Billie's Christmas Corner: October 3

* * * * *

Gift of Magic Bread

1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup mashed bananas
1 cup mandarin orange sections
6 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
1 cup shredded coconut
2/3 cup sliced almonds or walnuts

Heat oven to 350. Cream butter with sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Beat until fluffy. Sift flour with baking soda and salt. Add alternately with mashed bananas. Stir in oranges, chocolate chips, coconut and 1/2 cup nuts. Pour into 2 greased small loaf pans ( I used two 8x3-3/4x2-3/8-inch disposable aluminum loaf pans). Sprinkle remaining nuts on top. Bake 1 to 1-1/4 hours. When cool sprinkle with powdered sugar.
You can also make 5 mini loaves and bake for 40 minutes.

* * * * *

Gingerbread Raisin Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar packed
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
6 tablespoons cold cubed butter
2/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
3 tablespoons molasses

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a food processor blend all the dry ingredients. Add the butter and pulse
until the mixture is mealy or coarse. Add the raisins.

In a small bowl beat the egg, milk and vanilla extract. Once beaten slowly
add to the mixture until it all comes together.

Form into a dough and roll out 1 inch thick on a floured surface. Cut into 8
triangle pieces or use a round cutter to cut into circles. Place on a
baking sheet
and sprinkle a little sugar on top if you like.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serve warm or cold.

Makes 8 scones. Enjoy.

* * * * *

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Ev'rybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways,
"Merry Christmas to you."

* * * * *

http://www.christmas-projects.com/html/wooden_star_ornament.htm

Wooden Glitter Star 330

Time required for one star: about 15 minutes plus drying time

Difficulty Level: Easy

Material List for this Star:

- thin plywood or pre-cut star shapes available at your local craft store
- mother-of-pearl white acrylic paint
- iridescent glitter
- wire for hanging
- scroll-saw
- drill with 1.5 mm bit
- sand paper if necessary

Instructions: Skip steps 1 and 2 if using pre-cut stars.

1. Print out the pattern to the size you prefer and transfer your markings on plywood.
2. Saw the star out and sand the edges if necessary.
3. Drill a small hole in two top star points.
4. Paint the star and while the paint is still wet, shake glitter over the star. This will adhere to the wet paint.
5. Let the star completely dry and then attach a piece of wire to the holes. Coil the wire ends on the front of the star to keep it from falling out.

* * * * *

Things to do at Christmas time, Bake your favorite cookies, Share with a friend.

Wether decorated Sugar cookies or just a plain ol batch of peanut butter cookies. Sharing them with someone will brighten the day for your friend (or neibhgor) and you.

* * * * *