Happy Holidays !!!
I have been so busy at work and with the Holidays, that I haven't had a chance to check in. All my baking moments have been spent on cranberry orange breads, our celebratory fruit cake (like no other and extraordinary), Ambrosia macaroons, peanut butter fudge, gingerbread popcorn, apricot almond shortbread and shortbread with milk chocolate caramel.
My son was not going to come home from school ..so I whupped up a batch of his favorites, baked them up,and sent them off with his presents rushing all the way. We get a call Monday, and he has decided he will come home after all. So he waited for his care package, and then drove home from Santa Clara, CA to Woodburn, OR last night. I wonder if he will ever realize that I broke my neck to get that package sent to him on time, baked all his favs, payed extra postage for insurance and expedited delivery...and he drove it all back home..SIGH
On the lighter side, I got up last night and proceeded to smash my toes into the end of my treadmill. Not good..I know one is definitely FX'd,3 are black & blue, my foot is swelling..SIGH
So..finally (they all say, if you are still with me)..I WISH ALL OF YOU, THE VERY HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAYS!
You guys are the best!
Betty
Oh, Betty!
You should seat yourself in a comfortable chair in the kitchen, with your foot elevated, and supervise your son making the rest of your holiday feast!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
David
He'll be home for Christmas! We have our children home or coming home too, so it will be a Merry Christmas here as well. I've been busy baking San Joaquin sourdough, Honey Cracked Wheat bread and trying to get my shopping done. Made it, finally, this afternoon. Sigh.
Take care of those toes, Betty!
Merry Christmas to all, and may you all be blessed richly now and in the year to come. Betty is right. You are the best.
OldWoodenSpoon
Happy holiday to you and yours! I'm glad, even after all that, that he's going to spend it home with you! :)
... to get ourselves stressed out before these big events - happens to me as well. What a story with your son and his favorite treats! And I hope those 'colorful' toes will recover soon.
Happy Holidays!
a dozen of our neighbors for Christmas dinner, and Yvonne and I are doing the bulk of the cooking and baking for the feast.
I'm in heaven:-)
Happy Holidays to all!
David G
Or two or three... so sorry about your toes - ouch!
Enjoy your son, at least he brought the cookies home so you don't have to start again!
Happy Holidays!
Marni
To you, Betty, and to the rest of the TFL gang.
Put some ice on those toes!
you got all his presents wrapped and favorite treats made before you crippled yourself. So at least now, you don't have that work yet to do on a swelling foot. And you'll be able to sit down, put your feet up, and enjoy his company : )
Happy Holidays!
-dw
I managed to close down "Santa's Workshop" on Monday of this week by shipping off a bunch of chocolate covered marshmallows (So good. Or so I'm told...) It's always a rush.
The gingerbread popcorn sounds really good. If you wanted to post a recipe....
Take care of those toes!
Pat
Thank you all for those sympathetic and warm thoughts. Of course, I was really happy that he came home. There was no putting up of feet until last night around 9PM..ahhh. We have our big dinner Christmas eve. I was up at 4, at work at 6, back home by 1:30..then the race to make the dough for the rolls, set the table, plate the cookie tray, shape the rolls, prepare mise en place for dinner prep and then COOK! I love it though and wouldn't have it any other way. You know what's really neat, is the love of the simple stuff. My son-in-law and son are both telling me how incredible the rolls smell baking. Shortly after, my son-in-law has stolen a roll, then out comes my son with a warm roll..and grand daughter Julia wants some nummies too!
I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday.. Betty
For Proth5.. Gingerbread Popcorn : From the blog Culinary in the Country
15 c popped popcorn (I use 3 bags of microwave)
1 c butter
2 c packed brown sugar
1/4 c molasses
1/4 c corn syrup
1 T ground ginger
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
Preheat oven to 250°
Line 2 9x13 ans with foil and coat with cooking spray. (I just use the quick release foil). Fill with popcorn.
Combine the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT the baking soda in a large heavy bottom saucepan. Over med heat bring to a boil. Boil for 5 min stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add baking soda. Stir, it will foam up a bit. Pour over popcorn and toss to coat. Don't worry that you can't get everything coated, in the end it will be.
Bake at 250° for 1 hour, carefully stirring every 15 minutes. Cool and store in a sealed container.
Thanks for the recipe!
Betty, we had your cranberry salsa today with cream cheese and crackers. Very good, and even looks "Christmas-y." Thank you for the recipe!
-dw
It does look very Christmas-y, bright red and green, and tasty to boot! Glad you enjoyed it!
Betty