Hubby got rained out, today. We spent most of the day in Chattanooga, getting tires on the front of the van. We now have new tires all around the van, and the camper. I would say we are ready to roll. No idea when we may move again, but we are ready to go, as far as wheels are concerned. I did notice, while we were out, that the Wal-mart in Tiftonia Tennessee had some Christmas stuff outside in the outdoor living area. Fall is in full swing inside. But I have yet to find anything I want to hang on my door.
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DARK CHRISTMAS CAKE
Prepare the night before…
Ingredients:
1 pound almonds, blanched and cut in half
1 pound dark seedless raisins (plump by putting in boiling water; remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes…drain and place on paper towels to cool)
2 pounds sultana (golden) raisins, plumped
1 1/2 pounds red glaced (candied) cherries, cut in half
1 1/2 pounds green glaced (candied) cherries, cut in half
1 pound glaced pineapple, already cut in small cubes
1 pound mixed glaced fruit
1/2 pound mixed peel
1 c. brandy
1 pound dark seedless raisins (plump by putting in boiling water; remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes…drain and place on paper towels to cool)
2 pounds sultana (golden) raisins, plumped
1 1/2 pounds red glaced (candied) cherries, cut in half
1 1/2 pounds green glaced (candied) cherries, cut in half
1 pound glaced pineapple, already cut in small cubes
1 pound mixed glaced fruit
1/2 pound mixed peel
1 c. brandy
Directions:
Combine all ingredients. Stir and cover with plastic wrap and leave until morning.
The next morning…
Ingredients:
1 pound walnuts
12 egg whites, stiffly beaten
12 egg yolks, well beaten
2 large lemons, juice and rind
1 pound butter, softened
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
5 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 T. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. mace
2 tsp. nutmeg
12 egg whites, stiffly beaten
12 egg yolks, well beaten
2 large lemons, juice and rind
1 pound butter, softened
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
5 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 T. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. mace
2 tsp. nutmeg
Directions:
Pans can be prepared the night before by lining with grocery bag paper. In the morning grease well with Crisco® on both sides of paper. For a large batch, use 1 small round, 1 medium round and 1 large round cake pan plus 1 loaf pan.
Add walnuts to almonds and candied fruit that was prepared the night before. Set aside. Beat egg whites until stiff. Then beat the egg yolks and set aside. Grate the lemons and add the lemon juice to the rind.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and add the sugars. Beat well until creamy. Add the well beaten egg yolks and beat again. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Add the vanilla and juice and rind of the lemons. Stir until all is combined. Transfer to a larger container such as a preserving pot.
Sift together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, cinnamon, mace and nutmeg. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternately with the fruit and nuts prepared the night before. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Stir well and put evenly in cake pans. Bake in a preheated 300-degree oven for 1 hour. Then lower the oven to 275 degrees. The total baking time for a small cake pan and loaf pan is 2 1/2 hours. The medium pan bakes for 3 1/2 hours or less, depending on your oven. The large pan bakes for 4 hours.
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Christmas Cookies
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sweetened, flaked coconut
2 cups red and green candy-coated chocolate
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a medium bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, flour and baking powder.
In a separate, large bowl combine condensed milk and butter; beat until smooth. Stir in graham cracker mixture, mixing well. Stir in coconut and chocolates.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in preheated oven for 7 to 9 minutes, or until lightly browned. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sweetened, flaked coconut
2 cups red and green candy-coated chocolate
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a medium bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, flour and baking powder.
In a separate, large bowl combine condensed milk and butter; beat until smooth. Stir in graham cracker mixture, mixing well. Stir in coconut and chocolates.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in preheated oven for 7 to 9 minutes, or until lightly browned. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Away In A Manger
Away in a manger,
no crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus
laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the heavens
looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus
asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing,
the poor Baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus,
no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus;
look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle
till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus;
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
and love me I pray!
Bless all the dear children
in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven
to live with Thee there.
Away in a manger,
no crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus
laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the heavens
looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus
asleep on the hay.
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Craft with Link
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Things to do at Christmas time, Makea list of traditions. Now you have a plan on what you would like to do this year..
For me, It's...
window shopping at a mall
Driving around at least one night to look at the stars
Spending at least one day, wrapping all the gifts. I love wrapping gifts
Singing Carols at home
Candle night, the Sunday before Christmas, I light candles in memory of all my family and friend who have passed.
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To enjoy our Santa's Secret Village custom games,
simply click on any of the graphics below.
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Billie C.
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