Marie's Sunday Six

"God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December." - J. M. Barrie

It was a beautiful clear night last night and the frost lays thick on the ground this morning. All is still and quiet. It is the perfect time to tell you about six things this past week that brought a smile to my face and a song to my heart.



1. Earlier this week I got a lovely e-mail from my oldest son Anthony, or Tony as his friends call him now. (We never called him that because my father was always called Tony) This was one of several pictures he included. This is my eldest grandson Gabriel baking bread! It really made me smile. He looks so intent on that little scrap of dough he is working on at the table. Being so far away I miss special times like this with my grandchildren, and it was so thoughtful of my son to share this with me. It would be so much fun to bake with my two little lads. I bet we'd come up with some really interesting concoctions!



2. Writing out my Christmas Cards. My list seems to get longer every year. That's a wonderful thing! It means I have more friends that I love and that love me. As I write out each one my thoughts go to special moments shared with each other whether real or through e-mails. Each one is so precious to me and I love my friends dearly. The only thing that frustrates me is that I haven't the time to write a letter to each one, which I would so love to do. Alas . . . a few short lines is all I can manage! (The picture is one of the very first Christmas Cards produced!)



3. This is a 3D scan of my newest grandson, due to arrive the end of January, Joshua! Isn't modern technology wonderful!!! What a special and unique vision of this wonderful spirit that is waiting to make his way into the world and our lives. I think he looks like his dad, but then again . . . I'm the proud grand mom and I would think that! As I looked at this photo I thought of all the many people out there who are praying to keep him safe and sound until he arrives, and praying for his mum and dad and it made me smile again . . . technology is surely a thing of magic when it works for the good . . . I thank you so very much for your continued prayers.



4. Baking Christmas Cookies. I love to bake and decorate Christmas Cookies. I put on the Christmas music and dance around the kitchen feeling all holly and jolly! It's one of my favourite things to do this time of year and it surely makes me smile! Years ago I used to bake trays and trays of cookies before Christmas . . . at least a dozen different kinds. Each of our friends would get a holiday tray of an assortment of the goodies and it was always so much fun putting them together and handing them out. I used to start in early December and freeze them until I was ready to put the trays together. You know what? Frozen cookies taste just as good as normal ones! (Not that I'd know anything about that . . . *sheepish grin*)



5. We had our Ward Christmas party at the church last night. It was great fun to get together with everyone and share a few hours together in fellowship. We borrowed the little fella from next door, Zac. Christmas Parties are always infinitely better when you have a little boy to take along and help you to see things through the eyes of a child. It was pot luck and so there was a little bit of everything to taste and enjoy. I made a lovely Beef and Potato Scallop Casserole, that I didn't get a photo of, but was very delicious. I may make it again soon and share it with you then. They had a pinata for the children to bust open and share. It was so much fun watching them try to break it open. This one took loads of effort. Watching the children play with each other, singing Christmas Carols, talking with much loved brothers and sisters . . . borrowing Zac . . . it was truly a lovely evening.



6. My new Blog Look. It makes me smile. I love the look and feel of it. I know that there will be a few people that won't . . . people who may have preferred the old look, but I love this one. It's mine and mine alone, and people will get used to it. I love the colours and I love my little signature at the end. I always wanted one of those. Hannah did ever such a lovely job of it and I am well pleased. I highly recommend her if you are wanting a new look for your own page.

So there you have it, my Sunday Six Smile Makers for this, the 7th day of December, 2008. I hope they made you smile as well!

I can't share the cookie recipe with you yet for the cookies I made for our Christmas Party last night . . . those will come on Tuesday, but I can share with you these tasty old favourites that I normally make each year. These are so easy to make and the kiddies just love them. I have a special fondness for them as well I have to admit!!! Lura, Austin would just love to make these with you!!!



*Reindeer Cookies*
Makes 3 dozen

These are fun to make and oh so delicious! I love the combination of the saltiness of the pretzels and the sweetness of the cookies. Salty and Sweet is a classic flavour combination that pleases more often than not!

1 cup soft light brown sugar, packed
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup smooth peanut butter
3 scant cups of flour
2 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (300g) bag of small pretzels (the heart shaped ones)
1 (250g) bag of coloured M&M candies (smarties work well also)

Pre-heat the oven to 190*C/375*F. Line some baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Cream together the butter, peanut butter and both sugars, until light and fluffy and well mixed together.

Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir it into the creamed mixture, mixing it in well.

Roll Tablespoons of the dough into balls and then flatten the balls, shaping them into triangles. Place on the cookie sheets, at least 2 inches apart, with the wide end of the triangle at the top.

Lightly press pretzels into the 2 top corners of the triangle for antlers. Place a red candy at the bottom corner for the nose and two green or blue ones on the cookies for the eyes.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until set and lightly browned. Remove from the oven. Let sit on the pan for a few minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy!!

Happy Sunday!!!