Christmas 2016-Just a few Photos- Kiwi-Pomegranate Christmas Tree

Christmas is a 

"Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"

Doug and I spent a few weeks preparing for Christmas,

and we loved every minute of it.

We baked cookies and rum cake and Chex mix 

and the list goes on.

It is a time for celebrating the birth of Jesus,

and because of that, sharing gifts and time together as family.

I didn't take a lot of photos.

I mostly photographed making this 

Pomegranate-Kiwi Christmas Tree 

with Ceci and Dane.

 You start with some kiwis.

Peel and slice them.

 Layer them in a Christmas dish.

We used a Christmas tree plate.

Dane is making the tree topper

by peeling a mandarin orange and sectioning it.

Doug is "seeding" the pomegranate.

 Arrange the Mandarin oranges for the topper.

Then add the pomegranate seeds to the tree.

 This is healthy and delicious!

Interesting Facts About Kiwifruit

⦁ Kiwi fruit was named after the New Zealand Kiwi bird—an unusual flightless bird—because they are both small, brown and furry.

⦁ Not all kiwi fruit is fuzzy! The most popular species of kiwifruit is appropriately called fuzzy kiwifruit, but there is also golden kiwi with a smooth bronze skin. The golden kiwi is actually sweeter and more aromatic in flavor.

⦁ Although kiwis have been native to China for centuries, practically no one in North America knew what they were 60 years ago. They were first introduced to the U.S. in 1962. They caught on fast!

⦁ Although kiwifruit can grow in any temperate climate, most of the world’s kiwi are grown in Italy, New Zealand and Chile.

⦁ YES, you can eat the fuzz if you want.

⦁ You can eat the fuzz if you want.

More on health benefits of Kiwi

Pomegranates:

The name pomegranate comes from Medieval Latin meaning "seeded apple."

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/042282_pomegranates_history_superfood.html#ixzz4V1UIP17r

Grandpa & Ceci

This was taken Christmas morning just before we opened our presents.

Aiden, Spencer, Ceci, Dane, Camden, Madi, and Graham.

Merry Christmas!

Someone Is Five! Batman Cake!

Batman Cake

Where does the time go?

From a few months old to 5 years old in a flash.

Here he is "all grown up".

Well, he is five.

I was there on his special day,

and wanted to make a birthday cake with him.

I thought I had packed a chocolate cake mix before I headed out the door,

but I was mistaken.

Batman is his favorite and always has been.

So, we made a Batman Cake.

Cam and I  started to gather the ingredients for the cake,

 and I thought the add-ins were not the usual.

That was because the box I grabbed was a brownie mix.

It's a good thing we like brownies.

 Cam has baked quite a bit with Grandma.

 We followed the directions on the box.

 Ready for the oven!

 Grandpa found a free printable template on line.

(This is Cam's Batman face).

Bat wings.

 We cut out the template and placed it on black rolled out fondant.

Then we cut around the bat form.

 We frosted the brownie.

 And added the Batman symbol.

 Cam's little helper.

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA BATMAN 

 A remote control Batmobile!

Happy Birthday!

What a fun day!

Gingerbread and Sugar Cutout Cookies

My "Lobsta" rolled out and cut out Christmas cookie.

This one is for you, Lyndie,

reminiscent of  Cape Cod.

You can't begin too soon to begin making cut out Christmas cookies.

When I was growing up, we started right after Thanksgiving and put them into the

freezer for "not-so-safe" keeping.

We would play pool in the basement (where the freezer was)

 and sample the cookies between shots.

Mom said that some years there weren't a lot left for Christmas.

I think I used the same recipe for the sugar and gingerbread cookies we used

when I was younger and learning how to make these.

I found it in the little plaid cookbook,

 Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.

This was a 3 day process for me.

I could call it an event.

I made the dough the first day.

I rolled out the dough, cut out the shapes, and baked them the second day.

The third day I frosted them and added decorations.

 This is the molasses dough that we be rolled out and cut into sugar-and-spicy,

 mouthwatering, frosted deliciousness.

Yes, they are that good.

Rolled Ginger Cookies

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2-3 teaspoons ground ginger, I used 3
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Cream shortening and sugar.  Beat in egg, molasses, and vinegar.  Sift together dry ingredients; blend in.  Chill 3 hours.

Roll dough 1/8th inch thick on lightly floured surface.  Cut into shapes.  Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 5-6 minutes.  Cool slightly; remove to rack. Makes about 5 dozen.  Frost and decorate as desired.

I used my cookie cutters I collected from our trips.

They include a lobster, an armadillo, a dog, a peace sign, Thomas the Train, 

a steer head, 3 yoga poses, a cardinal, a reindeer, a hand, and the list goes on.

 This dough is perfect for rolling and cutting.

 My favorite sugar cookie recipe from Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 4 teaspoons milk
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Thoroughly cream shortening, sugar, and vanilla.  Add egg and milk; beat until light and fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients; blend into creamed mixture.  Divide the dough in half.  Cover and chill at least one hour.

On lightly floured surface, roll to 1/8 inch thickness.  Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 degrees about 8-10 minutes.  Cool slightly; remove. Makes about 3 dozen.

Frost and decorate as desired.

I used both a powdered sugar glaze and canned frosting.

Frost and decorate. 

Warrior II, Downward Dog, and Tree Yoga poses.

Cookies ready for the freezer.

 I hope they last until Christmas.

Gingerbread Cardinals.

Bake and share these with your family.

Start a tradition.

Merry Christmas as you celebrate 

the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.