I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m in a minor state of shock that the holiday season is already upon us — again! Or maybe it’s denial?
I swear it seems that I only just put away all the holiday decorations, but regardless of my shock, denial or just plain absentmindedness, ready or not, here comes Santa Claus, more calories and endless reruns of A Christmas Story. Not that I’m complaining. Not really. I love A Christmas Story, could do without the calories but will gladly make that sacrifice, and well, to be honest, Santa Claus has always scared the beejeebers out of me.
It doesn’t really feel like the holiday season. And I know I should probably keep my mouth shut, because just as soon as I say something, we’ll be blasted with a winter storm, but it’s over 60 degrees here in the East and it just doesn’t feel like Christmas is coming. That’s funny, really, coming from a gal born and raised in Southern California where putting lights up on the house was usually done while wearing shorts and t-shirts. But since we left Cali, I’ve been spoiled. I love having four seasons, and darnit, when it’s Christmastime, I want, no, I demand snow on the ground. There’s nothing quite as breathtaking IMO as seeing the Christmas lights reflecting off freshly fallen snow. Gets to me every single time.
So what does any of this have to do with writing? Not a darn thing, unless you want to hear me whine about how I once again misplanned my schedule and now have to write during the month of December, something I always try not to do. But it is the holiday season. I think that means there’s no complaining allowed.
Now that it’s that time of year again, it means that it’s also time for me to begin planning for the annual cookie exchange in our neighborhood. This is such a fun tradition and I was honored to be included when we moved East. There are about a dozen of us now and some of the ladies only bake one type of cookie, some do various holiday candies, some make breads and some of us do a variety of goodies. I’m one of the various goodie makers. I bake an array of holiday candies, cookies and mini loaves of zucchini bread, all arranged on pretty holiday serving trays. Because chemo and radiation kicked my butt so bad last year, I just wasn’t physically up for any hardcore baking, but with my DH’s help, I did manage to make a chai spiced coffee mix which I put in cute little mason jars that I’d decorated. This year (thank the Goddesses) I’m ready and more than able to spend some serious hours in the kitchen.
I’m looking for a new recipe to add to my holiday trays this year. Be it cookie, candy or bread. Got any you want to share? And while you’re at it, why don’t you tell me about some of your favorite holiday traditions. Because it’s is the season, I’ll make a random drawing. The winner will receive a copy of any book from my available back list and a special holiday surprise gift!
UPDATE: And the winner is….AmyS! Congratulations, Amy! Drop me an email at jamie@jamiedenton.net with your snail mail addy and I’ll get your prize in the mail to you ASAP!
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I think here in Finland just about everybody opens their gifts on Christmas Eve, in the evening when the Santa arrives from Lappland (yes, from Lappland. There is nothing for the reindeer to eat in the North Pole). On Christmas Eve we decorate the tree, watch Christmas programs on TV, in the evening there is Christmas sauna and after it we eat Christmas foods and open the gifts.
Here you can find some traditional Finnish recipes:
http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=26071
http://virtual.finland.fi/xmas/?p=4
http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=26068
by Minna
on November 29th, 2006 at 7:26 am
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Next to recommending books, I love to recommend recipes.
What would you like, Stuffed Mushrooms, Chocolate Fruitcake from Deb Macomber’s books - it was scrumptious, Spinach Surprise, Carrot Cake? I also make a wonderfuld red cabbage. Am not much of a baker. Occasionally I will make a dessert, pie or cookies, but not too often. Oh Yes, my apple pie is excellent too.
by Pat L
on November 29th, 2006 at 8:47 am
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My dh always makes his mother’s german cookies. They are so good, but the dough has to be kneaded and I don’t have the strength in my hands to do it so he does them every year.
Also use to string popcorn to decorate the tree. It was fun to watch TV and do the popcorn.
by Joyce
on November 29th, 2006 at 11:11 am
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Danish Christmas dessert called Ris a la mand. It is essentially rice pudding that has a generous amount of slightly sweetened whipped cream folded in as well as a handful or so of chopped almonds. One whole almond is hidden in the dessert and the person who gets it in his/her portion must show it in order to receive a prize present of a marzipan pig. In our family, if the person who has the almond accidently bites into and breaks it, the prize is shared by all. The dessert is rather luscious and is served with a dark ruby red cherry sauce that is even better when spiked with a jigger of eau de vie Kirsch. At parties it is served in a large serving bowl with the cherry sauce in a smaller bowl beside it as well as small dishes for people to self serve.
by little lamb lost
on November 29th, 2006 at 11:55 am
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I am soooo not a cook, so my only recipe would be for spinach dip (featured on the back of every Knorr’s vegtable soup mix box):oops: However my favorite memories are on christmas eve where it is our family tradition to open 1 gift then and the rest on christmas day!
by Jennifer L
on November 29th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
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Each year the ladies in our family would go into another room by themselves and exchange little gifts; it was a fun time after the cooking, cleaning, dishes part of the day. A time for the ladies after the big gift exchange also. Since Mom has passed away I am trying to keep this tradition going; it was her, my sister and I that started it and now includes nieces, d-i-l’s, s-i-l’s.
