Dutch Letters

banket or Dutch letters

for dough

* 2 cups flour
* 1/4 t salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
* approximately 1/2 cup cold water

Place flour and salt into bowl of food processor and pulse once or twice to mix, add butter and pulse until mixture resembles course crumbs (if you don’t have a food processor, use a pastry cutter). Add water a little at a time just until dough comes together. Turn dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap, flatten it out into a rough rectangle and fold it onto itself in thirds (like a business letter). Chill at least two hours before using.

filling

* 8 oz. almond paste
* 1 egg
* 1/3 cup sugar
* 1/4 t almond extract
* 1/4 t vanilla extract

Place ingredients into bowl of food processor and pulse to combine (if you have no food processor, you can mix them together in a bowl using a wooden spoon). Place filling into the center of a piece of plastic wrap and chill at least one hour before using.

assembly and baking

* 1/2 cup cream
* 1/3 cup sugar
* 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut filling into sixteen pieces and roll it between your hands to make ropes (if it sticks, use some powdered sugar on the filling and on your hands). Cut dough into sixteen pieces and roll to a rectangle about 5-6 inches long and about 1-1/2 inches wide with a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Place filling in the center of the dough, fold the short ends of dough over the filling and roll up jelly roll style. Shape the dough into letters and place on lined baking sheets at least one inch apart. Brush with cream and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cookies are golden brown.
Dutch Letters

HOMEMADE CAKE MIX

Recipe: Homemade Cake Mix (with variations)


HOMEMADE CAKE MIX


When is the last time you made a cake from scratch? With so many cake mixes on the market, it is almost unheard of. But here is a homemade cake mix that can be made in a large quantity and stored easily. While it take a little time to make the mix itself, it's worth the effort. It's only a fraction of the cost of store-bought cake mixes and nothing compares to the taste of a homemade cake!

HOMEMADE CAKE MIX

3 1/3 cups shortening
5 tablespoons double-acting baking powder
7 2/3 cups granulated sugar
3 tablespoons salt
11 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Place shortening at room temperature in a large mixing bowl. Cream 1/2 minute with mixer at medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl. Cream another 1/2 minute at same speed.

Add 4 cups sugar, 1 cup at a time. After each addition, cream 1 minute at medium speed.

Sift together 3 times, flour, baking powder, salt, and 3-2/3 cups of sugar. Sift last time into a clean mixing bowl.

Add 2 cups of sifted ingredients to shortening-sugar. Blend 1/2 minute at medium speed.

Turn mixture into dry ingredients. Blend until it looks like cornmeal. Be sure all ingredients are well blended.

TO STORE MIX:
Measure mix into 6 equal parts. Spoon it lightly into measuring cup. Each part should be 3-1/2 cups. Place each part into a quart glass jar or zip-lock baggies. Cover and store in a cool, dark place; or place in a metal can, cover, and store in a cool place. When stored properly, mix stays fresh for up to a month. For longer shelf-life, store in the freezer.

YELLOW CAKE:
3 1/2 Cup cake mix
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 medium eggs
3/4 cup milk

YIELD:
1 square cake 8x8x2 inches
2 round layer cake pans - 8 inches
1 loaf cake - 10x6-1/2x2 inches
1 sheet cake - 12x8x1 inches

Place mix into a 2 quart bowl. Make a well in center of mix. Add eggs, vanilla and all the milk to the mixture. Beat mixture 1 minute with electric mixer at low speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl to be sure all ingredients are mixed. Beat 2 minutes longer at same speed. Batter should be smooth and free of lumps.

Pour into desired pans and bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 30 - 40 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back up when pressed lightly in center.

VARIATIONS:

WHITE CAKE
Use 3 medium egg whites instead of whole eggs.

SPICE CAKE
Add to the mix for cake:
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cloves

ORANGE CAKE
Add 1 teaspoon grated orange rind to mix and use 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract in place of vanilla.

CHOCOLATE CAKE
Add 2 extra tablespoons of milk.
Stir liquid ingredients into mix until just blended.
Add 2 squares of melted chocolate and blend into mixture.
Continue mixing batter as directed.

HEARTY HOLIDAY PASTA SALAD

Recipe: Hearty Holiday Pasta Salad with Lemon Dressing (using dried cranberries and blue cheese)



HEARTY HOLIDAY PASTA SALAD

"Pasta tossed with broccoli, turkey, dried cranberries, blue cheese, walnuts and a lemon dressing."

