Christmas Cookies: Recipes and Cookie Cutter Hacks

Elisabeth and I decorated Christmas cookies this week to share with family over the holiday weekend. We are a long way from professional cookie makers, but we had fun and were very pleased with the results. 

We were inspired by an idea we first encountered on a episode of the Christmas Cookie Challenge to "hack" a cookie cutter shape into something other than the primary intention. It is a lot harder than it sounds, but I managed to hack an angel into a nativity lamb, while Elisabeth made a mistletoe out of a snowflake. 

I've used these Christmas Cookie and Icing recipes a few times and I'm fairly pleased with them. I have never used any other however. If you have a recipe that you prefer, please share in the comments so we can try it out.

Homemade Crystal Ornaments

We enjoy crafting and cooking during the holidays, but this is the first year that we have made these homemade crystal ornaments. The key ingredient is Borax which I found in the detergent area of my local grocery store. We already had a few shiny pipe cleaners in our craft bin. I used my electric tea kettle to heat the water and then poured the hot water into a large measuring cup. For each cup of boiling water add 3 tablespoons of Borax and stir until dissolved. Pour the mixture into whatever size glass containers you have that will allow your pipe cleaner creations to hang freely. I suspended our creations from craft sticks using gift ribbon. We let them set overnight, but the smaller containers showed crystals sooner after a couple of hours. (The glass containers allow you to watch the crystals form). Supposedly, adding food coloring makes for bright colored crystals, but I did not try that this time around.

As a homeschooling mother, I was hoping to turn this into some kind of science experiment or class on crystals. Time and energy constraints prevented that this Christmas. When we do get around to learning about crystals, we can site this experience and do it again. During busy seasons of life, building context for future learning is the best I can do. I'm okay with that, because the ability to connect the dots between knowledge and experiences is, I believe, the most efficient way to actually learn. We can add more knowledge in the New Year!

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Radio City Spectacular: A Great Show in a Grand Hall

The Atrium of Radio City Music Hall

While in New York City this past weekend to celebrate our respective milestone birthdays, my mom and I attended a showing of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. We initially bought tickets for this show in honor of my grandmother who attended a performance here over 60 years ago. Her experience in 1951 left quite an impression on the young girl from McDowell, Kentucky. It is remarkable to think that a Senior trip of that magnitude was even possible for such a small rural school of that era. Thankfully, it was possible and had a lasting impact. She never lost her appreciation and regard for the Rockettes, who have made an annual televised appearance in the Macy's Day Parade ever since I can remember.

All of this was in my mind, and my mother's, as we entered Radio City Music Hall for the first time. To be honest, my expectations of the show were low. After all, I had seen their high-kicking song and dance routine a number of times on TV or so I thought. As I sat and watched the performers with their elaborate costumes and technologically enhanced staging and visual affects, I found myself moved beyond words. There were several pleasant surprises during the show including giant, floating snowflakes and a spectacular nativity complete with live camels and a burrow. All this, combined with the opulence and size of the theatre, made for a remarkable experience.

For the second time in two days, I realized the power of a live performance whether it's a comedy in an intimate theatre with compelling actors as the night before or visually stunning displays of musical talent on a grand stage with hundreds of other people in attendance. There is just something about a well-done live performance that stirs the mind and inspires the soul.

I will never forget this past weekend due in large part to this show and the fact that I was fortunate enough to share it with my mother and in a way, share it with her mother. Because of this experience, I now more fully understand my grandmother's fascination with the Rockettes. I get it now. I see how some performances can leave a lasting impression on us. Previously, I have not put much stock in attending live shows of any kind, but not anymore. Who knows, I may even go out of my way to see local performances that before now I would not have even considered. And I now look forward to taking my daughter to Radio City Music Hall one day, God willing. In that moment, four generations of women will have learned to appreciate a great performance in a grand hall.

Art Deco stage at Radio City Music Hall

The Rockettes as Reindeer

A representation of the Nutcracker story 

The Rockettes as Toy Soldiers

Christmas in the City

Drone snowflakes floating around the theater

The live nativity

The final encore with all the performers

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Merry Christmas!

Mommy's Elves

Helping decorate the Christmas tree at Grammie and Papaw's house.

Charleston Area's Premiere Holiday Light Display

Last night, we went to the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park. The festival has been going on for 24 years and this year began November 8th and ends December 31st.