Here is dh’s favorite that I make each year: Cherry Surprise
1/2 cup soft butter
1 3/4 cup icing sugar
1 teaspoon fresh orange juice or juice from cherries
3 dozen drained Maraschino cherries
1/2 cup fine coconut
1/2 cup fine graham wafer crumbs
Cream butter and gradually add sugar. Beat and add juice; add coconut
and beat some more. Mixture will be soft.
Wrap a small portion of the mixture around a cherry and then roll it in the
crumbs and continue will all the cherries. Keep in refrigerator.
by RobynL
on November 29th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
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no cook for me but we have our annual lunchoeon at work and it is fun. we have raffles and see people we don;t see alot. it is a fun tradiotion. and vacation from work too.:grin:
by KIM H
on November 29th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
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I am not much of a cook so I don’t really have any recipes to share….I usually just buy storebought goodies. I have used Oreos and dipped them in chocolate and pretzels dipped in chocolate as a treat.
Some of my favorite memories/traditions are spending time with my family…we don’t have any set traditions anymore. I love seeing the kids’ faces as they open their gifts.
by Jennifer Y.
on November 29th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
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My favorite is Chocolate Coconut Balls
1 cup toasted chopped Macadamia nuts
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 (7-ounce) bag sweetened shredded coconut
1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate morsels, melted
In a bowl mix together the nuts, condensed milk, almond extract, and coconut. Using your fingers, press the mixture into balls about 3/4-inch round. Place onto sheet trays and let rest at room temperature for 4 hours or in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
After the balls have set up dip into the chocolate to coat evenly and lightly. Place onto a sheet pan to dry.
Family tradition is we open Christmas presents on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is when the kids get the big items like bikes or portable dvd players.
by Amy S.
on November 29th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
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These are good. We make them every year.
Raspberry Thumbprints
1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a medium bowl, cream together butter and white sugar until smooth. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Mix in flour until dough comes together. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Make a small hole in the center of each ball, using your thumb and finger, and fill the hole with preserves.
Bake for 14 to 18 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet.
In a medium bowl, mix together the confectioners’ sugar, 3/4 teaspoon almond extract, and milk until smooth. Drizzle lightly over warm cookies.
by Carol
on November 29th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
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I started making Wonder Bars when I was in high school but I’ve seen the recipe for them called other things. My brother still looks for them and is thrilled if someone makes them for Christmas.
It is graham cracker crumbs with melted margarine to make the bottom. On top fo that layer chocolate chips, walnuts and coconut. On top of that pour a can of condensed milk. Cook it until it’s browned.
by Maureen
on November 29th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
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Alas, no recipies for you, we just have a repeat of Thanksgiving on Christmas, but instead of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, we’re watching a Christmas one. LOL Mom nearly always (at least from the 1990s to present) always had us open the presents on C. Eve instead of Day a) because she can’t wait and b) she says it’s a Polish tradition from the family. Whatever. LOLOL
Lois
by Lois
on November 29th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
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Chocolate Éclair
Line pan with Gram Crackers.
In bowl mix:
2 lg. Instant pudding Choc.
5 Cups Milk
Let set.
Mix.
8 oz. Cool Whip with Pudding.
Layer: Start with Gram Crackers the Pudding mix. End with Gram Crackers.
Use Cool Whip for Icing.
Grade a Candy Bar.
Sprinkle on top.
Can do the same but use vanilla pudding mix and top with Cherry pie filling.
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Sorry, no traditions here, just a family dinner.
by Tammy G.
on November 29th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
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One of our family holiday traditions is our Chili Chip Dip.
2 cans beanless chili
2 blocks cream cheese
Heat together in a crock pot until well mixed and enjoy.
by Estella
on November 29th, 2006 at 6:13 pm
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Oh! Please share your recipe for Zuccini Bread! My mom used to make them from a long-lost recipe we found on a box of Parkay butter and I’ve suddenly been dying for a loaf!
by Camilla
on November 29th, 2006 at 9:13 pm
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I found this recipe on the internet. I really enjoy ginger snaps and each time I eat them it reminds me of the holidays!
Old-Fashioned Ginger Snaps
Old-fashioned ginger snap cookies, made with molasses, butter or margarine, brown sugar, and spices.
