Sunday 7 December 2008

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!!!


22 comments:

  1. Nothing like the pictures of the grandbaby, no matter how old, to put a smile on our faces!
    We have Christmas cookies in common this weekend! I too had music playing when the girls arrived, singing and dancing followed. After baking we sat down and watched the Black and White version of "Holiday Inn" It was a pretty terrific day!

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  2. What a lovely Sunday Six....no wonder you are smiling.... and you are right...Austin will love making those cookies with me. We will do it this Monday and think of you my sweet friend.

    We just got home from a pot luck Christmas dinner for all the Thur. temple workers. It was held at one of the couple's beautiful home. When I say beautiful that is an under statement... it was like a resort... definately not a school teacher's home. I like our home but it looks very humble compared to their gorgeous place. They are a wonderful couple and I am happy that they can live in such a breath taking home with a breath taking view. All I can say is WOW.

    Here I am back to reality. I must get to bed for it is late and church comes early. I send love to you. Have a great Sunday and week to follow. XOXOXO Lura

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  3. I relly like your new blog layout. The idea of using pretzels for the reindeer is inspired!

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  4. Oh, just loving this week's six, Marie! Wonderful to see Gabriel, and Joshua...these ultrasound photos are incredible now! This is such a post I smiles so much with all the fun here. Your card design is so festive and charming. And the Reindeer Cookies are so cute! Sounds like a very merry Christmas-in-the-making at your place! Thanks for sharing it with us! Hope we get to chat today! :o) LOVE YOU HEAPS ((HUGS)

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  5. What wonerful pictures of your grandbabies Marie! Modern technology is just wonderful..isn't it? God bless your soon to be newest grandson and keep him safe.
    I loved you Sunday six today and the biscuits story too. Yes they do freeze well...lol!
    Hugs
    Jeanie xxx

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  6. Marie I love your new page. When my two oldest daughters were little, I let them choose the colors for their new bedroom..they chose pale sage green for the walls, and small pink gingham checks for the curtains and bedspread which I made for them. The colors went wonderfully together. This reminds me of that :) These cookies look great. I have 2 small grandchildren that will love them. (I have 7 but the rest are teens) I have one suggestion .. it took me a long time to find the song list...maybe put it up the top so when we sign on we can go to it to choose the music? Also I had my sound up loud LOL..took me a while to find it to adjust the volume :) Have a wonderful Sunday :)

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  7. That is an amazing picture of your grandchild, Marie.At first I thought it was a beautiful cloud in the night sky. I have a Joshua too :)

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  8. Your posts always bring a smile to my face.

    "I put on the Christmas music and dance around the kitchen feeling all holly and jolly!"

    Ha, ha - I thought it was just me who did that. How funny that you do it, too!

    Like you I love to write out holiday cards and my list gets longer every year as well. But I like to send them, so that people know I am thinking of them - it seems such a small thing to do, but I get a lot of pleasure sitting in the candlelight, gazing out of my window and writing a few lines to my dear friends.

    Grandchildren are a precious gift - I can imagine what a proud gran you are and we are keeping your daughter-in-law in our prayers. Every day that passes is good - the baby grows stronger and stronger.

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  9. Those are such precious looking cookies! How fun!

    I was able to get the 3D picture of my little boy (now 17 months), and I treasure that picture as the first real glimpse I had of my handsome little man. Your grandsons are very cute, born and unborn!

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  10. I LOVE your new look, it's just beautiful :)

    Your Sunday Six are wonderful, so full of love and family.

    Have a great weekend,
    Sandra

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  11. May I say you have the greatest recipes that I have enjoyed making. I stop by most days to see what you have to offer and I am never disappointed.
    Thanks so very much for sharing!

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  12. I love these biscuits they look great - i saw something similar when i was over in new york 0 they look so cute :)

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  13. Loved this one, Marie! Beautiful pics and a cute recipe! Much love, Raquel XO

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  14. I love all Marie, are so nice, Mom come with Christmas Cookies and I place at the Blog (je,je) I don t have time to make other thing by the moment, but I told in the post is from my MOM, huggsss to you and Todd. Marisol is a little better, she has 20 points in the injury in her head!!! Thanks God is OK, kisses Gloria

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  15. I love the picture of Joshua (ji) we have to continue praying!! G

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  16. I love the reindeer cookies! They look good! And I adore the new look!

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  17. I love the new look! Hannah did a great job.

    Those reindeer cookies are darling. My kids would love to make those. What a fun idea!

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  18. I enjoyed everything that made you smile Marie, so you made me smile! Hannah is the best isn't she!!!

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  19. Oh Marie, I have missed you. First, I LOVE the new look of your blog! Very pleasing and calm, and I love pink and green. Have been working on my Christmas mailing and cookies too - was dancing around the kitchen today too! And the scan of your grandson is incredible - really beautiful.

    Sounds like you are enjoying the holidays - me too. Am way overbooked as usual. Must slow back down in January.

    Love, A (p.s. I put you on the Xmas letter list.)

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  20. What a sweet picture of your grandson Marie! And the other picture of your soon-to-arrive grandson are so amazing! It sounds like your ward party was fun. It's so nice to get together and fun with people from church. Your cookies are very cute. My kids will love to make them! I hope you have a wonderful week!

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  21. WHO WOULD HAVE EVER TOUGHT YOU WOULD HAVE A PICTURE OF YOUR GREANDSON BEFORE HE WAS EVEN BORN! TECHNOLOGY IS A WONDERFUL THING!!

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  22. The cookies are adorable Marie, I love the sweet ans salty thing too!

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