Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas Spirit

Three things happened this week that have given me the Christmas spirit. First, Oldest played Joseph in his nursery's nativity. He was absolutely adorable and I loved seeing how much confidence he has that he was able to do that on his own, and jump in with extra bits when the teacher was reading out the story of baby Jesus. I am such a proud mom.


Then, this morning it started to snow. First it was just itty bitty amounts, then quite big snowflakes. I hope it sticks so the boys and I can make snowmen later on. I love snow. Oldest and I ran around a bit in a nearby field before I had to drop him off. Littlest is at his Nana's today, I hope he's enjoying it just as much!



And finally, almost instead of lunch, we made gingerbread cookies. I'm not the biggest fan of ginger at all, but I heart gingerbread cookies. They almost epitomise Christmas. And they were easy and fun to make. I've included the recipe.

Gingerbread cookies

To make about 20 biscuits, you will need:

350g (12oz) plain flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
100g (4oz) butter or margarine, cut into chunks
175g (6oz) soft light brown sugar
1 medium egg
4 tablespoons golden syrup
cookie cutters, whatever shaped you'd like
2 greased baking trays

Heat the oven to 190 degrees C/375 degrees F/gas mark 5 before you start.

1. Sift the flour, ground ginger and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl. Add the butter or margarine chunks.

2. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until it is like fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.

3. Break the egg into a small bowl, then add the syrup. Beat well with a fork, then stir the egg mixture into the flour.

4. Mix with a metal spoon until you make a dough. Sprinkle flour onto a work surface, then put the dough on it.

5. Stretch the dough by pushing it away from you. Fold it in half and repeat. Carry on doing this until it is smooth.

6. Sprinkle more flour onto the work surface. Cut the dough in half. Then, roll out one half until it is 5mm (1/4 in) thick.

7. Use a cookie cutter to cut lots of shapes. Then, lift all the hearts onto the greased baking trays with a fish slice.

8. Roll out the rest of the dough and cut out more shapes. Put them on the baking trays, then put the trays into the oven.

9. Bake biscuits for 12-15 minutes. They will turn golden brown. Carefully lift the baking trays from the oven.

10. Leave the biscuits on the trays for about 5 minutes. Then, lift them onto a wire rack. Leave to cool. When biscuits are cool, decorate as desired!

How do you get into the Christmas spirit? What epitomises Christmas for you?

4 comments:

  1. My decorations and lights! Its not christmas till I have all my decorations up. and of course all the yummy holiday goodies!

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  2. How fabulous that Oldest was Joseph, that must have been lovely to see. Also you have snow, I am so jealous. We are meant to get it before the weekend, so fingers crossed. I am hoping for a White Christmas.

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  3. Things are looking mighty festive at your place! Oldest looks very handsome and strong as Joseph--perfect!

    I finally got in the spirit a few days ago. Finishing most of the shopping is usually when it hits me: moving from preparation to celebration! Cookies (and the accompanying sugar rush) are also helpful.

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  4. Great pictures!

    I'm a Christmas nut, so there are too many traditions (most in my head) that epitomize Christmas for me. If I had to pick one, it would be the old-fashioned nativity set on my mantle each year.

    Have a Merry Christmas! And a happy new year of reading and blogging!

    Thanks for following Rose City Reader!

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