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 3/4 cups self-rising flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon cloves
* 1 cup brown sugar, packed
* 3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup light molasses
PREPARATION:
Combine flour, soda, and spices in a bowl and set aside. Cream sugar and margarine. Beat in egg and molasses until light and fluffy. Stir in flour mixture just until blended. Chill for 2 hours or more.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls, roll in granulated sugar, and place on lightly greased baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Bake about 8 to 10 minutes, until set.
Makes 8 dozen cookies.
by Kathleen
on November 29th, 2006 at 9:31 pm
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I would kill for 60 degree weather right now. We’ve got snow on the ground (and more expected tonight) and the high temp today was 15 degrees! 
I’m not much of a cook… but I do like decorated sugar cookies at this time of year. I really like those ones you get at the grocery store… you know, in the shape of a tube. 
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Ohmigosh! I think I’ve gained ten pounds just reading all your fabulous responses!!
Minna - Oooh, that Christmas glogg (did I get that right?) sounds like the perfect Christmas punch!
PatL - I’d be interested to know what goes into your stuffed mushrooms. Mine are really easy, just cream cheese and bacon, then broil. Yum! And the red cabbage? I’ve been searching forever for a red cabbage recipe. There was a restaurant we used to go to in Covina, CA that served a red cabbage dish that was just heavenly.
Joyce - My boys and I thought we’d do the stringed popcorn one year. We put Christmas movies in the VCR and proceeded to eat more than we strung. But, I think that was our point 
little lamb - Your recipe sounds like one that the DH would really enjoy. He’s a HUGE rice pudding fan.
JenniferL - LOL! I know that recipe! I usually serve with King’s Hawaiian Bread and it’s just too good to walk away from.
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RobynL - What a wonderful tradition. I love that you’re keeping it going. Oooh, and the recipe sounds to die for!
KimH - I think that’s one of the things I really miss about doing the 9-5 thing, the holiday parties. 
In our law firm we had a huge party every year that was always lots of fun. We’d end up with lots of goodies, too, from all the vendors we used, like the court reporters and the guys who’d take care of obtaining documents we subpoenaed. One place used to make pumpkin rolls, and while I’m usually not a pumpkin fan, these things were awesome.
JenniferY - Hey, store-bought cookies serve a purpose, IMO. I’ve never met an Oreo I didn’t like 
AmyS - Oh! Oh! That’s the recipe I’ve been looking for! I had these a couple of years ago and just about died and went to heaven. THANK YOU!!!
Carol - I’ve never tried making thumprint cookies before. These sound good and I’m going to put them on my list for this year.
Maureen - I’ve had these. We call them Magic Cookie Bars. You know they even have a boxed version of them now? I saw it at the grocery store just last night.
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Lois - LOL! Sounds like your mom just couldn’t wait We used to open gifts Christmas morning, but when the boys started leaving the nest, we started doing things on Christmas Eve. Since I had boys, I figured they’d be spending Christmas day with in-laws, so I switched. They knew Christmas Eve was mom’s and they’d better be there 
TammyG - That pie sounds perfect. I usually do a carrot cake along with a carmel apple pie for the holiday dinner, then maybe a cheesecake or some other dessert. This would be a perfect alternative to cheesecake. Thanks!
Estella - I’ve never tried the chili dip with cream cheese. I usually use Velveeta, but since we’ve had to go low sodium in recent years, I find that it’s too salty now. Your version sounds so much better for us.
Kathleen - Okay, now don’t laugh, but I’ve never had ginger snaps. Looks like that’s going to change because I want to try these.
JenniferK - I’m sorry it’s cold where you are. I usually check the weather in ND becuase that’s where most of my family is and this morning they were at 1 below. I got hives just thinking about it being so cold. 
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My mom makes this every year for Christmas Eve. Aside from being delicious it’s easy to make!:smile:
Crab & Shrimp Salad
Ingredients
1 16 oz package of macaroni (shell macaroni is good)
6 eggs (boiled)
1 large can olives
4 large tomatoes
2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
1 package imitation crab
1 package precooked shrimp
Dressing
2 cups mayonnaise
1 ½ tsp mustard of you choice
olive oil
garlic salt and pepper to taste
Preparation Instructions
Cook macaroni by package instructions, cool, then place in a large bowl. Chop eggs, olives, tomatoes, and broccoli and add to the macaroni. Mix in crab and shrimp. In a separate bowl mix dressing ingredients and mix into salad. Chill for about an hour before serving.
by Susan
on November 30th, 2006 at 11:23 am
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wtg amy s again. hi
by KIM H
on November 30th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
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Thank you!!!!!
by Amy S.
on November 30th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
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Hi Kim! TY
by Amy S.
on November 30th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
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Susan - I’m a sucker for anything seafood. I’m adding this to my list of recipes!!
