You can tell I have a lot on my mind when I cover topics from cranberry cookies to Santa Hats.
I would be remiss not to discuss my Santa hat, which has been with me for a long time.
On Christmas Day, whoever is designated to hand out gifts…which is usually Mr. B…must wear the hat!
But, prior to that day…I wear it often. It is tradition for me to wear it when I am Christmas cooking or gift wrapping.
Most of you know that I taught high school for 16 years, and, yes, I wore it in my classroom and for special activities.
It is a necessary part of my Christmas wardrobe! Plus it is very warm.
I always look through cookbooks at fabulous Christmas meals, but really, our family keeps this one simple.
Christmas eating is not as intense as Thanksgiving eating. It has varied over the years from a Tex-Mex menu to now a brunch.
We are a serious Monkey Bread family…and after polishing off two pans last year, my children asked that I make three this year. It is served with a breakfast casserole that is made the night before.
Christmas Eve is predicted to be cold…that is not always the case…so I have planned a pot of my special chili with jalapeno cheddar cornbread for whoever happens to be around. For children…macaroni & cheese and fruit.
I do have quite a bit of baking to do for neighborhood gifts and friends. Once again, reliable Leigh Ann…sent over this recipe and it is excellent.
HOLIDAY CRANBERRY OATMEAL COOKIES
- 2 sticks of softened butter
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 cups uncooked oats
- 1 cup fresh cranberries chopped into small pieces (I am going to try it with dried cranberries chopped in a food processor)
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 1 cup white chocolate chips. (Love how pretty the cranberries are with the white chocolate!)
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Add butter and sugars into large mixing bowl, and beat until creamy.
- Mix in eggs and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. (I might add a pinch of nutmeg or even ground cloves)
- Add flour mixture to large mixing bowl, a little at a time, and mix well.
- Stir in oatmeal then gently stir in cranberries, pecans and white chocolate chips.
- Drop by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until cookies start to brown around the edges.
- Once removed from oven, place cookies on a wire rack to cool.
Her cookies were very good, so you can ignore my editing and know they will be great!
I told you recently about Pass the Honey, a royal jelly bee pollen product in individual packets along with the honeycomb. Recently, I used it to make Blackberry Syrup.
I heated two pints of blackberries over the stove in a tablespoon of water. As they got hot, I mashed them with a hand held potato masher.
Then I threw in one of the packets of Pass the Honey Snacking Honeycomb and watched the honeycomb dissolve right into the mixture.
It is so good…and Mr. B loves it on his yogurt and sometimes on his granola. I keep it in a small jar in the refrigerator.
These also dissolve nicely into a cup of hot tea. I am a fan! This is this honey link, and where you can learn about the quality and the benefits of this honey.
Today I am working on my grocery list for the rest of the week…almost done with wrapping…thank you for being here, everyone…make sure you…
KEEP SMILING AND WEAR THE SANTA HAT!
ANY FELLOW SANTA HAT WEARERS WANT TO CONFESS??
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be discussing new beginnings. Christmas is a great time to ponder what lies ahead. For today, I am………
ROCKPORT
Teleflora To Say You Care
Talbots
JJILL
Chicos
Dillard’s
Anthropologie
Ann Taylor
Loft
Ulta
Lane Bryant Plus Size
LuLuLemon (Perfect gifts for young adults)
World Market
Kohls
Walmart
Target
Home Depot
Nordstrom
Lowe’s
Best Buy
Sephora
Williams-Sonoma
Nordstrom Rack
Ross Simons Jewelry
Lands End
Naturalizer
J Crew Factory
NEST Fragrances
Rack Room Shoes
Art of Tea
Rugs.com
Kirklands
Ebay
Etsy
Anthropologie Home
Crabtree & Evelyn
Artfully Walls
Overstock
Bed Bath & Beyond
Pottery Barn
For everyone who agrees with me that Apple Cider Vinegar is great for the metabolism and other health benefits, then order your GOLI today. Just go to my page at GOLI HERE.
MY COMPLEXION LOVES CHAMONIX…KEEPING ME YOUTHFUL! Currently, running a SPECIAL NOW!
By Pamela Lutrell
Disclaimer: I was provided product for this post, but the words are my own.
