December, Day 2

This little choral singing vignette lives on the table in the foyer.  I used to have a small Christmas tree there also, but I found this really cool lit bare limbed tree this year, so I replaced the older tree with it.
I have had this group of carolers since the mid 80's.  At that time we were a young family of four, TheHub, me, Son1 and Son2.  Many years later after Son3 came along there was so much difference in his age and his brothers ages that he became the baby in the green snowsuit holding the teddy bear. Now that little fellow is 22 and our family has grown to include Mama K and little Pip.  If I were going to truly represent the family now I would really need to buy two older gray haired carolers, add 2 adult bald males, keep the blond adult male, kick out the blond female and replace her with an adult female with dark hair and keep the baby girl. But who wants to be accurate?  I had much rather imagine myself still as a true blonde instead of a blonde covered gray lady. Sigh!


The recipe for today is a cookie I make each year.  They are in high demand here and eaten about as soon as I make them. Luckily I have learned to bake when no one is at home and freeze it in containers labeled squash. Hee hee!

Nutmeg Noels


1 tablespoon red sprinkles, 1 tablespoon green sprinkles
1/2 teaspoons nutmeg, divided
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon rum extract

350  10-12 minutes

Put each tablespoon of colored sugar in a small shallow bowl.  Stir 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg into each and set aside.

Mix the dry ingredients together and set aside

Cream the butter until it is light and fluffy, add the sugar and continue beating until it is very fluffy.  Add the egg and mix well, then stir in the extracts.  With the mixer set on low, add the flour mixture until it is all combined well, but do not over beat

Set the bowl with the dough in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.  Roll the dough into balls about the size of large marbles.  Dip one side into the colored sugar using half the balls for the red sugar and the other half for the green sugar.

Place on a very lightly greased baking sheet ( or use parchment ) and bake for about 10-12 minutes 
until the edges of the bottom are light brown.  Do not over bake!  These taste similar to egg nog in cookie form. 
They will keep about a week in an air tight room temp container, or freeze easily for a month. And if you put them in a container labeled squash or eggplant or something similar they will stay intact in the freezer!

Today's Musical Interlude:Joni Mitchell "River" just because I love this song and her voice.