Christmas Cake

I am gearing up for Christmas baking so my blogs will probably be a bit monotonous. We have my husband's office party to host, family visiting from out of state and as I mention in a previous post lots and lots of college kids on break. I am really praying in ernest for good sleep at night. I have been dealing with lack of sleep for several YEARS and am now taking magnesium to see if I can get some consistent shut-eye. Following cheeseslave's recent discussion on sleep issues and lack of magnesium has been very informative. I am looking toward natural alternatives since the traditional doctor's answer is sleeping pills.
The soaking of dried fruit in rum and port for the last two weeks is filling the kitchen with the aroma I associate with the kick-off of holiday baking. Every day I stir the big bowl of soaked fruit and fancy myself a character in a Dickens book. I know, we Americans over romanticize everything about Christmas. I will be putting the actual cake together next week in preparation for the holiday season. Who thought of lumping Thanksgiving so close to Christmas anyway? Somehow everything gets done but  I don't even want to think about the pounds I'll be gaining. I have made a deal with myself to be more diligent about taking our lazy beagle out for walks and me hitting the Nordic Track during this season. We shall see.

Here are the pumpkin and pecan pies I baked for Thanksgiving-speaking of loosing weight. I did make the pecan with less sugar and didn't use corn syrup. I used maple syrup instead.  It turned out really well. I plan on using this recipe again.

HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU? BE STRONG, VIGOROUS, AND VERY COURAGEOUS. BE NOT AFRAID, NEITHER BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. JOSHUA 1:9 (AMPLIFIED)

Fall Preparations

I stayed up late to finish some sewing and cleaning in anticipation of my quilting circle which is meeting here at my home Thursday. Yes, the fact that I am starting a couple days ahead of time should give you an indication of the condition of my home. Between helping my husband with some home improvement projects and projects of my own, housekeeping has really slid downhill.
My husband worked so hard on sanding the floor of our front porch I decided to make his favorite cookies, Molasses Crinkles.

Here is the recipe:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cups unbleached white flour
1 to 2 tablespoons additional sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
Melt butter over low heat. Transfer to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Beat in molasses and 1 cup sugar. Beat the egg by itself in a small bowl first, then beat this into the molasses mixture.
Sift together the dry ingredients (except the additional sugar). Actually I never sift. Then add them to the wet mixture, stirring until well combined.
Use your hands to form 1 1/2 inch balls of dough. Place the additional 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar on a small plate, and roll each ball in the sugar before arranging on the cookie sheet. (This coating provides the crinkle factor).
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until firm to the touch but still gives a little. Cool on a rack.


In the spirit of fall  I planted a fig tree, camillia bush and transplanted a wisteria. I have many plans for the fig when it starts to yield. If it only knew. I need to get my raised beds winterized but am really needing to gear up for lots and lots of cooking and baking. I get so excited this time of year. My big girl will visit from college. My younger daughter will have many of her friends over who have also been away at college. I always want to keep everyone here with lots of food. Especially the boys. As long as I have food they will come.
HAVE NOT I COMMANDED YOU? BE STRONG, VIGOROUS, AND VERY COURAGEOUS. BE NOT AFRAID, NEITHER BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. JOSHUA 1:9 (AMPLIFIED)

Ramblings on the porch.

Last weekend of terribly cold weather has given way to more seasonal weather for us. I am writing this post while sitting in the sun on our screen porch. It is a nice 68 degrees. The weekend left it's mark though as we are all fighting colds. To help warm me up I made a pumpkin spice latte. I love making my own since I find the ready made ones are too sweet for me.  I tweeked a couple of recipes and came up with a nice pumpkiny, creamy, spice blend. Probably not a good thing to drink while on a diet but I justify it by it's comfort to my miserable cold symptoms.
Over our crazy blast-of-winter weekend I was able to tick another project off my list. This one has been on my to-do list for over a year. Here it is...

 

I like the autumn colors and when it is quilted it will make a nice topper for the Thanksgiving table. Thanksgiving~yikes, that time again. I need to start making my cooking list. This is when my mom's home going to Jesus is so pronounced. I think about her every day but it is during the holidays that I always have to choke down the tears because I miss us being in the kitchen together turning out a big festive dinner with all the trimmings. We were like well choreographed dancers in the kitchen together. Each knowing what to do and not even saying a whole lot. I think just being together, cooking good homemade food was our language.

With warm weather comes hanging laundry on the line. We aren't aloud to have clothes lines in the yard because of our development's covenants. Of course this gives me the challenge to do what I need for my family and still comply with these ridiculous rules, which by the way are being challenged by many residents. I love all the lovely clothesline pictures that are posted on the blogs I follow especially the ones from Great Britain with the stone walls and open meadows in the background.
Lately my quiet time has been focusing on Joshua. I am meditating on many of the scriptures in this book. Meditation on the Word is so good for me. I am reminded who I am and Who's I am.
HAVE NOT I COMMANDED YOU? BE STRONG, VIGOROUS, AND VERY COURAGEOUS. BE NOT AFRAID, NEITHER BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.
JOSHUA 1:9 (amplified )