Cookies for Santa are a necessity at our house on Christmas Eve. We usually have lots of different kinds from our own baking and from gifts we have been given during the holiday.Santa has a good assortment to choose from. Here are a few cookie ideas that you may want to try to make for your family, friends and Santa. He is sure to need a new red suit after this year's trip!
Rudolph’s Red-Nosed Cookies
•1 c. butter, softened
•1/4 c. powdered sugar
•1 t. almond extract (or 2 t. vanilla)
•2 c. flour
•1 c. coarsely crushed pecans
•1 small jar maraschino cherry halves
1. Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, extract and flour. Mix until combined and dough comes together.
2. Roll teaspoons of dough into balls then roll in crushed pecans to coat. Place balls on a baking sheet and make a finger-sized indentation in each ball. Place one cherry half in each cookie.
3. Bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies
•1 c. butter
•1 c. sugar
•1 t. vanilla
•1 1/2 T. milk
•2 1/2 c. flour
•3/4 c. maraschino cherries, diced, plus 1 t. juice from the jar
•1 c. coconut
1. Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add vanilla and milk and beat until combined.
2. Add flour, mixing just until incorporated. By hand or with the mixer, work the cherries and the teaspoon of juice into the dough.
3. Separate dough in half and form each half into a 8 or 9 inch log. Roll each half in coconut to cover. Wrap in freezer paper or plastic wrap and freeze for about 30 minutes, until firm.
4. Slice the logs of dough into cookies, about 1/4 inch wide. Place on baking sheets and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
Candy Cane Snowballs
•3 c. powdered sugar, divided
•1 1/4 c butter, softened
•2 t. vanilla (or if you’d prefer a stronger peppermint flavor, you can replace 1 t. of vanilla with a teaspoon of peppermint extract)
•1 egg
•3 c. flour
•1 T. baking powder
•1/2 t. salt
•3/4 c. finely crushed candy canes, divided
•1/2 c. granulated sugar
•2-3 T. milk
1. In a mixing bowl, beat 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar and butter until fluffy. Add vanilla and egg and beat until combined.
2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine. Slowly add to mixing bowl, beating until combined, about 1 minute. Stir 1/2 cup finely crushed candy canes in by hand.
3. Roll dough into small balls using just under a teaspoon of dough. Rolls balls through granulated sugar to coat and place on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cool.
4. While cookies bake, stir together remaining 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar with 2-3 T. of milk. Add just enough milk to form a thick glaze. Drizzle over cooled cookies and top with remaining crushed candy canes immediately.
Brown Sugar Oatmeal Jumbles
•1 c. butter
•1 1/2 c. brown sugar
•2 t. vanilla
•1/4 c. milk
•2 eggs
•2 c. flour
•1 t. baking soda
•1 t. baking powder
•1/2 t. salt
•1/2 t. cinnamon
•3 c. oats
•1 c. chocolate chips
•1 1/2 c. peanut or plain M & M’s
1. Beat butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, milk and eggs and beat until combined.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Slowly add to mixing bowl and beat just until incorporated. By hand, stir in oats, chocolate chips and M & M’s.
3. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
4. Cool on wire racks and store in airtight containers. Cookies can also be frozen.
Set out a plate of these cookies and watch them disappear before your eyes. Little hands can’t stay away!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Magic Reindeer Food
Every year, my kids love preparing cookies,milk or cocoa for Santa. But they especially love preparing a snack for the reindeer! We put out carrots because that is what Mommy always did as a little girl and she can't totally change the menu. The littles have added one more special treat to the menu, Magic Reindeer Food. Before we go to bed, we go outside to look at the stars and sprinkle the magic treat in the yard. Then we go in and quickly put out Santa's plate and mug along with the carrots.
Here's what you do:
Add 2 to 3 scoops of dry oats to a small bag and sprinkle in some festive sugar sprinkles.
Attach the following poem:
Take this magic reindeer food and sprinkle it on the lawn,
On Christmas, Santa's reindeer travel miles before the dawn.
The smell of oats and sugar path will guide them on their way
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn on Christmas Day!
Here's what you do:
Add 2 to 3 scoops of dry oats to a small bag and sprinkle in some festive sugar sprinkles.
Attach the following poem:
Take this magic reindeer food and sprinkle it on the lawn,
On Christmas, Santa's reindeer travel miles before the dawn.
