Sunday, December 24, 2023

ALL IS CALM.....

 

Had to share this. While Walking Buster and Lillith two years ago in the park, I happened to stop at the little free library that is housed there. I happened to peek in, to see what books were in there at the time, and came across the Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore. But when I open the book...how magical! There was laser cut pages and pop ups, and one scene, that when one turns the page, becomes a part of the next scene. A beautiful book. It has tickled me. Couldn't imagine why someone would have given it up, unless to make the next person happy, which it did. ME. I have held on to it , but now will pass it off to good friends of mine who just had a baby. They will love and treasure it I know. Besides, they are calling me Aunt Maddie already. 


🌲A Happy Christmas Eve 🌲

CONFECTIONERY


I'm not a huge fan of sweets, and it's rare I will indulge in a dessert after dinner, home or out dinning. Even at a young age...but at Christmas I will admit to indulging in our cookies and family recipes, and other sweets, like yesterdays featured family egg nog recipe. This year I even tried my hand with my late aunt's mince pie recipe. Though I opted to make smaller pies. I even got a crust press to make them look extra special...and they turned out, I'm happy to report very tasty. I had forgotten how good warm mince pie was. On the plate above is a selection of goodies we made over the last week. Starting at the 12 o clock...Mince pie, Pecan and Cashew balls, pecan crescents with drizzled chocolate, Black Walnut balls, Icing Glazed Sugar Cookies, and Chocolate cookies with crushed Peppermint. But the real draw and mass hysertia by friends and family, every year, are my Mother's famous Sandtarts.


She began making them back in November...4 double batches...probably making near 2, 000 cookies!!! I made them a few times, and her method is very time consuming, and one must have the time, and patients to make these things, but I tell you, they are delicious and like eating potato chips. Most say they have had them but never this thin!!

Most of them with exception to family coming Christmas Day and a few friends, they have all been otherwise delivered already. I can recall taking a tin to our beloved Anne Marie and her hubby Todd a few times. She said the tin didn't stand a chance, and they often finished them within a day or two. Yesterday was spent making my grandmother's recipe for Nut roll.


And another of my aunt's recipes...Stollen for our Christmas morning breakfast with coffee.


If this isn't enough, a parcel from Warbucks showed up and these were in it.

Dark Chocolates with a pear Brandy liqueur in the middles...I might add, I nice dose of Brandy too. More later today if I'm not intoxicated or in a sugar coma......

* if anyone wants recipes...happy to share.

Saturday, December 23, 2023

HAPPY HOUR

 

What with this being Christmas weekend...it's time to kick back and relax with an old family recipe for the holiday...the Elder Family Egg Nog!!! After making some nut rolls and our stollen for Christmas morning, nothing wrong with enjoying a glass or six of the family recipe. And perfect for Christmas Eve. A long-standing tradition with the Mistress's family.

Family Recipe Egg Nog

6 egg yolks
1 cup of granulated sugar
2 cups of cognac
1 cup of rum
2 TBLS of vanilla
2 1/2 quarts of light cream
6 egg whites
1/2 cup 10x sugar

Separate the egg whites and yolks and save both. In a large bowl, BEAT the yolks till nice and thick. Add in the granulated sugar, beating until light. Slowly stir in rum and congac. Add 1  1/2 QTRS of the light cream and 1/2 the eggs whites (slightly beaten) Beat until well combined. Beat remaining whites until foamy. Gradually, add 10x sugar. Continue beating till soft peaks are formed. Gently stir foamy egg whites and remaining cream into egg yolk mixture in large bowl. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve.  Served chilled and top with freshly grated nutmeg over each old-fashioned glass. Remember this is not your store-bought rubbish. Cheers kids! You'll be good and relaxed and filled with cheer after a few of these.


Of course, nothing wrong with a bit of Dalida for the Christmas happy hour to get us in the mood either.

Friday, December 22, 2023

IN THREE WORDS

In this feature, Ill share a weekly guest with you, and you tell me in only three words, what come to mind.


In Three Words...

Anouk Aimee