Gloria in Excelsis deo

Luke 2:8-14 NKJV

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this  will be  the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

A light lit Night

May your Christmas be merry & bright! Take the time to look at lights in your neighborhood. Gather the roommates, kids, or other pajamas clad individuals (that you know) & drive through some colorful & sparkly streets. Take cocoa, popcorn, something & jam to your holiday music. Its a good, good, thing.

Whoops Wednesdays

Whoops… Somehow I seriously missed Tasty Tidbit Tuesday. I guess the holidays are busier than I thought! But I didn’t 100% forget y’all; I am posting one last cookie before the Christmas festivity next Tuesday!

Many lovers of cookies have their favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, and I am no exception. I love Nestle. The original Nestle. The too & goodness Nestle. So here it is, but be warned; room temperature eggs & butter is key. KEY.

Original Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies

This famous classic American cookie is a treat no matter what the age or occasion. Enjoy it with a glass of cold milk.

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs room temp
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate MorselsNESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts (totally optional)

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Thoughts on Faith

I have great empathy for those who lost someone at Newtown, Connecticut. What great loss is being mourned there, but God is still good & he is still faithful. I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day – Casting Crowns

Holiday Party-Hardy!

No, not this Hardy.

Or even these Hardys…

But the hardy that goes with party! Its that season & here’s a few links with themes & ideas to celebrating the Yuletide right.

12 new hits

Manly Parties

HGTV Worthy Parties

Frugal Bells, Frugal Bells

Cracklin Cookies

I love crackles, chewy, dense, earthy, and they’re not popular with my generation! I may have to fight grandma, but I don’t worry so much about a bunch of twenty something’s. In the following recipe I switched out clove for cardamom & nutmeg combined. I just love what cardamom brings to the table, pun intended. I made 8 batches one year in one day for a senior group. Let’s just say its been a few years before I could face this delicious cookie in the kitchen once more! I’m definitely excited to get cracklin!

Molasses Crackles
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup light molasses
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger

1. Cream together shortening and brown sugar. Stir in egg and molasses and mix well. Fold in dry ingredients and stir. Cover and chill until firm (1 – 2 hours).
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Roll dough into small balls (I use a small melon baller to help with this) and roll in white sugar. Place on lightly greased cookie sheets.
4. Bake 9 – 10 minutes. Leave on cookie sheet one minute until set.

Preparation Sunday

As our little ones gear up for the coming of Christ, we were visited by the angel Gabriel as he spoke great words to Mary. Oh how soothing this all is to know the story of Christ’s arrival is so anticipated by our smart first & second graders!

First Friday Denton Edition

One of my favorite small towns ever (& the best in America) we host a first Friday art-tastic event each month. Pictured above is the shops participating on W Oak. If you stop by SCRAP they’ll have samples of Armadillo Ale works, Denton’s own micro brews. Get free sangria & nibble sized square delectables at Denton Square Donuts upstairs & peruse art while listening to live must at Creative Art Studio. Walk the square, open late, for all Christmas goodies & cheer! Don’t forget to Shop Small this season!

Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe

I may have given the wrong Rolled Sugar Cookies page number last week… On purpose. No cheating! 🙂 All I know is that our family is very thankful or Mrs. Robert Collins of Fairfax, Missouri!

Southern Living 1979 Annual Recipes
Rolled Sugar Cookies

3 c all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp soda
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 c shortening (no butter!)
2 eggs, beaten
1 c sugar
1/4 c milk
1 tsp

Combine flour, baking powder, soda, & nutmeg; cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Combine eggs, sugar, milk, & vanilla; mix well, & pour into crumb mixture. Stir with a fork until all dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball, & chill 1-2 hours.
Work with half of dough at a time; store remainder in refrigerator. Roll dough out on a lightly floured board to 1/8″ thickness; cut with shaped cookie cutters. Place on lightly greased cookie sheets; bake at 375 for 8-9 minutes until very lightly browned.
Yield: 4 1/2 doz.

Easy peasy frosting: powdered sugar, milk to taste, food coloring. Mix to a spreadable but not too runny so that it oozes off.

Now, go eat!!

Advent Season

Many happy returns this season. I’m reading #Shereadstruth Bible app reading plan. Today is day 5 & the quote’s from Micah:
Micah 5:2-4 NIV84

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Therefore Israel will be abandoned until he time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.”
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.