Christmas is nigh. I love Christmas.
Some people don't like the Christmas season - we tend to groan about the stresses and obligations and expenses.
But that's just what happens when we get carried away with temporal things; when we neglect the real purpose of this worldwide celebration.
Christmas is just to remind us that Jesus, the Christ Child, became flesh and dwelt among men. Remember that Gift; that's all you're obliged to do. Everything else is optional glitz and glamor, created by our zeal to celebrate and honor the glorious birth. Put up a tree, hang lights, give gifts in honor of His gift, make cookies and hot chocolate, sit and read the Story and bask in the glow of His birthday.
Lift Him up first, and make all other things second. Trade cost for value. Find ways to give Him, one who was made the very least of these, birthday gifts.
Enjoy this Advent week,
Mrs H
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Sugar and Spice Drops
From KAF Whole Grain Baking.
Simple, easy to make; I made the dough one day when I had some time, and baked it the next when I had a little more time. They disappeared like hotcakes, and stayed tender and soft until the end!
3/4 cup unsalted butter (or use salted butter and less salt)
1 cup (7 oz) sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoons ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup (3 oz) molasses
1 large egg
2 cups (8 oz) traditional whole wheat flour
Beat butter, sugar, baking soda, salt and spices in a medium bowl until smooth. Beat in molasses, then egg, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in flour. Refrigerate dough, covered, for 30 minutes or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper (do not grease paper). Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
Bake cookies until they've flattened out and begun to brown, 11 - 12 minutes. Remove from oven, cool on wire rack.
