the day with a friend so today the girls and I baked our first round of cookies. We made Eskimo snowballs, healthy buckaroos, and oatmeal butterscotch bars. They all look delicious. And I must say they did a fantastic job. There were many teachable moments as well.  Much said about loving our neighbor as ourselves and preferring each other in love.

Now, one of our favorite movies, Holiday Inn, is playing and our crosstitch is out and our hands are busy.

Just love these times when formal school can take a backseat and life can happen.

More Remembering...

Christmas brings all sorts of memories here at the Ponderosa. My heart holds many that cannot be put into words. But this memory I can taste. Here is another recipe my Mom made each year. This may be one I try myself this year.




Almond Crescents

Ingredients:
•2 sticks unsalted butter
•2/3 cup sifted powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1/2 teaspoon almond extract
•1 cup coarsely chopped almonds
•2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350° and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat baking sheet.
Cream together butter and 2/3 cup of sugar until fluffy. Beat in extracts, then add almonds. Stir in flour and beat til well mixed.

Divide dough in half and roll each half into log 1 inch thick in diameter. Cut each log into 3/4 inch pieces, and roll each piece into cylinder 2 in. long. Place 1 to 2 inches apart on baking sheets and form into crescents.

Bake 15-20 minutes or til lightly browned. Let cool then roll in sifted powdered sugar.

Kisses From Mom

My absolutely favorite recipe that my precious mother made each year at Christmas was this recipe. Christmas was a special time in our home, and mom is the one who made it that way. She is dearly missed.

Raspberry Meringue Kisses

3 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 tablespoons raspberry gelatin
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Beat egg whites with salt until foamy. Add raspberry gelatin and sugar gradually, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Mix in vinegar; fold in chocolate chips. Drop from teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet covered with brown paper.

Bake at 250 degrees F for 25 minutes. Turn oven off; leave cookies in oven another 20 minutes.

Makes about 9 dozen cookies.

Dinner Done

I love food. That's what we are sharing on Talkin' about Thursday.

If you would have asked what my least favorite chore was five or so years ago, I would have confidently replied, "cooking".

But through my journey of the last 5 years, which included adopting our youngest, who had severe stomach issues, I have come to realize this a vital part of being a wise woman and mommy. So God has graciously increased my love to cooking. I have also learned to love the crockpot, since my day is full of many other tasks.


I had to search high and low for my favorite dinner recipe since cheesecake doesn't qualify.


Alas, I have found one that is always a hit. It is so easy and full of goodness for the soul and body. It is one of those lovely comfort foods.

Cowboy Casserole 1 onion, chopped1 1/2 lbs. ground chuck, browned and drained6 medium potatoes, sliced2 cups of red beans (I have used pinto; try to use dry beans. Soak over night and cook prior to using.)1 can tomatoes mixed with 2 tbsp. of floursalt, pepper and garlic to taste

Put chopped onion in bottom of crockpot; layer with browned meat, sliced potatoes, and beans. Spread tomatoes over all. Sprinkle with seasonings as desired. Cover and cook on low 7-9 hours. Note: You can add many more ingredients if you want. I have added fresh green beans or any other vegetable you want. I have also doubled the recipe.

Oh, dear. My mouth is watering....I guess I know what's for dinner!
Enjoy!!

Recipe for Memories

These are actually original artwork from my childhood. I still have the coloring book.
This recipe is one that my mom made every year at Christmas time....and my favorite. Isn't it amazing the memories that come flooding in when you hear a song, or smell a favorite recipe. It isn't so much the actual food, than it is the love behind the food. For me, I can hear the Christmas music and smell the candles that accompanied this time of year in my childhood. This would be tradition, right?

Entering this time of year, I think we all, albeit, subconsciously, crave those memories. They give us a sense of belonging and feeling of love. I am blessed. There were so many nights of coloring Christmas coloring books while listening to Christmas music. I still have one of my original coloring books from 1978...and I know that my sister still makes this part of her festivities with her boys.

There also comes pain for many that don't have such good family memories. Passing by us every day as we enter this season, are people who are in pain. Let's take off the rose colored glasses that seem to cloud our eternal vision and think of those hurting around us. Whether it is a note in the mail, a meal to a shut in, or serving soup at a homeless shelter, find a place that you and your family can serve this advent season.

Our family is missing one member this year (see Aug 29th post) and this will be a very difficult year as we celebrate, but I know the cure for this is to serve others. Most of all, I want my children to know this, too. After all, the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving and the Advent is a life changing reason.