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Company Coffeecake

Special enough for company, easy enough to make any time, serve as a coffeecake or as a dessert.

1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 (8-ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon to 2 milk

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1. Reserve 8 to 10 maraschino cherries for garnish; chop remaining cherries. Combine chopped cherries, cream cheese,
almonds, sugar and almond extract; mix well.
2. Unroll each can of crescent roll dough into 2 large rectangles; press firmly at edges and perforations to make one large rectangle. Roll or pat into a 15 x 13-inch rectangle.
3. Spread cream cheese mixture over dough. Roll up dough starting at long side of rectangle. Place seam-side down on greased baking sheet. Form into a ring, firmly pressing ends together. With scissors or a sharp knife, cut almost through ring at 1-inch intervals. Turn each section slightly on its side.
4. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. If necessary, cover with foil during the last 5 minutes to prevent over browning. Carefully remove from pan to wire rack.
5. Combine powdered sugar, milk and almond extract to make a glaze. Drizzle over coffee cake. Garnish with reserved whole cherries. Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes 15 servings

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May the Spirit of Christmas, with its Peace,
The Joy of Christmas, with its Hope,
The Glory of Christmas, with its Love,
Be with you always.

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http://www.amazingmoms.com/arts-crafts/christmas-crafts/angel-ornament-christmas-ornament_99373

Angel Ornament Craft

By Linette Gerlach

One of my favorite holiday traditions is making a handmade ornament with my kids. I did it with my mom when I was growing up, and now I create a new ornament with my children each year to keep the tradition alive. We make some wonderful memories gathered around the table working on our ornaments at Christmas time.

This Angel Ornament is very easy for little hands to handle with a little help and supervision from you, or even an older brother or sister. Very little cutting and folding is required to create a fun keepsake ornament for your Christmas tree.

Materials

1 6-inch paper doily
1 8-inch paper doily
1 piece cream-colored felt
1 piece of string (measuring 2-inches long)
1 gold pipe cleaner

glue
scissors
wiggly eyes (optional)
pink marker (optional)
pinch of sphagnum moss (optional)

Instructions

To make the angel's wings cut the 6- inch doily in half. Then, start at one end and fold one corner back about ½- inch. Continue to fold back and forth with the straight edge on one side and the curved edge on the other side, until the whole thing looks like an accordion. Repeat the process with the other doily half to make the second wing.

Pinch the accordion together at the straight edge. Glue each side of each fold , so that one end is completely glued together to hold the folds together. You can hold everything in place with a paper clip and set the wings aside until the glue dries.

To make the angel's body fold the 8- inch doily in half, and fold it in half again, so it is folded into a fourth. Fold the doily back one more time, but only fold over about an inch (see photo).

Cut 2 circles about 1 ½-inches in diameter from the cream felt, use a bottle cap, a small glass, or the bottom of your glue bottle for a pattern.

Cut a 2- inch piece from the gold pipe cleaner. Bend the top half of the pipe cleaner around to make a circle for the angel's halo. Leave the bottom half straight to attach the halo to the angel.

Lay one felt circle flat on the table. Squeeze glue on the top side of the circle.

Lay the string on the top of the felt circle so the two ends are in the glue, and the middle of the string is loose, so it makes a loop above the angels head to hang the ornament from the tree.

Lay the straight end of the halo on the felt circle. Place it just inside the loop you made with the string, so the halo will be right above the head, and the bottom part of the pipe cleaner is in the glue to hold it in place.

Place the pointed side of the folded large (8- inch) doily on the felt circle in the glue.

10.

Add glue to one side of the second felt circle, and place it over the first circle (glue- side down) so the string, halo, and tip of the body are sandwiched in between the two felt circles. Set the whole thing aside to dry for a few minutes.

11.

Give each angel wing a slight twist on the side you glued together so the wings will lay flatter when you glue them on to the body.

12.

Glue the wings to the back of the angel so one wing is sticking out on each side of the body.

13.

Add wiggly eyes to your angel's face, or leave it blank. You can also add a mouth with a pink or red marker and glue a pinch of sphagnum moss to the top of her head for hair.

14.

Don't forget to add your name and the date to the back of the angel so you can remember when you made it. Hang your angel on the Christmas tree, or add it to a special gift