B-Movie Star

My Grandma Peterson, who was actually my Great-Grandma, was seriously one of the best grandmas in the world.  Nothing against your grandma, I'm sure she's a wonderful person too, but seriously, everyone should have a grandma like my Grandma Peterson.  I know I'm biased, somewhat, but she was just such a loving, grandma. She told good stories. She never got mad at you. She could correct you without raising her voice - in fact I think you just never wanted to do anything to displease her. You just loved her so much you WANTED to mind.  She would sing for you, play games to entertain you, send you out to play when you needed it, gave great hugs, and even smelled nice - soft and warm, like a grandma should smell. She also baked like no one else I've ever known. My very favorite cookies that she made were her molasses cookies. I remember my mom and my aunts would even eat the hard ones dipped in Sanka. Sure, other kids can love chocolate chip (she made wonderful chocolate chip cookies) but they just can't compare to the spicy goodness of a molasses cookie.

I usually make them for Christmas. They're good, but they never taste as good to me as my grandma's did. I guess it was that little pinch of love she put in or something that made them taste extra special good.  You should try to make them for your family this Christmas and see what they think of them.  You can decorate them if you like, we've just always eaten them plain, but they look a lot like gingerbread so you could cut them into fancy shapes and frost them or sprinkle them with sugar - whatever makes you happy!

My grandma's recipe was pretty brief. She left off incidentals like temperature of the oven and how long to bake them,  I mean, hello! If you know what you're doing in the kitchen you don't need information like that! For the rest of us, we've just had to experiment to see what works.  When you make them, don't forget to put in that extra pinch of love!

Grandma Peterson’s Molasses Cookies

·1 Cup Sugar
·4 Cups Flour
·1 Cup Molasses
·1 Teaspoon Ginger
·1 Cup Shortening
·1 1/2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
·1 Cup cold Coffee
·1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
·1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Mix together wet ingredients in large bowl (this is very messy), until well blended.  Add dry ingredients, dough will be pretty wet.

I put it in the fridge for a couple of hours to help the dough firm up a little.  When you go to roll it out, you may need to work a little flour into the dough so that you can work with it better.

Roll out dough onto floured surface until about 1/2 inch thick and cut into shapes, cook in a 350 degree oven for about 8 minutes

Last night we discovered that one of our hens hatched her chicks! I'm so excited! I woke up this morning and it was the first thing that popped into my mind and I just had to smile thinking about them!

This one hen has been sitting - obviously for about 21 days! - and I had calculated that from when she started sitting, the eggs should hatch sometime around the first of December. She did a really great job sitting, but you just never know how these things are going to work out. The chickens we have now we bought from a hatchery so I wasn't sure how doing it the old fashioned way was all going to play out.

Last night when my nephew and I went out to feed them and shut them in the coop for the night, I saw that the hen was sitting on the floor and not in the little "box" that she's been in. Nathaniel said he heard some "peeping" so we tried to lift up her wing and she wasn't too happy about it, but we saw that she had two baby chicks underneath! One little yellow one and one little dark colored one.  We have chickens that are reddish/golden and some that are black and white speckled. I figured she was sitting on some of the other hens eggs, so seeing the different colored one proved that theory.

Halfway through her "sitting" period, the old roost where the chickens have been laying their eggs sort of started to lean, and it looked like it was going to collapse. I got freaked out because I didn't want the thing to fall down and crush all the eggs that this poor hen had been working so hard to hatch. My brother came by that night and used his handyman magic to fix the roost and make it sturdy again. The little red hen didn't move while he was doing this work. I was amazed by that. She's such a good mom! He said when he was working, he slipped his hand under her to feel the eggs and he thought there was a handful underneath.  He and my dad were warning me that she might be setting on eggs that weren't good, I guess they were trying to warn me not to get my hopes up. We do have three roosters though, who are quite diligent in their job, so I felt pretty confident on that end of things.

Anyway, I came back to the house to tell Gabby and call my parents to tell them the good news. Gabby got the camera and we went back out to try to get a photo of the little cuties. I put on my gloves and gently lifted the hen completely off the ground. She didn't seem to mind, I think she could sense that we weren't there to hurt her or her chicks, plus I think she's pretty proud of her little babies. When I lifted her up, I was suprised to see there were FOUR little chicks underneath her! They are so incredibly tiny and so CUTE! Think about how big an egg is, and that's about how big these little guys are. I know they grow really quickly, so I was glad we got this photo. We didn't want to take too many and bother them. Plus, it's COLD outside and I didn't want them to catch a little chill!

