Happy Christmas Eve Goodies

I like the Christmas season. I like my family, cooking, eating, and feeding others. I really enjoy being in the midst of IT: people I love, old stories, gossip over the stove, babies tugging on me, normally sullen teenagers who just can't keep it up around all the frivolity, and sleepy daddies snoozing in the den.

Today I stepped out of the IT and went to work for awhile...



Gift wrapping with Zee. Note the multi-use laptop standing in for a tabletop surface.



Then I baked with Mama. I know, I never remember to take photos of the finished product. We made Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sinful Fudge, and these little strawberry cream cheese 'refrigerator cookies' which are fabuloso. (I will post the recipe later.)



Finally, Christmas with the maternal side of the family. This is us after spaghetti dinner and desserts - sacked out on the couch. Even the Wii was too much for us when this photo was taken.

Heirloom Recipes

Great-Grandma Robbie's After Dinner Coffee Bars

Wet team:
1/4 cup of shortening (room temperature butter)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg (two eggs + vanilla)
1/2 cup of fresh hot coffee
-cream together and stir in coffee

Dry team:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
1/4 cup of hacked walnuts
1/2 cup raisins (golden raisins)
-sift together flour, powder, soda
-add salt, cinnamon

-Bring the two teams together with a mixer; I prefer a hand mixer.
-Fold in the raisins and nuts.
-Spread in a 13x9 baking pan, metal.
-Bake for 18-20 minutes.
-Let stand to cool.
-Cut into bar shapes.
-(Sift top with confectioner's sugar to finish.)

I was going to put a photo up of the end result, but it was eaten too quickly.

I am adjusting this recipe for a more flavorful bite. I'll post newer versions as they manifest. (The first revisions are in parenthesis above.)

Dallas Cinemania Film Society: STRAW DOGS - It's On!

Dallas Cinemania Film Society: STRAW DOGS - It's On!

Dec-18, be there.