Note: If you plan to camp at the park during this time, be sure to make reservations well in advance. I wasn't aware of the festival and attempted to make reservations last week for this week and it did not work out.

There are over 700 light displays visible from the comfort of your vehicle as you drive through the winding park roads. There is also a place to park and walk around. We saw a sand sculpture, gingerbread houses, and some light displays that you can't see from the road including a one that blinks to music - my favorite. There is a carousel, train, and climbing wall that require the purchase of tickets. Several large gas fire places are available to warm up and roast marshmallows - $2 marshmallow kits are available at the concession or bring your own. Other concessions are also available. We avoided the Santa Gift shop and Sweet Shop, but they make a nice addition.

Admission is $15 per car (15 passengers or less) seven days a week. Monday through Thursday, if you donate a nonperishable food item, the entry fee is $5 off.

My kids loved it and it put us all in the holiday spirit.

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A New Christmas Song

Source: http://dryicons.com/free-graphics/preview/carolers/

We have been listening to Christmas songs in the car pretty much nonstop for the last week or two. Yesterday, while on our way home from dance class, Elisabeth asks me to turn it off. When I asked if she was tired of all the Christmas music she said, "Yeah..."  A bit later, seemingly in response to the silence, she starts singing her own song.  (Sorry for the poor videography, but I was driving and couldn't see where the camera was pointed. The sound is what matters anyway.)

The car seems to be a creative space for my kids when it comes to music.  Jonah has crafted a number of songs in the car also, including this one.

Kid Carolers

May this help put a little more Jolly in your Holly and Happy in your Holiday!

Christmas Decorations Florida-style

So I have this theory that folks in Florida make up for the lack of
cold Christmas weather by going all out on their Christmas light
displays. We drove by a home last night that had Santa and his sleigh
flying around the top of their house via this huge mechanical arm. It
was awesome!

Check back later and I'll post a link to a video.

Seeing is Believing

After getting checked into the hotel and a short rest, the kids and I walked a few block over to Borough Hall for a tree lighting ceremony. I have never been to one before that I can recall. Several of the Brooklyn Borough politicos where in attendance as well as a local R&B group, The Deep.

While all the speeches and singing was going on, Elisabeth kept asking when they were going to light up the tree. Finally, they did and then Santa appeared at the top of the Borough Hall steps.  In dismay, Jonah says "Santa is real!"

We have not liked the idea of lying to our kids so we have never emphasized the Santa Clause phenomenon. But you can't really get away from him - Santa is everywhere this time of year. So Elisabeth has somehow become a believer of sorts while Jonah remains the pessimist. She and Jonah argue whether he's real or not. Mid-argument Jonah will stop and ask, "Mom, is Santa real?" I usually respond something like this. "Is Barney real? or Curious George?"  Jonah will say no and Elisabeth will say yes. Then I will say, "Well, Santa is as real as Barney and Curious George."  Then that usually ends it - until the next time they decide to argue about it.

I think every kids deals with the Santa in their own way and there is to some degree a desire to believe in Santa. I remember at 5 or 6 that I didn't believe there was a Santa per se. I thought there used to be a  generous guy (St. Nicholas) who gave presents to kids, but that now every community had a designated Santa who played the roll and went around giving presents to kids in their neighborhood. So we all make our own stories surrounding old Saint Nick.

After the tree lighting last night, the crowd was invited into the historic building (the original city hall of Brooklyn) for refreshments. And there, of course, was Santa (they also had a snowman and a gingerbread boy). When we left, descending the steps of the classic greek structure - me carrying the stroller while the kids made their own way down - Elisabeth started sobbing uncontrollably. When I asked why she was crying, Jonah spoke and said sympathetically, "She just wants to see Santa." So back up the stairs we went - me carrying the stroller back up the enormous set of steps for the second time. By that time the line to see Santa was pretty short so I figured it was better than a long wait at Macy's or something. Of course, when we got to Santa, Elisabeth was hesitant, but she then got close enough for a picture. Jonah acted like he wanted in the picture too, but, when I told him to get closer, he shook his head and backed away.

So HO, HO, HO from Brooklyn!

Home Sweet Home!