The smell of oats and sugar path will guide them on their way
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn on Christmas Day!
Christmas Family Devotional Time
"The Shoe Maker"
Wrap an empty box (with a removable lid).
Ask: Who was born on Christmas? (Jesus)
What do you receive on your birthday? (Gifts)
How could we give Jesus a gift for His birthday?
Read the story of "The Shoemaker" (based on a story by Leo Tolstoy)
There once lived in the city of Marseilles an old shoemaker, loved and honored by his neighbors, who affectionately called him “Father Martin.”
One Christmas Eve, as he sat alone in his little shop reading of the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus, and of the gifts they brought, he said to himself. “If tomorrow were the first Christmas, and if Jesus were to be born in Marseilles this night, I know what I would give Him!” He rose from his stool and took from a shelf overhead two tiny shoes of softest snow-white leather, with bright silver buckles. “I would give Him these, my finest work.”
Replacing the shoes, he blew out the candle and retired to rest. Hardly had he closed his eyes, it seemed, when he heard a voice call his name . . . ”Martin! Martin!”
Intuitively he felt a presence. Then the voice spoke again . . . ”Martin, you have wished to see Me. Tomorrow I shall pass by your window. If you see Me, and bid Me enter, I shall be your guest at your table.”
Father Martin did not sleep that night for joy. And before it was yet dawn he rose and swept and tidied up his little shop. He spread fresh sand upon the floor, and wreathed green boughs of fir along the rafters. On the spotless linen-covered table he placed a loaf of white bread, a jar of honey, and a pitcher of milk, and over the fire he hung a pot of tea. Then, he took up his patient vigil at the window.
Presently he saw an old street-sweeper pass by, blowing upon his thin, gnarled hands to warm them. “Poor fellow, he must be half frozen,” thought Martin. Opening the door he called out to him, “Come in, my friend, and warm, and drink a cup of hot tea.” And the man gratefully accepted the invitation.
An hour passed, and Martin saw a young, miserably clothed woman carrying a baby. She paused wearily to rest in the shelter of his doorway. The heart of the old cobbler was touched. Quickly he flung open the door.
“Come in and warm while you rest,” he said to her. “You do not look well,” he remarked.
“I am going to the hospital. I hope they will take me in, and my baby boy,” she explained. “My husband is at sea, and I am ill, without a soul.”
“Poor child!” cried Father Martin. “You must eat something while you are getting warm. No? Then let me give a cup of milk to the little one. Ah! What a bright, pretty fellow he is! Why, you have put no shoes on him!”
“I have no shoes for him,” sighed the mother sadly. “Then he shall have this lovely pair I finished yesterday.” And Father Martin took down from the shelf the soft little snow-white shoes he had admired the evening before. He slipped them on the child’s feet . . . they fit perfectly. Shortly the poor young mother left, two shoes in her hand and tearful with gratitude.
Father Martin resumed his post at the window. Hour after hour went by, and although many people passed his window, and many needy souls shared his hospitality, the expected Guest did not appear.
“It was only a dream,” he sighed, with a heavy heart. “I did believe; but he has not come.”
Suddenly, so it seemed to his weary eyes, the room was flooded with a strange light. And to the cobbler’s astonished vision there appeared before him, one by one, the poor street-sweeper, the sick mother and her child, and all the people he had helped during the day. And each smiled at him and said. “Have you not seen me? Did I not sit at your table?” Then they vanished.
At last, out of the silence, Father Martin heard again the gentle voice repeating the old familiar words. “Whosoever shall receive one such in My name, receiveth Me . . . for I was an hungered, and you gave Me meat; I was athirst, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in . . . verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:35-40).
Ask your kids to think of something they could give Jesus. Maybe your family could do something together for a needy family. Write what you're going to do on a piece of paper, put it in the box and set it under the tree as a gift for Jesus.
Wrap an empty box (with a removable lid).
Ask: Who was born on Christmas? (Jesus)
What do you receive on your birthday? (Gifts)
How could we give Jesus a gift for His birthday?
Read the story of "The Shoemaker" (based on a story by Leo Tolstoy)
There once lived in the city of Marseilles an old shoemaker, loved and honored by his neighbors, who affectionately called him “Father Martin.”