This morning I went out to let the chickens out and when I went in to check on the little red hen, she was still setting in the same place, then I saw a little chick face peek out over her fluffy wing - two little eyes were curiously looking around, wondering what was going on in the big world. Then another little head poked out - it just made me laugh to see their bright little eyes. Welcome to the world little chicks! Now stay close to your mom so you don't get cold!

I love the smell of cinnamon and spices around Christmastime.  It's especially nice when the weather has been bad and every one's been cooped up in the house. My sister used to make these cinnamon-applesauce ornaments. They smell wonderful, and if the scent of them begins to fade, you can just add a bit of cinnamon oil to them and renew their fragrance. Another cool thing about them is that you can use them for so many things! My sister made wreaths out of them, tree ornaments, and swag decorations. You could also use them as scented drawer fresheners (with your kitchen towels might be nice) or you could even use paint pens and make gift tags with them! They are super easy to make so it would be a great project to do with kids - plus it's inexpensive! Wow, this could possibly be the perfect Christmas activity!

I think these decorations look great plain - they have that "rustic" feel, or you could decorate them to the hilt with glitter and paint, or use royal icing to make them look like storybook gingerbread decorations. Here is the basic recipe, and I've included a royal icing recipe - it dries hard and will last!

CINNAMON DOUGH ORNAMENTS

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon
* 1 cup applesauce
* 1/4 cup white school glue (like Elmer's)
* Plastic wrap
* Rolling pin
* Wax paper
* Cookie cutters or a knife
* Ribbon or yarn for hanging
* Straw

1. Mix cinnamon, applesauce, and glue together in a bowl. The dough should be as thick as cookie dough. Add a bit of water if the dough is too stiff.
2. Remove from bowl and knead until everything is mixed together well. Return dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let sit for about 30 minutes.
3. Knead again to make sure the dough is smooth. Flatten or roll the dough between waxed paper until it's roughly 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick.
4. With a cookie cutter, cut out desired shapes. Use a straw to punch a hole for the ribbon.
5. Carefully transfer the cookies to a piece of wax paper. They will take a couple of days to dry. You can speed up the drying by setting the ornaments in a 200 - 250 degree oven until dry. Just keep a close eye and don't let them burn!

ROYAL ICING

* 3 ounces egg whites (or 3 Tbsp. meringue powder plus 6 Tbsp. water)
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 4 cups powdered sugar

1. In large bowl the egg whites (or meringue powder and water) and vanilla and beat until frothy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated and mixture is shiny.
3. Turn speed up to high and beat until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks. This should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Add food coloring, if desired.
4. Transfer icing to pastry bag or heavy duty ziploc bag and pipe as desired.

Here's a wreath that you could make - just use hot glue!

Or a nice garland - add oranges, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves for a "scentsational" decoration

Here's one of those "gifts in jar" that are really popular around Christmas - I think it would be adorable to tie one of these cinnamon decorations to the lid as a gift tag.

I also saw this photo, now I'm not crazy about the actual arrangement, but it gave me the idea that you could use these cinnamon ornaments in a flower or plant arrangement - hot glue the ornament to a stake and insert.  This photo is cute because you could make a small arrangement in a large measuring cup, add some measuring spoons and maybe a hot pad, and a recipe for apple cinnamon crisp and VOILA - adorable gift for a neighbor! (Don't forget to add your cinnamon decoration gift tag!)

Lastly, don't forget the glitter, which really, makes everything much better. If you come up with some more ideas on how to use these, I'd love to hear them!

Last night we kicked off the Countdown to Chrismtas by watching "It's a Wonderful Life."  I love that movie - everything about that movie! Even David gets teary eyed at the end when George Bailey realizes that he's the richest man in town.  There are a lot of great Christmas movies - and some that I hope to never see again. Picking your favorites is almost like shooting fish in a barrel.  Here are my top Christmas Favorites - I doubt there are any suprises here!