                               Image via Wikipedia

We've been out of town for a couple weeks on our annual pilgrimage to visit family in sunny Florida.  We had a great time and the kids got some good quality time with all their grandparents - we even visited Kelly's great-grandmother (Jonah and Elisabeth's great-great-grandmother).  I am just getting around to downloading pictures and such.  I'll post more details later.

We got back Monday evening in record time - we haven't done 12.5 hours between here and Okeechobee since we had kids. While Kelly and I were unloading the car, Elisabeth fell off of the ottoman and hit the end table. She wailed terribly and then threw up all over the both of us. I carried her to the tub to contain the mess all the while thinking she hit her head the way she was carrying on. Kelly went to get a flashlight to make sure her pupils were dilating appropriately, while I just tried to comfort her and not throw up myself. When she calmed down enough, I asked her where it hurt, and was very relieved when she said her foot. (I love when children get old enough to communicate effectively!) By the time I got her in the bath, Kelly had pretty much unloaded the car. All the luggage and Christmas loot about nearly made me claustrophobic.  I still haven't gotten things in order for a fresh start for the new year.  The Christmas decorations are still up and suitcases still need to be emptied, but it's nice to be home.

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Christmas with Kids

We had a little Christmas celebration with our church fellowship yesterday during which I let the kids open their presents from Mom & Dad.  For Elisabeth, I got a little high chair for all her babies and both she and Jonah have been playing with it since then.  Jonah got a light up, rotating mock aquarium.  They've been moving it around and turning it on and off and pulling up their chairs and the baby doll high chair as if it's a movie to watch.  So cute...  They've been throughly enjoying the other gifts they received yesterday carrying them all around in bags and playing with them.  Christmas with kids is so much fun!  There's no greater gift than children!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Image by planetdavis23 via Flickr

In my experience, it's the wives and mothers that are the driving force behind holiday traditions (unless it involves hunting and fishing).  And this mommy likes putting up the Christmas tree Thanksgiving weekend.  The kids were anxious to get things decorated this year too after seeing Christmas trees up at a local Chick-fil-a and my Chiropractor the day after Halloween.  They did really well hanging the ornaments on the tree.  I enjoyed having a prelit tree this year - much less chaos and time.  (I purchased it at our own garage sell earlier in the year - thanks again Patty - prelit is definitely the way to go!)

Holiday Celebrations!

Well, I'm a month behind on my blogging once again. December was a full month with all the associated Christmas activities. While December is the month we celebrate the birth of our beloved Savior, it is also the birth month of my beloved husband. Since another in our group also has a December birthday, we enjoyed a lovely combination Christmas/birthday dinner celebration with our church fellowship.

Elisabeth's first taste of eggnog - she loved it!



The kids in their Christmas attire.



Sheila made a gourmet birthday cake - delicious!



The kids love singing Christmas Carols; Jonah sang to the top of his lungs despite not knowing the words to all of them.

Tis the Season

When you have children, you are motivated to do things at Christmas time that you have never done before. I heard some ladies at my MOPs group talk about putting together gingerbread houses with their kids. I thought I'd investigate it but had my doubts. I assumed such a thing would be insanely hard to do. However, I was glad to find out you can buy these easy to put together kits that include everything you need - woohoo! One of the perks of living in the 21st century! I found two different ones at Target for about $10 each: (Option 1) included everything you need and you put the house together (Option 2) the gingerbread house is already constructed you just decorate it (candy and icing again included.) Well, I felt like I would be a total wimp to go with the the pre-fab gingerbread house, so I purchased Option 1.

During Elisabeth's afternoon nap, I focused Jonah on the task at hand and set about putting it together. I finally got the structure of the house put together despite Jonah's "help." He was in a hurry to decorate with (a.k.a eat) the candy. I found that decorating the house prettily like the picture on the box, was not going to happen - I cut the hole in the icing bag too big for one thing. Jonah's desire to get to the candy part of this production prompted me to stick the roof on and add icing before the suggested wait time was over. When we got the house nearly finished, I noticed the roof pieces were beginning to slide down. At that point I had three thoughts (1) I guess I should have waited the extra few minutes for the roof joints to dry (2) now I know why I heard some ladies say they used super glue on their gingerbread houses and (3) next time maybe I should go with the prefab gingerbread house.

Here's a picture of Jonah with our creation. Note the cups propping the roof up.



The next day we didn't need the cups once the icing hardened.