Oct 10

Greetings.  I've been busy and away from my computer a few days.  Hubby is still job hunting so I will not be around as much as I want to be.

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Gruyere Bread Ring

 

 

A classic, light French pastry is mellowed by the sweet, nutty flavor of
Gruyere cheese.

 

Makes 12 servings

 

1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup Gold Medal all-purpose flour
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (4 ounces)

 

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease 2
cookie sheets.

 

2. Heat milk and butter to rolling boil in 2-quart saucepan. Stir in flour.
Stir vigorously over low heat about 1 minute or until mixture forms a ball;
remove from heat. Beat in eggs all at once; continue beating until smooth.
Fold in 2/3
cup
of the cheese.

 

3. Divide dough in half. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet to
form two 4-inch rings; smooth with spatula. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup
cheese.
Bake
50 to 60 minutes or until puffed and golden. Enjoy.

 

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Harrod's Christmas Pudding

 

 

1/2 pound butter, unsalted plus about 2 teasspoons butter, for greasing the molds

 

1 1/3 cup brown sugar, dark

 

3 large eggs, beaten

 

3 tablespoons corn syrup dark

 

2/3 cup flour, self-rising

 

1 pinch salt

 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ground

 

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg grated fresh

 

1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice

 

1 each lemon juice, juice of one lemon

 

1  each orange zest, fine grated rind of one orange

 

1 each lemon zest, fine grated rind of on lemon

 

4 cups bread crumbs, fresh

 

1 1/3 cup golden raisins

 

1 1/3 cup raisins, seedless

 

1 1/3 cup currants

 

1/3 cup mixed citrus peel, chopped

 

1/2 cup brandy, more or less to taste

 

---JUST BEFORE SERVING---

 

Garnish with holly Ignite with brandy

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Thickly butter and dust with flour two 1-quart molds (or dome-shaped china, ceramic or glass bowls). Set aside.

 

Beat the 1/2 pound of butter until soft. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs and syrup.

 

Sift flour with salt and spices; fold into the butter mixture with the lemon juice, grated rinds, bread crumbs, fruits, mixed peel and brandy.

 

Spoon mixture into the 2 prepared molds. If molds don't have lids, cover each with a circle of waxed paper, then a piece of foil pleated across the center and securely tied in place. Leave overnight in refrigerator. Put molds in a large saucepan with enough water to come halfway up the sides of the molds. Cover and steam for 5 hours; remove from the water.

 

Let cool completely, then cover with a clean piece of waxed paper and a pudding cloth (muslin or closely woven cheesecloth) secured with a string and ends of the cloth tied in a knot over the pudding mold.

 

Leave in the refrigerator to mature before using. Before serving, steam about 3 hours. Remove from mold. Bring to the table blazing in 'ignited brandy, and with Christmas holly stuck into the top!

 

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As With Gladness, Men of Old

As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before
Him Whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

 

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http://www.craftbits.com/project/christmas-tin-can-luminary

 

Empty tin cans (washed and labels removed)
- Design to transfer onto can
- Hammer
- Large nail
- Tape
- Dish towel

 

Tin can luminaries are a fun, easy craft project for all ages.
They are great for any holiday and only limited by your
imagination! You can transfer any simple shape onto a tin can to  create a beautiful candle holder for any occasion.

I chose to make luminaries for Christmas this year. You can
choose any simple design to transfer onto your tin can. I used a
favorite clip art program on my computer to look for easy
Christmas designs to print out. I chose a Christmas tree, a
snowman, and a pair of gingerbread men.

Here's what you need to get started:

- Empty tin cans (washed and labels removed)
- Design to transfer onto can
- Hammer
- Large nail
- Tape
- Dish towel

It is easiest to punch the holes in your tin can if you freeze
some water in it first. Fill the can with water, leaving 1/4
inch space at the top for the ice to expand. Place in freezer
until frozen. Your can may bulge a little at the bottom while in
the freezer, but after you remove the ice you can use the hammer to flatten out the bottom of the can.

You might want to freeze a couple more cans then you think you'll need in case you make a mistake and have to start over again.

After the ice has frozen, take the tin can from the freezer and
tape your design to the can. I used packing tape, but you can
also use duct tape. The tape won't stick to the cold can, but
you can wrap the tape all the way around the can so it will stick
to the paper.

If you don't have a design on paper, you can also draw a design
on the can freehand with a permanent marker. You can also just punch the design freehand without drawing it first.

Lay the can on a folded dish towel so the towel will catch the
ice chips that try to escape. It will also hold the can in
place. Using the hammer and nail, tap holes around the border of your design, trying to punch holes evenly and not too close
together. You want a simple design so that when you see only the holes in the can you will be able to tell what it is!

After punching the holes, remove the paper and tape and admire your design. It is really so easy! If you plan to hang your
luminary, also punch two holes at the top of the can. You can
make a handle out of wire (from a craft store) or a wire coat
hanger.

Place the tin can under running warm water to melt the ice. Dry the can with a towel and place a votive candle in the bottom.  You will need a long lighter or match to light the candle.

To further decorate your tin can luminary, you can spray paint
the can any color you wish. Be creative!

This is a great family project. Just make sure kids have adult
supervision while using the hammer and nails. Have fun!

 

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Things to do at Christmas time, Make a door decoration or Wreath.

 

Lots of great ideas on how to dress up your door.

 

 

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http://www.history.com/topics/christmas

 

Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion.

 

 

 

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Billie C.