Monday, December 20, 2010

In the St. Nick of Time!!!


The Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest  (thanks Jen and Melissa!!!) presents me with the perfect opportunity to post the purchases from our Christmas extravaganza from the previous three posts (if you missed, you'll want to catch up!) 
Freshly brought in from the cold, is our tree as aromatic as a mountain cut pine (although a tree cut in the mountains would never look this full!) Here we have not yet begun putting on our decorations. 
But first to go on...
Having an eye for the nostalgic this year, and having a love for horses, I chose this lovely little rocking horse.
Last year's catch was this glass dolphin
Failing to find another petite aquatic ornament that hooked my fancy, I found one that reminded me of the place that I wish I were when the cold winds are ablowin here in Colorado...(the lighthouse would be what I am referring to, not the penguin! 10 points to the commenter who figures out what place I am referring to!)

A dino tree was spotted this year and as dinosaurs carry a lot of weight in our house, there are several new ones on the tree...
 Giraffes are another favorite of a newer member of the family... 
A favorite ornament from our tradition, years past, is this one...
With all the favorites of each family member specially chosen over the years donning the tree, the final results are quietly pleasant...
 and under??? Could those be package for pretty little girls?*

And a favorite drink? Well, around here, drink of choice, in Key West or by the Christmas tree,  is always...
Champagne
And finally, the recipe...
When I was a very little girl, my grandmother (mentioned previously on this blog in a fiction piece) was a marvelous cook. Each year she made mountains of a particular cookie, a German cookie called a Pfeffernuesse or Peppernut. They are generally made with anise although my grandfather hated Anise so she never added it. I prefer it with Anise myself so I will include it in the recipe...
Evelyn's Peppernut Recipe 
3/4 c Oleo (I don't think they make Oleo anymore... Butter or "I can't believe it's not butter" or something like that. Butter is the best!)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. dark brown sugar
(mix well)
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp crushed anise
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar 
1/2 tsp. salt
 1/2 c. chopped nuts (pecans generally)
Mix dough. Chill several hours or overnight. Roll dough into thin ropes (finger widths thick). Freeze them. 
 When you are ready to bake them, (heat oven to 350 degrees) take out four at a time and cut them approximately 1/2 inch wide. Place flat side on cookie sheet and bake them 10 minutes or until brown.  
Last tradition:
A piece of chocolate each day to count down to Christmas. Some years the house contained a clue to tell you where the chocolate was hidden. This year, we simply get the chocolate out of the door that coincides with the day of the month counting down to Christmas day!!!

*Lucy from Charlie Brown's Christmas



25 comments:

  1. Isn't it great that every ornament has a reason? And your tree looks absolutely gorgeous, even without anything on.
    Merry Christmas, Danette.

    And no, I cannot guess where you want to be, unless you mean India?

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  2. HA HA! You are exactly right! 10 points to you! I was thinking of Bombay! LOL-- Although I don't remember any lighthouses when I was there...

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  3. I love all your ornaments! I'm big on dolphins so that was sweet but the dino is super cool as well! My dad would LOVE that rocking horse! Great to have a close up look at the tree. Have a Merry Christmas!!

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  4. A beautiful post with so much love.
    Merry Christmas!

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  5. What wonderful ornaments. Love the glass dolphin. Who doesn't love chocolate every day.
    Have a wonderful holiday!

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  6. Beautiful photos! You've got me in the Christmas spirit now!

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  7. Such beautiful decorations and traditions. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful Christmas!

    Be Jolly By Golly

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  8. your tree ornaments are incredibly detailed and beautiful.
    I love champagne with my Christmas celebrations too.
    Chocolate is a great way to count down to Yule.
    Merry Christmas.

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  9. Lovely ornaments!

    Happy Holidays.

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  10. Ooooh noooo, now I must get a tree tomorrow, yours looks so amazing :)

    Happy Holidays to you and yours
    xo

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  11. Your tree is beautiful! I love the rocking horse ornament and your grandma's recipe sounds yummy. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Hi Danette - I love the rocking horse and the giraffe ornaments. Merry Christmas.

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  13. Everything looks wonderfully festive! Have a joyful time!

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  14. THANKS TO ALL WHO DROPPED BY TODAY AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

    Hi Jennie: The dolphin is a favorite. I have a collection so I was pleased to have an ornament.

    Mary: Thanks!

    Christine: Chocolate is a staple of Christmas.

    Talli: We have great fun at Christmas. Thanks for stopping by!

    Nicole: Thanks!

    Ellie: Thanks and thanks for stopping by!

    Elaine: Champagne is always delicious! And no time better than Christmas.

    Tara: Thanks!

    Zella: Happy Holiday to you too! Glad you stopped by today!

    Lisa: The cookies are terrific with a hot drink. I have made them for cookie swaps in the past and they are always very popular.

    RaShelle: Thanks! Merry Christmas!!

    Lady Fi: Thanks for dropping by!

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  15. What gorgeous ornaments and I love your tree!

    Have a Merry Christmas!

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  16. Danette,

    Your decorations a gorgeous. I love the rocking horse and the giraffe.

    What a fantastic tree full of wonderful memories.

    Happy Holidays to you and your family.

    Michael

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  17. I wish my tree looked that full!! :) And the cookie recipe is another to add to my list - thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays to you!! (and the lighthouse ornament - Key West, right?)

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  18. Your tree and decorations are gorgeous! My fav is the giraffe.

    Merry Christmas
    Lyn

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  19. I love your ornaments! Very nice!

    Merry Christmas!

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  20. Your ornaments are really awesome. I really like them!
    Thank you so much for participating in our blog fest!

    Merry Christmas!

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  21. Lovely ornaments, and I love that they have such meaning for you. My wife would be envious of that dolphin!

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  22. Donae Lee: You get the 10 points! Absolutely correct! Happy Holidays!

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  23. I can't believe I missed your post on Monday, but thanks to Michael I found it. You have absolutely lovely decorations and I get a sense of real Christmas spirit here. KUDO'S!!

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :)

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  24. Michael, Thanks again for the award!

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