This Christmas part Six

Busy day today that could have really been a downer. However since we are being Agents of Christmas, by looking on the good side, sharing smiles, Helping someone instead of fusing about how much time they were taking..

Well get the picture? Cost me nothing, instead it all enriched me. Not a bad trade-off!

Well today, slave transferred the frozen bird into the refrigerator to begin the thawing process. Which, by the way I did with a ceremony. It might have been played to an empty house, but no! It was just for me and my spirits!

Yesterday we talked about some of the traditions of Christmas. Have you ever heard of the “Christmas Pickle”? My family had never participated in that so when I first heard of it I thought it was a joke!

An ornament in the form of a green pickle is hidden in the decorated Christmas tree. A prize is given to the one who finds it! Known as a “Weihnachtsgurke” this is widely thought of as yet another of the traditions brought over from Germany. However, according to my research, it looks more like this was a marketing campaign by the Woolworths Company who had begun to import blown glass tree decorations in the 1890's. Evidence does not show any mention of the tradition in German records until this was imported back in the early 1900's.

What difference does it make? Why even bring it up? Because slave wanted to make the point that new traditions are being made all of the time. Being older than dirt, slave can remember when the holiday of Kwanza was established! This does not diminish in the least: the happiness or the importance. So I urge you to establish new traditions for your loved ones or feel free to morph any old ones into something new and exciting.

Some very new traditions now include going outdoor ice skating! Or taking neighborhood walks to discuss (or quietly diss) the rather interesting house and lawn decorations! To be followed by hot chocolate and foot rubs when warmly back at home! Yes, foot rubs! Come on you can do it once a year! Just remember when rubbing your loved one's feet to use a NON-greasy lotion. You don’t want them waking in the night to go to the bathroom and finding that their feet have been essentially buttered!

Our recipe today should serve as an inspiration!

 

Cookies from what you got!

After an unfortunate turn of events, I found myself the recipient of a large box of generic bran cereal. Sorry, while very thankful for the gift, I can not imagine eating this stuff in the morning when I'm trying to wake-up! So slave got creative!

Ingredients:

½ cup (one stick) of un-salted butter or margarine – softened

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup bran flakes cereal

½ cup dried cranberries or raisins (for that matter chopped pecans or even a full cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Beat softened butter and sugars until they are creamy.

In a small dish crack an egg, add the vanilla and give it a quick stir before adding that to the mixer and beat well.

Combine four, baking soda, and nutmeg in a large bowl then add that by thirds to the mixer scraping down the sides each time and mixing well.

Now stir in your cereal and your choice of additives with a wooden spoon just until everything is well blended.

Drop by well rounded spoonfuls about 2 inches apart on the paper and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Let stand for 1 minute before transferring them to a rack to cool completely!

 

Gee, who would have thought with enough butter and sugar you can make anything taste good? Joking aside just remember it is going to be doing these little things that “make” this season. Have fun and keep smiling!

 

Serving my Master Indy

socialslave

To satisfy and restore.

To nourish, support and maintain.

To gratify, spoil, comfort and please,

to nurture, assist, and sustain

…..I cook!