10.  Home Alone. This movie always makes me laugh. I guess because it's really just a live action cartoon, like Tom and Jerry. I also like Home Alone 2, but after that I recommend avoiding them!

9.  Frosty the Snowman - all the Rankin Bass Video have good Christmas memories, but I always wanted Frosty to stay LONGER!!!!

8.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas - the cartoon version narrated by Boris Karloff.  Don't even get me started on that live action verison.

7. A Charlie Brown Christmas

6.  Christmas with the Joker. Yeah, well it's a tradition in MY family! When Gabby was little she thought this is how the song Jingle Bells really went. When she got to preschool and everyone was singing something else, she didn't know what was going on.  I know, we've scared her.

5.  Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  For all the misfits in the world! (Don't you love that fat little snowman (Burl Ives) who narrates, and all those decorated trees!)

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas - come on, this is one of my all time favorite movies for just any day, so of course I'm going to watch it during Christmas!

3.  A Christmas Carol. I love all the versions really - even Scrooged with Bill Murray.  I watch whichever one is on, but I think the one with Patrick Stewart is great - and of course the Muppet version - that one rocks!

2.  It's A Wonderful Life. If you don't like this movie, your heart is three sizes too small.

1. A Christmas Story. I know I know they play it 24 hours straight, but it just never gets old to me.  I love everything about this movie.  HO HO HO!

So, in my efforts to countdown to Christmas I'm going to do some posts about my favorite holiday things - and yes, one of them is PEPPERMINT! Love it! Love candy canes, love red and white, love the cold way your breath feels when you eat them.  I usually have a pocketful of mini candy canes or peppermint discs - my family laughs at me because I'm always offering them peppermints because I believe that they are a cure-all for whatever ails you.  Seriously, I think they are!

Well, one of my favorite things during December is that Peppermint finally gets some love! Here are some wonderful ways to use peppermint this season!

Peppermint Bark Candy - we make this candy every year, it's incredibly easy to make and delicious

Ingredients

* Crushed candy canes, to yield 1 cup
* 2 pounds white chocolate
* Peppermint flavorings, optional

Directions

Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate (add peppermint flavoring at this point if desired.) Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces (like peanut brittle.)

Here's another lovely version of Peppermint Bark Candy (this would also be nice for Valentine's Day)

Peppermint Bark Hearts

Ingredients:

* 26 peppermint candy canes (2 1/2 inch)
* 6oz. vanilla flavored candy coating (Bark Bars), chopped
* 2 tsp. peppermint candies or candy canes, crushed

Instructions

Line cookie sheet with waxed paper.  Arrange candy canes on paper in groups of 2 in a heart shape.

Melt vanilla bark squares in a double boiler or in the microwave. Stir until smooth and completely melted.

Spoon or pipe candy coating into centers of hearts to fill spaces.  Smooth with a toothpick or bamboo skewer.  Sprinkle with crushed candy canes.  Cool at room temperature for 30 minutes or until set.

It's also nice to dip candy canes or peppermint stick into the melted vanilla bark (or chocolate bark) and then decorate with colorful sprinkles.

Another great recipe to make and give for the holidays is White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Ingredients

* 1-1/2 teaspoons plus 1/4 cup butter, softened, divided
* 2 cups sugar
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 12 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
* 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme
* 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
* 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions

* Line a 9-in. square pan with foil. Grease the foil with 1-1/2 teaspoons butter; set aside.
* In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, sour cream and remaining butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a rapid boil; cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 234° (soft-ball stage), about 5 minutes.
* Remove from the heat; stir in white chocolate and marshmallow creme until melted. Fold in peppermint candy and extract. Pour into prepared pan. Chill until firm.
* Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Gently peel off foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 2 pounds

Here are a few more recipes I found on the Internet

Heart Shaped Peppermint Patties from Erin Cooks

Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies ( So beautiful aren't they?)

Peppermint Chocolate Cake Using Celestial Seasoning Tea!

Here's another wonderful gift giving idea - Peppermint Stick Coca from Sunset Magazine

And now for something completely different - Peppermint Foot Scrub - mmmmm sounds fantastic!

Here's a nice way to incorporate candy canes into your decor. The place setting came from . . . crap, I can't find where this came from - sorry! If you know let me know, thanks!

Lastly, here's a lovely print from Myan Photography on Etsy - so dreamy!