8 ounces (about 3 cups) uncooked dry bow tie pasta
1 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets, bite-size pieces
FOR THE LEMON DRESSING:
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons chopped red onion
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup pure vegetable oil
FOR THE SALAD:
2 cups chopped leftover cooked turkey
1 package (6 ounces) sweetened dried cranberries (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup (4 ounces) blue cheese crumbles
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli the last 2 minutes. Drain pasta and broccoli. Rinse with cold water to cool quickly; drain well.

TO MAKE THE LEMON DRESSING:
Combine lemon juice, onion, sugar and salt in small bowl; whisk until blended. Slowly whisk in oil; set aside.

TO PREPARE THE SALAD:
Place pasta and broccoli, cranberries, turkey, blue cheese and walnuts in large bowl; toss together. Add lemon juice mixture; toss lightly. Cover; refrigerate until ready to serve.

Makes 8 servings

"Wandas"

Italian Bow ties or knots are also call Nuckadels.

6 cups flour
6 tsp baking powder
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
6 tsp. vanilla
6 1/2 shells of oil (use 1/2 of one of the shells from your eggs.) (about 2/3 cup oil)

Roll out dough 1/2 to 1/4 inch thick and cut in strips about 6 inches long. We use a pastry cutting wheel to cut strips but you can use a knife. Tie strips into a bow by crossing one leg over the other creating a circle than bring one end into the circle and out again.

Deep fry these bows, gently placing them into hot oil with a slotted spoon, when they start to turn golden, drain on a paper towel and sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

Hosting A Cookie Exchange How it works...

Kraftfoods.com



Hosting A Cookie Exchange How it works...


About a week ahead

* When you know how many people will be participating, you can figure out how many cookies each person will need to bring. For instance, if you want people to go home with 1 dozen of each cookie type, and you are having 5 people plus yourself (6 people total) over for the exchange, guests will have to bring 6 dozen of their cookie. Let guests know the amount they will need to bring.
* If the number of people participating in the exchange gets too high and let’s say 10 dozen cookies sounds like too much for people to bake and bring, you could cut it down to each person getting 1/2 dozen of each cookie to take home instead of a full dozen. This cuts down on the amount of baking.
* Search our recipes for easy and delicious make ahead snack recipes to serve your guests. Some ideas are: Feta Spinach Dip, Bacon, Cheese & Fruit Bites, or Zesty Shrimp Spread.
* When celebrating the Holiday Season, it's nice to remember the less fortunate. One way is when speaking with guests, ask them if they would like to bring a non-perishable food item that the group could use in creating a food basket to donate to a local charity.


A Day or two Ahead

* Remind folks to bring large containers to collect and take their cookies home in. When they get home they can divide and wrap up their “stash” to give out as they please.
* Bake your own cookies and store them in airtight containers or freeze them.
* Try and have your house clean the day before the party so that on the day of the exchange, you can just tidy and turn on carols.
* Spend a few minutes decorating and preparing an area to display the cookies. This could mean clearing off the dining room table, or setting up a large folding table in the living room. Where ever space allows!
* Have large platters or even clean box bottoms ready for cookies to be displayed in on the display area.
* Direct guests to our Guidelines for Storing, Packing and Mailing Cookies for helpful hints about what to do with the cookies once they are home.
* Have a selection of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sparkling water, fruit juices or other refreshing beverages to enjoy.


Finally....

* As guests arrive have them place their cookies on a platter or in a box you have set up in your display area.
* Place copies of the recipes along side each cookie.
* Enjoy some holiday music, delicious food and each other’s company.
* Then, each person takes their large container they brought with them and walks around the table and takes their fair share of cookies, whether it is 1/2 dozen of each type or 1 dozen of each type.
* Everyone goes home with a great assortment of home-baked cookies for the holiday season! And all they had to do is bake one kind!

After all is said and done, you may have just started a wonderful holiday tradition! Twists to this idea are endless. You could have a group of mothers and daughters get together. Or a group of coworkers could get together after work one evening. Or perhaps a set of neighbors joining forces on a Saturday afternoon.

Regardless of who or where, the idea of “many hands make light work” surely applies when it comes to a cookie exchange!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

When Christmas is spent away from home, it is often music that bridges the gap between loved ones. During WWII, former child star Judy Garland would perform for troops on the front line and realized that her song “Somewhere over the Rainbow” had a deeper meaning that to the lonely soldiers meant home.

