Catching Up with Christmas Recipes

Wow, where did December go?  Here we are getting ready to travel to visit family in Michigan over the holidays and it seems like I wrote our last post just a few days ago!

Let’s see, what have we been doing?  Well, for starters, my daughter Robin (on left) and her two BFF’s, Thu Tram (center) and Kelsey (right) came over a few days before our holiday party to decorate oodles of gingerbread moose and houses, as well as the best cookies ever, if I do say so.

Here is the recipe:

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup softened butter

1 – 3 oz package of cream cheese (I substitute the 8 oz package to make chewier cookies)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg yolk (reserve white)

2-1/4 cup all-purpose flour (can need up to 2-3/4 cup depending on dough consistency)

In large bowl of stand mixer combine sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt extracts and egg yolk. Beat with wire whisk attachment until fluffy. Switch to paddle blade attachment and stir in flour in small amounts until blended.

Divide dough in half and wrap with plastic wrap, chill for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 F.

On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookie cut-outs 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Leave plain for post-baking decorating, or brush with lightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with colored sugars. Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown.

Cookies will puff up during baking somewhat. Cool in pans on wire racks, and then transfer cookies to wire racks until completely cooled.   Decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or silver dragees as desired.

The girls had a lot of fun and it was really great to have a house filled with their laughter.  They were inseparable throughout high school and now that they’re all in college, they don’t see each other as much as they’d like.

Kelsey has always been quite the artist and her creations underscore how talented she is.  Check out the technique on this gingerbread moose!  I showed Kelsey a photo and she went to town!

Little Daisy loves her girls.  She was so excited to be part of the fun, despite her serious look here.

On Sunday, we held a Christmas party for family and friends.  Pete cooked up a storm:  Walnut/Apple Butter Ragelach, Empanadas, Crabmeat Cups, Mini Pumpkin Pies, Curried Carrot Dip, Sundried Tomato Dip, Spinach Feta Dip and other things I’ve misplaced in my brain at the moment.  Everyone was merry and the champagne flowed freely.

Preparing for this party and another project I’ve been working on have taken the time between Thanksgiving and now.  I’m excited about collaborating with Lori Hoeck of Think Like a Black Belt on a project that is a different kind of recipe: an antidote that many of us might find extremely helpful after enduring difficult moments with certain kinds of people.  You know, the kind who make things unnecessarily trying.

That’s all I’m going to say at the moment, but there will be more after New Year’s!

This is another recipe I received in an email yesterday.

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long by Joanna Fuchs

Take a heap of child-like wonder

That opens up our eyes

To the unexpected gifts in life—

Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation

For the people whom we know;

Like festive Christmas candles,

Each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter,

A dash of Christmas food,

(Amazing how a piece of pie

Improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness;

Wrap it up in love and peace,

Decorate with optimism, and

Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe,

We know we will remember

To be in the Christmas spirit,

Even when it’s not December.

As we travel tomorrow, our thoughts will invariably turn to all the wonderful friends we’ve made here at PassingThru.  It has been a great experience throughout our second calendar year, and we’re always so gratified when old friends and new stop in to say howdy and offer a comment or opinion on what’s striking our fancy.  Thank you to everyone.

Whatever your plans, and wherever you’re Passing Thru this holiday season, we wish you the Merriest of Christmases and our best regards for a healthy and prosperous New Year! And to all a good night!