Yellow Roses

 

  Some very good friends came over on Saturday evening after an exceptionally good Christmas Music concert at Benton St. Baptist church featuring a full orchestra and an excellent choir that included my very own Aunt and Uncle in their midst.

I received this beautiful bouquet as a hostess gift. I looked up the meaning of yellow roses even though I already knew what they signify but here's what they said...

The meaning of a yellow rose stands for joy and happiness but most of all yellow roses mean

 true friendship.

I am very blessed to have Kathy and her family as my friends for over 20 years. Thank you for the lovely flowers.

 

 

Snickerdoodles

In all my years of baking, I have never made a Snickerdoodle!  Maybe it's more of an American creation. I've never heard of anyone making them in my circle. Anyway, I'm sorry I waited. These cookies are simple and delicious. As much as I love shortbread, I found using this recipe with shortening makes them just a little different and yummy enough to put on your tray of Christmas goodies. They also send a delightful fragrance of cinnamon and baking to add a festive feeling to your home.

Earlier this week, I got together with my much younger first cousin J, for our Annual baking session. It's always a fun time to get together, share a few laughs and pass down some baking tips to the next generation. I hope we get to do it for many years to come.

The weather has been gloomy here in Southern Ontario so I had to use this picture fresh from the oven. They still look great. Just passed my 5000th pageview and 100th post in 2012. Thanks to my readers. Hope you continue to enjoy my posts.

SNICKERDOODLES

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 large eggs
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

For rolling:
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Cream shortening, sugar and eggs. Sift dry ingredients and stir into moist.  Chill dough until firm, at least one hour. Roll dough into small balls and roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes until cookies are flattened and crinkly.

Christmas Shortbread Squares

The calendar has turned to December and I have started my Christmas baking. I always start with shortbread and then progress to the other items that I prefer to refrigerate rather then freeze. I find so often that you need the items well before actual Christmas day if you want to take them to various events. Every year I swear I will start earlier but it never seems to pan out that way. Regardless, this is one part of Christmas preparations that I particularly enjoy even when I'm pressed for time.

I won't lie, these squares can be a little tricky. They have to be watched carefully in the oven to avoid over-browning and they are very sensitive when you are cutting them. The bottom can get a little crumbly and separate from the topping. I'm going to try a little less flour in the base, next time I make them but these ones turned out pretty well.

It starts with a shortbread base (can't go wrong with that)...

Then you add a topping off sweetened condensed milk, raisins,coconut and cherries (I usually put nuts in everything so this is a nice change)...

Don't they look festive? I didn't have green cherries but I think they look good anyway.
 Happy Christmas baking!

Christmas Shortbread Squares
Base: 1 cup butter
1/4 cup white sugar
2 cups all purpose flour

Topping:
1/2 cup raisins
2/3 cup coconut
2/3 cup red and green maraschino cherries, chopped fine
1 can Eagle Brand condensed milk

Pre-heat oven to 350F. Grease a 9 x9 baking pan
Cream butter and sugar together. Blend in flour, pat dough into pan and pierce with a fork every half inch. Bake 30 minutes.
Combine remaining ingredients. Spread evenly on shortbread. Bake 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan, Cut into squares. Sprinkle with icing sugar if desired.

 

 

 

Winter coats for the dogs

Now that the snow has started to fly, I've had to pull out the winter coats. Yes, my dogs each have a winter coat with a lining that zips out. It is so handy when it's raining to have the outer shell which has a wide belly band that also prevents some of the splash up, then the warm fleece lining on those really cold days.

 

They also have a reflective strip which is great especially at 6:00 in the morning when we're out walking. The dogs don't mind at all and I think they enjoy being all warm and cozy in their jackets.

Christmas Urn Arrangement

Every year, I pick up my gorgeous urn arrangement from a lovely little garden and gift store down in Cambridge called The Living Outdoors Garden Store. They always burn the most delicious smelling candles and have many unique items and giftware as well as fresh greenery. The gentleman who does the arrangements does a beautiful job. You can custom order what you would like or just pick up one of the many varied arrangements that he comes up with. They are very reasonably priced and each one is unique. The photo doesn't do it justice but here's another try....

While I'm there, I pop across the parking lot to Valley Feeds, formerly known as Grand Valley Fortifiers. They have a great selection of bird seed, feeders, dog treats and food and you can even pick up some supplements for your horse. I buy my brother a big bag of custom made birdseed for his birthday so he can enjoy feeding the birds throughout the winter. Love shopping at the non-mainstream non-box stores. I hope you will too. Check them out.

Chocolate Log

With the holiday season coming up, many of us are asked to contribute something to a potluck meal or even bring dessert for a special dinner. This quick and easy dessert looks and tastes good and doesn't take hours to prepare. The recipe is on the box of chocolate wafers but basically you just whip up some whipping cream, add a little icing sugar and a dash of vanilla and ice each wafer then stack them in logs side by side. Slather everything with whipping cream and let it sit for at least 6 hours.

You can sprinkle with some decorations but word of warning, do this just before serving or the whipped cream will make it bleed. Cut on a diagonal to get a nice looking slice.

A very tasty dessert that you can throw together in minutes. Sure to impress.

Poppyseed Chicken

Now that the snowflakes are starting to appear, it's time to break out the comfort food. I call this "mashed potato" weather but it's also a good time to eat egg noodles with this yummy one pot wonder.
It is somewhat caloric but you could always use a lower fat soup and sour cream, just don't cut down the buttered Ritz cracker topping. It "makes" the dish.
Here's the recipe:

Poppyseed Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup (undiluted)
1 1/2 cups Ritz cracker crumbs
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1/2 cup melted butter

Pre-brown chicken in a fry pan with a little butter. Place in a oven proof baking dish.
Mix sour cream and soup, pour over chicken. Mix crumbs and melted butter. Spread cream mixture over top of chicken. Sprinkle poppy seeds. Bake at 350F for 1 hour or until done.
Serve with noodles.