April 15

Today would have been my Mom's 80th birthday.  Tomorrow is my younger brother's 51 ST  birthday.

 

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Festive Fig-Pecan Coffeecake Wreaths

 

Festive, fig and pecan filled yeast-raised pastry coffeecake wreaths.

 

definition list of 1 items

 

2 cups chopped figs

 

1 1/2 cups water

 

1/2 cup chopped pecans

 

1 1/2 cups milk

 

2 (1/4-ounce) packages active dry yeast or 5 teaspoons

 

8 3/4 cups all-purpose flour - divided use

 

1 1/2 cups butter or margarine

 

3 large eggs

 

3/4 teaspoon salt

 

list end

 

list of 6 items

 

1. Combine figs and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in chopped

 

pecans and remove from heat; set aside to cool.

 

2. In another small saucepan, scald milk (bubbles should form just around the edges) then remove from heat and cool to 105°F to 115°F. Sprinkle yeast over

 

milk and let stand for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup flour, mix well, then let sit undisturbed for 1 hour.

 

3. In a large bowl, cream butter and 3/4 cups of flour with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in yeast until well blended. Add eggs, one at

 

a time, beating well after each addition. Add salt and up to 7 cups of the remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface

 

and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning to grease both sides. Let rise, covered, in a warm

 

place for 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.

 

4. Divide dough in half and roll each portion into a 12 x 16-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Cut one of the rectangles into (4) 3 x 16-inch

 

strips. Spread fig filling on each strip and roll up, starting from one of the long sides, like a jelly roll; seal seam. Braid 3 of the jelly rolls, then

 

fashion into a wreath, pinching ends together; place on a cookie sheet. Use remaining roll to fashion a bow and attach to wreath, over the spot where ends

 

are pinched together. Repeat with remaining rectangle. Cover each wreath and let rise, covered, for 1 hour.

 

5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

 

6. Bake wreaths for 30 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

 

 

 

 

Makes 24 servings.

 

 

 

 

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Do You Hear What I Hear

 

 

 

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
"Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite,
With a tail as big as a kite."

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
"Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea,
With a voice as big as the sea."

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
"Do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold--
Let us bring him silver and gold,
Let us bring him silver and gold."

Said the king to the people everywhere,
"Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light."

 

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http://familycrafts.about.com/od/treeornaments/ss/puxreindeer.htm

 

How to Make a Reindeer Using Puzzle Pieces

 

 

 

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Billie C.