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| Tis the season to share the JOY of Christmas with others |
Gosh, is it December already?! We are well into it, in fact. Granny Camp in December holds many possibilities. So many, in fact, that priority has to be established—and early. If you’re like me, there are so many things spinning around in your brain, you can hardly slow it all down so you can breathe. We need to take a deep breath and decide where and how to use our resources--- that is time, energy, money--- as well as the availability of goods & services that we might hope to incorporate.
First of all, what are the values that we want to instill and promote in our young ones this season? And as much as we enjoy the children in our lives during the Christmas holidays, we must be mindful of other people who are important to us as well. So with the best interest of children in mind, they really should not be lead to believe that the holiday revolves around them and them alone. Let’s help them learn to help others even in the midst of their own self-focused excitement and, especially, let’s help them understand the real reason we celebrate the holiday.
Just a couple of days ago WonderBoy and TheJoy helped me serve dinner to Memaw and Papaw in the middle of making Chocolate Whoopie Pies for themselves. They enjoyed serving and they loved sharing their creations with their great grandparents.
OH, The sweet rewards of a job well done!
Around our house, we have not yet gotten into a lot of Christmassy Granny Camp activities. It's a little frustrating at times, but day to day needs still must be addressed and maintained. Are you feeling it too? A shopping trip with Grana and the Whoopie Pies are the extent of it so far. The shopping trip was great fun for this 11 year old young lady and, with her input, I was able to get the gift for her that I am confident she’ll love. We ate dinner at “our special” restaurant. It warmed my heart that she suggested it and spoke of it as special for the two of us, together.
Now back to the Whoopie Pies --- They may not seem particularly seasonal, but for me they are the “new” cookie that I had decided to try for this year. About 40 years ago, I started a personal tradition of trying at least one new cookie recipe each Christmas season. And in recent years, I naturally like for the grands to assist, when possible. After being introduced to them while traveling in the Pennsylvania Amish country a few years ago, I have wanted to make Whoopie Pies myself. So the boys and I dove into the process. WonderBoy read the recipe for the three of us and off we went:
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| I never knew sifting was so much fun. |
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| How 'bout a healthy snack while we work on the good stuff! |
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| Let's smash those lumps on through. |
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| What next, Granny? |
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| What is BUTTERMILK, anyway? |
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| Scraping the sides is really tough. |
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| This is not very easy. |
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| Are we done yet? |
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| May we eat them now? |
This icing is going to be good!
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| This is really yummy! |
When our dining and clean up was complete, the boys beckoned me to the living room to play the Nemo Memory Game with them, which they had been playing earlier while I gathered the “W.P.” ingredients and equipment together. So I joined them for a game. I cannot explain why they had each stripped down to their skivvies. It was not that warm in the house and ----well what can I say? As we began to play, TheJoy dug around in some clean laundry that was waiting to be folded and put on one white sock and one gray sock--- man size, mind you. He was obviously pleased with his attire, and without a word, simply conveyed his satisfaction by looking up at me and grinning with delight. I believe he was enjoying the softness and warmth of his new found foot and leg coverings. (They came well above his knees.) I really wanted to take a photo but decided not to since all he was only wearing his undies along with the two over sized socks. While this little one was enjoying his socks and the game, his big brother, WonderBoy, beating us handily the game. I really was quite amazed with his memory in this game. I suppose some people’s minds just work well in that way. Shortly after we finished our game the mama came and gathered away her chicks. Away they went, proudly taking their Whoopie Pies to share with the rest of their family and even one reserved in a zip-lock for a teacher.
Would you like a spot of tea?
While thinking and planning for your holiday Granny Camp this year, I would like to suggest a Christmas Tea Party. These have been wonderful experiences for us in the past--- and not for just the girls. The little boys have enjoyed them as well. A tea party will take some planning, so you might want to be thinking about it yesterday. The photos here are self explanatory as far as the foods you see--- small sandwiches and colorful fruit are usually enjoyed by youngens. Those orange chunks you see are cut up baked sweet potato, a healthy and flavorful food that some in this little group especially like. It’s always good to include as much good nutrition as you think you can get away with. As I recall, we had water in the tea pot rather than tea or other caffeine or surgery drinks. Now that they are older, we do occasionally give them tea--- southern style, of course. Check out some yummy recipes further down.
Inviting the older cousin over for a Christmas Tea Party is the greatest thing EVER!
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| Merry Christmas! |
<~<~ Today's Granny Camp Recipes ~>~>
Here are some food ideas for your holiday TEA or any kind of gathering:
Hot Buttered CranApple Cider
5 c. apple cider
4 c. cranberry juice cocktail
1 3-inch or 2 2-inch cinnamon sticks
6 tbsp. butter (optional)
2 tbsp. honey
Combine cider, cranberry juice cocktail and cinnamon stick in large sauce pan or Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking about 8 – 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove and discard cinnamon stick. Add butter and honey; stir until butter melts. Ladle into warmed mugs. Garnish with more cinnamon sticks, if desired. Yield: 8 – 10 servings.
Oatmeal Raisin Scones
1/2 c. whole-wheat flour 1 c. quick-cooling rolled oats
1/2 c. all-purpose flour 3/4 c. raisins, chopped if desired (Optional)
3 tbsp. brown sugar 1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 3 tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 tbsp. butter
Preheat oven to 400* F Combine first five ingredients.
Cut in butter. Add oats, raisins, egg and milk. Mix well.
On a lightly floured surface, pat dough into an eight-inch circle.
Slice into 12 wedges. (Dust knife with flour to prevent sticking.)
Place on an ungreased baking sheet & lightly brush with milk.
Sprinkle with a little cinnamon /sugar, if desired. Bake 10-12 min.
Serve with apple butter. Yield - 12 scones.
I have also made these with other dried fruits, such as cherries and they are good without the fruit if prefered.
Betty Jo’s Cherry Coffee Cake
1 ½ c. sugar 1 ½ t. baking powder
½ c. butter, softened 1 t. vanilla extract
½ c. shortening 1 t. almond extract
4 eggs
3 c. plain flour
1 can Cherry Pie Filling
Blend sugar, butter, shortening, baking powder, vanilla & almond extract & eggs. Beat 3 min. on high speed.
Stir in flour. Spread batter in jelly roll pan, (15 X10). Lightly score batter into 24 squares. Drop 1 tbsp. pie filling on center of each square. Bake 45 min. in preheated 350* oven. Cool completely and drizzle glaze over all. Glaze: 1 c. powdered sugar 1 or 2 T. milk. Serve at room tempreture. Yield 24 servings.
This is a yummy addition to any tea and is the perfect coffee cake for Christmas breakfast. It can be made ahead and frozen, ----Then thaw to room temp. If freezing, be sure to wrap it air tight. This also makes a nice food gift, as a whole or cut into servings.
AND then of course.....
Whoopie Pies
2 c. all-purpose flour
3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
½ c. butter, softened
1 c. light brown sugar
1 egg
1 ¼ tsp vanilla extract
½ c. buttermilk
Filling---- We used my classic Buttercream Frosting for the filling.
Buttercream Frosting
1 lb. Confectioner’s Sugar
1 stick butter (softened)
1 t. vanilla extract
3 T. milk
dash of salt
Mix all ingredients until smooth.
Yield frosting for one cake or 1 to 2 batches of cookies.
Alternate Filling:
½ c. cream cheese, softened
1 7- oz. jar marshmallow crème
Beat cream cheese until light & fluffy. Fold in the marshmallow crème.
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