When dreams become reality…
Each year we have a family picture on our Christmas card. I tried writing a letter a few years and it took too much time for me. Sometimes it’s hard for me to be honest in a letter I am writing to so many people.
For many years Sam’s Club received our photo card business. This year I tried Snapfish and had the cards printed on stationery paper. Love, love, love them! Did you get that I like the cards this year?
Our image is compliments of Millie Holloman Photography. We were test dummies for a training session for the associate photographers to shoot families. They did an amazing job with making us look great! I love what photoshop can do for me.
Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I love the glow of the Christmas tree and the prelit garland. The true spirit of Christmas makes me happy. I love to give more than get.
Several years ago, the boys and I started making gingerbread boys and girls for our neighbors. I wanted a way for them to participate in giving a simple gift to our neighbors. Sometimes we make enough for the each member of the family and other times we make them for just the children.
We decorate the gingerbread people, let them dry and place them in treat bags. Then we tie a homemade gift card with the recipients name to the bag. The boys take them to the homes and wish each one a Merry Christmas.
I have found the easiest way to do this project is to make the gingerbread people one day and decorate another. This year since the boys are older I have allowed them to invite a friend to decorate them too. If you choose to do this make sure you have enough supplies for the friends to take some home and give away.
My favorite gingerbread cookie recipe-makes 8 dozen 3 inch cookies
6 cups of sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 lb butter (2 sticks)
1 c dark brown sugar
4 tsp. ground ginger
4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. finely ground pepper
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1 1/2 c. unsulfured molasses
1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder; set aside
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer use the paddle attachement, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt. Beat in eggs and molasses.
3. Add flour mixture; mix on low speed until thoroughly combined. Divide dough into thirds; wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hr. Don’t chill too long or dough gets hard.
4. Heat oven to 350 degrees. On a well floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch. Cut into desired shaps. Place on ungreased baking sheet and chill until firm. About 15 minutes. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until crisp but not darkened. Cool on wire racks.
This recipe is from a cookie booklet I received with Martha Stewart Living Magazine. I have tried easier recipes, but none come out as good as these. Don’t miss a step for great cookies.
I am excited and nervous for Bryan tomorrow. He is having surgery to remove a fungal ball on both sides of his sinuses. He is a trooper! He has dealt with this for over 4 months.
Bryan goes in for surgery v-e-r-y early in the morning. I should be asleep, but I am winding down.
Please pray for him tomorrow. This is extremely rare to get once and this is the second time he has had this.
