It is interesting to me as I talk to friends, what comes to their minds when they think of "Christmas cookies". The magazines, picture family in the kitchen, with rolling pins and cookie cutters and all colors of decorating sugars. I have been to cookie exchanges in our neighborhood, and the women attending, all have their own stories of baking cookies. The last three years, this has been my version, and I love it!! Three minutes from my home, is one of the most beautiful, scenic farms in our county,(actually in many counties). I took pictures for you, as I visited it the other day. See if you agree with me. The only disappointing aspect of my visit, is that I could not take pictures inside of the home. The Amish friends who live there, do not appreciate pictures taken of themselves or inside their home. The father told me, I can take pictures of the outside of their home. Each Christmas, for five weeks before the actual day, this family opens their hearts and home, to sell their homemade goodies.
This is their driveway going back to the farm.
The river runs along the driveway, which makes it difficult to keep focused, while gazing at the river. I cannot think of words to describe the beauty of it all, especially on a clear, sunny day.
This is the sign that is taped on the door of the little side room of the house. Upon entering, one is totally overwhelmed with the perfectly packaged, huge variety of homemade cookies, that are covering tables and shelves. The room is spotless, there are votive candles burning, plus the aroma of cookies and bread baking, fill the air. The older children of the family, are on hand to help you in any way possible. They are so warm and hospitable. The family has 9 children, and they all are responsible for different chores around the farm. It is an experience I find myself eagerly looking forward to, each Christmas.
Here are some of the purchases I made. Sand tarts, cream cheese cookies, cherry drop cookies, homemade canned vegtable soup, and peach danish pudding dessert. I also bought some loaves of their homemade bread. I can't express to you, how delicious everything is. I give cookies for gifts, I create baskets of the homemade soup, the bread and jars of jelly.
No, I don't have the fun and fellowship of baking cookies with friends and family like many of you do. I know that would be so much fun. But, thank you for the privilege of sharing with you, what comes to my mind, when the topic of Christmas cookies is brought into a conversation.
Here are some of the purchases I made. Sand tarts, cream cheese cookies, cherry drop cookies, homemade canned vegtable soup, and peach danish pudding dessert. I also bought some loaves of their homemade bread. I can't express to you, how delicious everything is. I give cookies for gifts, I create baskets of the homemade soup, the bread and jars of jelly.
No, I don't have the fun and fellowship of baking cookies with friends and family like many of you do. I know that would be so much fun. But, thank you for the privilege of sharing with you, what comes to my mind, when the topic of Christmas cookies is brought into a conversation.
Yesterday, she brought home this amazingly beautiful yule log. I had to stand and stare at the detail and the intricate decorating that was on it. This will also be wrapped and refrigerated until Christmas Eve.
The lady who submitted this recipe is an excellent cook! Every recipe of hers that I've tried, is a keeper. I have made these sandwiches many times, although I usually use multi-grain english muffins. Today I only had the original ones on hand. I know it calls for chipped ham, but once again I only had thin sliced ham on hand.
Tonight is our annual Bible Study Christmas party. Each year we look forward to this special event. We get together, relax, are served dinner, we visit and laugh, and catch up on each other's lives. Following dinner is our gift exchange done in the game style of "now you have it, now you don't...". It is always an interesting and fun way to do a gift exchange. Rules have it, you can take someone's gift from them, but only 3 times, after that, it is yours to keep. Which leads to the purpose of this post. The gift is not to be over $15.00, which addes more challenge to the creating. I know you have seen many beautiful pedestal plates that have been created in the blogging world. This is my version. I purchased a glass pillar candle holder, a white dinner plate and a red bell photo holder, at the "Pottery Barn Outlet". I washed, dried and took off all tags, then glued the glass holder to the bottom of the plate, with my trusty "Goop" glue. It works best for me to turn the plate upside down, put the glue on the edge of the glass candle holder, turn it upside down and adhere to the plate. At this point, I set something heavy on top of the glued upside project, and let it set for 24 hours.
After that time period, I add a paper lace doily, and with a small piece of double sided tape, set the bell photo holder in the center. I made a card using a plain white index card, with a christmas picture from a magazine glued to it. I used my "Merry Christmas" stamp, hot glued some faux holly on it, and added touches of glitter to the card.
Last weekend, I received a Christmas arrangement from my mother. It was an unexpected surprise and I have had the joy of having it sit on the counter separating my kitchen from the eating area, which also happens to be above my kitchen sink. The red rose has beautifully been unfolding throughout the week, and now a week later it is even more brilliantly gorgeous than when I first received it. Exquisite red roses have always been a favorite of mine.
