In the wake of Ken heading off for his weekly group session I have had an opportunity to reflect on my week to date. It amazes me how December ALWAYS zips by in a blink… it seems no matter how forward thinking I am come December I am always rushed off my feet. Today has been spent with a mad dash to work on Mike’s Christmas stitch. It will fit in smashingly with his Harley Davidson room in the basement – at least I HOPE so! So far it is a nice chunk of black solid stitching. Not too taxing.
Already Well Along!
The boys have gotten a start on their Advent Colouring book… there is this lovely UK site that every day puts up the pictures to print and colour. We did two today – I am choosing to make the UK spelling version. They took their time and coloured very neatly.
The Beginnings of the Colouring Books
"You have entered the door to the north"
We also put our second Perler bead item onto our Advent Wall Calendar… and then we counted how many days are LEFT until Christmas Day. It was Emanuel’s turn to chose the shape – he chose a candy cane – his favourite. In fact, today he made candy cane beaded ornaments – one of which he is planning on gifting to his godparents.
Advent Calendar!
I spent my afternoon trying out a new cookie recipe with GREAT success – Banana Cookies… I don’t know that I got the 4 dozen it called for (some were eaten before I could even count!) but were they ever delicious… I am hoping that the next time bananas are on sale I can make them again.
Banana Cookies Recipe
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup mashed banana (2 to 3 medium)
- 1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts, optional
- Preheat your oven to 375F degrees. For best results line cookies with silicone liners, or parchment paper. Alternatively, lightly spray cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium size bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, spices, baking soda, and salt until well blended and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
- Beat in the egg and mashed bananas, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula if necessary to make sure everything is well blended.
- Stir in the flour mixture with the mixer on low speed or with a wooden spoon just until combined.
- Stir in the the nuts, if using.
- Drop cookie dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake until no indentation remains when touched, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack with a spatula and allow to cool completely before storing.
This recipe yields about 4 dozen Banana Drop Cookies.
Yum!
To add to to our Christmas preparation we also put out our Nativity scene… Little People of course. I got the main one, Inn and wise men last year and lucked out this year when we were in better shape and ordered the little drummer boy set when it went on sale and saved on shipping having it send to Minnesota. Trinity absolutely LOVES the two songs they play – Away in a Manger and the Little Drummer Boy.
Taking a Break
So we are thick in the Christmas spirit here… gifts are being made, baking done. We have had to call in a little special something from a local Santa after the latter half of this year’s dismal fortune that should come through on either the 19th or 20th. I look forward to when we are in the midst of better times and can give back in spades all the generosity we have been shown. Ken assures me that time is imminent. I am trusting him and being positive. It is all I can really do!
So this is a year of really realizing what is important and finding out feet in an uncertain present. My biggest hope is that I have gained the ability to pass along these crucial and helpful life lessons to my children WITHOUT them having to personally live through it! That would make me happy!
My Second Advent Gift!! Thank You!