One Christmas Eve, as he sat alone in his little shop reading of the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus, and of the gifts they brought, he said to himself. “If tomorrow were the first Christmas, and if Jesus were to be born in Marseilles this night, I know what I would give Him!” He rose from his stool and took from a shelf overhead two tiny shoes of softest snow-white leather, with bright silver buckles. “I would give Him these, my finest work.”
Replacing the shoes, he blew out the candle and retired to rest. Hardly had he closed his eyes, it seemed, when he heard a voice call his name . . . ”Martin! Martin!”
Intuitively he felt a presence. Then the voice spoke again . . . ”Martin, you have wished to see Me. Tomorrow I shall pass by your window. If you see Me, and bid Me enter, I shall be your guest at your table.”
Father Martin did not sleep that night for joy. And before it was yet dawn he rose and swept and tidied up his little shop. He spread fresh sand upon the floor, and wreathed green boughs of fir along the rafters. On the spotless linen-covered table he placed a loaf of white bread, a jar of honey, and a pitcher of milk, and over the fire he hung a pot of tea. Then, he took up his patient vigil at the window.
Presently he saw an old street-sweeper pass by, blowing upon his thin, gnarled hands to warm them. “Poor fellow, he must be half frozen,” thought Martin. Opening the door he called out to him, “Come in, my friend, and warm, and drink a cup of hot tea.” And the man gratefully accepted the invitation.
An hour passed, and Martin saw a young, miserably clothed woman carrying a baby. She paused wearily to rest in the shelter of his doorway. The heart of the old cobbler was touched. Quickly he flung open the door.
“Come in and warm while you rest,” he said to her. “You do not look well,” he remarked.
“I am going to the hospital. I hope they will take me in, and my baby boy,” she explained. “My husband is at sea, and I am ill, without a soul.”
“Poor child!” cried Father Martin. “You must eat something while you are getting warm. No? Then let me give a cup of milk to the little one. Ah! What a bright, pretty fellow he is! Why, you have put no shoes on him!”
“I have no shoes for him,” sighed the mother sadly. “Then he shall have this lovely pair I finished yesterday.” And Father Martin took down from the shelf the soft little snow-white shoes he had admired the evening before. He slipped them on the child’s feet . . . they fit perfectly. Shortly the poor young mother left, two shoes in her hand and tearful with gratitude.
Father Martin resumed his post at the window. Hour after hour went by, and although many people passed his window, and many needy souls shared his hospitality, the expected Guest did not appear.
“It was only a dream,” he sighed, with a heavy heart. “I did believe; but he has not come.”
Suddenly, so it seemed to his weary eyes, the room was flooded with a strange light. And to the cobbler’s astonished vision there appeared before him, one by one, the poor street-sweeper, the sick mother and her child, and all the people he had helped during the day. And each smiled at him and said. “Have you not seen me? Did I not sit at your table?” Then they vanished.
At last, out of the silence, Father Martin heard again the gentle voice repeating the old familiar words. “Whosoever shall receive one such in My name, receiveth Me . . . for I was an hungered, and you gave Me meat; I was athirst, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in . . . verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:35-40).
Ask your kids to think of something they could give Jesus. Maybe your family could do something together for a needy family. Write what you're going to do on a piece of paper, put it in the box and set it under the tree as a gift for Jesus.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Parenting Tips
Don't Forget to Say Thank You
Gratefulness is an important life quality because it helps us to be thankful for what we have instead of complaining about what we don't have. Gratefulness is a lifestyle but it starts by saying "Thank you" to others who bless us.
Begin now to prepare your children for receiving gifts. Talk about the importance of the giver, not just the gift. Teach children to look at the nametag first so they can be thinking of the person who gave the gift while they open it. Encourage children to express thanks to the giver, even if that person is not in the room at the time. A phone call to extended family or a thank you note to a distant friend can mean a lot.
Gift receiving sometimes provides that awkward moment when we want to ask, "What is this?" or discover that we already have one of these. Play a "What if" game with children to help them anticipate how they might say thank you in those times.
Opening gifts can happen fast and then children are off playing with new toys and games. Helping them to take time to express gratefulness can extend the true meaning of Christmas past the few hours of Christmas Day. And don't forget to take time to thank the Lord for his special gift in Jesus Christ for us.
Gratefulness is an important life quality because it helps us to be thankful for what we have instead of complaining about what we don't have. Gratefulness is a lifestyle but it starts by saying "Thank you" to others who bless us.
