Christmas Corner

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Marzipan Christmas Kringle (Juleskringle)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup warm milk

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast

1 cup heavy cream

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/2 cup butter

1 (8 ounce) can almond paste

1/2 cup crushed sliced almonds

1/2 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg white, beaten

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, stir together the milk and sugar. Sprinkle the
yeast over the top and let stand for 10 minutes to dissolve. Stir in cream.

2. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt and
cardamom. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or pinching with your
fingers until it is a course mealy texture. Stir in the yeast mixture until
well blended. Pat into a ball, flatten slightly, then wrap in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.

3. To make the filling, mix the almond paste, almonds, sugar, cinnamon
and almond extract using an electric mixer until evenly blended. It may be
crumbly.

4. Roll the chilled dough out into a 2 inch wide and 24 inch long
rectangle. Spread the filling to within 2 inches of the sides and roll up
into a tube. Cover your work surface with sugar, and roll the tube of dough
in the sugar to coat thoroughly. Roll and stretch the dough out to form a
long rope about 40 inches long. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and
shape into a pretzel shape.

5. Brush the top of the pretzel with egg white and sprinkle with
almonds. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for 45 minutes.

6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake the kringle
in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cut into slices
to serve.

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Things to do with kids for Christmas, Write a wish list.

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Merry Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Crust:

1/3 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup flour

Mix ingredients and reserve 1/2 cup for the top. Pat the remaining into
the bottom of an 8 inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12
minutes. Cool.

Filling:

8 oz package cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup green candied cherries, halved
1/4 cup red candied cherries, halved

Mix the first 5 ingredients together until smooth (a food processor
works great). Stir in the cherries. Spread evenly over the baked crust.
Sprinkle the reserved crumbs evenly over the filling.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool and store in the refrigerator. Cut into 16 squares.

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Christmas In Killarney

The holly green, the ivy green
The prettiest picture you've ever seen
Is Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home

It's nice, you know, to kiss your beau
While cuddling under the mistletoe
And Santa Claus you know, of course
Is one of the boys from home

The door is always open
The neighbors pay a call
And Father John before he's gone
Will bless the house and all

How grand it feels to click your heels
And join in the fun of the jigs and reels
I'm handing you no blarney
The likes you've never known
Is Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home

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November 2012 Organizing Checklist, Vacuum areas that do not usually get cleaned on a typical vacuum day such as under sofas, coffee tables, lamps and end tables.

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http://www.craftown.com/Acorn-Snowman.html

Acorn Snowman

This little fellow is perfect for hanging on the tree, or as a gift topper. Gather up your extra acorns and make a few today! Give away as gifts to teachers, neighbors, even the mail carrier!
What You Need
3 acorns for each snowman
1 acorn top for each snowmanacrylic paint in white and red
purchased miniature bow or ribbon8" thin ribbon
snow texture paintblack marker or paint

orange acrylic painttoothpick
sandpaper
hot glue

What you do

Gently rough up the outside of each acorn with a piece of sandpaper. Paint acorns white, 2 or 3 coats may be needed to cover. Paint the acorn top with red paint, repeat and let dry.

Glue each acorn together with hot glue. Hot glue acorn top on as a hat. Use black marker, or a toothpick dipped in black paint, to dot on eyes, mouth and buttons. Use the other end of the toothpick to paint on nose with orange paint.

Glue the bow tie, or ribbon fashioned into a bow tie, to the front of the snowman. Glue the thin piece of ribbon to the back of the snowman as a hanger. When everything is dry, hang the snowman on a nail on the wall. Now using the snow texture paint, add some snow to the hat. Allow to dry completely.

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Things to do at Christmas time, Plan a day trip. Start planning now for a day away from home between Christmas and New Years Day. Just a quick get away to renew and relax a few hours.

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