So when she was filming Meet Me in St. Louis, she must have had their faces in her mind when she was to sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

In the movie, Judy’s character was to move from New York to St. Louis, saying good bye to a boy she had fallen in love with…the song was to be wistful and sad, and the line was “…have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last, next year we will be living in the past.”

When Garland saw the lyric and realized all the soldiers that would hear the song from overseas, she refused to sing it the way it was written, demanding instead a lighter more optimistic tone…

"have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light, from now on our troubles will be out of sight."

It was released in 1944, and she was right- it was a huge hit- home sick soldiers clung to each note and there were many tears whenever she sang it in public. The song also became somewhat of an anchor in her own troubled life. For the next 25 years, Judy Garland would feature the song in her performances, its message of hope as much for her as for anyone else.

Adapted from Ace Collins' Stories Behind The Best Loved Songs Of Christmas series.

A Christmas Story

1 Corinthians 13: A Christmas Version
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny ornaments, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I am just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, It profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there it be in the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return
But rejoices in giving to those who can’t
Love bears all things,
Believes all things,
Hopes all things,
Endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break,
Pearl necklaces will be lost,
Golf clubs will rust.
But the giving the gift of love will endure forever.

Author unknown

Pioneer Christmas

Merry Christmas
A Pioneer's Christmas

In the pioneer days, the home was decorated with green branches and homemade decorations. They did not have a big Christmas tree because there was no room for a large tree in their small homes. Pine cones, nuts, berries and popcorn chains were hung on the tree. Figures or dolls out of straw or yarn were made. Cookie dough ornaments and gingerbread men were also hung on the tree.

The Christmas dinner was planned and preparation of the food began weeks ahead of time. The Christmas goose was fattened up and the plum pudding was left to age in the pot until Christmas day. There were chores that began months before Christmas - such as making the gifts for the family members ( corn husk dolls, sachets, carved wooden toys, pillows, footstools and embroidered hankies ). Scarves, hats, mitts and socks had to be knitted. Girls were able to knit before they were six years old. Boys would make boxes for presents.

If there had been a good harvest that year, presents were placed inside stockings . The stockings were hung on the fireplace . Cookies and fruit might also be found in the stockings.

Christmas Eve was a night for singing carols and telling stories around the fireplace. Christmas Day the whole family attended church and returned home to a Christmas meal. Then it was time to visit friends and neighbors.

Irish Christmas Traditions

Irish Christmas Customs


Ireland, like most countries, has a number of Christmas traditions that are all of its own. Many of these customs have their root in the time when the Gaelic culture and religion of the country were being supressed and it is perhaps because of that they have survived into modern times.

THE CANDLE IN THE WINDOW

The placing of a lighted candle in the window of a house on Christmas eve is still practised today. It has a number of purposes but primarily it was an symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for shelter. The candle also indicated a safe place for priests to perform mass as, during Penal Times this was not allowed. A further element of the tradition is that the candle should be lit by the youngest member of the household and only be extinguished by a girl bearing the name 'Mary'.

THE LADEN TABLE

After evening meal on Christmas eve the kitchen table was again set and on it were placed a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door to the house was left unlatched so that Mary and Joseph, or any wandering traveller, could avail of the welcome.

THE WREN BOY PROCESSION

During Penal Times there was once a plot in a vilage against the local soldiers. They were surrounded and were about to be ambushed when a group of wrens pecked on their drums and awakened the soldiers. The plot failed and the wren became known as 'The Devil's bird'. On St. Stephens day a procession takes place where a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to house and families dress up in old clothes and with blackened faces. In olden times an actual wren would be killed and placed on top of the pole. This custom has to a large degree disappeared but the tradition of visiting from house to house on St. Stephens Day has survived and is very much part of Christmas.

DECORATIONS:

The placing of a ring of Holly on doors originated in Ireland as Holly was one of the main plants that flourished at Christmas time and which gave the poor ample means with which to decorate their dwellings. All decorations are traditionally taken down on Little Christmas (January 6th.) and it is considered to be bad luck to take them down beforehand.

TRADITIONAL GAELIC SALUTATION

The Gaelic greeting for 'Merry Christmas' is: 'Nollaig Shona Duit' ......which is pronounced as 'null-ig hun-a dit'.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Go raibh dochas, siochain agus gra agat gach uile la,
Kelly


Irish customs courtesy of Michael Green, editor of The Information about Ireland Site

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Written By: Clement Clarke Moore

Copyright Unknown

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave a luster of midday to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now, dash away! Dash away! Dash away, all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas too.

