
Dec 30, 2010
2010 Auf Wiedersehen

Dec 24, 2010
Change of Plans
Dec 21, 2010
The Christmas Truce
Dec 20, 2010
Oh What Fun


Dec 19, 2010
What am I making Christmas morning?
Cranberry Orange Scones. They are so darn delicious! Rather than describe how tasty they are, I'll describe the reaction I received when I served them for my bible study ladies this past Wednesday. Shock and awe. That's right. They were so surprised that something that tasty came out of MY kitchen.
Wednesday was the last bible study before Christmas, I wanted everything to be just perfect looking, sounding, and tasting. The day before I ran into the grocery store searching for inspiration for our morning snack. A bright light shone down upon fresh cranberries (and all the other fruits in the misting section but whatever) and it hit me "Cranberry Scones". I searched AllRecipes for something that got rave reviews and found this one. I whipped them up....and was slightly disappointed. They were fine, but nothing special. I started looking at other recipes and noticed a trend of combining cranberries and orange. I sent Matt to the store at exactly 7:45, with just moments to spare before they closed. The next morning I made the scones using the same recipe but added zest from two oranges. I have to say, it took them over the top! Not only are they so tasty you want to eat more and more, they are really quite pretty to look at. The red cranberries give the English pastry a little Christmas kick!
In order to avoid eating them all, I gave about half a dozen to Mika after the party. Needless to say, she is equally in love.
So Christmas morning, I'm whipping these guys up.
CRANBERRY ORANGE SCONES
INGREDIENTS:
BUTTER:
1 1/2 cups butter (no substitutes), softened
1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
SCONES:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup butter (no substitutes)
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1 tablespoon of grated orange peel
3/4 cup buttermilk
DIRECTIONS:
In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Stir in cranberries, confectioners; sugar and orange peel; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Meanwhile, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add cranberries and orange peel. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; gently knead 6-8 times. Divide in half. Pat each into an 8-in. circle. Cut into eight wedges. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks. Serve warm with cranberry-orange butter.
Dec 18, 2010
Unbroken Song
of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung.
It came, a flow’ret bright, amid the cold of winter,
when half-spent was the night.
Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright, she bore to men a Savior,
when half-spent was the night.
The shepherds heard the story, proclaimed by angels bright,
how Christ, the Lord of glory, was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found him,
as angel heralds said.
This flow’r, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
dispels with glorious splendor the darkness ev’rywhere.
True man, yet very God; from sin and death he saves us
and lightens ev’ry load.
O Savior, child of Mary, who felt our human woe;
O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know,
bring us at length, we pray, to the bright courts of heaven
and to the endless day.
Dec 16, 2010
Revisited Classic
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men
And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they're singing
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men
And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men
But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men
Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men
Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men
And the bells they're ringing
Like a choir they're singing
And with our hearts we'll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men
Do you hear the bells they're ringing?
The life the angels singing
Open up your heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men
Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men
Dec 9, 2010
The Neighbor
Dec 6, 2010
You are the Light
I absolutely love, love, love this song. It is written by David Hodges. You can download it for free via this website. You'll have to search the list for the song title and then you can download or stream. I love the lyrics. I heard this song at our church in VA about 3 years ago and it just stuck with me.
Glimpses of mercy fading
A savior will come
We've waited so long
You are the light Bethlehem's son
Hope of the world the glorious one
The savor to all is with us tonight
You are the light. You are the light.
Bow in your presence surrounded by angels beaming
A savior has come
A candle to lead us
A flame to destroy the darkness
The Light of your love
Messiah has come
You are the light Bethlehem's son
Hope of the world the glorious one
The savior to all is with us tonight
You are the light.
Now the whole world will not be the same
Cause love has come down and grace has a name
The name of the child is Jesus Christ
You are the light.
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
You are the light Bethlehem's son
Hope of the world the glorious one
The savor to all is with us tonight
You are the light Bethlehem's son
Hope of the world the glorious one
The savior to all is with us tonight
You are the light.
Now the whole world will not be the same
Cause love has come down and grace has a name
The name of the child is Jesus Christ
You are the light.
You are the light. You are the light. You are the light
Dec 1, 2010
Ray Charles and The Spirit of Christmas
For being with the one's we love
Sharing so much joy and cheer
What a wonderful feelin
Watching the one's we love
Having so much fun
I was sittin by the fire side
Taking a walk through the snow
Listening to a children's choir
Singing songs about Jesus
The blessed way that he came to us
Why can't it remain
All through the year
Each day the same
Heyeah, that's what I wanna hear
Heh heh
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas
All the kin folk gather round
The lovely Christmas tree
Hearts are glowing full of joy
Sense the gifts that we're giving
And the love that we're living
Why can't it remain
Ohhh all through the year
Each day the same
Heyeah, that's what I wanna hear
I'll tell ya
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas
Let me hear ya
Why can't it remain
All through the year
Each day the same
That's what I wanna hear
Listen to me
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas
Ohhh It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas
Ain't it so
It's truly amazin
Yeah, that spirit of Christmas
Oh Christmas
Oh Christmas