Begin now to prepare your children for receiving gifts. Talk about the importance of the giver, not just the gift. Teach children to look at the nametag first so they can be thinking of the person who gave the gift while they open it. Encourage children to express thanks to the giver, even if that person is not in the room at the time. A phone call to extended family or a thank you note to a distant friend can mean a lot.
Gift receiving sometimes provides that awkward moment when we want to ask, "What is this?" or discover that we already have one of these. Play a "What if" game with children to help them anticipate how they might say thank you in those times.
Opening gifts can happen fast and then children are off playing with new toys and games. Helping them to take time to express gratefulness can extend the true meaning of Christmas past the few hours of Christmas Day. And don't forget to take time to thank the Lord for his special gift in Jesus Christ for us.
My Gift
My Gift
-Christina Rossetti.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would give Him a lamb.
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part.
But what can I give Him?
I will give Him my heart.
-Christina Rossetti.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would give Him a lamb.
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part.
But what can I give Him?
I will give Him my heart.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Let's Play!
This is a great time to help kids understand the importance of giving gifts rather than receiving the gifts. Neighbors, teachers, family members or friends will love to get this sweet and fun gift you and the kids can make and take.
The Mix
1 1/3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup M&Ms
1 cup regular oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp.Kosher salt (or 1/4 tsp table salt)
Add directions to a card and attach to the jar: To make cookies, mix jar contents with 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Drop by 2 tablespoons on cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 350°.
(makes about 2 dozen cookies)
Instructions
Layer in a 1 quart jar
1. Mix flour, salt & baking soda, place in bottom of jar
2. Oats
3. M&Ms
4. Brown Sugar (press down firmly)
5. Sugar
Screw lid on tightly, add ribbon and the card and you have a sweet gift!
The Mix
1 1/3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup M&Ms
1 cup regular oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp.Kosher salt (or 1/4 tsp table salt)
Add directions to a card and attach to the jar: To make cookies, mix jar contents with 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Drop by 2 tablespoons on cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 350°.
(makes about 2 dozen cookies)
Instructions
Layer in a 1 quart jar
1. Mix flour, salt & baking soda, place in bottom of jar
2. Oats
3. M&Ms
4. Brown Sugar (press down firmly)
5. Sugar
Screw lid on tightly, add ribbon and the card and you have a sweet gift!
What's For Dinner, Mommy?
Sour Cream Enchiladas
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas, softened
1 1/2 cups grated monterey jack cheese or Mexican blend cheese, divided
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 (15 ounce) can chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies
Directions
1. In frypan, cook chicken and onion together in oil over medium-high heat until chicken is just done.
2. Divide cooked chicken evenly between 8 tortillas; add 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese to each tortilla.
3. Roll enchiladas and place seam-side down in 9x13" baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.
4. Melt butter in a medium saucepan; stir in flour to make a roux; stir and cook until bubbly; gradually whisk in chicken broth then bring to boiling, stirring frequently.
5. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and green chiles; pour sauce evenly over enchiladas.
6. Top with remaining 3/4 cup cheese (baking dish may be double-wrapped and frozen at this point) and bake at 400° for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce near edges of baking dish is bubbly.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas, softened
1 1/2 cups grated monterey jack cheese or Mexican blend cheese, divided
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 (15 ounce) can chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies
Directions
1. In frypan, cook chicken and onion together in oil over medium-high heat until chicken is just done.
2. Divide cooked chicken evenly between 8 tortillas; add 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese to each tortilla.
3. Roll enchiladas and place seam-side down in 9x13" baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.
4. Melt butter in a medium saucepan; stir in flour to make a roux; stir and cook until bubbly; gradually whisk in chicken broth then bring to boiling, stirring frequently.
5. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and green chiles; pour sauce evenly over enchiladas.
6. Top with remaining 3/4 cup cheese (baking dish may be double-wrapped and frozen at this point) and bake at 400° for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce near edges of baking dish is bubbly.
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About Me
- ml4estsmommy
- I am a very blessed SAHM. I am blessed with an abundant amount of grace from my Creator and Savior. He has blessed me with an amazing man as my life long best friend, husband and father of our two precious gifts of energy and life. My days are full with the activities of homekeeping, and the joys and adventures of two healthy and energetic kiddos. I am basking in His grace daily.
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