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples - how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Christmas Planner

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/printable/christmas-countdown

If you need some help planning your Christmas activites

Music for crafting

Click on sheet music to enlarge, print and use in craft projects.

CHRISTMAS BALL

I found this cute little ornie on the net.

MATERIALS: Size I hook, Small amounts of 2 colors of 4 ply worsted weight yarn, tapestry needle, fiberfill

SIZE: About 2" across

DIRECTIONS: (Make 2)

With Color A, ch 3, join to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 2, 15 hdc in ring, , join to top of beg. ch-2 st, end off. (16 hdc)
Round 2: Join Color B in any st, ch 2, hdc in each st around, join to top of beg. ch-2 st, end off. (16 hdc)
Round 3-5: Repeat Row 2, switching colors for each row, fasten off leaving about 12" strand of yarn.

FINISHING: Using tapestry needle, weave 12" strand of yarn between every other dc in Row 5, stuff ball with fiberfill, then pull strand tight so that opening on top of ball closes, ch 10 and join to top of ball (for loop), end off.

Easy Candles

Mason Jar Gel Candles

Supplies:

• Mason Jar
• Gel Candle Gel Base
• Wax Inserts
• Wax Coated Wick
• Ribbon & Embellishments
• Hot Glue Gun & Glue

Instructions:

1. Melt gel wax base in a small pot (following the directions on the package).
2. While holding the wick vertically in the jar, place wax inserts in the jar. Make sure the wick remains in the middle of the jar.
3. Pour melted gel base into the jar until the wax insets are completely covered. Allow gel to sit for at least an hour.
4. Using a hot glue gun, glue ribbon or trims and other embellishments to the lid of the jar.
5. Use the lid to store or display the candle. Remove the lid when ready to light your creation and enjoy its warm glow.

*Optional:
You may also want to add food coloring or candle scent to the base to create an even more sensational project.

Nell Hills in Kansas City

I spent a lovely morning visiting the Nell Hill store in KC. It is wonderful!

Christmas in Sweden

In Sweden, Christmas begins with Saint Lucia ceremony on 13th of December. Lucia was a Christian virgin who sacrificed herself for her devout faith in Christianity in the 4th century at Syracuse. The ceremony is held in her honor and is quite recent and is often associated with the traditional thanksgiving for the return of the sun. On this day, the youngest daughter from each family puts on a white robe with a red sash before dawn and wears a crown of evergreens with tall-lighted candles attached to it. Then she wakes her parents accompanied by other children and followed by star boys in long white shirts, pointed hats and carrying star wands, and serves them with coffee and Lucia buns.

Similar to Scandinavia, Swedish people move in procession to the church with lighted candles in hand. At home, mothers lights the candles on Christmas Eve. Christmas trees are set up in Sweden two days before Christmas and are decorated with candles, apples, straw ornaments Swedish flags and small gnomes wearing red tasseled caps. Christmas home decorations include red tulips, Pepparkakor or the heart-star and goat-shaped gingerbread biscuit. Christmas Eve is known as Julafton in Swedish. Traditional Christmas Eve dinner includes smorgasbord or a buffet may also be arranged featuring Julskinka or Christmas ham, pickled pigs feet, lutfisk or dried codfish and variety of sweets.

A popular Christmas tradition is to serve Risgryngrot, special rice porridge with a hidden almond. Anyone who finds the almond in his or her bowl is believed to marry in the coming year. After the festive Christmas Eve dinner, a friend or family member dresses up as Tomte or Christmas gnome who is believed to live under the floorboards of the house or barn and used to ride a straw goat known as Julbok. Tomte wears a white beard and red robes and carries a sack with gifts in it. He gives out the gifts and presents, often accompanied by funny rhymes, hinting at the contents of the package. Previously, it was Julbok who gave out presents and then Tomte or Santa Claus came in. Today, Tomte and Julbok are no longer associated together though a little brownie known as Jultomten, helps Santa Claus to give gifts to good children in Sweden. Modern American figure is quickly catching up in Sweden and Tomte is losing his original identity.

Let's Play!

Fun games and things to do.

Welcome to my Christmas Journal

Welcome, I hope you love Christmas as much as I do. This blog is dedicated to all things Christmas. It will have lots of fun ideas and some of my favorite Christmas time goodies as well as lots of family memories.